Deloraine's pursuit to add to their 2020 NTFA Shield victory next season has received a boost, with Hillwood premiership leader Damon Howe and state under-age player Jordan Talbot joining the Kangaroos.
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One of the region's most respected footballers following a career at Devonport, Uni-Mowbray and Hillwood, Howe has made the move after living in Deloraine for the past 18 months.
"Basically it was just a matter of being closer to home at the end of the day," he said on the move.
"I spent the last three, nearly four years down at Hillwood so it's a bit of travelling from Deloraine three times a week.
"I recently got married and we obviously have the house down there now as well and starting a new job, there's a lot of big things happening at once, so to have footy closer to home, it just made sense at this point in time."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
The move was announced on the club's Facebook page on Monday, with several comments welcoming the two-time team of the year player to the Kangaroos.
Among them was a farewell message from incoming Hillwood coach Jake Pearce, who wrote: "Wish you all the best Damon Howe. The boys have got a quality leader on and off."
That impressed the departing star.
"I made the club aware of my position and my circumstances with the job and everything that was happening and he's just a true professional.
"He just wants best for the blokes around him and if that wasn't at Hillwood, as it was in this case, he's just happy to see me happy which speaks volumes of him as a person."
His new coach Lochy Dornauf said he is looking forward to having the "great leader" at the Kangaroos, with his commitment already shining through on the training track.
"Given his residence and family ties to Deloraine we have repeatedly attempted to recruit Howey, however his loyalty to Hillwood always shone through," he said.
"It's very fitting that this was rewarded by captaining a much-deserved premiership in 2019 and we are brimming with excitement that he has committed to help our club to attempt to do the same in 2021."
Howe views himself as an "elder statesman" of the club at 27 years of age and has been impressed by the amount of young players coming through the ranks during his short time at the Roos.
One of those players is fellow recruit Talbot, who at over six feet tall, has represented Tasmania from under-15s and beyond while playing for Launceston in under-18s and development league.
A versatile player who may play anywhere for his new side, his addition has been warmly welcomed by coach Dornauf.
"Jordo's ability on the ground is only matched by his respectful and infectious personality off the field which will add to our family first culture," he said.
"After sitting out the 2020 season we can see how hungry he is to continue the success he has experienced in the early stages of his career."
The NTFA premier division season will get underway on April 10 - the weekend after Easter.