NORTH Albury has re-signed almost half its list and is “miles and miles and miles in front” of where it was 12 months ago, according to Hoppers coach Jason Akermanis.
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Dom Brew, Shaun Mannagh, Dan Leslie and Lachie Taylor-Nugent headline a list of 18 Hoppers to recommit at Bunton Park, less than a year after 35 players left the club.
“We are miles and miles and miles in front of this time last year,” Akermanis said.
“We hadn’t been able to recruit or re-sign anyone so we are probably three and a half months ahead of where we were last year.
“We’re really organised, we’re on the right track.”
Rory Feltwell, John Willis, David Miles, Aaron Baurle, Andrew Last, Callum Langlands, George Godde, Jayden Beaumont, Josh Baggio, Ryan Polkinghorne, Will Keighran, Matt Doody, Brad Spurr and Jordan McKenzie have also re-signed with the Hoppers, who take on Wodonga at Bunton Park on Saturday.
The Hoppers have endured a tough second half of the season to sit ninth but showed what they are capable of by kicking seven of the first eight goals against Yarrawonga last round.
Wodonga has regained some scoring power in Daniel Bradshaw and McKye Turner but, regardless, Bulldogs coach Dean Harding is expecting a fierce contest against the Hoppers.
“They have had a really good month and totally outplayed Yarra in the first quarter last week,” he said.
“With Brew, Mannagh and Leslie, they have some real quality mids that we need to control.”
Bob Russell will play his 50th match for the Bulldogs.