THE LURE of family is what delivered East Warrnambool its first recruit of the 2018 off-season.
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James Richards will join his younger brother Joel, 20, who re-signed with the Bombers for season 2019, at Reid Oval-based Warrnambool and District League club after departing Ballarat Football League club Sebastopol.
“The main reason was a chance to play a game of footy with my brother,” the ruck-forward said
“I haven’t played footy with Joel since I was in under 17s so he was a big pull to come to Warrnambool.”
The 22-year-old, who is originally from Horsham but has lived in Ballarat working and studying to be a plumber for the past five years, spent four seasons and played 25 senior games with the Burra between 2015-18.
Richards, who will be travelling from Ballarat to pull on the red and black, said he was eager to help drive the Bombers back towards the top.
“Hopefully the same with Sebastopol, where they just missed finals by one or two games like East, we can get a few more wins,” he said.
“The aim will be to hopefully play finals again, while also making some new mates there and play with my brother.”
Joel joined the Bombers in the 2017 off-season from Sebastopol. He played 15 games and kicked four goals in 2018.
The younger of the two Richards was shifted from defence to forward late in the season by Bombers coach Danny Chatfield.
East Warrnambool recruitment manager Paul Hrabar said it was a positive sign for not only the club but also the league.
“James is a major signing for the club and it shows that the District league is able to attract players from leagues such as Ballarat,” he said. “It shows players that their is an appetite to play in our league.”
The Bombers finished the 2018 season in 10th with three wins and 13 losses.