PRELIMINARY finalist North Warrnambool Eagles have moved quickly to solve their lack of key-position players as football’s recruiting season hots up.
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The Eagles yesterday confirmed they had signed ruckman/key forward Jaymen Fletcher for the 2015 Hampden league season.
Eagles football manager Michael Harrison said Fletcher, who had previously played with Warrnambool and district league club Panmure and coached Mid South Eastern league club Robe, was keen to have a go at Hampden league level.
He was cleared to South Rovers for the 2014 season from Robe but did not play a game.
Harrison confirmed the Eagles were fighting to retain the league’s under 18½ best and fairest winner Hamish Withers after just one season at Bushfield Recreation Reserve.
Withers, who won the Judd Cup after playing the last eight games of the season, started the year in the seniors before being demoted. He has told the Eagles he wants to play with South West District league club Tyrendarra next season.
Tyrendarra assistant coach Tim Chester announced Withers had joined the club with a post on social media site Twitter.
But Harrison said the Eagles were keen to continue talks with the talented midfielder who had played in defence at senior level.
“Our people have spoken to him and they will keep speaking to him,” Harrison said.
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and next year. He’s indicated he would like to go to Tyrendarra next year and cited mates and family as his reasons. We are going to keep talking to him. He’s just won a Judd Cup and next year we are hoping he will be in our senior side all season.”
Harrison said the club had been shocked by the decision from Withers, who had joined the club this season from Portland after picking up an apprenticeship in Warrnambool.
“We will keep the communication lines open,” he said.
The Eagles have completed their coaching appointments for 2015, re-appointing Brad Clough as reserves coach and former senior captain Tom Batten as under 18½ coach.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au