On Monday it was announced ex-GWS Giant Tom Downie had nominated Benalla as his home club for 2022.
However, the Saints won’t have the towering ruckman all to themselves.
With Downie expressing his desire to play for Williamstown in the VFL next season, he will suit up for Benalla when not on duty for the Seagulls.
“To have him select us as his home club is something we’re rapt with,” Benalla coach Will Martiniello said.
“Tom will add so much value with his past experience in the AFL with the Giants and more recently with Williamstown in the VFL.
“He’s a quality player and a quality person so we wish him all the best and hope he goes well in VFL – that’s something he’s striving for and something we really encourage.”
At 28, Downie’s ambition to remain playing at the state’s pinnacle is understandable.
But his wisdom and mindset shared among Benalla’s camp when available would be an asset Martiniello was forecasting would work wonders for his young list.
“We may only see him for a couple of games — who knows at this stage — but even if he gets back for a few trainings and even on a Saturday night, he’ll add so much to our culture off the field,” Martiniello said.
“He came to one training session and the boys got a lot from it, just from his experience and the way he went about it too.
“We’re a pretty young group and there will hopefully be a few more coming up from the under-18s next year, and with a guy like him showing them how to go about it they’re going to get so much from it.”
Downie’s inclusion, alongside the arrival of Reid to Echuca, are not only huge coups for Benalla and the Murray Bombers, but for the league as a whole.
“Any time you get a big name like Tom or Sam in the comp it always helps the reputation of the GVL,” Martiniello said.
“I think every club in the GVL should be encouraging that — it’s good to see the likes of Sam go back to his home club, it shows the talent that can come out of the Goulburn Valley and hopefully we see more of it.”
A cluster of classy footballers have also made their way back into the arms of their old club.
At Moon Oval, James McPhee will line up alongside Steven Stroobants looking to roost a few in the black and yellow following a spell at Lockington-Bamawm while the versatile Miles Rowlands heads back to Shepparton as another option available to new leader Ted Lindon.
Lastly, Seymour has added to its stocks by bringing across Todd Lawrence.
A man born to crash packs, the rangy ruckman boasts TAC Cup experience and heads back to the Lions after last turning out for their under-18s side.
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