The emerging Yarrawonga defender was targeted after his best on ground performance against Albury in the Ovens and Murray grand final and trained with the Bulldogs for the first time last night.

“It’s exciting,” Hargreaves said.

“I came over to Adelaide a couple of weeks ago and they seem like brilliant people who are very passionate.

“I guess I just want to test myself at a higher level.

“All the former AFL players who have been delisted have told me pre-season here is just as tough, so I’ll have to work hard and see how I go.”

Hargreaves, 19, represented Victoria Country under-19s this year and became the first player in Ovens and Murray history to win the Did Simpson Medal in a losing team when judged best on ground in Yarrawonga’s seven-point loss to Albury.

He finished with 21 touches, including 18 kicks, and took nine marks in a sensational display.

Hargreaves also quelled Lavington gun Adam Prior late in the preliminary final after he threatened to rip the match apart in the first half.

“I think playing my best game in a grand final was a blessing in getting me here,” he said.

“A year ago I wasn’t even planning to play so it’s all happened quickly.”

Yarrawonga co-coach Brendan Fevola said Hargreaves had enormous upside to his game and backed him to handle the step up in standard.

“He’s a big boy and the way he played in the grand final was fantastic,” Fevola said.

“We want these opportunities to come along for our kids.

“We have just told him to give it everything while he’s over there and see what happens.”

Former Albury player Sam Milne joined Central Districts in 2013 and has played 27 senior matches in the past two seasons.

Milne and Hargreaves were teammates at the Murray Bushrangers.

Yarrawonga has kept the bulk of its list together, with big names Craig Ednie, Kayne Pettifer and Xavier Leslie committing in recent weeks.