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<\/p>\n
The need for a ruckman only grew last week after McCallum announced his retirement.<\/p>\n
With two big signings locked away, Proctor said development of the Roosters’ young and rehabilitating talent would be a focus ahead of 2026.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s about identifying kids coming through and homegrown talent and making our list a little healthier,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Getting guys like Jarrod Curran and Fletcher Loader full-time on the park will be really important.<\/p>\n
“Jamie Quick, for example, didn’t play much last year, so we look at those guys as new recruits this year.<\/p>\n
“Adding David and Sam Glover, that puts us in a position where we can play finals and compete.<\/p>\n
“I’d like to bring one more player, but I think we have the list and depth to be able to move forward.<\/p>\n
“With Sam Glover, he’s moving home, so he’ll be at training every night \u2013 he’ll make the place better.”<\/p>\n
Glover declared the move back to North Ballarat as a ‘no-brainer’.<\/p>\n
“Really excited to be pulling the boots back on with North next year,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Can’t wait to get stuck in with the boys over summer and see how far we can go in 2026 and beyond.”<\/p>\n
The Roosters finished the 2025 season in seventh spot, just missing a finals spot with a 7-10-1 record.<\/p>\n
Eliminated from finals contention in round 18 following a three-point loss to Darley, a good second half of the season was highlighted by wins over grand finalist Sunbury and Ballarat (sixth) and near-misses against Melton (third) and the Devils (premiers).<\/p>\n
While they had their chances against Darley, with Morris missing a late 50m shot on goal, Proctor took plenty of heart in the performance with an eye to the future.<\/p>\n
“As disappointing as it was, and then missing finals, it was great to play that way,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It showed our brand of footy stacks up against the best.<\/p>\n
“I think it sets us up really well for next year.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NORTH Ballarat has hit paydirt with its early recruiting for 2026, addressing its two biggest needs. On the heels of former Collingwood VFL captain Sam Glover’s decision to step away from the state league to return to his home club, the BFNL’s Roosters have signed accomplished state league ruckman David Brinker-Ritchie. A top-up player with […]<\/p>\n