Corowa-Rutherglen has taken another rebuilding step by signing three players, including a Canberra club best and fairest.
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Nick Cooke claimed Gungahlin’s top gong in 2015, before injury sidelined him for most of last year.
He’ll be joined by ‘project player’ Andreas Vlachos, who played in the ACT’s Rising Stars competition, while boom recruit James Lawton’s younger brother William rounds out the trio.
“We needed to get a few players just to support the kids and a number of our recruits are in that right age bracket, from 23 to 25,” coach Terry Burgess said.
“They have just played a bit more senior footy in prominent positions, so it should complement our young boys.”
Cooke was an attacking defender with the Jets in the ACT, with an accurate kick.
“He’s probably capable of playing anywhere between the arcs I would imagine,” Burgess said.
“He’s got good speed and good skill, and physically presents himself really well.
“He’s really hungry to test himself at this level, he’s had a really decorated junior career, winning a lot of best and fairests.”
Vlachos has played only three years of football after moving to Australia from Greece.
He’s really hungry to test himself at this level, he’s had a really decorated junior career.
- Terry Burgess
He was a basketballer and at 190cm will play in the ruck.
“I watched the guys train and it looked really interesting, I’m really excited to play,” Vlachos said.
He has spent his football career with ACT powerhouse, Ainslie.
“Andreas is what you would call, in the AFL, a project player,” Burgess said.
“He’s got size, which we haven’t had, and he backs that up with a great attitude.”
William Lawton hasn’t played much football, but is expected to start up forward.
His older brother James has been the Roos’ star signing, after kicking 91 goals in 25 games for Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in the Riverina Football League.
He moved to Corowa over the weekend.
