THE Bendigo Gold have signed one of the best young players in the WAFL.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Devin McFarlane, 21, joins the Gold after impressing in three years of senior footy with the Peel Thunder.
The half-back flanker played 54 senior games in three seasons and averaged 14 possessions per game.
"He arrives in Bendigo with three years of senior footy at state league level under his belt, so straight away he's up there with Steven Stroobants as our most experienced player,'' Jones said.
"To go straight from Colts footy in WA and play three years of senior footy says a fair bit about Devin.
"He has very good leadership credentials, he's an elite kick of the footy and we'll certainly look at having him in our midfield rotations.
"The great thing for our club is he's only 21 and his best footy is in front of him."
McFarlane's form at Gold training has Jones expecting big things in 2014.
"It's only early days, but he's made a big impression,'' he said.
"He looks like he'll slot into the VFL nicely."
McFarlane's signing offsets the loss of Harry O'Meara and Jordan Collins.
Both players have quit the Gold to concentrate on their BFNL careers with Sandhurst and Kyneton respectively.
Meanwhile, the Gold will play two of their three pre-season matches in Bendigo.
The Gold will play Footscray at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve on March 15 and Frankston at the same venue on March 29.
On March 22 the Gold will play Collingwood in Melbourne.