Headlining the list is former VFL on-baller Blair Whelan.
Whelan — who’s based in Melbourne — will join brother Josh in Rams colours once again, after last playing together in the blue and gold in 2013.
Rams co-coach Tim Holobowski said the addition of Whelan would add some depth to the club’s midfield and set an example for the younger guys as to how to prepare for the season.
‘‘Blair’s a quality player and a quality person,’’ Holobowski said.
‘‘We’re big on recruiting quality people, and Blair’s certainly that, and his family has played a massive part at our club for a long time.
‘‘What a lot of people may not know is how hard Blair works on his fitness and match preparation, which is something we’re looking to improve as a group. He’s an elite runner and sets a great example on and off the field.”
Other former junior Rams returning to the club include Bryce Scoullar, Josh Peers, Tyler Amor-Beale, Brett Macdonald and Matt O’Connor.
Rams co-coach Sam Hall was ecstatic with the recruiting coup, saying it was particularly good to have Scoullar and Peers back home.
‘‘I remember their time here in the junior ranks quite fondly, having coached Josh in the thirds to a losing grand final in 2008,” Hall said.
‘‘Bryce was always a presence when he joined the club as well, with his height he’s hard to miss.
‘‘Bryce will obviously play a key role in the ruck for us as well as offer a target when resting up forward. Josh will likely share duties in the middle and running through the forward 50.”
Scoullar has always shown promise since joining the Rams as a junior, first making his senior debut for the club as a 17-year-old in 2015.
FAST FACTS
COACHES: TIM HOLOBOWSKI, SAM HALL MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1957, 1966, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011 2019 FINISH: 11TH (6-12) 2019 BEST AND FAIREST: RICKY GITTENS 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ADRIAN PAPPIN (24) GROUND: HARDINGE ST OVAL NICKNAME: RAMS
PLAYER CHANGES
IN: Blair Whelan, Bryce Scoullar, Josh Peers, Tyler Amor-Beale, Dane Maxwell, Brett Macdonald, Matt O’Connor, Lachlan Osborne.
OUT: Will Shaw (GWS), Nick Howe (Darwin), Adrian Pappin.
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