De Sousa, 22, will line up for the Goannas next year after playing the previous two years for Canberra club Eastlake, and also has NEAFL experience with Canberra Demons.

MCUE have also retained gun young forward George Kendall for next year, while Henty youngster Jonathon Male has come on board.

Rowe said acquiring a ruck linchpin was a priority for the club as it strives for a first flag since 1993.

"We've had a number of guys who have battled and toiled and done a really good job in that ruck position for us, and we're not looking to push any guys out of their spot, but getting that A-grade ruckman with NEAFL experience is huge for us," Rowe said.

"And Sam does have that ability to push forward, I think he's kicked over 30 goals in a season for Eastlake.

"But we've definitely got him to head up our ruck department and the RFL is a very unique competition where the calibre of ruckman is quite exceptional. We're stoked to have him on board, his recruitment is very meaningful to what we're trying to achieve."

De Sousa said he was looking forward to immersing himself in the country football atmosphere.

"He (Rowe) talked about the community spirit and that they're a strong club and it felt like a good club to go to," he said.

"I'm more than content to play at the regional level at the moment, I"m not aspiring back to that (state) level.

"Rowey said there's some pretty handy ruckmen in the league and I love the challenge of being the main guy as well."

Kendall was set to play for Canberra Demons this year before the NEAFL was cancelled, and further entrenched his reputation as one of the league's best young forwards.

"We're all the way behind George in getting a shot at a higher level, but where he's at with his footy and life we managed to get him on board for another season, which is incredibly exciting," Rowe said.

"He plays on one of the difficult positions on the ground (centre half forward) and does a good job being a young man who cops a lot of attention.

"He'll come on board and help us win games of footy, but we've got a responsibility as a club to make sure George is in a position at the end of the season where he can reload and set himself for state level football."

Kendall's retention, along with Trent Castles and the acquisition of Chris York, means the Goannas will have one of the Riverina league's more dangerous forward set ups on paper.

"I see George, Trent Castles and Chris York in that forward line and as a football fan that's really exciting.

"George has got a huge opportunity, playing alongside Trent Castles gives him an unbelievable chance for him to learn."

Rowe said Male would add some spark to their midfield.

"He's only 19 but he played some very good footy for Henty and played for Gungahlin last year, and he got some attention from Ovens and Murray as well," Rowe said.

"He's a player with really tidy ball skills and good leg speed."

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