Berwick’s Bryce Rutherford puts pen to paper at Noble Park
The Bulls missed out on ex-Melbourne forward Tim “Bull’’ Smith but they did sign his former Casey VFL teammate Bryce Rutherford.
Eastern
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And Noble Park’s first key recruit for 2020 is … Berwick’s captain.
The Bulls have locked in Bryce Rutherford, one of the Wicks’ most accomplished and respected players and a former VFL Casey Demon.
He figured in Berwick’s 2017-18 premierships but missed 2019 after suffering a knee injury in Round 1.
“Midfield depth, a bit of polish, a bit of class, he’s been in good systems, he was VFL-listed,’’ new Bulls coach Steve Hughes said of Rutherford.
“We’re trying to create a bit of depth around the midfield.
“One of the priorities was to sign a good one, and we have.
“We need some support for the likes of Kyle (Martin) and Jackson (Sketcher) when we have a heavy load of VFL-players and you do and don’t know when you have them.
“Part of our strategy is to thicken up our group of 25 to 30-year-olds. We’re actually a very young footy club. I won’t close the door on any good young kid coming through but our targets are the older types, like Bryce.’’
Rutherford emerged in the VFL in 2014, being recognised as Casey’s most improved player.
That year he gained an invitation to train at Melbourne in the lead-up to the national draft.
Rutherford had made his senior debut at Berwick under Dean Rice in 2012 and he returned there in 2016.
Hughes said he was taken by Rutherford’s enthusiasm for his move to Noble Park and the Eastern league.
“He’s genuinely excited about coming and playing a different level of footy,’’ he said.
“He’ll fit in very nicely. He knows a lot of the Casey-listed players and he’s good mates with Jake Gains.’’
Noble Park has also had talks with retired 150-game VFL player Luke Tynan, who is yet to decide on a club.
But the Bulls missed out on former Melbourne forward Tim “Bull’’ Smith, who is being linked with his junior club, Upper Ferntree Gully, and South Belgrave.
KYLE MARTIN'S REMARKABLE RUN OF BEST AND FAIRESTS
Hughes reported Noble had retained all its senior players.
“Everyone is OK at this stage,’’ he said.
“Everyone gets enthustasitic about recruiting but it’s just as important to keep the players you have.’’
Meanwhile, club great Gavin Vassallo is returning to the club as an assistant coach.
Vassallo wound up his decorated career by winning a best and fairest under Hughes at Bonbeach at the age of 38.