GDFNL finalists Bannockburn have added some vital experience to its young squad by signing North Shore stalwart Aaron Seller.
Coach Ron Pilgrim confirmed Seller, who played 237 senior games with the GFNL club, will join the Tigers for the 2025 season.
“He and one of his relatives that plays in the reserves have their own mechanics business in Bannockburn,” Pilgrim said.
“We’d have contact with Aaron for a while now.
“He played a year of cricket out at Lethbridge, and his good mates with (former Tiger) Dylan Watt, so I’ve known him for a long time.
“We’ve always had a casual chat about footy, but he’s always been loyal to North Shore, and I think the time is right where he’d like to come back a level.”
Pilgrim said Bannockburn, which lost the elimination final to eventual premier Thomson, lacked the veteran presence that Seller brings.
“It’s no secret we’re a pretty young group, and we need some more leadership and experience out on the ground,” Pilgrim said.
“We’re not expecting him to come in and be a worldbeater, but with his qualities, I think he’ll be fantastic for us.”
Bannockburn has also added former junior Rhys Ginn from GDFNL rival Geelong West.
Ginn, who played 39 games for the Giants, won this year’s best-and-fairest after finishing third in 2023.
Pilgrim has Ginn earmarked for the ruck role, allowing Kieran Fulton to push forward.
“That’s the plan. That’s why we’d like another key tall so we can be less predictable,” Pilgrim said.
“Kieran’s done so well for a long time, (and) we want to take a bit of pressure off him and get him the spot that suits him and the team.
“Rhys will definitely be the priority in the ruck and ‘Kizza’ forward.
“Kizza had a fantastic year, but we just want to take a bit of the pressure off him.”
Bannockburn is preparing to be without 2023 GDFNL Rookie of the Year James Hose, who has been invited to train with VFL premiers Werribee and will likely call a GFNL club home in 2025.
The Elzinga brothers – Leigham and Jaxon – are garnering interest from GFNL clubs.
However, Ryan Perkins will remain after an injury-impacted 2024 season. He is likely to be retained by the Geelong Falcons as a 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, Pilgrim has confirmed former Winchelsea coach Christian Shaw will return to Victoria Park as an assistant coach.
Shaw played his junior football at Bannockburn and is a multiple premiership player at the Tigers.
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