Dederang-Mt Beauty has made a significant addition to its lineup by signing premiership ruckman Logan Hamilton. The club embarks on a new chapter under the guidance of recently appointed coach Josh Kable. Hamilton joins after previously playing a pivotal role in Holbrook’s grand final triumph over Osborne in 2022.
Hamilton’s journey to Dederang-Mt Beauty is marked by a previous stint at Lavington before moving to Holbrook. Kable, who played alongside Hamilton during his first season at Holbrook in 2024, expressed enthusiasm about the signing. “We are very excited to land Logan,” Kable stated. He underscored Hamilton’s substantial presence on the field, saying, “He is a big unit and will provide a strong ruck option for us.”
Kable noted Hamilton’s versatility, mentioning that he has also played as a key forward. “Logan told me he feels his best position is in the ruck,” Kable said. “When he needs a bit of a rest, he will also be a great option in attack.” Kable believes Hamilton’s skills and physical attributes make him a fit for the tough nature of the TDFL.
Hamilton initially signed with North Albury during the off-season but chose to take a year off from playing instead. Kable revealed that Hamilton is eager to return to the field, having communicated his desire to play once more. “Logan was going to play O&M with North Albury this year,” Kable explained. “He then decided to have the year off instead. So he is really hungry to play again.”
The coach indicated that their discussions progressed quickly after he reached out to Hamilton. Following a meeting, Hamilton signed with the Bombers and has already participated in several training sessions. He will spend a couple of weeks in New Zealand before Christmas but has integrated well with the team.
In addition to Hamilton, Dederang-Mt Beauty has welcomed young player Sam Bakes. Bakes, who is 20 years old, had a season off but previously established himself as a senior regular at Tallangatta. “Sam just appeared at training with a few of the other boys,” Kable remarked. “He is super fit and trained at a really high level.”
Kable described signing Bakes as an unexpected bonus, noting that he caught the coach’s attention quickly. “So getting Sam was a bit of a blessing,” Kable added. The swift recruitment of Bakes contrasts with the often lengthy process of securing new players.
While the off-season in the TDFL has been relatively quiet, the appointment of Kable as coach and the arrival of Tom Johnson from Wodonga to Barnawartha stand out as the most notable signings. Kable, who finished runner-up in the Barton Medal in 2021, also won Holbrook’s best and fairest award last season. Johnson brings over 100 senior matches of experience with the Bulldogs and is expected to bolster Barnawartha’s efforts next season.
In sum, Dederang-Mt Beauty’s strategic moves in the off-season, highlighted by the acquisition of Hamilton and Bakes, position the Bombers for a promising upcoming season in the TDFL.
