Bulldogs go for grunt

– Justin Robertson
BUNYIP Football Club has signed Brad Walker and Ben Jostlear to add more grunt to its 2011 campaign.
New president Darrell Wilkinson said the signings took place after Friday night’s training session, which finished right before the Pakenham storms wreaked havoc. “I’m looking forward to this season,” he said. “Obviously we’ll be looking to feature in the finals – like everyone else – so hopefully we can have a go if we get there.”
Last Friday saw Bunyip’s group of 28 players train for two hours and then, Wilkinson said, he signed up two new boom recruits.
Half-back flanker Brad Walker spent a season at Drouin and will take on the role as an assistant coach as well as playing on match days. “We’ve gone after a bit more depth,” Wilkinson said. “Brad is hard at the ball, so we might be more aggressive on the field.”
Ben Jostlear will play a half-forward role moving across from Garfield Football Club and Wilkinson said he would add speed and some firepower up forward.
Wilkinson has been at Bunyip Football club for seven years – on the committee for four years – and said having his son playing his last year in the thirds this year spurred him on to taking the president role. “While my son –Alex – is still playing thirds, I thought I might as well help out the club a bit,” he said. “I want to try and maintain the younger players from the 18s and watch them progress into good senior players and basically try and keep them at the club so we can enjoy success in the future.”