Border Mail |
NORTH Albury livewire Kade Brown has signed with Thurgoona for next season.
After playing his 100th match for the Hoppers this season, Brown is joining older brother, Aydan, at the Bulldogs.
The silky-skilled utility will add some much-needed leg speed as the Bulldogs chase an elusive maiden flag since joining the Tallangatta and District league in 1988.
Thurgoona coach Jason Sheather, who recently recommitted for a second season, was rapt to secure the prized signature.
“It’s always good to get a key signing early in the off-season,” Sheather said.
“Obviously having Aydan at the club was a big factor in him signing.
“Aydan is in the twilight of his career, I suppose, but he’s still has got a few good seasons left in him.
“Kade had had enough of playing at Ovens and Murray standard. He is a quality recruit.
“We were looking for someone with a bit of pace who can run and carry the footy.
“He will be a perfect fit in that sense.”
Sheather said the club had identified a lack of pace as a major reason behind its finals capitulation.
“We got exposed for leg speed during the finals series,” he said.
“You can probably get away with it a bit on Thurgoona’s ground.
“But a bit more speed was something high on the priority list when we conducted our review on this season.
“Kade has certainly got that and he is also a prodigious kick. He can kick the ball 60 metres.
“He is also fairly versatile and has the ability to play across half-back, in the midfield or up forward.”
The Bulldogs have also re-signed most of this season’s list.
“The bulk of the list has either re-signed or verbally committed again for next year,” Sheather said.
“The likes of Lucas Mellier and Mark Haydon signed last week.
“Nobody has indicated that they are leaving the club.”
