FARRER LEAGUE
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EAST Wagga-Kooringal has moved to ensure it will remain a Farrer League force with the signing of four players for next season.
In the biggest news for the club, talented young ruckman Nick Hull will return to Gumly Oval after one season with Queanbeyan.
Hull's return comes on the back of signing Wagga Tigers brothers James and Sam Hodges, along with former Hawk Craig Depiazza.
Hull enjoyed a breakout year at the Hawks in 2013 and then made the decision to progress his football with a year at Queanbeyan.
He spent most of the second half of the season playing for the Tigers in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL).
EWK coach Gavin McMahon is thrilled to welcome Hull back to the Hawks.
"Absolutely, he's an East Wagga junior and that's the important part for us," McMahon said.
"It was huge for him to be able to have a year away and play in the NEAFL system, that was invaluable for him.
"He had a good pre-season, got big and strong and fit, then had a lot of knee troubles which delayed his start to the season, game wise.
"He then got going and spent most of the second half of the year in their NEAFL side.
"It's huge to get him back.
"Someone who's 199 centimetres, 115 kilos and mobile, I'm sure any footy club would take that."
James Hodges will provide the Hawks with another valuable forward target.
He returned to Wagga Tigers this season after a year at Holbrook.
A workplace accident brought his year to a premature end mid-season.
McMahon believes Hodges has the potential to be a huge pick-up for EWK as he came to the club to join his mates.
"Hodgey has more talent in his little finger than most other footballers in the Riverina," McMahon said.
"He's just got to get it together and reduce the gap between his best and worst.
"He's a cracking fella and wants to play with his mates which is great."
Sam Hodges played some reserve grade games at Tigers last year, but also spent time at Holbrook and North Albury in recent years.
Depiazza arrives back at Gumly after time at Hume League club Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock.
The Hawks have been able to keep their losses to a minimum with only Michael O'Dea, Adrian Pendlebury, Alexander Skehan and Bevan Behets moving on with their employment.
The club will hold its Christmas party next Friday.