Newlyn’s stunning pre-season recruiting campaign has netted yet another big fish.
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The Cats have confirmed decorated onballer Steve Clifton will wear the blue and white hoops this year.
Clifton, a former GWS Giants player and two-time JJ Liston Medal winner as the VFL’s best and fairest, will join good friend and former North Ballarat Roosters teammate Myles Sewell at the Central Highlands Football League club.
Sewell, and his brother Adam, confirmed they would be returning to Newlyn late last year.
The 30-year-old Clifton arrives from Lake Wendouree, where he has played full-time for the last three seasons.
Newlyn president Simon Dwyer said Clifton’s recruitment was big for the club.
“He is going to add tremendously to our team and to our midfield,” Dwyer said.
“Something we tried to address is getting A-grade players into the team and he certainly fits the bill.”
Clifton was drafted to the Giants with the first pick in the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft.
He played five games at the elite level, kicking one goal.
Clifton, who played in three premierships with the Roosters, adds to a long list of senior recruits for the Cats this off-season.
On top of the Sewell brothers, former North Ballarat City big man Lou Campana, onballer Liam Gill from Redan, outside runner Nathan Elliott from Wycheproof-Narraport and ruckman Bernard Jones, who last played with Bunyip, are among Newlyn’s new signings.
Talks are still ongoing between the club and older Sewell brother Brad about a possible appearance for the Cats in 2018.
Brad, a dual premiership winner with Hawthorn, played junior football at Newlyn.
The Cats will be coached in a joint capacity by Dan Wehrung and Dwyer’s brother Chris this season.
Newlyn is set to open its new campaign with a clash against Hepburn on Saturday, April 7.