HENTY has bolstered its big man stocks in the countdown to the Hume league season by signing Courtney Findlay.
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Findlay has spent the past five seasons with Southern Districts in the Northern Terriority Football League.
The former Albury, Myrtleford and Culcairn utility last played locally in 2005 and was part of the Lions’ losing grand final team against Osborne.
The imposing big man has since added considerable bulk to his frame and weighs 112 kilograms.
Findlay is set to help fill the void left by developing ruckman Isaac Muller, who has joined North Albury.
“He is a big unit and should complement our side,” Henty co-coach Jamarl O’Sullivan said.
“Hopefully he can hold down our No. 1 ruck spot and also cause plenty of headaches when resting forward.
“There won’t be too many defenders in the league that will be able to match the big fella in the strength department.”
Findlay is set for a delayed start to the season after recently breaking his toe.
He will have surgery next week and is eyeing a return in mid-April.
After finishing runner-up and third over the past two seasons, Henty looks set to remain a finals force with limited departures.
Muller, alongside Jack McCallum (Wodonga Raiders) and Nathaniel Stroh (Culcairn) are the only confirmed losses.
O’Sullivan has joined Brent Piltz as co-coach with ball magnets Simon Hillier and Heath Ohlin assistant coaches.
Classy forward Ryan Hon is also on track for the opening round after he missed the second half of last season after a shoulder reconstruction.
In a further bonus, Jim Ellis returns from overseas and will bolster the defence.
“We are pretty happy with our list and have been able to keep most of our players from last year,” O’Sullivan said.
“Ryan Hon is flying on the track and will be like a new recruit for us after missing the second half of the year.
“Plus getting Jimmy Ellis back from overseas will help our defence structurally.
“He will be able to play key back, which releases Brent Piltz and Beau Connell to perform other roles.”