WODONGA Raiders have added to their big- man stocks after signing former Western Bulldogs rookie Eddie Prato.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club last night rushed the 202-centimetre ruckman-forward into the team to play Lavington at Birallee Park tomorrow.
Football manager David Nichol said signing Prato would allow the club to play O and M representative Scott Meyer forward or back.
Prato, who has played five VFL reserve games for North Ballarat this season, still has to be cleared by Carisbrook in the Maryborough Castlemaine league.
“Eddie will give guys like (Dave) Stretton, (Mark) Doolan, (Ben) Davies, (Luke) Schilg and (Todd) Bryant first use of the footy,” Nichol said.
“To pick up a big, athletic guy who’s been on the Western Bulldogs list is a great bonus.
“He’s a nice young bloke and we are absolutely stoked to have him.”
The Bulldogs took him with 59th pick in the 2009 rookie draft and he spent two years at the club.
He was an elite junior basketballer before focusing on football.
Raiders coach Corey Lambert said Prato would provide flexibility.
“He wasn’t enjoying North Ballarat and it’s fallen into place very quickly,” Lambert said.
“He’s tall, he’s solid and he’s quite athletic.
Nichol said Prato’s recruitment came about via his friendship with Patty Rose. Both were rookies at Whitten Oval.