LAVINGTON has added to its depth by signing promising Leeton-Whitton duo Sam Hopper and Coopa Steele.
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The pair played in the Crows' grand final team in the AFL Riverina Championship last year and have moved to the Border for university.
Hopper played part of a season with Lavington's under 18s and reserves as a 17-year-old while his brother, Zac, has also played with the Panthers.
"I really enjoyed it, they're an awesome club and with their upgrade of facilities, it's a good set-up," Hopper said.
"When I was living here previously I was living with the president and his wife, so it was a pretty easy decision to make."
Hopper featured in nine games with the Crows last year and enjoyed a top-five finish in their club best-and-fairest.
Steele is in Greater Western Sydney Giants' under 19 academy squad and kicked kicked three goals in Leeton-Whitton's preliminary final win against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
Lavington has been relatively quiet in the recruiting stakes since winning the 2019 premiership with Nico Sedgwick, Jack Harland, Chris Arnett and Lachie Gaffney shaping as the major inclusions.
Nick Holman (retired) and Liam Ross (university) have moved on while Shaun Mannagh's availability will depend on VFL commitments.
The classy midfielder is set to start the season in the Ovens and Murray due to Werribee's start being pushed back to April 17.
