REIGNING Collingwood VFL best and fairest Lachlan Tardrew will align with North Bendigo in the Heathcote District league next season.
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The Bulldogs announced on Thursday the signing of Tardrew as an alignment player and coach Rob Bennett says regardless of how many games he plays, his experience when available will be invaluable.
Not only was 24-year-old Tardrew Collingwood's VFL best and fairest this year, he was also co-captain of the Magpies.
Tardrew, who was aligned with Sandhurst this year and played three games for the Dragons, has been part of Collingwood's VFL program for six seasons and starred playing off half-back and on the wing.
Tardrew's brother, Callum, is a two-time premiership player at North Bendigo who is returning next season from Kyabram District league club Nagambie.
"We're not sure how many games we'll have him for, but any game would be a bonus," Bennett said on Thursday.
"To have him around the group to share his knowledge and experience is going to be massive for us... not just for the playing group, but the coaching staff as well.
To have him around the group to share his knowledge and experience is going to be massive for us... not just for the playing group, but the coaching staff as well
- Rob Bennett
"I've seen him first-hand when he was back at Sandhurst training and the input he had there was fantastic.
"He's the sort of player who when he speaks everyone listens because he's so well respected.
"We're really looking forward to what he can add to the group."
The addition of Tardrew as a VFL-aligned player continues a busy recruiting period for the Bulldogs since Bennett returned as coach last month.
Nick Waterson, Callum Tardrew, Beau Cross, Jesse Evans, Nathan Newlan and Matt Gray are all additions to Atkins Street, with the prospect of still more to come for the Bulldogs, who finished third this year.
"There's a couple of guys we've been talking to that, hopefully, we're pretty close to," Bennett said.
"We're probably on the lookout for an A grade midfielder just to finish us off."
The Bulldogs - who haven't missed a finals series since 2009 - will begin their pre-season campaign in late November.
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