TRIPLE Thurgoona premiership player Aydan Brown has opted to follow several of his Bulldog teammates and join Rand-Walbundrie-Walla.
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In a huge boost to the Giants' premiership credentials, Brown joins coach Lucas Mellier, Mark Haydon and Jake Bruce as former Bulldogs at the merged identity.
The Giants also lodged a clearance for Charlie Williams last week despite the Bulldog defender having a contract with Thurgoona for this season.
It remains unclear whether the Bulldogs are prepared to lose another one of their premiership stars to the Giants.
Brown is nicknamed 'Bull' because of his uncompromising attack on the footy.
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Mellier was rapt to sign Brown on Monday night to cap a productive off-season.
"It's exciting to be able to lure Aydan back to the club," Mellier said.
"Aydan previously played for Walbundrie in 2009-10.
"Obviously I have played a lot of footy alongside Aydan at Thurgoona and the beauty of "Bull" (Brown) is he can pretty much play anywhere.
"He has played predominantly as a forward at Thurgoona the past couple of seasons but before that in the midfield.
"So he will provide us with a fair bit of versatility."
After joining the Bulldogs from Wodonga Raiders in 2013, Brown has played more than 100 matches with Thurgoona.
The versatile big man has played a key role in the Bulldogs transformation from league easy-beats to a powerhouse who has won three of the past four flags.
The Giants have also signed former Howlong and Corowa-Rutherglen player Nick Shelley and Matt Robertson (Lavington).
Shelley played senior football for North Heidelberg under former North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey last season.
The Giants have kept departures to a minimum with Ryan Lavery (Melbourne) and Justin Gordon (retired) their biggest losses.
Mellier is meeting with a specialist this week to determine whether he will attempt to play again this year after retiring last season.
The Giants were eliminated in the first week of the finals last year and Mellier expects improvement.
"There is a real positive vibe around the club and the boys have been training exceptionally well," he said.
"But actions speak louder than words."