mmg.com.au

The Deniliquin Rams re-signed 2011 premiership captain Anthony Bull this week.

Senior coach Gary Parsons confirmed the appointment yesterday.

Bull, a three-time premiership ruckman with the Rams, took this year off to travel overseas.

Parsons said his signing was a good win for the club after losing young stars Todd Gallagher and Lachy Small to the Deni Rovers for the 2013 season.

But the Rams mentor said he was also pleased to announce the signing of young Deni Rovers forward Brett Macdonald.

‘‘To have Bully and Macca sign is heartening, and lessens the loss of Gags (Gallagher) and Smally a bit,’’ Parsons said.

‘‘We’ve also got a guy who’s moved to town, Matt Robinson, who’s signed up. He’s a bit unknown at the moment, but could be a likely type.’’

Bull, 26, is a multiple best and fairest winner with the Rams and one of the Murray Football League’s leading ruckman.

He played in the club’s 2003-04 premierships before captaining the 2011 flag.

‘‘We’re rapt to have Bully back on board,’’ Parsons said.

‘‘We really see him as a spiritual leader at the club and I know all the guys really look up to him.

‘‘His fearless attack on the footy sets the standard for the other guys.’’

Parsons also lauded Macdonald’s arrival to Murray League football.

‘‘He’s a young man who wants to try another level of footy, and we welcome that.

‘‘We know he’s got great hands and he comes with big raps from his former coaches at the Rovers.’’

Macdonald, 19, played the last two seasons as a marking forward with the Rovers. He was part of the club’s finals campaigns in both years.

Parsons said he also expects to sign ‘‘a few more’’ players in the next couple of weeks.

‘‘We’re pretty confident we’ll have a fairly competitive side. We’ll keep promoting our young blokes and hopefully pick up a few more players once pre-season starts.

‘‘We’re planning to start pre-season Sunday week.’’

The five-time premiership coach also confirmed 2012 assistant coach Troy Bartlett had signed on for next season. Bartlett played under Parsons in all five of the flags and was named best-on in the 2011 triumph.