LEETON-Whitton have taken another big step in their pursuit of a maiden Riverina League premiership with two key signatures.
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The Crows have signed Tasmanian midfielder Matt Rainbird while former captain Brad Boots has also decided to return to the club.
Rainbird has played more than 50 senior games at state league level for Glenorchy, while Boots returns after a season with Ovens and Murray League club Lavington.
In a further boost to Leeton-Whitton’s prospects, Toby Conroy, Neil Irwin and Michael Wescombe have all signed for another season of travelling from Canberra.
Young ruckman Mason Dryburgh is also back after missing last year due to shoulder surgery.
The developments come on the back of the earlier signing of Tasmanian state league forward Daniel Muir.
Leeton-Whitton captain-coach Jade Hodge is thrilled to add Rainbird and Boots to his list.
“Matt is a bloke that runs all day, gets a lot of the footy and doesn’t waste it,” Hodge said.
“He can also play that small forward role. He’s really good at getting to the fall of the footy, which we lacked last year.
“I played with Bootsy in 2008-09 and he’s a quality player. He’s another one of those utility players that we can use anywhere. It’s fantastic that he’s decided to come back, I’m over the moon to get him back.”
The Crows have only lost Cam Griggs to retirement, Mitch Hardie to Canberra Demons and Tom Morton to Coleambally.
Key recruits from last season, Josh Grant and Luke Potter, have re-signed, while the likes of Bryce O’Garey and Ben Curley will still be there.
Leeton-Whitton have already begun pre-season training as Hodge looks to have his group fitter for next year’s campaign.
“We started training about a month ago now. We’ve only been doing short, sharp sessions, but three times a week,” Hodge said.
“It’s mainly been running. That’s something we lacked last year so I want too try to fix it this year.”
One ‘problem’ Hodge has now is to find positions for his squad. He is keen to send Josh Grant to defence now he has Dryburgh and Irwin to shoulder ruck duties.
Hodge also thinks a key forward, either he, Muir, Potter or Tom Meline, may head down back too.
“I’ve got a few different ideas. It took us too long to get set last year,” he said.
