NORTH Wangaratta looks certain to be the big improvers in the 2012 Ovens and King after signing another 10 players including Wangaratta Rovers young gun Ben Bell.
Joining Bell at the Hawks as well are Myrtleford duo Joel Maskell and Matt Young, Wangaratta pair Sean Fogarty and Joel Bihun as well as Fraser Elliott (Wangaratta Rovers).
Tarrawingee's Mick Naish, Glenrowan's Jay Richmond and Tennant Creek's Andrew Baker have also committed while Richard Findlay (Sorrento) signed on Monday night.
Bell initially signed a three-year deal with the Rovers but was granted a release after just one year to join his brother Jamie at the Ovens and King club.
North Wangaratta coach David Steer was grateful the Rovers released Bell and said he was primed for a big year.
"He really consolidated his position with the Rovers last year and played on some really good players," he said.
"I think, at his age, he is at the stage where he's ready to tear it apart.
"He's versatile but I think he'll definitely start in the midfield.
"I just want to thank the Rovers for releasing him from his contract that was great of them."
But while Bell's decision to cross from the Rovers was on the cards across the Christmas break, Steer said Baker could be the real surprise packet for the Hawks this year.
"He's a very good player," he said.
"Playing up in Tennant Creek, he's won five league medals and played in premierships so he's pretty well credentialled.
"He's had a run at Ainslie as well so I think he could be the pick of the bunch."
Steer also said he wanted to get more run and youth into the side, which is why he is delighted to have secured the likes of Naish, Bihun, Elliott, Fogarty, Maskell, Young and Richmond.
"We really wanted some running legs so we targeted a few guys in town, who were playing twos or fringe senior players," he said.
"These guys have got three or four solid pre-seasons behind them now.
"Joel and Matt have both played senior football as well but have had a pretty bad run with injuries of late."
This is now the second year in a row the Hawks have signed more than 10 players who they expect to play senior football and the challenge is now there for Steer to get the side together and playing good football.
"It's now about getting the side to gel," he said.
"The guys from last year as well as the guys that have been here for five or six years have got plenty of improvement to go.
"It's very exciting at the moment."
The Hawks will travel to Chiltern on March 3 for a practice match.
By - JEREMY WILSON.
NORTH Wangaratta has been the most active Ovens and King club by far this off-season and is set to improve on its eighth place finish in 2011.
The Hawks have signed (back L-R) Joel Maskell, Matt Young, Andrew Baker, Jamie Bell, David Steer (coach), (front L-R) Jay Richmond, Joel Bihun, Mick Naish, Fraser Elliott, Sean Fogarty and Ben Bell with all expected to have an immediate impact.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Last Modified on 22/01/2012 11:00