WODONGA'S rebuild has gained further impetus with the signing of former South Adelaide and Norwood midfielder Cody Szust.
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Szust played with new Bulldog coach Jordan Taylor in the SANFL and will relocate to the Border in the New Year.
The classy half-forward joins a growing list of recruits at John Flower Oval as the Ovens and Murray club attempts to climb off the bottom of the ladder.
Taylor expects Szust to be a livewire in attack and through the midfield.
"I played with Cody at South Adelaide and he's a really lively, creative type of player," Taylor said.
"He has some street smarts about him.
"He knows how to kick a goal and can play in the midfield.
"He's a ripper, I think he will be really good for us."
Taylor and Szust made their SANFL debuts together at South Adelaide with the 23-year-old switching to Norwood in 2018.
He played 22 matches for the Panthers and 12 with the Redlegs.
"I'm pretty sure we made out senior debuts together at South Adelaide," Taylor said.
"He was a good player there and I've watched some of him at Norwood as well where he played some good football."
Wodonga, along with Corowa-Rutherglen, has recruited strongly over the off-season with Steve Murray (Benalla), Sam Jewell (Southport), Zac Brain (Barooga), Harry McKimmie (Redan) and Mitch Dinneen (Yackandandah) signing.
Harry Pole played only four matches in 2019 and will be like a recruit while young gun Hudson Garoni will return to the Bulldogs when free of VFL commitments with Werribee.
"Hopefully we can turn the wheels around and be really competitive next season," Taylor said.
"We have picked up a few and hopefully there is one more big signing coming.
"That will pretty much be it."
Wodonga has been drawing good numbers to training with assistant-coach Murray taking the sessions before Taylor arrives on the Border in the New Year.
"He's been doing a great job," Taylor said.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Wodonga and joining the group.
"We have recruited well and the club has some good young players who will get opportunities."
Wodonga, who won only one match in 2019 under Zac Fulford against Corowa-Rutherglen, take on the Roos in the opening round at John Foord Oval on Easter Saturday.
Its first home match will be a twilight game against Yarrawonga the following weekend.