by Paul Amy
Port Phillip Leader
Port Melbourne has a new Skipper.
As in not a new captain, but the delisted Hawthorn ruckman.
Wayde Skipper (pictured playing for Williamstown in 2008) trained with the Borough last night and has committed to them for 2011.
The big left-footer is coming off a 10-year AFL career in which he played 60 matches, 45 with the Western Bulldogs and 15 with the Hawks.
His final appearance for Hawthorn also brought him his first appearance in an AFL final. It’s fair to say there was some surprise in football circles when the axe fell upon him.
The 27-year-old well knows the VFL, having played exactly 100 games, spread over three clubs: Werribee, Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks.
“He’s a very significant recruit for our football club,’’ Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres said this morning.
“Wayde’s a very experienced and talented footballer and he has so much to offer our group.
“He also understands where we’re going as a club and what we’re out to achieve and he wants to contribute to it.’‘
With Skipper arriving and David Fanning and the emerging Tim Martin staying, Port’s ruck stocks are plentiful.
Ayres said his newcomer could also play as a key forward.
While the Boroughs have also recruited former Carlton forward Jake Edwards and delisted Western Bulldogs rookie Patty Rose, their off-season has also been about returning players.
Defender Bo Nixon, key forward Fabian Deluca and utility Tommy Langford are training at the club.
Nixon spent last year in the VAFA, Deluca was overseas and Langford has spent the past two years at West Adelaide.
Of course, Port will also regain captain John Baird, who is recovering from the heel injury that prevented him from getting on the ground this year.
Tristan Francis, a rookie with Collingwood in 2009-10, is likely to play at Port, as are former Oakleigh Chargers Ben Gilling, Jacob Castricum and Jarrad Kay.
The Borough's losses include Dylan McLaren (retired), Phil Raymond, Wayne Schultz, Matt Suckling, Will de Bruin, Richard Jones and Matt Deledio.
Ayres has strengthened his support staff by hiring Darren Finlay to coach the reserves and Jon Edgar (De la Salle Under-19s) and Steve Mead (Oakleigh Chargers) to act as senior assistants.
Last Modified on 30/11/2010 14:33