Tatura’s 2024 ambitions are growing by the week after completing another round of signings for next season’s Goulburn Valley League.
Tall defender Jhdara Jones was first off the rank, with his signing confirmed Tuesday night.
The 191cm talent comes from Avondale Heights in the Essendon District Football League, and if that sounds familiar, there’s good reason why.
Tatura’s last marquee signature, ex-Port Adelaide midfielder Aidyn Johnson, moved closer to home at the Bulldogs from the same EDFL club.
Needless to say, this is hardly a coincidence, as coach Paul Barnard explains.
“Jhdara and Aidyn are obviously mates and they have a connection,” Barnard said.
“When we interviewed the players, their willingness to step up was something that endeared them to us.
“They were ready for a new challenge and both fill a need for us: Jhdara as a 6-foot-3 running half-back, and Aidyn as a 6-foot-1 inside or outside mid.”
One more highly regarded on-baller has committed to the Dogs for the season, this time hailing from up north.
Ditching the picturesque Sunshine Coast, Jake Warren makes his way to Goulburn Valley League with a winning record.
Warren recently plied his trade at Lake Boga in the Central Murray league, ran out for Aspley in the expanded VFL during the shortened 2021 season and played at Maroochydore, winning two QAFL premierships.
Warren ran out for South East Queensland in state representative competition during the 2018 season, in which he also claimed the QAFL best-and-fairest runner-up.
He’s not the only new arrival with these clubs under his belt.
The Lake Boga raid continued with the announcement of another mid-forward in Tyle Williams.
The 190cm Mornington Peninsula native and former Dandenong Stingrays junior was a CML regular of late, but also reached the VFL ranks with a stint at Coburg to his name.
Like Warren, Williams also has past experience at Maroochydore with Queensland interleague call-ups on the CV.
Rounding out the quartet of signings is 194cm ruckman Jacob Simpson ― and you’ll never guess which two clubs he most recently called home.
With a history that closely mirrors those of Warren and Williams, South Queensland representative football included, Simpson adds extra height to the expected best 22.
So, how did these connections all come together to call Tatura home next year?
“The recruiting department identified all of these guys a while ago, and it just so happens that they’re friends,” Barnard said.
“Being after a ruck was something we spoke about, and great ruckmen are hard to come by.
“Once one said they were interested, the next would, and we’ve certainly got specific roles for them to compete with the Echucas and Kyabrams of the world.
“We’re extremely happy with the players we’ve been able to secure; they’re mature-aged guys who want to come in and help.”
Tatura will need that kind of attitude in spades after a disappointing 2023.
The Bulldogs finished eighth at 5-13, notching just half the amount of victories needed for a finals berth last season.