Wagga Tigers have capped off a sensational recruitment campaign with another signing just days out from round one.
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Premiership player Jesse Manton has signed with Tigers and will return to Robertson Oval for the first time since the club's 2016 grand final win.
Manton shared the Peter Moore Medal for best and fairest in the Alberton League last year, playing with Toora in country Victoria.
Manton only recently moved back to the area and Tigers coach Troy Maiden is more than happy to have the 25-year-old on board.
"Jesse moved back into the area and was keen to come back and play and we weren't going to say no," Maiden said.
"He's obviously talented and he's another returning player to the club that played in the 2016 premiership so we're more than happy to have him on board."
Manton returned to Western Australia after playing in Tigers' 2016 premiership, where he was one of the best players on the field in the grand final.
He spent 2017 back at Swan Districts where he managed seven league games in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL).
Manton has been cleared and could line-up for Tigers as soon as Saturday in their season opener against Leeton-Whitton at Leeton Showground.
Maiden believes Manton will add valuable experience to his team.
"He's in that mid-20s age bracket that we don't have a lot of," he said.
"He'll add a little bit of experience and class around the ground."
Manton predominantly plays through the midfield or across half-forward. He joins a big group of off-season additions at Tigers that include fellow 2016 premiership players Brendan Myers, Jackson Kelly and Dylan Morton.
They have also welcomed Murray Magpies ruckman Tom Osmotherly, Sam Ryan and cousins, Tom and Will Keogh, Reid Gordon and Bailey Wileman.
Maiden is happy with how his team is looking for the round one trip to Leeton.
"Pretty positively I think but obviously a little bit unknown," he said.
"Our pre-season has been good and the boys are keen to play."
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