Sorrento lands prized recruits Andrew Lovett and Chris Dawes

FIRST Andrew Lovett and now Chris Dawes – it’s been a spectacular couple of days of recruiting for a football club in Melbourne’s southeast.

Former Essendon speedster Andrew Lovett will pull on the boots with Sorrento next season.

FIRST Andrew Lovett and now Chris Dawes – it’s been a spectacular couple of days of recruiting for Sorrento footy club.

The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League club is jumping for joy after securing the two former AFL stars in the space of 30 hours.

Former Essendon speedster Lovett committed to Sorrento on Tuesday, while former Collingwood and Melbourne forward Dawes phoned Sharks coach Nick Jewell this morning to say he was on board.

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Jewell was thrilled, declaring it “terrific’’ for his club and the local competition.

The arrival of Lovett and Dawes to Sorrento comes a week after rival club Somerville signed former Bulldog, Swan and Blue Andrejs Everitt.

“A lot of work has gone into it behind the scenes, but we got there,’’ Jewell said.

“Look, I know there will be backlash from other sides, saying tongue in cheek, ‘bloody Sorrento’. But I think it’s terrific for our competition that Somerville got Everitt. Why would you not want these guys playing in your comp? It’s great for the area and great for kids to watch these blokes run around.’’

Andrew Lovett in action for the Bombers.

Ex-Demon Chris Dawes.

Jewell said Dawes knocked back bigger offers to join Sorrento.

“We basically put our offer to him, that was as far as we could go with the new salary cap,’’ he said.

“And then I think he looked at the job opportunities; he’s moving into a law commerce degree and has a contact at our club with one of the sponsors.

“He turned his back on much bigger offers, football wise, to better his career I suppose.’’

Dawes, who played in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership, played 121 AFL games.

Lovett has a connection with the local town; he is soon to open a new business — a wine and tapas bar — in downtown Sorrento.

Jewell said Sorrento jumped at the chance to secure the former dashing Bomber.

“He’s been on the radar for a little while,” Jewell said.

“He’s starting up a business in Sorrento and he is mates with Tom Langford who played with us last year. Tom’s been on to us about having a chat with him. We finally had a chat and, yeah, all good. He wants to be a part of it. He sees playing with us will really help his business.”

Lovett has spent the past two years with Red Cliffs in the Sunraysia league.

He has also played for Wanderers in the Northern Territory Football League.

The speedy right-footer had 88 senior appearances for Essendon from 2005-09 and received the medal as best-afield in the 2005 Anzac Day match between the Dons and Collingwood.

Meanwhile, Pearcedale has signed former Melbourne-listed Rhys Healey, 26.

The midfielder-forward, is also a dual Eaglehawk premierships player, was leading goal kicker with Kangaroo Flat last season. Healey is one of 10 recruits for Pearcedale.