- THE Coburg Tigers are eyeing former North Melbourne onballer Daniel Harris as their assistant coach. As Inside Football’s copy deadline approached Harris had not signed with the Tigers, but he had been training and officials were confident a deal would be reached. The need for the 149-game Roo’s experience and leadership became more pressing when utility Nat Caruso decided to follow Andrew Horne and 2009 best and fairest Nick Liddle to South Australia. Tim Clarke has retired to take up a development role with Richmond and Glenn Carrick will play locally, leaving captain Nick Carnell and Damian Rayson as the only two established senior players. The Tigers have also had to get by without a general manager since Ryan O’Connor’s appointment as the new regional manager of the Sandringham Dragons. A new GM was expected to be announced at the AGM on December 21.

- A BIG hit for the Northern Bullants with assistant coach Jason Saddington deciding to take his young family back to Sydney. He will play for Balmain next year. “It’s rocked us,” Ants GM Gary O’Sullivan said. “He’s a wonderful fella to have around, on and off the field. We’re going to miss him terribly.” Ruckman Nick Meese has returned to West Preston, there are doubts about vice-captain David Boundy, and reserves and assistant coach Martin Pike resigned in November. Rover Anton Woods, the 2009 Morrish Medal champion, Jaryd Cachia and Tommy Hill are among the Nothern Knights graduates training at Cramer St.

- DELISTED Western Bulldogs defender Cameron Wight will continue his football at Werribee. Wight played 36 games for the Doggies but none in 2009 and was let go after seven seasons on the list. The lanky right-footer knows his way around Chirnside Park, having played for the Tigers when they were aligned to the Bulldogs. “His versatility is going to serve us very well,” Werribee GM Mark Penaluna said. “He can play down back, he can play forward, he can pinch hit in the ruck. His best game for us was when he played as a centre half forward. We want to free him up and let him run around.”

- AT the end of last season Williamstown told Jason Cloke he would be offered reduced terms for 2010 and that he could look elsewhere if he desired. The Seagulls were convinced his best football was in the past. But new Bendigo Bombers coach Shannon Grant thought otherwise. Wanting some strong and experienced types, Grant put in a call to the former Magpie and found him keen to stay in the VFL. The Bombers signed him soon after, regaining a player who ran second in their best and fairest in 2007. “He’ll be good for us,” Grant said. “He’s proved himself a quality player at that level and can play at both ends. With the young group we have, we expect him to lead the way. It’s a fresh start for him and he’s looking forward to getting stuck into it.” Bendigo secured another seasoned player in Hayden Skipworth, who is coming off a year on the Essendon list. Skipworth, the club’s 2008 best and fairest, will serve as assistant coach.

- IN other Bendigo news, captain and 2009 VFL team-of-the-year full back James Flaherty has committed for another season and former player Daniel Schmidt has been hired as development coach to oversee the Bendigo-based squad. Schmidt is a former Bendigo Diggers player and has extensive coaching and playing experience in country ranks. He steered Rochester to the Goulburn Valley premiership in 2008.

- TALENTED but temperamental forward Dean Galea signed at Port Melbourne after being let go by Williamstown. Galea played 42 senior games for the Seagulls, who told him he would not be offered a contract after a 2009 season in which he had a blow-up with coaching staff at half time in a reserves match. He overcame that setback to play some good senior football in the late rounds, kicking three goals against Port in Round 20. Boroughs coach Gary Ayres is a Galea fan. “It’s a real positive for us,” he said. “Dean’s shown an ability to kick goals at senior level for a team that’s been thereabouts in the past few years. We rate him.”

- AYRES was also chuffed to secure Adam Bentick, who was delisted by Carlton after 68 matches. Injury messed with his 2009 but he did finish the year with some strong performances for the Northern Bullants. Gary Ayres said Bentick was perhaps a victim of the Blues’ rich midfield stocks. “He played some very good senior football for them, and maybe he’s stiff to not still be there,” he said. “I rate him as a terrific inside player. He’s also a young man with terrific character, a quality person. They’re the type of players you want coming in to your football club.” Bentick has nominated for the pre-season draft. Former Hawthorn rookie Hugh Sandilands, a key defender, has joined Port from Box Hill and 201cm Collingwood VFL-lister Callum Sinclair and Frankston key forward Michael Lourey are also putting down roots at TEAC Oval. A powerful left-footer, Lourey kicked 40-odd goals in 2008 but fell out of senior favour under Shannon Grant this year. Sinclair is the son of ex-Fitzroy player Allan Sinclair, who had a stint at Port Melbourne. Ruckman Patrick McMahon (Oakleigh Chargers), half-back/midfielder Mitch Woods (Oakleigh Chargers) and onballer Matthew Smith (Bendigo Pioneers) are from the TAC Cup. But as one Matthew Smith arrives, another leaves. Port’s versatile key position player has stepped away from the VFL, unable to find the time after a promotion at KPMG. Adrian “Arch” Deluca has also gone, as have David Robbins, David Pitt, Bo Nixon, John Milhuisen and Jason Kennedy.

- WILLIAMSTOWN strengthened its backline by signing Casey Scorpion Peter Faulks. The former Sydney Swan followed coach Peter German to the Seagulls, who have tied up TAC Cup talent in Dion Lawson, Michael Fogarty, Tyler Healey (Western Jets), Jack Purton-Smith (Sandringham Dragons), and Jye Sandiford and Brian Fenton (Bendigo Pioneers). Willy cleared youngsters Dylan Joyce and Jacob Gotch to South Adelaide.

- ADEM Yze’s stint at Box Hill lasted only one year. The former Demon great was the Hawks’ best player in their stirring finals run but he’s told the club his body is no longer up to the demands of the VFL. Next year he will line up at Shepparton Swans, alongside brothers Damien and Ramadan. “We’re just thankful we had him for 12 months,”Hawks coach Brendon Bolton said.” He was sensational.” Box Hill has also lost 2009 league reserves medal winner Joel Cross, who’s gone to Scoresby. Former AFL forward Justin Plapp is coaching the Hawks’ reserves and may also play.

PAUL AMY