FIRST he was in, then he was out, now Shannon Broadbent is back in at Kangaroo Flat in a move that will further beef up the Roos’ midfield stocks in the Bendigo Football-Netball League.
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The Roos announced Broadbent – an eight-time best and fairest winner and premiership player with four clubs – among a host of new recruits last November.
However, in January coach Jason Stevens conceded a change of employment for Broadbent would make it unlikely he’d play for the Roos in 2016.
But come 2.20pm Sunday at Camp Reserve, Broadbent will be in the centre square for the Roos as they take on Castlemaine in the BFNL’s indigenous game.
“He signed a contract with us for this season and has now decided he wants to honour it, so he has been cleared across from Westmeadows and we’re obviously very happy to have him… we welcome him with open arms,” Stevens said.
“Circumstances have changed for him and he can now train with us, as well as with our Melbourne group and he’s keen to honour his original contract.
“He’s a well-credentialed player and certainly comes with a lot of accolades.”
Broadbent has been rated a four-point player, and with Ryley Barrack (2), Jayke Barrack (2) and Lance Oswald (3) all coming into the side on Sunday, Stevens expects the Roos will be right on the edge of their 43 point cap.
“It tightens things right up, but we’ve got a number of one point players, such as Ryan McNish and Liam Murphy, who will be coming back into the equation, which still gives us a little bit of room to move,” Stevens said.
“This will be the first time we’ve gone near our limit, but this is getting very close to the best 22 that we can roll out.”
Broadbent has won premierships with Tullamarine (2003), Maribrynong Park (2009, 2010), Tatura (2012) and Deer Park (2013, 2015).
The Roos head into Sunday’s match in fourth spot and as one of the form sides of the BFNL, having won their past four games.
“We’ve started well and the addition of Shannon will hopefully, help us go along our way and we’ve just got to keep winning to secure that position in the finals come September,” Stevens said.
Meanwhile, a pair of Castlemaine players will celebrate milestones in the match when captain Zach Hansford and Rhys Jenkins both play their 100th senior games for the Magpies.
Both clubs will wear indigenous gurenseys in the match, which will follow a welcome/smoking ceremony.