RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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COOLAMON has added another quality footballer to its midfield brigade with the prized signing of Queanbeyan ball-winner Daniel Johnson.
The Hoppers have boasted one of the best midfields in the competition for the past couple of years and it is set to get stronger with the acquisition of Johnson from Canberra.
Coolamon won the race to sign Johnson, beating fellow Riverina club Narrandera, plus others, for his signature.
Johnson played several years at Tuggeranong before crossing to Queanbeyan where he played in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL) last season.
He played 15 games for Queanbeyan last year and was named in the Tigers' best on six occasions.
Coolamon coach Matt Hard is thrilled to land another quality footballer from a higher standard.
"It's very good for us, Daniel is tough and hard at it," Hard said.
"He's compliment our midfield nicely with the likes of Maddox, McGrath, Chamberlain, Neyland and Crawford.
"He'll be very good for us and add a lot to our list.
"I'm very excited to get him on board."
Johnson played more than 100 games at Tuggeranong before travelling overseas for the 2013 season.
When he returned, he crossed to Queanbeyan and made a big impression.
He will travel from Canberra with new Coolamon team mates Peter McGrath and Nathan Edyvean.
Hard said Johnson arrives at Kindra Park with big wraps.
"He's played a lot of NEAFL footy for Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan," he said.
"The best thing about Daniel is that he is very highly regarded by his peers.
"That's always a good sign when the blokes you play alongside rate you, so we're rapt to have him on board."
Coolamon will begin its pre-season training on Monday at Kindra Park at 6pm.
The Hoppers will do so under Hard, who has taken back the reins after Lew Roberts ventured back to Melbourne.
Ben Fixter and Mitch Stephenson will be two others that are missing.
After recently re-signing at Coolamon, the pair have decided to travel to play at Wodonga Bulldogs in the Ovens and Murray League.
"Losing Mitch and Ben is not ideal but they go with my best wishes," Hard said.
Former Adelaide Crows forward Chris Ladhams will be one of the new faces at Coolamon.
He will travel and play about 10 games for the Hoppers.
Coolamon is still recruiting but Hard said he looked forward to bringing through the next wave of Coolamon senior footballers.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"There are a lot of good young blokes coming through.
"There's been a bit of change in personnel and there will be a lot of opportunities for different blokes and that's what pre-season is for."