YARRAWONGA believes it has landed the biggest recruiting coup of the off-season by luring former Casey Scorpions star Wade Lees to J.C. Lowe Oval.
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The strongly built utility has been on the Pigeons’ radar since the end of last season and turned in a dazzling performance in the competition heavyweight’s practice match against Coburg last weekend.
A deal was only struck yesterday after Lees decided to delay a move to the US to pursue a professional gridiron punting career until early next year.
Yarrawonga co-coach Brendan Fevola said Lees would put the Pigeons firmly back in the mix for another grand final berth.
“It’s a massive get for us,” Fevola said.
“Wade is exactly the player we needed.
“He’s strong, has a beautiful leg on him and can play anywhere.
“I could see him playing the role Dean Polo plays at Albury.
“I was at Casey when he was there and he’s a really good player.”
Lees, 27, played for Frankston last season after serving an 18-month ban for importing a performance-enhancing drug.
He was banned by AFL Victoria in May 2012 for importing a fat-burning product, which later was revealed to contain traces of a banned steroid.
He had ordered it online from the US.
He was charged with “attempted use of a prohibited substance”, even though he had never received the item after it was picked up by Australian Customs, who in turn informed ASADA.
It was a huge blow to Lees’ career after he started the 2012 season in devastating form, which attracted the attention of several AFL talent scouts.
He finished seventh in
Casey’s best-and-fairest from just five games that year.
Yarrawonga, who take on Balwyn in their final practice match at J.C. Lowe Oval tomorrow, has had a huge week on the recruiting front, with Craig Whinray also committing for another season.
He trained for the first time on Tuesday night after originally being set to join Tungamah.