THE Leeton-Whitton Crows have been able to bolster their ranks in recent weeks with two key signings.
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The Crows have signed former Wodonga Raiders player Alex Daly, who earned himself a name as key defender within the Ovens and Murray League.
He will join Leeton-Whitton's backline, which new coach Sam Darley believes is one of the Crows' biggest strengths heading into the new season.
Also joining the club is Tasmania's Tyron Rainbird, who is moving to town later this month.
Rainbird kicked around 60 goals for his New Norfolk Club last year and is ready to fire for Leeton-Whitton.
With Darley and his side already putting in plenty of hard work, the Crows are confident they have a good mix heading into this year's competition.
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It's Darley's first season at the helm for the Crows, bringing plenty of experience with him, having played with the GWS Giants and the Western Bulldogs.
"I love it here already ... the club has really looked after us and I'm enjoying my employment too," he said.
"Adding Alex and Tyron to the team has given everyone a bit of a boost I think.
"Everyone's been working really hard at training, so it's starting to come together."
The Crows have been training two nights a week for some time now, as well as an extra session on Saturday mornings.
"The boys have had a real crack," Darley said.
"We've been focusing on the fitness ... I do want us to be playing quickly, but there's been a lot of teaching around basic fundamentals as well just to make the game a little easier for them.
"The feedback from them has been really good."
Adding Alex and Tyron to the team has given everyone a bit of a boost I think.
- Leeton-Whitton coach Sam Darley
The Crows had been hoping to play several pre-season matches in the lead up to the Riverina League season, but their opponents have fallen through.
However, Darley is hopeful of finding replacements before the competition gets started next month.
"Over the next month, we'll back off with that running component and get more into that football-based stuff so by round one we are ready to go," Darley said.
The coach believes Leeton-Whitton's young players such as Angus Crelley, Jason Burke and Nathan Ryan will all have stand out years in 2021.
"They look like they are going to fire this year, I've been really impressed with them," he said.
The Crows will face Wagga Tigers in round one on April 17.