NORTH Warrnambool Eagles will unveil two teenagers among their new flock on Saturday.
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Coach Adam Dowie said Jett Bermingham and Jackson Couch, who has crossed from Cobden, deserved to debut against Portland at Bushfield Recreation Reserve.
"We feel we're a big side but Jackson gives us run and speed," he said.
"Jett comes in with big wraps; he's clean with the ball and makes good decisions."
Dowie said the pair knew they had to "find another couple of gears" to make the transition from junior football to senior ranks.
Bermingham and Couch join returning players Billie Smedts, Darcy Keast and Tom O'Leary and Dennington recruit Justin Wallace in the Eagles' round one side.
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Portland, under new coach Tom Sharp, has also added depth to its side, bringing in new assistant coach Jake Wilson, injury-plagued ruckman Ben Malcolm and VFL-listed tall Tylar Watts.
Emerging defender Sam Hampshire will make his Hampden league senior debut.
Sharp said Hampshire would "give his best".
"He's been killing it at training and has really impressed me," he said.
"He's still an under 18 boy and will play on one of their talls."
North Warrnambool Eagles collected the wooden spoon in 2018 and Portland sat one rung above them on the ladder.
But the Eagles' recruiting drive has them tipped to surge up the table this season.
Sharp said the Tigers were a work in progress but would play an exciting brand of football.
"I am not too worried in terms of expectations," he said.
"I want us to play our brand of footy and see it in action."
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