DUAL Albury premiership player Josh Maher will play for Murray Magpies next year.
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Maher, who has been on the recruiting radar of a swag of Ovens and Murray, Murray and district league clubs since the end of this season, will be a senior assistant coach at Urana Road Oval.
Coach Corey Lambert described Maher’s signing as a huge coup for the Hume league club.
“I consider Josh to still be a senior Ovens and Murray star,” Lambert said.
“For Josh to choose the Murray Magpies over all the clubs that were hunting him shows we must be doing something right and heading in the right direction.
“It’s fantastic news for the club.”
Maher starred in Albury’s 2010 and 2011 premierships but was dropped to the reserves before the Tigers’ second semi-final win against Yarrawonga.
He went on to kick nine goals in the reserves grand final win over Wangaratta.
Maher, 28, made the All Australian Country side in 2012 after dominating for NSW-ACT at the Australian Country Football Championships in Wagga.
“He’s a tough and uncompromising player and is going to be great for the side,” Lambert said.
“You don’t pick up players like him every day.
“Senior O and M players don’t come along too often.”
In a further boost for the Murray Magpies, Wodonga Raiders midfielder Danyl Woods has also committed to the club.
He played under Lambert at Birallee Park earlier in his career and will add further grunt to a midfield already boasting former Ovens and Murray players Alex Jones and Brad Horn.
“I’m a big fan of Danyl Woods,” he said.
“I was surprised they had him in the backline this year as I think he will be a really good inside player for us.
“He’s silky and good under pressure.”
Former ruckman DJ Oates will also return to Urana Road Oval after spending five years overseas.
Lambert said the Magpies were yet to lose any players from the side that finished ninth on the premiership ladder this season with seven wins and 11 losses.