HOLBROOK has added some much-needed experience to its list by signing Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong speedster Curtis Steele and Tallangatta ruckman Aaron Baker.
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Steele has joined the Brookers as an assistant-coach after a decorated career in the Riverina league.
The 25-year-old has played in four flags with the club, won two best and fairests and trialled with Greater Western Sydney reserves.
Baker returns to Holbrook after a stint with TDFL club Tallangatta.
He won the Hoppers’ best and fairest this season and will provide a physical presence in the ruck for the young side.
The Rock-Yerong Creek duo Charlie White and Gus Keogh, Ganmain’s Lachie Parker and Travis Collison and former Holbrook captain Brendan Hanckel have also joined the Brookers.
White has played in two flags with TRYC in the Farrer league.
Holbrook coach Adrian Whitehead said the Brookers had set themselves to pick up a handful of experienced players after being exposed on several occasions last season.
“We are still waiting on a few answers but it’s a good start,” Whitehead said.
“Hopefully we can grab a few more before Christmas.
“The big bonus is that all these guys have experience and we need that with such a young group.
“Last year our average age dropped below 20 on certain occasions.”
Holbrook finished on the bottom of the ladder this season with three wins and, like a number of clubs, is confident of pushing into finals contention.
In other moves, Lockhart’s Jake Wooden has taken over as coach of Temora from Christin Macri.
Wooden, who spent a season at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in 2015, has only managed 11 games over the past two years due to injuries.
He underwent minor surgery on his knee mid-season.
Meanwhile, the Hume Football League and Hume Netball Association will amalgamate this season.
After being separate entities, the competitions will follow the lead of several other neighbouring leagues by joining forces.
Long-serving league president Merv Wegener said he believed it was a win-win situation.
“We have worked closely in previous years and this will enable us to work even closer,” Wegener said.
“We feel it will help us streamline administration and be very beneficial to the running of the football and netball.”
The league has committed to the Headsmart Sports Concussion program this season.
