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JAMES FLAHERTY AND JASON CLOKE SIGN FOR 2010.
James Flaherty, who captained the Bendigo Bombers in 2008 and 2009, will stay with the club in 2010, having re-signed for another year.
In addition, the club recently achieved another recruiting coup for the 2010 season by signing former player Jason Cloke who gained AFL experience with Collingwood, and comes to the club from Williamstown.
Bendigo Bombers’ General Manager, Peter Lodewijks said that both players would have major roles in the club’s 2010 season.
“We’re delighted that James has re-signed because his form in 2008 and 2009 was impressive and he’s developed into one of the best defenders in the VFL” he said.
“He’s earned a great deal of respect for his work ethic on and off the ground and for the level of commitment he brings to the club.”
“We’re a young side which is continuing to develop at VFL level and his skill, together with the experience he has gained, is going to be an important factor in that process.”
“Secondly, it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to get Jason Cloke back to Bendigo because he will bring a lot of experience to the club.”
“In 2007, when he was runner-up in the club’s best and fairest award, he played mostly off the half-back line, but he’s got the skill and football knowledge to fill a number of key positions which is important for a young team.”
“The club is giving high priority to building a quality playing list which includes talent and experience and signing players of the calibre of James and Jason is an integral component of that process.”
Coach Shannon Grant said that re-signing James had been a high priority because he is a quality player and is well respected by his peers.
“I expect that James will continue to hold down a key defender’s role because he’s done some really good work on strong opposition forwards during the past two seasons” he said.
“He’s still developing his skills and, in addition, the experience he’s gained during his three seasons with the club, will assist him to lift his game to another level.”
“Similarly, Jason Cloke is a quality player with AFL and VFL experience and he’s one who will help to set the standard for our young playing group, whilst also having a leadership role.”
“We’ll certainly be looking at playing him in a number of positions because he’ll add flexibility to the team structure and he’s a player who can make a strong impact around the ground.”
A key position player, James finished runner up in the club’s 2009 best and fairest award for the second consecutive year and he capped off the season with selection as full-back in the Victorian Football League’s 2009 Team of the Year.
In commenting on his decision to re-sign with the Bendigo Bombers, James said he wanted to stay on board to support Shannon Grant, the new coach and, secondly, because he is positive the club is heading in the right direction.
“I want to play footy at the highest possible level I can and I’m keen to work on my overall skills and physical development which will be a big asset when I’m opposed to key forward line players” he said.
“We’ve commenced pre-season training and the attitude around the whole club and the work ethic that’s being displayed is really good.”
“I’ve been training in Bendigo and also with the Melbourne based players at Windy Hill and there’s a lot of enthusiasm being shown in both places, because everyone’s keen to move into 2010 on a really positive note.”
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