Barellan have resumed pre-season training with extra spring in their step after snaring three recruits for the upcoming season.
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The Two Blues have welcomed on board Canberra-based duo Ben Maiden and Shaun Allan, while also adding Nathan Barnes from Lexton.
Maiden and Allan are a well-travelled pair, who last year enjoyed an AFL Canberra fourth division premiership with Cooma club Southern Cats.
They spent two seasons in the Hume League with Rand-Walbundrie, either side of stints at Eastlake and Ainslie in AFL Canberra and the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL).
Maiden has also spent time playing with Waratahs in the Northern Territory competition.
New Barellan coach Sean Browning said the trio will add valuable experience to the Two Blues’ playing group.
“It was important for us, especially with the experience these guys have got,” Browning said.
“Ben and Shaun are well travelled and that’s important. It’s not going to be the first time they’ve travelled so there will be no issues. They’re keen to come to our camp, play the practice matches and meet everyone at the club.
“Now with Ben, Sean (Ellis), myself and the other guys like Matt Irvin and that who have been playing through the midfield, we should have enough there now for rotations.”
Importantly, Allan will provide Barellan with a much-needed ruck option.
“We were pretty desperate for a ruckman so we were pretty happy when we landed him,” Browning said.
Allan was best-on-ground in Southern Cats’ grand final win last year. Hailing from a basketball background, the big man has played in a couple of premierships at Ainslie and was selected in the 2016 AFL Canberra representative squad.
Maiden is an experienced midfielder, who will also be used off half-back for Barellan.
Barnes, who has relocated to Griffith for 12 months, is a ‘balanced, nice left footer’ who will be used in Barellan’s forward line.
He has played more than 50 first grade games for Lexton in the Maryborough Castlemaine League in country Victoria.
The Blues resumed pre-season training on January 8 and Browning is confident his team will be ready to hit the season running come April.
Barellan have trial games locked in against Narrandera on March 16 and West Wyalong on March 22.
The club’s new changerooms are also on track to be completed for the new season.
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