OLD Collegians has strengthened its bid to rise up the Warrnambool and District league ladder with a second batch of key recruits.
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The Warriors, winless in season 2013, loom as the big improvers of the WDFNL under first-year coach Daryl Beechey.
They unveiled 11 recruits in October, including Eli Barker, James Mugavin and Chris Chambers, and yesterday confirmed a further seven.
The signings include classy onballer Jacob Dunkley, who played with Russells Creek in 2009 and has spent time at Simpson and in Western Australia.
Defender Daniel Weel has crossed from Simpson and Colby Rix, a former Old Collegians and Warrnambool player, has also returned to Davidson Oval.
Vincent Fogarty (Merrivale), Jack Marney (Beaufort), Marcus Shaw (South Melbourne Districts) and Josh Walsh (South Warrnambool) complete the set.
Beechey said the 18 recruits — almost a full football side, although whether all play seniors remains to be seen — had generated good vibes at the club.
“There is a bit of hype around, training has been good. We’re getting good numbers,” he said.
“We’ve started well but it’s still early on, none of that means anything yet.
“Hopefully we can get a bit of hype around and get some wins on the board and go from there.”
Beechey said the Warriors were unlikely to sign more recruits as they built up to the start of the WDFNL season on March 30.
They will also contest the pre-season CUB Mid-Strength Cup, a pre-season competition at Friendly Societies’ Park on February 22.
The cup involves six WDFNL clubs as well as Melbourne hopefuls North Old Boys-St Patrick’s and Heatherton, with $1000 up for grabs.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au