Wadley, 19, trained with the Hoppers this week and will join Isaac Walton (East Wagga-Kooringal) and Jackson Weidemann (Turvey Park) at Bunton Park.

He played 16 matches for Wagga Tigers last season with coach Isaac Muller looking to play him through the midfield and in defence.

“He’s a good size and looked good at training,” Muller said.

“We have been working pretty hard around the Riverina league as there are a lot of talented young players up there.

“We’re offering them the chance to play at a higher standard.

”We aren’t afraid to chase the young blokes.”

Former Lavington youngster Clint Gardiner has also signed at North Albury.

He hasn’t played for several years due to injury but officials are hopeful he will play senior football when fit.

With North Albury losing a handful of its premier players including Daniel Leslie, Chris Schmidt, Gallaway, Lachie Taylor-Nugent and Shaun Mannagh, the club has turned to youth with Tristan Mann (Albury) and Mitch Thomas (Rand-Walbundrie-Walla) among the newcomers.

Muller reaffirmed he had signed a former VFL player and would release his name in coming weeks.

“We probably need a bit more experience but our numbers are good,” he said.

“Sixty-three players trained the first night after the Christmas break and we’re averaging almost 50.”