Wagga City have pulled off a stunning coup with Brothers star playmaker Dylan McLachlan making the move to the club.
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McLachlan impressed as part of Southern Inland's representative sevens side last month and has committed to playing the 15-man game in 2021.
He links with premiers, who will again be coached by former Brothers player Ben Schreiber.
Schreiber is McLachlan's cousin and his involvement was a big factor in the code switch.
"Benny is the coach and we don't have unlimited time to play together," McLachlan said.
"I'm looking forward to playing with him and Pete (Little) again.
"I also want to use it as a pathway to Canberra or potentially the Brumbies if possible so I want to be playing my best football all year."
McLachlan is no stranger to rugby union, playing the game after moving to boarding school before returning to rugby league when back in Wagga.
He has also been part of Australian Indigenous sevens team.
Wagga City president Dan Ribot is thrilled to have McLachlan on board, especially after he fended off a number of lucrative offers from Group Nine clubs to make the shift to Southern Inland.
"He was getting thrown a lot of money but as he and his father said to me it's not all about the money," Ribot said.
McLachlan finished second in the Weissel Medal count last year, and was expected to poll well again this season but the Group Nine best and fairest award was not handed out.
The five-eighth was also in line to be part of the return to open representative football for Riverina's Country Championship campaign next year.
His loss will be a big blow to Brothers, who will also be without halfback Cameron Breust and Hayden Philp, next season.
A number of teammates could follow as well.
"There is a lot of guys who come across and we've got even more league guys than what we had this year looking to come and have a run," Ribot said.
"We've got a great link now with the Dindima Football Club and we will be putting Dylan's skills to work from a technical point to take some of the load off Ben teaching these guys the nuances of the game.
"There is at least three or four who look like they are going to have a year to have some fun.
"That is the way they are looking at it because obviously they can't earn the money.
"It's just a year playing with their mates and enjoying their footy."
Ribot also confirmed Little will be back for a second season after helping the Boiled Lollies secure their drought-breaking premiership.
"Pete is really looking forward to another year," Ribot said.
"Pete obviously hasn't played as much rugby as Dylan but will certainly be 10 while Dylan will probably be second five-eighth of 12."
"They are looking forward to playing together again."
McLachlan has also played fullback in the past.