Tara Murray
Reigning Ballarat Football League premiers Melton have received a boost with a former star returning to the club.
The Bloods announced late last month that Ben Archard was returning to the club in 2023. Archard, who previously captained the Bloods, won two best and fairests in his previous stint at the club and was one of the competition’s best rucks.
He left the club after the 2021 season to play in Cohuna, while he was also on Essendon’s Victorian Football League list.
Archard will continue to juggle his local football commitments with his commitments at the Bombers.
The return of Archard helps offset the departure of Mark Orr, who was the club’s main ruck last season.
Orr, who returned to the Bloods last year, has joined Riddell District Football League runners-up Diggers Rest.
The signing of Archard is the second VFL signing for the Bloods this season.
Jack Watkins, who plays for North Melbourne, has also joined the Bloods. Watkins, who previously played for the Western Jets, played his junior football with Melton South.
