The Narrandera Eagles Australian football team is gearing up for an improved campaign next season by bolstering its ranks with a raft of recruits. The Eagles’ senior coach Mark Carroll believes the club’s new signings and promising junior players will help his team be more competitive in next year’s Riverina Football League competition. In his third year in charge of the Eagles, after spells coaching Turvey Park and Coolamon, Carroll said the club had been prompt in attracting players, who he believes will add experience and leadership in key positions before training starts in earnest next year. “We’ve picked up a few players already,” Carroll said. Among the players coming from outside NSW is Isaac Carroll, who played for four years in the Queensland Australian Football State League. “He’ll play through the midfield and he will show real leadership and experience for our younger team members,” Carroll said. “He has a hardness on the ball too. “We signed Ben Perry, who is a big boy at six foot five, also from Queensland. “He also brings plenty of experience, which will be invaluable to us.” Making a big move from Broken Hill is another signing Carroll has noted as a player to watch out for, 19-year-old Riley Fettel. “He wants to improve his football, so he left his home and his job and travelled 10 hours to come to see us in Narrandera and he’ll be back after Christmas,” Carroll said. “He’s a bit of an excitement machine and as a halfback, he’ll take the game on.” Locals have not been forgotten when it comes to improving the squad. “Tom Dore is a school teacher at Narrandera High School and he’ll also bring some leadership skills too,” Carroll said. “With Tom being a teacher, we’ve made him head of our development.” Carroll will also have help at hand in his coaching role with the arrival of a backline player, Nick Miller who played in the Central Murray League. “He coached the Mallee Eagles, so it’s good that he’s on board,” Carroll said. “He’ll be my right-hand man in the coaching department and will help the young guys.” Rounding out the new arrivals is Archie Miller, an 18-year-old who stands at six feet four and is aiming to make his mark as a centre halfback. Pre-season is already well underway, with numbers pleasing Carroll. “We started our training sessions about a month ago and it’s been really encouraging with the numbers we’ve had turning up,” he said. “We’ve had about 25 come to get acclimatised at every training session. “They’re showing real promise with their fitness and energy. “Our improvement could also come from within with our 18s. “The local boys from that team are pressing hard to get some games with the seniors and there are some that could cement their spot in the senior team.” Carroll said the mood around the club was buoyant, with additions to the depth of the squad, as well as emerging talent already within the Eagles’ ranks. “I’m excited about our prospects next season – it’s a very exciting time to be an Eagle,” Carroll said. The Eagles will break over Christmas before returning to training in mid-January.
