REIGNING BFNL premier Barwon Heads has landed three handy recruiting blows in its quest for a hat-trick of premierships.
The Seagulls have unveiled former junior Luke Davis, South Barwon teammate James Syddall, and ex-Swan Riley Stuhldreier as additions at Howard Harmer Oval one month on from their upset grand final win over Torquay.
Davis, who made 12 senior appearances at Barwon Heads in 2012 before playing with the Geelong Falcons, looms as a key piece in the puzzle for coaching duo Mitch Herbison and Sam Schaller.
The Seagulls have relied on the undersized Mat Dyer and key forward Brock Close to carry the ruck load in its premiership years.
Davis, who played 109 senior games at South, was named as the ruck in the GFNL Coaches’ Team of the Year and tallied the most hitouts in the competition with 600 at an average of 35tch.
“He really cemented himself as one of the top two or three ruckmen in the GFL,” co-coach Sam Schaller.
“We’ve always had an eye on getting him back, especially as a oner.
“I’m really fortunate to be in the position for the first time, and he’s decided this is the year he wants to come back to his home club and give it a crack.
“We’ve got by with ‘Dogga’ (Dyer) and Brock and a few bits and pieces, and I’m sure our midfield group is licking their lips at the prospect of having ‘Sticks’ in the side.”
Syddall has been a versatile player during his 103-game GFNL career, in which he kicked 74 goals, with Schaller open to where Barwon Heads plays him.
“He’s got a bit of X-factor about him, too, which I like,” Schaller said.
“We’ll just play that by ear. He might be looking for a bit of a challenge,
“So, we’ll sit down with him and work out where he’s best needed for us.
“He’s really looking forward to the new environment.”
A former Western Jet, Stuhldreier spent 2015-16 with South Barwon while on Geelong’s VFL list before returning to Ballarat league club Bacchus Marsh.
“After that golden period at South Barwon, he was a starting midfielder as an 18 and 19-year-old,” Schaller said.
“We need a little bit through our midfield mix.
“We’ve got some really good young kids, so it’s good to have guys who can put their head over the footy and win their own footy.
“He’s good on the outside as well and is another guy we might look at playing in some other positions as well.”
Former Sydney, Adelaide and Collingwood player Tony Armstrong’s late-season eight-game cameo looks set to be the only games he plays for Barwon Heads.
Armstrong’s blossoming media career will likely limit his ability to take the field in 2023.
“I’ve had a chat to Tony since we’ve finished, and we’ve said the door’s always open for him,” Schaller said.
“But, I think superstar status – if he’s not already there – awaits the great man.”
Schaller said Charlie Brauer, who returned mid-season from a knee reconstruction to become a two-time premiership player, will undertake a pre-season with Carlton’s VFL team.
Twitter: @krockfootball
