Wodonga signs a former Benalla defender in Charlie Morrison

Former Benalla defender Charlie Morrison signed with the club last weekend.

"Charlie's a key defender and is one to watch," assistant coach Steve Murray said, after playing alongside Morrison at Benalla.

Generally speaking, clubs struggle to sign players after Christmas, but Morrison's arrival is indicative of the club's recruiting resurgence.

The Bulldogs are the reigning wooden spooners and while it's naturally difficult to predict finishing positions, given how many new players have flooded into the league since it was last played in 2019, it would be a major shock if they didn't show enormous improvement.

Morrison, who turned 25 last weekend, played under former Wangaratta grand final coach Luke Morgan.

"Charlie's a quality defender who was able to play on a variety of players," Morgan said.

"He adds plenty of run from half-back and also has the ability to play forward."

The 187cm Morrison played his junior football at Benalla in the forward line, but was forced to the backline at senior level after he couldn't break into the Saints' attack.

To highlight Wodonga's recruiting, it won the race for Morrison, despite his partner Demi being the sister of Albury product Lachie Tiziani.

"I've been with a young group over in Henley, I really enjoyed being there with the younger kids and helping them," he said.

He left Benalla at the end of 2018 and trained with SANFL outfit Port Adelaide, but when he couldn't crack a senior spot, joined Adelaide Footy League club Henley Sharks.

The 89kg Morrison won the best and fairest on debut in division one and was made captain last year, falling in the division two preliminary final.

He is the older brother of Hawthorn defender Harry Morrison, who's played 42 games off half-back.