The Goannas have welcomed on board Belconnen forward Dom Bunyan, as well as East Wagga-Kooringal key defender Tim Smith.

Bunyan arrives with 150 games experience under his belt and will be match-day fowards coach at MCUE.

Smith did not play this season after a knee reconstruction but has been recruited to lead the Goannas' defence.

Rowe coached both players at Belconnen and is rapt to have them on board at MCUE.

"One hundred per cent. To get a couple of guys to commit to us mid-November is terrific," Rowe said.

"In a perfect world, we'll wrap up recruiting in the next fortnight and be able to go into total planning mode."

Bunyan has kicked 135 goals over the past four seasons for Belconnen and represented AFL Canberra on multiple occasions.

He will play an integral part of a new-look Goannas forward line.

"He's played full-forward a bit but does so an undersized full-forward," Rowe explained.

"He has exceptional speed and defensive pressure. He plays a lot taller than his size and has got very good hands for hitting up the lead.

"The forward line structure we'll run with is more of a system than having a traditional full-forward, with lots of moving parts...but he will play an important role in that."

Rowe also has high hopes for Smith, who played in a Farrer League premiership at the Hawks in 2016.

He then injured his knee halfway through the 2017 season, which kept him out this year.

"He'll be a key back and take the opposition's best forward, closer to goal," Rowe said.

"I only had one year with him but I really enjoyed my year coaching him. He's a good fella and someone that's always trying to improve his footy.

"I'll look to him to be our backline organiser, as well as a solid stopper at the same time."

Smith is expected to be fit to return from his knee injury in time for round one on April 13.

READ MORE