By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals have looked around the local area to bring in extra depth to the Riddell District Football League club.
Centrals have announced several player signings, with most of them coming from the Melton and Moorabool-based teams.
The two not from local clubs, are former players who are returning to the club after a couple of seasons away.
Centrals coach Mathew Sproule said they had looked to attract local players to the club who were in the age range of the current playing group.
“We’ve still got a lot of the 17 to 23 age group,” he said.
“We looked at guys who are 21 or 22 and the group could play together for the next few years and hopefully play finals together.
“We recruited from around the area, so they don’t have to travel to the club. They are likely to be around the club more that way.”
Sproule said they had looked to add nine to 10 players into the squad, with a bit more depth in the midfield and another key forward the two key focuses.
He said Daniel Foley, who comes from Bacchus Marsh, is the club’s marquee signing. Foley spent time previously with Werribee in the VFL.
Dylan Clarke and Connor Charge are expected to give some more depth in the midfield, while Travis Ferri is joining his brother John Ferri at the club.
Josh Calvitto, Kayne Wilson and Luke Vassallo are also set to join the club, while two former players, Kane Bullen and Josh Bamford, return to the club after playing for Maryborugh Rovers. Bullen previously captained the Centrals.
Sproule said the two would provide plenty of experience on and off the field and were two who were always known to be at training.
While there is several new players at the club, Sproule said they wouldn’t go away from what they had been focusing on the few years.
“We will still have spots for the kids,” he said.
“The under-19s still have a chance to play senior football. If they’re not playing senior football they will be playing with their mates in the 19s and it will be a handy team.”
Sproule said they recently had about 60 people turn up to a players meeting, with just about every player re-signing.
He said they wanted to continue to be part of what they are developing.
“They see where we are going,” he said.
“The team is going to be better than last year, but how many games we win I’m not sure.”
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