By LIAM TWOMEY
ALTONA Bowls Club has rocketed into contention for the Premier Division title after pulling off a remarkable recruiting triple strike.
Following the disappointment of missing out on finals last season, the club has left no stone unturned in its search for redemption, signing star Werribee trio Brett Dodd,
Dane McKinnon and David Zitter.
The new recruits will join existing Altona players Brad Peck and Matthew Rennex to form an imposing force on the greens when the new season kicks off.
Altona bowls coordinator Neal Pattie said the changes would lead to a more exciting and competitive Premier side.
“We were getting a bit long in the tooth in our Premier side and probably not as enthusiastic as a side should be,” Pattie said.
“Now with these guys coming in, and with the guys we have still got, we will be a really young team which is what a lot of the sides have been going towards.
It will be a very enthusiastic group and we are certainly improving.”
But the recruiting coups don’t end with the big three, Altona has also signed former Rosamond skipper Steve Fowler.
Altona’s good fortune has left Werribee reeling. Committee member Rob Casey was disappointed to lose the high quality trio.
Casey conceded that the loss of the big three was a factor when asked if the club could push for back-to-back final appearances.
“I don’t think so, I think that might be a bit out of our reach losing three skippers but you never know in bowls.
“If we can stop relegation then we will be pretty happy.”
On a positive note, Casey believed the moving on of players would create increased opportunity for some of the club’s up and coming stars.
“We have got a few youngsters coming through and we will hopefully be able to develop some of the home grown stuff we’ve got here. You never know what might come through the door as well,” he said.
“Jayden Christie is only 16 and he is heading towards being as good as McKinnon if not better. He is a bright light of the future and there are a few others who are around that mark as well.
“We have got a few there who will make the grade. A few who were in the side last year can only get better.”
For Dodd, it will be a welcome homecoming to Altona where he won back to back Premier Division titles before he made the move to Werribee.
Dodd said playing finals this year with the Bees had prompted his decision to sign with Altona in the search for more success.
“It’s been about four years since I’ve been there so I’m certainly excited about next season that’s for sure,” he said.
“They have picked up a lot of good players. On paper they are going to have a good side but the main thing is going to be to get the combinations right.
“Definitely, it was very hard (to leave Werribee) but Altona, with all the resources that they put in to it, helped me make up my mind in a way.”
