Balranald’s brothers-in-arms
Balranald have wasted no time in improving their playing list for 2023, announcing a number of new signings recently ahead of the new season.
Among the biggest names are Jaxon and Matt Neagle, who will return to their junior club and play alongside their brother and reigning Jack Betts Medallist Jydon Neagle.
Both Jaxon and Matt have spent the past few seasons plying their trade in the SANFL with Central Districts and will bring with them Ethan Gant, who will also don the blue and white stripes after finishing as runner-up in Central Districts’ reserves best and fairest.
The Neagle brothers won’t be the only favourite sons to return to Balranald though, with the Roos also announcing the return of utility Kobe Lloyd.
Lloyd will return after spending the past two seasons with Eaglehawk in the Bendigo Football League and will add further class to Balranald’s on-ball brigade.
The celebrations don’t stop there however, with the Roos also announcing a number of re-signings for next season, including best and fairest runner-up Ryan Middlebrook, ruckman Jordan Wilkins and midfielders Colin Andrews and Harrison Soraggi. Their re-signings followed the previously announced recommitment of Ben Fuller, Jack Salau and Josh Hodgson.
Beames to return
Balranald aren’t the only club to hit the ground running in the Central Murray ahead of next season, with Woorinen also announcing a handful of new recruits and re-signings recently.
At the top of the list is the return of key defender Doug Beames, who spent 2022 plying his trade with Modewarre before deciding to return to Tigerland.
Beames will help shore up Woorinen’s key defensive posts and although he has played his best football down back, he can also be swung forward to great affect.
Joining Beames at the Tigers will be experienced key forward Ben Hunt, along with running half back Angus Butterfield, who re-signed.
Butterfield was impressive in the first half of 2022, using his run and intercept marking ability to perfection — before his season was cut short after a shoulder injury.
Wild ride to continue at Boga
Lake Boga have also pulled off a recruiting coup ahead of next season, signing the reigning EG Hunt Medallist and former Quambatook midfielder and captain Ricky Wild.
Wild last pulled on the black and white back in 2018, before heading south and plying his trade with Saints.
But with Quambatook winding up operations at the end of 2022, that has now opened the door for Wild to return to the club he played 28 senior games at in 2017-18.
Wild isn’t the only significant announcement made by Lake Boga in recent days, with joint coaches Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries both recommitting to the club as senior coaches for next season.
