The Cats landed a handy recruiting coup by luring the skilful utility away from Hampden league club  North Warrnambool Eagles, where he played for more than a decade. 

The signing has boosted hopes Allansford can improve on its fifth-placed finish the past two seasons, having suffered back-to-back elimination final defeats.

Its most recent finals exit to Old Collegians came after   key onballers Sam Holloway and Nick Johnstone suffered serious injuries late in the season. Mills, 28, said he always planned to play under his brother-in-law Josh Parkinson when the former Eagle took up a coaching job.

But Parkinson’s appointment to lead Allansford in late 2012 came too early for Mills, who still believed he had much to offer at Hampden league level.

“I always promised Josh if he coached I’d go and play with him,” Mills said.

“The time was right. He came to me at the end of our season and said I’d spend the majority of time on the ball.  That appealed to me.

“I thought I’d back up my promise and head out there.”

Mills said choosing to leave North was “the toughest decision I’ve made”. He has played football at Bushfield since 2003, when he was in the under 18s.

As well as playing under Parkinson, the chance to reunite with his brother, Cats backman Nick, and spend more time in the midfield also factored in his decision.

“I love North, it is disappointing to leave, but Josh put it to me,” he said. 

“I certainly took a lot of time to come up with the decision. Family is the main thing.”

Parkinson said he was pleased to have Mills at his disposal. He first chased Mills 12 months ago, without success.

“I had another go this year and the timing was a bit better for him and his family, we’re rapt to have him,” he said.

Parkinson confirmed Mills would spend more time as an onballer at Allansford, alongside Nick Johnstone, Sam Holloway, Josh Brown and Leatham Robe.

The 2012 Hampden interleague representative is one of three recruits who will make Allansford their football home in 2015.

Well-regarded ball carrier Matt Lenehan has returned to the club, having spent the past few seasons at Deakin University, Tyrendarra and South Rovers.

Teenager Brad Cook is also back. Cook played juniors at the Cats but crossed to Warrnambool for his under 18½ season.