Coolamon have made a significant first move in recruitment bringing Joe Redfern and Mitch Stephenson back to Kindra Park.
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The versatile Redfern, a former Greater Western Sydney rookie, will return after playing for Sunbury in Ballarat last season, while Stephenson spent the year at The Rock-Yerong Creek.
Hoppers coach Matt Hard said the pair’s return is important in a developing side.
“It puts a bit of spring in our step and creates a bit of enthusiasm,” Hard said.
“Joe’s a good signing. Getting a player of his quality – he’s obviously been through the Giants and had a stint down there with Werribee (in the VFL). He’s still only young but he adds a lot of experience.”
Redfern, who is based in Albury and will travel to train once a week, adds flexibility as well as quality as Coolamon chase a return to finals.
“He’ll bring a lot of enthusiasm and the beauty about Joe is he can play numerous roles for us so we’ll see how the next few months pan out with our recruiting and then we’ll shore up what he does for us,” Hard said.
Stephenson had an eye-catching season for TRYC proving dangerous off half-back, following his stint in the Ovens and Murray League. He was also a key player in Coolamon’s premiership season of 2013.
“He played really good footy for us a few years, then obviously he’s been to Wodonga and then The Rock,” Hard said.
“He’ll add plenty of run and carry to our side, which is what we need, and another experienced body so we’re rapt to have him back.”
With only one or two teenagers school leavers potentially leaving, Coolamon aim to build on the progress they made with a young group this year.
“We were competitive at times and inexperience got us at times, so we know where we’re at,” Hard said.
“We’ll just keep working towards getting better.”