The Heathcote District Football League club has added to its playing stocks ahead of 2021 with the acquisition of two defenders.
Ben Barton has joined the Hoppers from Balranald - where he was a teammate of the Fitzgerald brothers who the club signed earlier this month - and Dan Hill has returned to his home club after a stint with Rochester.
Colbo coach Julian Bull said he was looking forward to seeing what the two players would add to the list, especially with their strong aerial presence.
“It's an area we were keen to bolster up, particularly with our aerial skills,” Bull told Australian Community Media.
“I've been involved in teams in the past where having strong intercept marking half-backs allows you to not only improve your defence, but you can also turn defence into offence quickly.
“It's been something I've targeted the last couple of years.
“I seriously considered swinging Matt Riordan back there, but picking up these two players who have top end talent means we can use Riordan at both ends of the ground again.”
Bull said Barton had the flexibility to play on opponents of all sizes.
“He has a heap of upside,” Bull said of Barton.
“He carried an injury through last year and still had a really good year with Balranald.
“He's played high level footy with the Calder Cannons and in the VFL, so he really fits the mould of what we're after.”
And the experienced coach believes the new duo could form a formidable partnership in defence.
“Ben and Dan will be very similar in size because Dan has sprung up to around that six foot two height,” Bull said.
“They both have a vertical leap that will send them above most players in the competition.
“They don't have to necessarily play on a big fella as well which is nice for us.
“Having them there with the likes of Ben Southam and Nick Knight running around the backline as well means opposition teams are going to have a really good look at our backline which is not what you want to be doing as a coach.”
Bull also hinted the latest arrivals might not be the last to come through the Hoppers’ doors in the coming weeks.
“We're really happy with what we've brought in and with what we've been able to keep,” he said.
“Ben Southam re-committed to the club about a week ago, so we've had a really positive month or so.
“After building up our forward line last year, being able to strengthen up a couple of other areas this year should hold us in good stead.”
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