Teammates in the Echuca Bombers’ record-breaking third straight Goulburn Valley Football League premiership last year, the Willoughby brothers are among country football’s biggest name recruits.
Returning Rams senior coach, Gary Parsons, said the inclusion of the gun pair has rejuvenated the playing list after an off-season of departures.
“We made a conscious decision this year to focus on our youth and Sam and Cooper were the two signatures we really coveted,’’ Parsons said.
“It’s always great to get former juniors back to the club but I don’t think we’ve had as good a pair as this return for a long time.’’
The brothers both left the Rams after finishing in the thirds to complete a final junior year in the Echuca under-18 team. Their paths took different routes on joining the senior team with Sam instantly becoming a star. Cooper suffered a series of injuries and it wasn’t until last season that he established himself as a key part of Echuca’s trio of flags.
By that stage Sam had already played in two premierships, famously being named best afield in both the 2022 and 2023 grand finals.
Sam split his time during those seasons with the Western Bulldogs VFL team, playing 22 games with the Dogs and establishing himself as one of the leading onballers in country football.
An injury free pre-season allowed Cooper to break into the senior lineup for last season’s opener and he never looked back. Playing at both ends of the ground he became a mainstay in the senior team. His form so good he was rewarded with a spot in the GVFL interleague team where he was named among the best players.
His season culminated in a brilliant finals series where he kicked 7 goals and was named as one of two best players in the grand final with older brother Sam.
While Sam has only committed for the first third of the season, Parsons said the inclusion of the Willoughbys has had a major impact on the playing group.
“Once the boys committed there was an immediate lift among the players. Not only are they great footballers, but they’re really good people and we couldn’t be happier to have them back in blue and gold.’’
Parsons added the Rams would also debut former Blighty junior Tom Cochrane in tomorrow’s game, while a number of the club’s talented juniors would be given an opportunity.
“We have some really good kids like Chase Bartlett and Jai Park who have worked hard over the pre-season and they deserve an opportunity. Guys like Miller Fitzpatrick, Ben East and Dean Macdonald have had a taste of senior football in the past and we think they’re ready to become part of the senior team.’’
The Rams will be without star defender John Anstee for tomorrow’s match but fellow backmen Cable Fitzpatrick and Mick Barnett will feature prominently.
“Mick and Cable along with Will Henderson have had great summers and we’re looking forward to watching them take over the leadership roles,’’ Parsons said.
“We still have our two veterans Angus Durnan and Todd Gallagher up forward so its an exciting mix.’’
• Round one preview, page 23.
