Reigning premiers Leopold land VFL flag winner Jay Dahlhaus and former Geelong West tall Tylar Watts

Leopold had been quiet this off-season, but now the Lions have secured two quality players — one of those from a Geelong league side.

Tylar Watts competes in a contest. Picture: Mark Wilson

Reigning premier Leopold has landed Werribee flag goalsneak Jay Dalhaus and big man Tylar Watts from a Geelong league rival in the club’s first big signings under new coach Luke Kelly.

The talented pair officially signed with the club on Tuesday afternoon as the club strives to win its third consecutive premiership.

A 198 centimetre key forward-ruck, Watts has crossed from Geelong West where he spent the past four seasons and featured for Geelong’s VFL side in previous years.

The 24-year-old has been training alongside Dahlhaus at Werribee VFL this pre-season.

Dahlhaus, also 24, is a senior regular for Werribee – he didn’t play one game for his interchange club Sebastopol last season – but the Lions will welcome him with open arms if he is ever available.

The Geelong Falcons graduate booted 33 goals in 19 games across the VFL season and was named in the best in Werribee’s grand final win over Southport.

Leopold has lost several ley players over the off-season with intercept king Tevan Nofi joining Anglesea and Ollie Tate, Jye Cross and Tom Gordon all retiring.

Meanwhile, Watts is the latest high-profile departure from the Giants, with Mathieson Medal runner-up Tanner Lovell and former Geelong VFL player Jamieson Ballanryne returning to Portland, and ex-Werribee midfielder Emmanuel Ajang moving to SANFL club South Adelaide.

But the Giants have picked up some promising young talents, including former Falcon Zekiah Davey and Inverleigh premiership player Finley O’Keefe.

Originally published as Reigning premiers Leopold land VFL flag winner Jay Dahlhaus and former Geelong West tall Tylar Watts