RUSSELLS Creek is hoping the signing of a ready-made Hampden league utility can help it snap a 10-year finals drought.
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Dylan Herbertson has returned to Mack Oval after a four-year stint at Port Fairy.
Herbertson, 29, is Creek's 11th signing of the summer and will join as an assistant coach under second-year mentor Peter Timms.
"He's the type of player we've been chasing for a while," Timms said.
I'd expect he'll play a lot of the time through the middle.
- Peter Timms
"It's great to secure an assistant with that strong Hampden league experience.
"That's where we want to be heading and he's just going to be a massive player for us."
Herbertson, who managed 81 senior games at Gardens Oval, will primarily play as a midfielder with the ability to shift into the Kangaroos' back-line.
"He has a beautiful kick so he'll do some kicking in, go through midfield, push down back," Timms said.
"He's very versatile and will spend time all over the ground. I'd expect he'll play a lot of the time through the middle.
"He obviously has some work to do to get his tank up but he'll get that done and be ready to go."
Timms said Herbertson's leadership was also a valuable commodity.
Timms, a former South Rovers assistant, was thrilled with the club's summer and expected all new recruits to press for senior selection.
"We feel like we've got a good young list with plenty of talented players and they need good leadership," he said. "You can't get better leaders around here than those who have played Hampden league footy.
"We've got that now. Dylan has played in some very good Port Fairy sides. What he can bring to the group is limitless really."
Herbertson could debut in a practice match against Colac and District league outfit Irrewarra-Beeac on Saturday.
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