Collingullie-Glenfield Park have taken another significant step in their bid to return to the top of the Riverina League with three more signings.
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The Demons have snared the signing of Tim Beckmans, and will also welcome back Tom and Joe Byrnes.
Beckmans, a Turvey Park junior, has moved back to Wagga after completing university in Wollongong.
A number of clubs circled Beckmans and in the end it was Collingullie-GP who won the race to secure his services.
Beckmans spent some time playing with Wollongong Bulldogs and played at Lockhart when last in the Riverina.
He spent 2013-14 at Lockhart and was in their best 21 times from 31 games.
Collingullie-GP coach Luke Gestier was pleased to welcome Beckmans on board.
“He’s a good signing,” Gestier said.
“He had last year off while he was finishing uni but he was training for a marathon, so fitness wise he’s going well obviously.”
Beckmans signing comes shortly after his older brother Matt’s departure from Crossroads Oval.
Gestier said the younger sibling is a handy replacement, but explained they are different types of footballers.
“Tim’s a different footballer to Matt, he’s a bit more of an inside midfielder,” he said.
“We’re definitely going to give him a crack in our midfield. He wants to play on-ball and I’ll certainly give him the opportunity.”
The Byrnes brothers, Tom and Joe, are no strangers to Collingullie-GP. They both last played there in 2016.
Joe is able to hold down a key defensive role, while Tom is a utility. Both will play a selection of games throughout the season.
“Getting them is a good bonus,” Gestier said.
“Not only have we lost some senior blokes, we’ve also lost some of our depth in the twos so it’s better to get people into the club than not.
“It’s definitely pleasing to have them.”
The Demons have experienced a fair share of departures over the off-season but have picked up a number of quality players as well.
Ben Klemke, Tim Beckmans, Dusty Rogers, Dereck Singe, the Byrnes brothers and Geoff Springs head the inclusions.
Among the losses are Steve Jolliffe, James Morris, Matt Beckmans, Will Haines, Justin Simmons, Joe Banks and potentially Chris Jackson.
Collingullie-GP will head away this weekend to Mulwala for a pre-season training camp. Their first trial game is against Gungahlin on March 17.