Lions ready to roar with star signings

LEOPOLD has landed arguably the two marquee signings in local football this pre-season after the additions of Tom Ruggles and Billie Smedts straight off AFL lists, leaving new coach Guy Morphet quietly confident the Lions can atone for their 2017 elimination final exit.

“We have changed the game style slightly from when ‘Otis’ (former coach Steve Clark) was here. Not majorly, but one thing I said coming into the job was I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, and I honestly believe we haven’t done that,” Morphet said. “We didn’t need to completely change everything.”

It has been an off-season of change at Memorial Park, with not only a change of coach but of captain too, with the “obvious choice” of Sam Hughes replacing the departed Matt Pitt.

Two key forwards in Alex Moloney and Simon Close have also left, with Morphet hinting former No. 15 draft pick Smedts would spend time in attack, while Ruggles and fellow new halfback Tom Gordon would help fill the void of retired defensive pair Greg Hardy and Jeremy Larcombe.

In a boost to the club’s top-level stocks, 2016 premiership heroes Marcus and Jai Thompson are also back full-time from VFL duties, but ruckman Jack Berry has signed at Werribee in the VFL.

Morphet said an increased fitness base left Leopold in good shape.

“The first thing I noticed was we needed to get fitter. The club has employed a full-time strength and conditioning coach who has been fantastic with the program over pre-season, and I certainly think the boys have got fitter, which will also aid our game style,” he said.

“We haven’t set any expectations, but we’ve recruited well and got people into the club who we think can help us go the distance.”

The Lions’ only headache appears the points cap, with Ruggles and Smedts 10 points between them, coupled with former AFL ruckman Trent West’s topend points value.