sport, wfl, chris williams, jacob schaper, sea lake nandaly, northern territory, gun, signing, recruit, dimboola
A Northern Territory football star and a North Central league premiership player have further strengthened Dimboola ahead of the 2020 Wimmera Football League season. Chris Williams joins the Roos from the Darwin Buffaloes in the Northern Territory Football League, while Jacob Schaper has signed on after winning a premiership with the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in 2019. The duo join the Roos' long list of off-season signings, as the club hope to play finals for the first time since 2013. Head coach Justin Beugelaar has played alongside both Williams and Schaper, and said the duo would compliment each other. "(Schaper) and I played footy together through under-16s and 18s, and he can really play," Beugelaar said. "He's got that real outside speed and skill; a good ball user. "Chris - he's a bull, a workhorse. He's exactly what we need inside and around the footy." Williams, 26, has an impressive football resume. He started his career in the WAFL before moving north, playing with the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL and spending time with the NT Thunder in the NEAFL. The big-bodied midfielder has been starring for the Buffaloes this season, named in the best on eight occasions and booting 14 goals from 16 games. Northern Territory football expert Jackson Clark said Williams could have a substantial impact in the Wimmera league. "He's played in the WAFL and the NTFL, where it is traditionally a really quick brand of football, so it will be interesting to see how he goes in more of an inside, slower league down south," Clark said. "He is a big-bodied midfielder, with great overhead marking and an ability to go forward. He lacks speed, but is a real workhorse." Clark ranked Williams as the 16th best player in the NTFL in December. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't leading the Darwin Buffaloes best and fairest at the moment," Clark said. "He's lifted his game another notch in the NTFL this year. The Chris Williams we have now is the best Chris Williams we've ever seen." Beugelaar expected Williams to play a minimum of 12 games for Dimboola throughout the season. Beugelaar said there was a positive atmosphere around Dimboola, with just 75 days to go until round one. "The excitement is there at the club," he said. "I've said it before, but just maintaining that young playing group from last year is a real positive. "We're hoping that along with the signing of these few gun players, we can get a lot more faces at the club, and a lot more people down there to help the whole club thrive." While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.
Jacob Schaper, right, has signed on at Dimboola from the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. Picture: NONI HYETT/BENDIGO ADVERTISER
A Northern Territory football star and a North Central league premiership player have further strengthened Dimboola ahead of the 2020 Wimmera Football League season.
Chris Williams joins the Roos from the Darwin Buffaloes in the Northern Territory Football League, while Jacob Schaper has signed on after winning a premiership with the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in 2019.
The duo join the Roos' long list of off-season signings, as the club hope to play finals for the first time since 2013.
Head coach Justin Beugelaar has played alongside both Williams and Schaper, and said the duo would compliment each other.
"(Schaper) and I played footy together through under-16s and 18s, and he can really play," Beugelaar said.
Jacob Schaper (number 14) celebrates with his teammates after Sea Lake Nandaly claimed the NCFL premiership. Picture: NONI HYETT/BENDIGO ADVERTISER
"He's got that real outside speed and skill; a good ball user.
"Chris - he's a bull, a workhorse. He's exactly what we need inside and around the footy."
Williams, 26, has an impressive football resume.
He started his career in the WAFL before moving north, playing with the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL and spending time with the NT Thunder in the NEAFL.
The big-bodied midfielder has been starring for the Buffaloes this season, named in the best on eight occasions and booting 14 goals from 16 games.
Northern Territory football expert Jackson Clark said Williams could have a substantial impact in the Wimmera league.
"He's played in the WAFL and the NTFL, where it is traditionally a really quick brand of football, so it will be interesting to see how he goes in more of an inside, slower league down south," Clark said.
"He is a big-bodied midfielder, with great overhead marking and an ability to go forward. He lacks speed, but is a real workhorse."
Clark ranked Williams as the 16th best player in the NTFL in December.
"I'd be surprised if he wasn't leading the Darwin Buffaloes best and fairest at the moment," Clark said.
"He's lifted his game another notch in the NTFL this year. The Chris Williams we have now is the best Chris Williams we've ever seen."
Beugelaar expected Williams to play a minimum of 12 games for Dimboola throughout the season.
Beugelaar said there was a positive atmosphere around Dimboola, with just 75 days to go until round one.
"The excitement is there at the club," he said.
"I've said it before, but just maintaining that young playing group from last year is a real positive.
"We're hoping that along with the signing of these few gun players, we can get a lot more faces at the club, and a lot more people down there to help the whole club thrive."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.
