Tumut has struck a blow during the quiet Group Nine off-season and the Blues front row will soon feature two league medal winners from last season.
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Weissel Medal winner Zac Masters has been joined by reigning Les McIntyre Medal winner Tom Warner.
Warner and brother Ben have signed on with the Blues for 2019.
Tumut will be their third Group Nine club after previously playing with Cootamundra and Brothers.
They’ve spent the past two seasons with Yass, where Tom Warner was named joined winner of the Canberra Raiders Cup best and fairest.
Tumut co-coach Dean Bristow is thrilled to have both come on board.
He believes they’ll both be a big boost for the club’s depth and is looking forward to seeing Tom Warner join Masters in the front row.
“It was one department where we were lacking a little bit and we’ve added a bit of depth to try and bolster some size in our team,” Bristow said.
Bristow expects their experience will help continue the development of the Blues young forwards with 21-year Masters leading from the front last season.
“That (medal) speaks for itself and it is no easy feat winning a medal like that,” he said.
“Hopefully he can bring some of that form to us and try to nurture a few of the young forwards we’ve got coming through.
“It adds a bit more experience to get around us older blokes as the age gap through to the younger ones was pretty vast.”
Bristow is unsure what role the versatile Ben Warner role.
He transitioned from the centres into the forward pack while at the Magpies, but attacking weapons out wide was something the Blues lacked last season.
“He played in the forwards with Yass last year so he’s got a bit of versatility about him,” Bristow said.
“It was one of the main drawing cards and we’re unsure of where we are going to play him yet but I’m sure he’ll be valuable wherever we see fit.”
Bristow admitted their back line depth was tested as they fell short of consecutive finals appearances late in the season.
He’s hoping the 29-year-old can fill the void.
“It caught us out in the back end of the year and we were using some forwards in the backs and got a couple of key injuries late to our centres,” Bristow said.
“Our depth was very much tested in the back line as well so to have someone with a bit of versatility definitely helps.
Bristow is hoping the Warners will be the first of a number of signings for the Blues as they look to return to finals after finishing sixth last season.
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