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Porter rapt as Magpies sign Seymour’s triple premiership star midfielder
Written by JEREMY WILSON.
WANGARATTA’S pre-season campaign received a shot in the arm earlier this week with Seymour midfield dynamo Brendan Liddell committing to the Ovens and Murray club for the 2010 season.
With Liddell working in Wangaratta, the Magpies have tried to lure the talented on-baller from the Goulburn Valley club for a number of years.
Liddell was part of the Lions’ hat-trick of premierships from 2005-07 and has also represented the GV in inter-league matches against the Ovens and Murray.
Wangaratta coach Judd Porter said yesterday the Magpies were delighted with their latest signing and said the fact Liddell had trained with them for a number of years would make for an easy transition.
"It’s definitely nice to have Brendan on board," Porter said.
"He has trained with us for a few years now.
"He gets on well with the boys so it will be a fairly smooth transition I’d say in coming to Wang."
With Jesse Smith and Jon McCormick departing the Norm Minns Oval at the end of last season, there has been on-going talk about how Wangaratta would be able to cover the superstar duo.
But Porter believes the inclusion of Liddell, who can also push forward and kick goals, into the midfield containing Jamie Allan, Daine Porter and Matt Kelly will be a bonus for the side.
"(Brendan) certainly adds another mid to the group," Porter said.
"His style will suit the way we want to play and if he can push forward for a goal or two that’s a bonus too."
While Liddell’s inclusion is a boost for Porter in his first year in charge, he will be hoping the news isn’t bad on ruckman Chris Daws, who is struggling with a persistent foot problem.
It is thought Daws might have a stress fracture but Porter said the ruckman was yet to get confirmation of the problem.
"Dawsy has had a bit of trouble and is getting checked out at the moment," he said.
"We are hoping it is nothing too serious and he can get back to full training as soon as possible."
With only nine weeks to go until the season begins, Porter confirmed the Magpies had all but sorted out practice matches for next month.
He said matches would be confirmed next week but expected the Magpies would play three games on the first three Saturdays in March.
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