A PORT Melbourne premiership player will solidify Hamilton Kangaroos' forward and ruck stocks as Gerard FitzGerald's men plot a route to Hampden league finals.
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Former Borough defender Lachie Waddell has signed at Melville Oval.
Weddall helped Port Melbourne to a VFL premiership in 2017. He was deployed as a key defender, working closely with coach Gary Ayres, after developing as a forward and ruck option.
The 24-year-old, who works as a statutory planner at Southern Grampians Shire, told The Standard several Hamilton Kangaroos figures made him feel at home.
He said the club's welcoming nature - particularly senior players in Hugh Douglas, Jack Hickey and Levi Dare as well as chairman Lachy Patterson and FitzGerald - was key in his decision to sign.
"My main priority in moving to Hamilton was work. I've just graduated uni and was looking for a good role in a good council," Waddell said. "They've all made me feel right at home which is an amazing feeling and they're a major part of why I'm playing next year."
The 202-centimetre utility said early discussions with FitzGerald were promising and felt he'd divide time between forward and ruck duties.
"I pride myself on my contested marking and a lot of aerial contests," Waddell said.
"When I was playing TAC Cup with Oakleigh Chargers I was a ruck-forward and transitioning to Port Melbourne, probably in the first four years I was there, I played that role as well.
"In 2019 I did a lot of work with Gary (Ayers), with him being such a good backline player, and he taught me some of the tricks of playing down back."
Waddell said he'd fill whatever role was required to help the team.
"The discussion at the moment has definitely been up forward and potentially in the ruck, giving big Levi (Dare) a chop out every now and again," he said.
"I think of myself as a bit of a swingman and if I'm needed to play in a certain position, I'm certainly keen to do that to help us be successful."
Waddell said he'd settled into Hamilton life well.
"A massive factor in my decision was the community really embracing me," he said.
"I immediately felt like part of the community."
FitzGerald said Waddell's good character meant he fitted the club's criteria.
"The recommendations of people that'd known him and worked with him were that he was of strong character," he said.
FitzGerald said Waddell offered versatility.
"When I sat down with him, as I do with all potential recruits, we were speaking about where he fits into the team and what role we thought would suit and help the team," he said.
"Listening to him, he's very keen to continue to develop his work forward of the ball and to compete and help to create goals.
"He can absolutely spend some time in the ruck as well."
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