OBERON Tigers’ war chest of players for the Group 10 premier league season has expanded again thanks to the addition of former St Pat’s duo Andy Adams and Jacob Bell.
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The Tigers have added considerable depth to their forward pack thanks to the recent double recruitment, furthering solidifying their position as the team to beat this year.
Following their heartbreaking one-point grand final defeat at the hands of Orange CYMS in 2017, Oberon have been busy on a recruitment drive, and they might have just found their final pieces of the puzzle.
The former Pat’s pair will not be a part of the Tigers squad for the upcoming West Wyalong Knockout, but will make their debuts for Oberon in the Bathurst Panthers Knockout starting March 9.
Bell said he and Adams are excited to pull on the Tigers’ jersey for the first time next month.
"It was finalised on [last] Monday afternoon after me and Andy went to a meeting at Oberon,” he said.
“With the players and the roster they've got it's going to be amazing being over there.
"We were trying to sign with Pat's again but just couldn't come to an agreement on certain positions.
“When we heard that Oberon were after a pair of back-rowers, we got in touch.
"Training was great. We got to meet the players and run through the drills. Doing all that made it more believable that we'd actually made the move.
"I've played in the front row before and Andy can move between the back row and lock, so we can roam around the forward pack if needed."
Bell made his return to the field last year after a pre-season shoulder injury kept him out of the entire 2016 competition.
Adams was a regular feature in the Saints premier league pack over a difficult season for the blue and whites, who finished second last on the ladder.
Bell and Adams are joining an Oberon team carrying big expectations for the new season.
"They were so unlucky not to go all the way last year but they've signed really well and have got a great team together again,” Bell said.
“Luke Branighan’s kicking game is amazing and that alone almost won them the grand final.
"You've got guys like Josh Starling and Ben McAlpine. Playing around players of that calibre will be sure to improve my game and Andy's game. We’re really keen to start playing.
"Luckily we've already got a few Bathurst boys in the team. There's Matt Ballinger, Andy, myself and Luke Carpenter, so we can all chip in with the travel to training and games.
"I'm really looking forward to getting out there and wearing the jumper."
The Tigers will travel to take on the Cowra Magpies in the opening round of the Group 10 season on April 8.
