New signings Ross Morgan, Daniel Bergamin and Ben Duggan join Griffith City FC from Wests.
Football
GRIFFITH City FC have ripped the spine out of Wests, poaching three of the club's best players.
Experienced goalkeeper Ben Duggan and coach Ross Morgan have crossed town, along with centre-back Daniel Bergamin to put pen to paper with City for the 2013 season.
The triple signing immediately gives the club a rock-solid defence, with Duggan considered one of the best shot-stoppers in the Griffith District Football Association.
The 30-year-old has experience in the NSW State League with the Macarthur Rams and has also played semi-professionally in England.
Bergamin, 23, will play just in front of Duggan in the centre of defence, while Morgan can play either at the back or in the centre of midfield.
The trio bring instant chemistry and will strengthen a City outfit that had the third-worst defensive record in the local first-grade competition last season.
"We didn't all decide to move together we came for different reasons," Duggan said.
"But it just so happens that we're mates and we're moving to the same club at the same time.
"I just went for somewhere with a bit of stability.
"There's a lot more organisation at City and they had direction.
"There were a lot of changes at Wests and it was just time for something new.
"We all play pretty close together on the field as well and we know each other's games inside out."
Duggan and Morgan will also head the club's academy program, which kicks off this year on February 27.
The pair are heading to Canberra later this year to obtain their FFA C License through an intensive 12-day course.
Both are hopeful of bringing back that knowledge and passing it onto City's next generation, Duggan said.
"I started coaching when I was 15 or 16 and I've had rep kids since I was 18. It's been a while, and it's nice. It's a passion of mine," he said.
"The advantage for us in this instance is we're only working on the skill side of things and the quality of the sessions, so we don't have to worry about putting a team on the park or results.
"We're actually teaching them how to play first and the rest can fit in afterwards."
