by Dutchy » Mon Nov 10, 2014 4:28 pm
Glenelg has lured Christian Howard back to Brighton Road as it continues to address its need for speed and clean skills.
Delisted by the Western Bulldogs after playing 20 AFL matches from 2011 to 2014, Howard boasts a neat left-foot kick and a willingness to carry the ball across lines.
The 23-year-old – who was selected with the Dogs’ No.15 pick in the 2009 AFL National Draft – is expected to play a role across half-back for the Tigers in 2015.
‘’He will probably be our player who plays across half-back who we can release as he uses the footy so well,’’ Glenelg football manager Matt Lokan said.
‘’We have been talking to Christian pretty much for the whole year about footy and life in general. So to have him return to Glenelg is fantastic.
‘’It is great for the younger boys to have someone from Glenelg who has played in the AFL system come back to the club.’’
It is understood Howard chose playing for the Bays ahead of an offer from VFL club Port Melbourne, in the event he isn’t selected in either the AFL National Draft or AFL Rookie Draft this year.
The Tigers have injected more pace into their squad with the addition of classy small forward Lonnie Hampton, who played in a premiership this year with former Central star Brayden O’Hara at
Ovens and Murray League club Albury.
Hampton, 22, finished fourth in Albury’s best-and-fairest award this year behind O’Hara and former AFL players Dean Polo and Setanta O’hAilpin.
‘’He’s a very quick forward who is very creative in front of goals and he has got pace to burn,’’ Lokan said of Hampton, 178cm and 73kg.
‘’We’re very excited about Lonnie as Nick (Stevens) had some involvement with him when he was coaching NSW/ACT (Under-18s) so we feel very fortunate to get Lonnie across the line.’’
Flexible utility Tom Carter, who measures in at 196cm and 97kg, has also joined the Bays from SANFL rival West Adelaide.
Carter, who lives in Glenelg’s zone, can play in the ruck or at either end of the ground.
‘’Tom is one who popped out of the box for us,’’ Lokan said.
‘’He parted ways with West Adelaide and we were very keen to get another bigman on our books.
‘’We are rapt to have him join as he is a big powerful ruckman who can play forward and moves very well. He is doing some surfboard rowing at the moment as well so he has put on some size as well.
‘’And the best thing about Tom is that he is a competitor. He really competes for the footy so he will be a huge pick-up for us.’’