YARRAWONGA has landed another potentially huge recruiting coup by signing injury-prone utility Sam Schulz.
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The arrival of Schulz adds further hype at J.C. Lowe Oval, still buzzing after signing highly-rated Williamstown duo Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters late last month.
Schulz and Pigeon coach Mark Whiley remain good mates after living together in Sydney while playing for Greater Western Sydney.
Whiley and Schulz both made their debuts for the Giants against Richmond during round 12 in 2012.
It was Schulz's only AFL match while Whiley played 12 games for GWS and a further nine for Carlton.
Schulz is set to relocate to Yarrawonga from Melbourne after recently finishing studying Agriculture Science at the University of Melbourne.
He commenced work at Elders Yarrawonga on Monday where teammate Xavier Leslie is also employed.
Yarrawonga president Ross Mulquiney said Schulz would provide the Pigeons with an X-factor if he could remain injury free.
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"It's exciting to sign Sam," Mulquiney said.
"Sam and Mark are really good mates and that link was instrumental in Sam signing.
"We feel Sam will not only be a good fit for the footy club but the community as well after gaining employment with Elders who sponsor our club."
Schulz last played on the Border for Albury in 2017.
The 27-year-old was part of the Tigers' losing grand final side against Wangaratta.
He was suspended for five weeks for engaging in rough conduct after Raiders' Brodie Filo suffered a broken jaw in a marking contest.
His first match back from suspension was the decider where he was among the Tigers' best in their 21-point upset loss against the Magpies.
Schulz has hardly played since after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
He signed with home club Culcairn mid-season but failed to play a match for the Hume league club after injuring his ankle while playing for GWS in the NEAFL in July.
"Sam is confident his body can stand-up to the rigours of an O&M season," he said.
"With Sam living and working in the town he will give himself every opportunity of getting his body right.
"We were disappointed not to play finals this year
"Our recruiting panel in Kane Smith, Chris Kennedy, Scott Pendergast and Mark have been a real driving force of turning things around."