Bears-Lagoon Serpentine coach Greg Gadsden expects dynamic midfielder/forward Justin Bateson to have a big impact in his first season with the Bears.
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Bateson joins the Bears after playing 21 senior games with the powerful Eaglehawk side over the past two years.
This year Bateson played in two finals for the Borough, but was left out of the senior team for the grand final.
"Justin will be a very good player for us,'' Gadsden said.
"He'll be used in the midfield and in the forward line where his defensive pressure is elite.
"His ball use and ball winning ability around the ground is very good."
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The Bears have also signed Stephen Barrett - a utility player from Murray Football League club Katandra.
"He looks good on the track and has good skills on both sides of his body, but I haven't seen him play yet,'' Gadsden said.
"He comes here after playing three years of senior footy for Katandra."
The Bears, who finished third in 2019, have lost midfielder Ollie Leonard-Shannon to Sandhurst, while key defender Dylan Hanley has returned to his home club Eaglehawk.
Gadsden said the Bears were still in talks with a number of recruits, including a key forward.
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