White Hills has landed another key signing, with former Carlton player Jed Lamb to join his great mate Sam Kerridge at the Demons.
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Lamb, who played 66 games in an eight-year AFL career with Sydney, GWS and Carlton, missed selection in last week's AFL National Draft and Rookie Draft and has decided to play country footy in 2019.
Lamb's former Carlton team-mate Kerridge was appointed White Hills coach last month and their arrival at Scott Street gives the Demons the two premier players in the HDFNL.
"I'd love it if Jed was still playing in the AFL with Carlton Football Club because he's a quality footballer and a quality person, but the fact we get to continue to play footy together at White Hills is terrific and we're really excited about the year ahead,'' Kerridge said on Wednesday.
Lamb, 26, played 18 games for the Blues this year, mainly across half-back.
His best performance was 22 possessions and a goal in the round 16 loss to Brisbane.
"They say you play your best footy betwen the ages of 25 and 30, so he's still got some great footy in front of him,'' Kerridge said of Lamb.
"It will be exciting to see what he brings to the footy club.
"He finished his career in the AFL playing as a half-back, but he was originally drafted as a forward.
"He can play through the midfield at this level as well and he's an elite ball user, so he could help us out of the backline or be used as an elite finisher in the forward line.
"He's going to give us some flexibility."
Lamb will play 12 home and away games with the Demons plus finals should they make the top five.
"Jed was keen to contribute back at his home club as well a little bit (by playing a couple of cameo games),'' Kerridge said.
"That comes part and parcel with having quality players because they're in high demand.
"We understand and respect that. It's fantastic to get him for 12 games."
On top of Kerridge and Lamb, the Demons have added former Sandhurst small forward Mitch Dole, ex-Kangaroo Flat duo Charlie Bowyer and Dane Spear and another former Sandhurst player in Michael Dee.
The Demons have started pre-season training and Kerridge has been impressed with the enthusiasm in the group.
"It's been outstanding so far. There's a great buzz and plenty of excitement around the club,'' Kerridge said.
"Session one we had more than 40 players on the track which was great to see."
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