Zeik Johnston to join Jake Barrett at Coolamon for shortened Riverina League season

The Hoppers have strengthened their list for the new shortened 2020 season with the signing of Johnston.

He will reunite with former Temora teammates Jake Barrett and Luke Gerhard at the Hoppers after the Heathcote League was called off last month.

Johnston has been based in Bendigo for the last three seasons, where he has kicked 54 goals from 49 senior games at Lockington Barnawm United.

He was keen to get some football in this season and has agreed to travel from Bendigo to make it happen.

Barrett, entering his first season as co-coach at Coolamon, is thrilled to have Johnston on board.

"At this stage, we're just waiting for the clearance to go through but he's definitely keen to come and have a game," Barrett said.

"A lot of major leagues down there that he was looking to play in, once they got cancelled, he said he would love to come up and play.

"I jumped straight at it because he's such a handy inclusion for us with his speed. I remember at Temora sometimes he would pop up in a quarter and kick four for you."

Johnston has been playing across half-forward and rotating through the midfield for Lockington, something Barrett is keen to have him do at Coolamon.

"He's a lot fitter these days and that's why he's been getting a lot more mid time," Barrett said.

"He just doesn't want to miss a year of footy. He said he doesn't want to miss a year while he's still young and fit."

The arrival of Johnston adds to an already strong list at Coolamon, who many believe are the team to beat for this year's premiership.

The landscape is constantly changing however, with many clubs set to welcome new players now that the Riverina League is going ahead and many other competitions across the country are not.

Barrett believes it is a great thing for the competition.

"Someone said to me the other day, are you going to call it a premiership? I said, as if you wouldn't. You've got all these players coming back, players getting clearances into the league to play a bit of footy, it's going to be 100 per cent worth it," he said.

"You're going to have some of the best country footballers coming to this league. It's going to be one to win.

"Leeton are going to be right up there now, and in terms of that, I enjoy it. I like the challenge.

"If you win it at the end of the year it's going to be that more rewarding.

"I think it's anyone's game now."

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