WODONGA has offset some of its departures by signing dual Heidelberg premiership player Matt Seiter and South Australian utility Neil Reeve.
Seiter, who played a handful of senior matches for the Bulldogs as a youngster, returns to the John Flower Oval after travelling last year. Before that, he had a successful stint at Heidelberg where he played in two premierships with the Northern Football League club.
Reeve spent three seasons at South Adelaide in the reserves as a key position player and forged a strong career in country football in South Australia.
In a much-needed boost to Wodonga’s depth, Zac Fulford and Brent Hibberson have returned from Holbrook and Adam and Matt Bence are back after completing their university studies in Melbourne.
Promising youngsters Kayne Turner and Ryan Cannon have also joined the club, along with Cobram’s Paul Dirretto.
The arrivals have eased some of the pain felt by star duo Brett Doswell and Matthew Shir applying for clearances to Holbrook and Albury respectively.
Zac Jones, Josh Walker, Jason Bartel, Guy Telford, Taylor Whitford and Tory Ziems have also moved on.
Coach Ben Hollands is confident Wodonga has shored up its list.
“It’s hard not to get excited about the season ahead,” Hollands said.
“Since we resumed training after Christmas, we have had a fantastic training period — We have had a focus on getting our senior group bigger and more powerful.”
Hollands said Sam Wortmann, Steve Murray, Bob Russell, Callum Turner and Bevan Charlton-White had benefited from time in the gym and believed Tom Wortmann, Nick Beattie and James Vogel would be like recruits after being struck down by injury last year.
Wodonga will take on Wodonga Raiders, Tatura and Knox in practice matches.