PYRAMID Hill has gone on a recruiting spree to deal with an issue that has plagued the Bulldogs for years – a lack of tall forwards.
The club, which finished runners-up last season to Marong, has also sought to address the loss of centre half-back Tom McGregor, the league’s best key defender.
Brothers Mitch and Jasper Cheesman are among the recruits expected to give the team more options in attack.
Mitch, a former Bulldog, returns after two years with Old Launcestonians in Tasmania, having kicked 78 goals in that time. He kicked 30 goals from 13 matches in 2022 with Pyramid Hill.
Jasper comes from University Blues in Melbourne, having played as a key forward in the under-19 team.
The new arrivals mean a new role for Zach Alford, the medium forward who has carried the attacking load in recent seasons.
“If you have a big, strong forward who can kick 50 to 60-plus goals, it goes a long way,” coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said.
Alford, who kicked 63 goals last season, would be mixing time as a “grunt midfielder” with forward line duties, Fitzpatrick said.
Daniel Frame, recruited from Mt Pleasant, shapes as McGregor’s replacement as a key defender, while Ben Bisset, who has also joined from Mt Pleasant, will add to the forward stocks. He kicked 41 goals and was named in the Heathcote District team of the year last season.
Mitch Langan is yet another key forward, recruited from Noosa, while Zavier Ballis, from Cairns Saints will bring excitement as a running player.