WAFL contingent key for Bulls

Ex-Claremont and East Fremantle midfielder Nic Chidgzey along with former WAFL league players Daniel Dalby and Tyron Miller, highlight a list of 11 likely inclusions for Mt Barker as the club goes all out in their bid to rise up the ladder in 2016.

After winning only two games in the 2015 Great Southern Football League season and missing the finals, the Bulls are determined to become a strong outfit once again and quickly went about appointing coach Shane Thompson to take over the reins from Ryan Ballard.

Thompson, with his links at WA Amateur Football League club Bullcreek Leeming, who he coached for five seasons, has helped the Bulls recruit an impressive list of players for the new season.

Chidgzey has played 78 WAFL league games, starting out with East Fremantle in 2003 where he spent three seasons before switching to Claremont in 2006.

He was a member of Claremont’s losing 2010 league grand final side with 13 disposals and three goals and the following year was part of their premiership-winning reserves side.

Last season Chidgzey was prominent in Brigades premiership win in the Great Northern Football League.

Dalby adds further experience and quality to the Bulls, signing on after 40 league games with East Fremantle while also playing a State game for WA in 2009 where he gathered 20 touches.

Miller also has WAFL league experience, playing six matches for East Fremantle in 2006 where he kicked six goals and averaged 13 disposals a game.

Thompson said it was fantastic the club has been able to secure some key, experienced players.

“They are the main three (Chidgzey, Dalby and Miller); they have all played at WAFL league level and will be really good for the club,” Thompson said.

“About five guys from the Bullcreek Leeming premiership side in 2012 are coming down.

“At the end of the day we have about 10-12 new players coming to the club that will make us stronger.”

The Bulls have also applied for clearances for WAAFL players Adam Tissott, Tyson Sujdovic, Steven Spencer, Adam Leed (Bullcreek Leeming) and Blake Taylor (Hamersley Carine) along with Paul Lindsey (Toodyay, Mortlock FL), John Lee (Beverley, Avon FA) and Rhys Griffiths (Lower South West FL).

Thompson confirmed the club was in talks with ex-Fremantle player Andrew Foster but was not confident on him playing.

Foster played nine AFL games and 125 WAFL league games for East Fremantle and Claremont.

“Andrew has been in talks with the footy club but he has come down with an illness that has slowed him down a bit,” Thompson said.

“At this stage he’ll probably put a clearance in but he has a role with the colts at South Fremantle and I doubt he will play.”

The Bulls failed in their bid to lure Harry McInnes, the brother of West Coast Eagle Fraser McInnes, to the club.