STARS ALIGN

REIGNING Bendigo Football League premier Golden Square has wasted no time bolstering its list ahead of the 2010 season following the signing of Peel Thunder pair Simon Rosa and Luke Hammond.Rosa is not new to Bendigo, having been a former captain of the Bendigo Bombers, and was also a member of the Bendigo Pioneers’ TAC Cup grand final side in 2001.The star midfielder has spent the past two years with Peel in the WAFL, where he was the vice-captain.In both Rosa’s seasons in the west he represented the WAFL at state level, while he has also represented the VFL while playing with the Bombers.By signing with Golden Square, Rosa will play alongside his brother, Luke, who was a member of the Bulldogs’ premiership team last month.“This is where my heart is having my brother here, and also having a bit of a connection beforehand with the club,’’ Rosa said yesterday.“And the boys are obviously going all right having won the premiership this year, so hopefully, I can have a bit of success with them.’’Rosa was previously aligned with Golden Square during his time with the Bombers, where he played from 2003 to 2007.The 26-year-old has also signed on as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs.“Having a coaching role is going to be a fantastic thing; I’ve always aspired to get into coaching,’’ Rosa said.“I’m rapt to have made this decision and can’t wait to get into it.’’However, at this stage, Rosa doesn’t know who he will be an assistant coach to.Yesterday’s announcement of Rosa joining the Bulldogs comes two days after premiership coach Mark Adamson told the club he wouldn’t be continuing in the role next season.“Hopefully, in the next week or so we can sort all that out, but I’m sure whoever will get the job we will be able to work together and keep the boys in line,’’ Rosa said.“Personally, a senior coaching role very much does interest me, but it’s probably just a time commitment at the moment.“I want to make sure I’m right for the job and that it’s not tampering too much with work and family commitments, so at this stage I’m looking to just have a say as an assistant, while supporting the senior coach as much as possible.’’Before signing with Golden Square, Rosa had been approached by the Bendigo Bombers to return to the VFL club where he played more than 100 games.It was an offer Rosa says he was tempted to take up.“I would still love to be playing at that higher level, but I’ve got a lot going on in my personal life,’’ he said.“The Bombers were great to me over a five-year period, and I was tempted to go back there, but I’m just happy to be at Golden Square over the next few years.’’During his two years with Peel Rosa played 37 games, averaging 21 possessions and 4.2 marks per game.“It was a great experience and I really enjoyed the footy over there,’’ Rosa said.“We didn’t have much success as a club, but to play two years of state footy with Western Australia was fantastic.’’Golden Square president Rob Dupuy said the Bulldogs were excited by the signing of not only Rosa, but Hammond as well.“With the work Simon will do with junior development around the club and the support he will give to the senior coach, it puts us in a fantastic position for the future,’’ Dupuy said.“We’re over the moon to have been able to pick him up, as well as Luke, who is also a highly-rated player.’’Although Hammond is yet to arrive in Bendigo, the 27-year-old will join the Bulldogs with big wraps.Hammond has previously spent time on the Brisbane Lions’ list, having been drafted with selection 59 in the 2000 national draft from the Sandringham Dragons.He has spent the past two seasons with Peel, playing 34 games where he averaged 19.2 possessions and 4.6 marks per game.Hammond was the deputy vice-captain of Peel this year.“He is a quality person and a quality player,’’ Rosa said.“He is very much a versatile player who can play just about anywhere . . . midfield, half-forward, half-back.“He is very clean with his disposal, so we’re lucky to have him.’’