mmg.com.au

Goulburn Valley Football League general manager Keith Wellman believes the influx of top-quality recruits to the competition is a sign of its strength.

There has been a bonanza of signings league-wide this off-season ranging from players straight out of AFL to highly regarded Victoria Country representatives.

Kyabram was the latest to pull the trigger, confirming former Brisbane midfielder Sam Sheldon and his cousin, Nathalia premiership star and former Echuca player Tom Sheldon, had joined the club.

It comes following a raft of announcements.

Rochester has recruited Bendigo league goal-kicking machine Grant Weeks and former Benalla star Brady Green.

Mansfield has lured former Collingwood and Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser home and is still in talks with former Geelong and Carlton speedster David Clark.

Shepparton Swans have acquired Geelong league star Dan Lovick and dual former Shepparton United captain Tyson Sidebottom.

The Demons themselves have regained 2010 premiership hero Jason Eagle, Victoria Country centre half-back David Gillespie and Tallygaroopna spearhead Brent Arho.

Mooroopna has gained Peel Thunder midfielder and Richmond-triallist Mitch Keddell.

And the reigning premier, Tatura, has secured Victorian Football League stars James Wall, Rian McGough and Ben Waite.

Wellman said it appeared an action-packed off-season.

‘‘From what I have read in the papers, it is all looking very good at this time of the year,’’ Wellman said.

‘‘Obviously, from an administration perspective we don’t see anything until the clearances open, so we can’t guarantee they are all actually going to come, but it certainly augers well for the future of the competition.

‘‘It should see an evening up of the entire competition.’’

He said the competition’s status as No.1 in Victorian Country Football League had likely played a role.

‘‘I think that has a bit to do with it,’’ he said.

‘‘If you have that rank, people are more likely to pay attention to it, but we certainly don’t make a big deal of it because we know how quickly that can go.’’

The GVFL will take on Geelong to retain its status this year at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium.

Wellman said he had already received feedback that some of the high profile recruits were eager to be part of the campaign.

‘‘We are hoping a lot of the recruits make themselves available and I am aware that quite a few of them have already been contacted by the coach, Travis Ryan, and they have told him they are very keen to represent the league,’’ Wellman said.

‘‘But that is not to say we are home and hosed.

‘‘We know it doesn’t matter how good the team is on paper, it is all about how you go on the day.’’