Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes have landed the prized signing of key forward Brent Arho.
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The Goannas surprised the competition by swooping on Arho’s services just two months out from the start of the competition.
Arho spent last season at Riverina League rivals, Griffith, where he kicked 61 goals from 19 games as the Swans made it all the way to a preliminary final.
A second year at Griffith never appeared likely as both parties agreed to part ways and MCUE convinced Arho to join them.
He will need no introduction at MCUE, after kicking six goals in a match-winning display for Collingullie in the 2014 grand final against the Goannas.
MCUE coach Travis Cohalan was thrilled to land the power forward.
“We’re very happy. We’ve seem him play in the past in the RFL at Collingullie and Griffith and he’s been one of the best forwards in the competition,” Cohalan said.
“He’s a very experienced player, he’s kicked over 100 goals in a season a number of times so to secure a player of his status at this stage of the pre-season is a big coup for the club.”
Arho kicked 89 goals at Collingullie in their 2014 premiership season, before returning home to Victoria. He booted 108 goals for Tallygaroopna in the Kyabram League in 2016 before joining Griffith last year.
He will be a welcome addition at MCUE, who have lost a number of experienced players from last year. He will replace Jordan Foster at full-forward, after he underwent a knee reconstruction at the end of last season.
Arho is looking forward to a fresh start in the Riverina League.
“I really enjoying playing footy in the Riverina and I’m looking forward to a new opportunity at Mango,” Arho said.
“It should be good.”
Arho joins Nick McCormack as the Goannas’ two recruits over the off-season.
They are also looking forward to the return of a fit and firing Jake Whitley, who missed most of the second half of last season.
MCUE play Rennie in their first pre-season trial game on March 24.