THEY built a reputation as hard-nosed grinders last year, but Collingullie-Glenfield Park improved attacking arsenal has received another boost after the signing of key forward Andrew Clifford.
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Clifford, 28, spent time at Box Hill and Knox before taking a break from the football scene in Queensland.
He returned to play for Eastern Football League side Glen Waverley last year, and it's understand he was a recruiting target for a couple of other Riverina League and Farrer League clubs.
The Demons announced the signing of gun young key forward Sam Stening from Osborne in November. Talented forward Blake Harper missed a number of games last year through injury and will be another threat, while the likes of Jayden Klemke and the returned Steve Jolliffe can also rotate through the forward line.
Collingullie-Glenfield Park enjoyed a strong back half of last season, relying on a base of committed pressure and tackling to some more fancied rivals.
They finished fifth on the ladder before the finals series was abandoned due to COVID.
Co-coach Nick Perryman said Clifford's addition will give them another tall and mobile target.
"He's moved to the area with his partner and we're happy to get his signature. He should give us a tall target up forward, or around the ground," Perryman said.
"He's played a fair bit of footy in Melbourne the last few years, mostly in the Eastern Football League, and I think he'll fit in nicely at our club.
"Andrew is a key position guy who is pretty versatile. he's about six foot four and can jump a bit. He should be a good addition.
"At this stage he's played mostly forward through his career, he'll be pretty flexible for sure."
Perryman, who will step up from an assistant role to co-coach alongside incumbent Brett Somerville, said finding some more weapons up forward was a priority.
"Sam Stening is a good pick-up up forward: We'll have guys go through there like Steve Jolliffe and Jayden Klemke," he said.
"James Pope kicked a few goals for us last year and there's also Blake Harper. We've got a few more scoring options, which is good.
"It definitely was a need for us. We're a fairly small team but it's hard enough recruiting as it is, it's about getting good people into the club and we're talking to another couple of guys."
"I'm pretty happy with our group to be honest, I think we've improved on last year but we'll wait and see. Lots of other teams are looking good and would be thinking the same as well."
The Demons are looking to return to training in late January.
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