Hoppers ruckman Adam Elias to join Barnawartha

Elias’ move is the latest in a spate of off-season departures for the Hoppers.

Barnawartha coach Mitch Exton said he was delighted to secure the services of the big man.

“Adam joining the club is massive for us,” he said.

“We’d been in talks for a little while, so it’s nice to get pen-to-paper.

“We’re really excited to have him on board.” 

The incoming Tigers coach was excited about the prospect of Elias forming a tag team rucking duo with Stephen Bradshaw.

“We’ve got plenty of options now with those two in the side together,” Exton said.

“Bradshaw will have a late start to the pre-season, but he’ll be fit and ready for the beginning of the season.

“Hopefully having Adam in the side will make it a bit easier to manage our rucks throughout the year.

“They can chop each other out in the forward line if needed, it’ll be good to have some height down there.”

Elias is the latest in a number of recruits for the Tigers, after a further 10 additions were announced last week.

The incoming ruckman said it had been a tough choice to leave the Ovens and Murray club, but said he harboured hopes of returning to the league as a stronger player further down the track.

“It was a tough call to make,” Elias said.

“But the long term goal is to come back to the league as a much stronger player overall.

“It’ll be a different style of footy, but hopefully I’ll came out of it a bit tougher.

“I’m looking forward to playing alongside a guy like Stephen Bradshaw.

“He’s got so much experience playing in our region, I really want to learn and develop my ruck craft throughout next season.” 

Exton’s former Benalla Saints teammate Jordan Wolfe headed up the lengthy list of new arrivals.

North Albury has also lost the likes of Jordan Harrington and Nick Holman to Hume league sides Lockhart and Jindera respectively, but Thurgoona ruckman John Willis keeps their stocks of talls in order, joining shortly after the season concluded.