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IT was one of the Hume league’s most daring recruiting blitzes.
Rand-Walbundrie’s gamble to snare seven players from North Eastern Australian Football League club Eastlake.
After finishing eighth last season the arrival of Mark Kimball, Dean Roulstone, Ben Maiden, Tim Gray, Matt Dean, Justin Mesman and Shaun Allan stamped the Tigers as big improvers.
But could they win the flag?
That will be determined this weekend, with the Tigers one win away from the big prize.
Their coach Daniel Athanitis yesterday said the club already believed the calculated gamble had been worth it.
“While a lot thought we would improve, I don’t think many predicted we would make a grand final,” he said.
“But we knew what we had and didn’t go to all the trouble of getting them just to improve.
“They are all key position players, which is what we needed.
“We knew they were good footballers but they also had to be the right people to fit in with what we are trying to achieve.
“We didn’t want cowboys coming in for the smash and grab and leaving — we wanted good people as well.
“Walbundrie was a big footy club in its heyday 20 years ago but it has gone through a lean patch of late.”
The high-profile recruits have kept their end of the bargain and lived up to expectations.
Kimball, Roulstone and Maiden are classy midfielders who regularly rack up 30-plus possessions, while Gray, Allan and Mesman have bolstered the big-man stocks.
Dean, who arrived mid-season, provides another dimension to the attack.
The recruits usually arrive in Albury on Friday evening and stay at a Lavington house owned by club life members Les and Irene Habermann.
They stay for after-match functions before returning to Canberra on Sunday.
Athanitis said the recruits had fitted into the club seamlessly.
“I’ve been rapt with them,” he said.
“It took a bit of time for them to jell but we didn’t drop games while it was happening.
“They love the club and are passionate about it.
“Talking to them after the game last week, all they were worried about was making the grand final and not letting anyone down.
“They know how much the footy club means to the community and if we had lost on Saturday it would affect everybody.
“It’s a good reward for the players who have stuck by the club and remained loyal during the tough times.”