Charles Sturt University are taking steps to ensure this year’s finals appearance was no flash-in-the-pan, shoring up their midfield options with the signing of Lachie Moore.
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The 21-year-old is moving from Riverina League heavyweights Collingullie-Glenfield Park to explore a challenge with the Bushpigs.
“I’m pretty keen, it’s a new opportunity for me,” Moore said.
“I feel like I’ve given good service at ’Gullie and now it’s time to try something new. I’ve never had another senior club. I’ve always been at ’Gullie and always been in that league so I’ll change it up, see what the difference is and go from there.”
A Wagga Swans junior, Moore had eight years at the Crossroads Oval playing in three senior premierships (and a reserve grade flag).
While the Bushpigs made their first Farrer League finals appearance since 2011 this season, Moore has played in four Riverina League grand finals in the last five years.
CSU coach Pat Noonan sees similarities with Moore’s mate Brayden Ambler, who proved an outstanding acquisition in his first season at the Bushpigs this year.
With Rob Herzfeld on the move and Louis Miller’s availability uncertain, the speedy wingman is set to get a chance in the midfield.
“We’re very lucky to have Lachie on board for 2019,” Noonan said.
“He’s had heaps of exposure out at ’Gullie which is really good and I think he’ll fit in to those roles for us that will be left by blokes who are leaving, so it’s really good.”
Moore is keen to tackle the midfield.
“I’d really like to get in the engine house and have a run in there,” he said.
“That would be good, getting amongst it more, have the opportunity to get a bit more ball.”
Noonan is also keen on the professional experience of Moore who is a personal trainer and happy to lead the way.
“I’ll definitely help out a lot with the strength and conditioning, get the boys fit and strong and hopefully minimise injuries,” Moore said.
“That’s always a killer in the footy season, things like hamstrings and stuff, so injury prevention and strengthening up the boys is important.”
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Moore has followed the Farrer League more closely in recent years. He knows back-to-back premiers Marrar have been dominant but believes CSU can continue to build on this year’s promise.
“Most of the boys were playing their first finals series, they were just young in finals,” he said. “Now they’ve had a bit of a taste for it they’ll want to get back there this year.”
His time at the Demons taught him that commitment and professionalism are the keys to success. He believes CSU are on the right track under the coaching team of Noonan and Ambler (assistant) and just aims to bring some of the personal attributes he learnt at Collingullie.
“Just speed, intense pressure and the ability to keep running out games, pretty much,” Moore said. “That’s what a lot of teams lack and when it comes to the crunch at the end of the game, the third and fourth quarters, I’m still there running around.”