PORTLAND is bolstering its playing stocks as it looks to climb back off the bottom of the Hampden league ladder in 2016.
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The Tigers have secured the services of ex-South Australian National Football League player Levi Konitzka and North Ballarat Rebels teenager Jamaine Jones.
Portland coach Luke Crane said Konitzka, who spent the past two seasons with Great Southern League club Langhorne Creek following a stint in the SANFL, would give the team a vital boost of height.
“He’s a six-foot-five forward-ruck,” Crane said.
“We’ll probably mainly use him as a forward and back-up ruckman.
“Levi was a big one (signing); we really need some key forwards and some big guys in our forward line to kick to.
“We need a couple more to strengthen up our spine, another big defender.”
The club has also picked up exciting youngster Jones, who spent most of his time last season playing up forward and running through the midfield occasionally.
Jones played his junior football with Heywood in the Portland Junior Football Association and fronted up for 15 matches with the Lions’ senior side in the South West District league in 2015.
Crane said Jones could be used through the midfield and wing next season when playing for the Tigers.
“It’s really exciting to have young players wanting to come to the club,” Crane said.
“He’s played Rebels, (and) we were keen to get him on board.”
Jones said while he was still hopeful of securing a spot on the Rebels’ 2016 list, he was happy to be aligned with the Hampden league club.
“I want to play at a higher league,” he said.
The 17-year-old made his Rebels debut in August and said he had plenty of new knowledge to draw on as he looks to add to his games tally.
“I’m playing better footy being in the Rebels,” Jones said.
“Everything went so quick (in games) and you just had to adapt.”
After finishing sixth in their first two seasons in the Hampden league and being in contention for finals, the Tigers struggled in 2015, winning just three matches and finishing bottom of the ladder.
But with minimal disruption to their playing group from last year, the Tigers have been able to enter the pre-season with some continuity.
Crane said Jay Moody is the only confirmed departure from the club at this stage, with the creative forward headed to Geelong Football Netball League club Grovedale.
He is also training with the Geelong Cats’ VFL side.
Crane said the Tigers kicked off their pre-season training on Monday night.