Calivil United has added more flexibility to its squad by signing forward/midfielder Michael Cooke.
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Cooke arrives at the Demons from West Gippsland Football League club Korumburra-Bena where he kicked 37 goals in 31 games across two seasons.
A good friend of fellow Calivil United recruit Jake Hall, Cooke signed with Strathfieldsaye for the 2016 Bendigo Football Netball League season, but only played two games for the Storm because the club had player points issues.
Cooke previously won a best and fairest award with Southern Football League club East Malvern and he played with Broadbeach in the North East Australian Football League.
"He (Cooke) is a mobile forward who can go through the midfield,'' Calivil United coach Andrew Freemantle said.
"He and Jake (Hall) give us some flexibility in how we set up."
The Demons have also signed brothers Darcy and Jedd Thompson from Lockington-Bamawm United.
"Darcy went away to Sydney for work last year and has come back,'' Freemantle said.
"They'll play across half-forward."
Cooke, Hall, North Bendigo premiership player Sam Demeo and key defender Ben Haines headline the Demons' off-season acquisitions.
However, 2017 premiership coach Anthony Dennis has left the club to play with Tongala in the Murray Football League.
"Anthony lives in Echuca, he has a young family and the travel was getting harder for him,'' Freemantle said.
"We've lost a few good ones, but we've been able to pick up some good players as well.
"We've been lucky enough to have a good core group of players for a few years and, now with Hall and Cooke, we're starting a new era.
"We'd love to get our hands on one more quality midfielder. Usually, midfielders are the easiest players to recruit."
Ruckman Chris Down, who won last year’s Harding Medal, has left the Demons to play with Sandhurst.
Freemantle coached the Demons’ 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008 Loddon Valley league premierships, with the 2019 season the start of his fourth stint as Calivil United’s coach.
The Demons will play practice matches against Huntly on March 15 and Lancaster on March 23 before their LVFNL season-opener at home against reigning premier Newbridge on April 6.
Other round one matches in the LVFNL are Inglewood at home to Marong, Maiden Gully YCW hosts Mitiamo and Bridgewater travels to Pyramid Hill.
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