DEDERANG-Mount Beauty has landed a huge recruiting coup by luring dual Brisbane Lions premiership player Daniel Bradshaw and Lavington key defender Matt Lee to the club.
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Only weeks after signing Darren and Steve Bradshaw, Daniel Bradshaw and Lee committed earlier this week in one of the biggest recruiting blitzes in Tallangatta league history.
Bradshaw averaged more than six goals a match this season for Howlong and cracked the magical 100-goal milestone to finish the season with 105 goals from 17 matches.
The prolific forward was heavily targeted by former club Wodonga and rival North Albury.
Newly appointed Bombers coach Marc Almond was instrumental in securing the prized
signatures after he coached Daniel, Darren and Steve Bradshaw this year at former club Howlong.
“I’m sure he got offered more money elsewhere but Daniel chose to play for us and has got the whole community buzzing with excitement,” Almond said.
“Obviously with Darren and Steve already signing, it had a major influence on his decision.
“I thought we had a good understanding this season as a coach and a player and am ecstatic to be able to coach him again next season.”
Almond believes the Bombers will boast the equal of any forward or defender in the competition with Lee enhancing his reputation this season by restricting the influence of former AFL stars Brendan Fevola and Barry Hall.
“I rate Matt Lee highly and as one of the best recruits I’ve signed since I started coaching five or six years ago,” he said.
“Quality key position players are in huge demand but are difficult to land.
“When Jay Koehler came out to Howlong in 2010 we won the flag and he was a massive part of it.
“Matt Lee is in the same mould and played on Brendan Fevola and Barry Hall this year and is
in the top echelon of defenders in the O and M.”
After missing finals for the past few seasons, Almond feels the Bombers are on the way up.
“We are coming from a long way back but our aim is to make finals,” he said.
“There are a few sides like Mitta, Thurgoona and Kiewa who are a long way ahead of us.
“But we have got a hungry group that is fairly driven and I would like to think we will be one of the league’s big improvers.”