Diggers Rest is leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of a Riddell District Football League premiership.
After three seasons in a row of finishing runners-up, the Burras have added former AFL duo Cale Morton and Taylor Hine to their 2016 squad.
Morton, a midfielder and forward, was drafted by Melbourne in 2007 and went on to play 73 games for the Demons. He booted 33 goals in that time before being traded to West Coast at the end of the 2012 season.
Morton played three games for the Eagles before being delisted.
Last season, the 25-year-old played for Coburg in the VFL.
Hine, drafted out of the Calder Cannons, was one of the first players to be selected by expansion club Gold Coast Suns.
He played nine games for the Suns before moving to North Melbourne for two years.
The 23-year-old is expected to slot into the Burras’ midfield.
Diggers Rest coach Shaun Sims said the signings had created a buzz around the club.
“They are both quality people and we wouldn’t bring anyone in who isn’t a good person,” Sims said.
“One of the main things is that they bring excitement to the club. We had our first training session last week and there was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about that.
“Our guys have the opportunity to play with a couple of really good footballers.”
Diggers Rest has also addressed its young- player stocks.
With access to only a small junior division of the club, the Burras are forced to look at other options for recruiting youngsters.
The club has signed teenage trio Billy Fellows, Robbie Burns and Lane Tucker. Fellows and Burns join from Sunbury Lions, while Tucker is from Essendon District Football League club Oak Park.
Sims said the bulk of the club’s recruiting was now complete.
“We’re pretty much happy with where we’re at,” he said.
“We thought our list was pretty good last year so we haven’t gone out and got a heap of players.
“That’s because of the points system and because our depth is quite good. We decided to go after two marquee guys and three young kids, who we got relatively early.”
Diggers Rest will begin its 2016 campaign against Riddell.
