Sport
18 January, 2024
Thunder start announcing signings for 2024
The Southern Mallee Thunder have started to announce their signings for the 2024 season, with the bulk coming from the former Storm and Giants' teams.
Storm's Nick Yarran and Tom Clarke as well as Giants Billy Lloyd and Liam Nelson are all sticking around to see where the exciting new chapter goes to after successful 2023 campaigns.
Clarke won the Storm's best and fairest with Yarran the runner-up. Clarke kicked 30 goals for the season and plays mid-high half forward whilst Yarran polled in the top five for the league best and fairest and was named best finals player.
Nelson won the Giants Best and Fairest with Lloyd runner-up.
The Fisher brothers from the Giants, Jackson and Toby, will also be playing. Jackson is a wingman with the ability to not only gain metres, but be in and around the contest and also possesses good leadership skills. Toby is also a wingman and can also play forward or back if needed.
Heath and Oscar Smith have also signed having played for the Giants in 2023. Both will bolster the defence.
Two more sets of brothers are also joining from the Storm in Jakob and Lewis Cocks and Xavier and Phoenix Oakley.
Nathan Wright has been named the reserves coach with Dan Garner and Jonty Bellinger his assistants whilst Leun Credlin returns as an under 14's coach having coached the Giants in 2023.
Shelby Donnan has been announced as the B Grade netball coach. With four premierships to her name, the Thunder are well poised to strike in 2024. Jaimee O’Reilly has been named coach in C Grade after being part of the coaching committee for the Giants.
Thunder President Lucas Edelsten said that it's a massive boost to see so many returning faces.
"Everyone has all brought in to what Kieran has been saying and are fully on board," he said.
"Everyone is embracing it and getting involved and there is huge optimism heading into this new chapter.
"It's a fresh start for everyone and it's really exciting and we are now getting to work to see what we can achieve."
Pre-season training starts on February 2.