The Rock-Yerong Creek's campaign to remain a top-three force in the Farrer League is on in earnest with Canberra-based forward James Roberts joining the Magpies.
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The 195cm Roberts will partner newly-crowned 'Pies best-and-fairest Dean Biermann in the forward line.
TRYC sounded Roberts out 12 months ago and liked what they found, but he opted for another season with Eastlake in Canberra.
A year on, he's come on board, even joining the 'Pies for their presentation function.
"He's tall, he's six-foot-five and a key forward," TRYC co-coach Heath Russell said.
"Dean played centre-half-forward but played pretty high up the ground. He's got that good aerobic capacity but we asked a lot of him.
"We feel James will probably play closer to goal and help Dean out.
"We'll have that taller target closer to goal. Hopefully he can clunk a few and finish off a bit of the team's work up the field."
Roberts' arrival covers the departure of forward Joey Kerin, who wasn't among their re-signed Canberra crew for next year of Biermann, Joe Hancock and Riley Budd.
With Budd's younger brother Noah also on board, Roberts ensures there's some size in the 'Pies.
"With Riley and Dean, it's good to add another two young fellas who are big. I think if you ask any footy club, getting people with a bit of height is really, really important," Russell said.
"The boys can obviously play too, and that'll help strengthen our spine and give us the flexibility to do a few things."
However, as well as Kerin, they are set to lose key position player Dylan Cook, backman James Scott and emerging ruckman Jack Driscoll who returned for the second half of this year but is set to test himself at a higher level.
The impact of Biermann and Budd in their first season at Victoria Park was recognised at the club's presentation function, with the pair filling the first two spots in the best-and-fairest count.
"We were happy with every player we had but when you bring recruits in, you want them to contribute and buy in to what you're doing," Russell said.
"It was well-deserved for Dean. He really bought in, he stayed most Saturday nights and the boys loved what he brought to the club.
"And Riley was in new roles and we moved him around a bit. But he said it's one of the first times he's been in the top 10 of a club best and fairest so he was chuffed."
Both stars received next to no recognition in the league medal count but couldn't have impressed their new club more.
Ever-reliable backman Aiden Ridley was third. He was also honoured with the Mark O'Leary Memorial Award.
Hard working midfielder Cooper Diessel won the coaches' award while Jordan Kemp and Jordan Prestage were joint winners of most improved.
The Pies haven't closed their door on their 2022 recruting with hopes of another key signing.
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