Recent history suggests the team with the best defence wins the HDFNL premiership.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leitchville-Gunbower had the best defence in 2018 and won the flag. Ditto North Bendigo in 2019.
Colbinabbin had the second-best defence in 2019 and finished runner-up to the Bulldogs.
Colbo coach Julian Bull has bolstered his team's back six for 2021 by signing two exciting defenders.
Former NAB League and VFL-listed defender Ben Barton joins the Hoppers from Balranald where he was a team-mate of the three Fitzgerald brothers - Laine, Nash and Logan - who signed with Colbo last month.
Dan Hill returns to his home club Colbo after a stint with Rochester in the GVFL.
Barton and Hill are strong in the air and like to attack off half-back.
"It's an area we were keen to bolster up, particularly with our aerial skills,'' Bull said.
"I've been involved in teams in the past where having strong intercept marking half-backs allows you to not only improve your defence, but you can also turn defence into offence quickly.
"It's been something I've targeted the last couple of years.
"I seriously considered swinging Matt Riordan back there, but picking up these two players who have top end talent means we can use Riordan at both ends of the ground again."
Read more: Catch up on all the latest local footy news
At about 190cm in height, the athletic Barton can play as a key defender or as a third tall.
In 16 games with Balranald last year he was in the best players 11 times.
"He has a heap of upside,'' Bull said of Barton.
"He carried an injury through last year and still had a really good year with Balranald.
"He's played high level footy with the Calder Cannons and in the VFL, so he really fits the mould of what we're after.
Bull said Barton and Hill will compliment each other across half-back.
"Ben and Dan will be very similar in size because Dan has sprung up to around that six foot two height,'' Bull said.
"They both have a vertical leap that will send them above most players in the competition.
"They don't have to necessarily play on a big fella as well which is nice for us.
"Having them there with the likes of Ben Southan and Nick Knight running around the backline as well...means opposition teams are going to have a really good look at our backline which is not what you want to be doing as a coach."
Bull said the Hoppers were still talking to a couple of potential recruits, but overall he was very happy with what the club has achieved in the past six weeks.
"We're really happy with what we've brought in and with what we've been able to keep,'' he said.
"Ben Southam re-committed to the club about a week ago, so we've had a really positive month or so.
"After building up our forward line last year, being able to strengthen up a couple of other areas this year should hold us in good stead."
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.