Country footy: Ex-AFL forward Stewart Crameri signs for North Ballarat

North Ballarat has added firepower to its forward line for next season with the arrival of a former AFL goalkicker.

North Ballarat has flexed its muscle in a bid to end its premiership drought.

Former AFL forward Stewart Crameri has joined the Roosters for next year as they aim to reach the pinnacle of the Ballarat League for the first time in 10 years.

Crameri last played for Maryborough in the Bendigo Football Netball League in 2018.

Since then he’s taken time out of the game to focus on his young family.

Stewart Crameri clears by hand for the Western Bulldogs during his AFL days. Picture: Michael Klein

He’s now back playing football and will be coached by a person who is familiar to him.

Roosters coach Brendan McCartney coached Crameri when he was at the Bombers as an assistant in 2011 and again at the Bulldogs when McCartney was the senior coach in 2014.

Crameri won the leading goalkicker four times in his AFL career, three times at Essendon and once at the Western Bulldogs.

He kicked 171 goals in 103 games.

The Roosters said Crameri would provide a major presence to their forward line with his ability to mark the ball and his goalkicking talent.