The Navarre Football Netball Club is buzzing after announcing new coaches and seven new players for the 2022 MCDFNL season.
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A few famous Navarre names will be returning to the green and yellow in 2022, with the club in the process of completing a massive overhaul of its playing list.
First and foremost, the Navarre seniors will be led by two experienced football talents with Stawell Warriors' Jay Moody and Billy Driscoll named as co-coaches.
Moody will also be joined at Navarre by fellow Warriors gun, as Cody Driscoll returns to his home colours.
The club have also landed four other signatures to join the talented trio, with Daniel Bibby from Minyip Murtoa, Angus Barham from Stawell, Lachie Sloarch from Barwon Heads and Jack Jess from Redan all committing to the club.
Navarre Football Netball Club president Tim Bibby said the announcement of the signings had lifted the club.
"There is a good vibe and good buzz around the place already," he said.
"We are going to have good depth in general and that makes it more competitive for players to get a game in the seniors too.
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"They are going to be a lot more competitive and that'll get everyone that is loyal sparked up a bit.
"We certainly want to get back to playing finals footy at the very least, there is no doubt about that.
"We are looking forward to 2022."
It is hard to know where to start when analyzing the Grasshoppers new recruits, with talent spread across all parts of the ground.
Navarre's new co-coach Jay Moody joined the Stawell Warriors in 2019 after he was the leading goalkicker at Hampden Football League club Portland in 2018, providing the Warriors with options both down forward and in the midfield.
During his footballing career he also has had experience at state level, having played VFL football for both Geelong and North Ballarat.
Cody Driscoll's name is also well known in Wimmera footballing circles, with the key forward taking out the WFNL league goal kicking in 2019.
Driscoll was struck down by a hand injury in 2021, but bagged 37 goals in just nine games, helping the Warriors to third on the ladder.
Another talented footballer from the WFNL will also be joining the Grasshoppers with Daniel Bibby's arrival.
Bibby kicked eight goals in 12 games in 2021 and was named in the best three times as he helped the Burras climb to the minor premiership.
From further afield, Bill Driscoll will also be joining the club as a co-coach and will bring a wealth of experience from his years as a staple of the Springbank Football Netball Club in the Central Highland Football League.
Lachie Sloarch will also be returning the region leaving the Barwon Heads Seagulls behind to join the revitalised Grasshoppers.
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The connection to Bill Driscoll has also played a part in the signing of Jack Jess from Redan in the Ballarat Football League.
Jess played seven senior and three reserves games in 2021 for Redan.
The Grasshoppers have also added a third Stawell Warrior to their playing list with Angus Barham.
Barham played three senior games and one reserves game for the Warriors in the 2021 WFNL.
After a lean run Navarre president Tim Bibby said it was exciting to have such a talented group of players and coaches join the club.
"A few months ago we decided to look at getting some playing coaches," he said.
"I think it'll be a good mix. We had one of our first training runs and both Jay and Bill spoke very well and we had a good turnout.
"It is some exciting times especially with Cody Driscoll and Lachie Sloarch, they are both great players."
In 2021 Navarre finished ninth on the MCDFNL ladder with four wins, six losses and a percentage of just 48.39.
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