Maryborough has added two key signings ahead of the 2021 Bendigo Football Netball League signings.
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Coach Justin Abrams confirmed the Pies had recruited former Carlton rookie Fraser Russell and ex-Lake Wendouree and South Warrnambool key forward Harrison Monk.
A Geelong Falcons graduate from the then TAC Cup, Russell played VFL for the Northern Bullants and was on Carlton's rookie list.
"He's super fit and a terrific athlete,'' Abrams said.
"A few years back he just missed out on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games as a runner.
"Most recently he played for Buninyong in the Central Highlands league and I coached against him.
"He can play key forward or on the ball. He's a super player."
Originally from Lake Wendouree in the Ballarat league, Monk most recently played senior footy with South Warrnambool.
"He's about 194cm and will play key forward for us,'' Abrams said.
"He's a great size and he has plenty of ability. He's just what we needed inside forward 50."
Abrams said the signing of Russell and Monk was the icing on the cake of a successful recruiting campaign for the Pies.
The Pies have regained several "home" players from district clubs, including classy forward Matt Bilton, who had originally left Maryborough to play in the Central Murray league in 2020.
"I congratulated the playing group the other night because players of Fraser and Harrison's calibre have signed on because we're showing some really promising signs,'' Abrams said.
"The boys have really committed to their training and I think the penny has dropped for a few of them in regards to where they need to be to play good footy at Bendigo senior level.
"The local boys have set the standards and these guys are attracted to that.
"It's significant for us to attract these players, particularly on the back of adding a number of local players from around the district."
Young gun Lachlan Bond is the only departure for the Pies.
The teenager has signed with Newtown in a bid to play VFL with Geelong.
"I hope he plays at VFL level,'' Abrams said of Bond.
"If it looks like he's not going to play at that level then our dialogue will remain open with Bondy.
"I think he's good enough to play at VFL level. He's a great, young lad as well. I hope he goes well."
Star midfielder Coby Perry will miss the start of the season as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered while training last year.
"Coby will develop himself as a coach on the bench with me, so there is a positive to it,'' Abrams said.
"He's back running now and doing some light training, but realistically he'll miss most of the front half of the season."
Maryborough opens its 2021 campaign against Sandhurst at the QEO on April 10.
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