Tall order, but Close up to the task

RETURNING ruckman Brock Close will be shouldered with the responsibility of filling the void left by outgoing tall Angus Graham.

The former AFL ruckman has hung up the boots after just eight games at Barwon Heads, following a dogged run with ankle injuries.

Former Geelong defender Corey Enright has also departed Howard Harmer Oval in a changing of the guard for coach Mitch Herbison.

But both those players played part-time, and the inclusion of Close, as well as a few others, should only strengthen the Seagulls’ premiership pursuit.

“We’ve been pretty lucky to maintain the majority of our list, which is always handy, and we’ve been able to add a couple as well which is good,” Herbison said.

“Damien Horbury and Mitch Phelps have both come down from Redan in Ballarat.

“Brock Close has returned to the club from St Joseph’s, and Mitch Gaunt has come down from Melbourne.

“I think bringing Brock back to the club has given us that forward-ruck option. We’re hoping he can fill the hole that Angus might leave.

“All those boys have been fantastic in their commitment to training so I’m looking forward to spending the year with those boys.”

Horbury, the brother of Geelong VFL recruit Nathan Horbury, brings leadership and experience from a lifetime of footy at Redan, and will go some way to replacing Enright.

“He’s a bit of a utility, can play forward or back or even around the midfield, which is great for us,” Herbison said.

“We’ve recruited some people we think are going to make an impact at senior level.

“We’re certainly aiming to play finals again and to give yourselves a good chance, finishing top three is a massive advantage, so that’s somewhere we ideally see ourselves finishing.

“But there are a lot of things that need to play out between now and finals time, so we’re just looking to make a strong start and build on the season.”