Northern Jets will bring another NEAFL-experienced footballer to the Farrer League, with well-credentialled midfielder Josh Avis heading a quartet of signings.
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Talented forward Mick Foster (Narrandera) is returning to the Jets along with two talls, Matt Carroll (Coolamon) and Roland Finch (West Wyalong-Girral), to round out the club’s first four recruits for 2018.
Avis, 25, has Sydney Swans reserve grade games on his resume, after bursting onto the scene in Newcastle when he won a premiership and best-on-ground medal as a 19-year-old centre-half-forward in 2011.
“I think he’ll be quite exciting for the league,” Robinson said.
“He originally played in the Black Diamond League – he played in two flags and represented the league on three occasions. He’ll play midfield or up forward.”
After five years of senior football in Newcastle, Avis moved to Forbes for work, and had a season coaching Parkes in 2016 before the club folded.
Last season he travelled to play with West Wyalong-Girral in the Northern Riverina League, finishing third in the league medal and claiming his club best-and-fairest.
Avis will travel from Forbes with Finch – a former Jets junior who can play as a key back or in the ruck.
Carroll adds to the ruck options for the Jets, who last year relied very heavily on Aidan Cattle.
“We lacked a bit of height last year. He came to training last week and impressed me,” Robinson said.
Foster’s return is just as crucial up forward, where the Jets struggled for options this year.
He’s played the last two seasons with Narrandera in the Riverina League, but in 2015 he kicked 27 goals in 16 games for the Jets and was in their best in half of those matches.
“Mick’s really keen to come back to his home club and put his best foot forward,” Robinson said.
“He was probably a little bit disappointed in his couple of years at Narrandera. But when he’s up and going he’s one of the best footy players going around.”