Print this pageKen Farmer Medallist Brant Chambers will finish his career at Sturt after signing a new two-year deal with the Double Blues. The 28-year-old spearhead - the SANFL's best forward - would be hot property on the open market, particularly interstate, but the Blues have moved swiftly to secure their star.
Chambers is one of eight Sturt players to put pen to paper, with 2007 best-and-fairest Luke Crane also committed to stay at Unley for the next two seasons.
Crane, one of the league's prolific ball-winners, is no stranger to moving clubs, the Tasmanian arriving at Oxford Tce last year from Queensland club Zillmere.
Key forwards Michael Coad and Ryan Herring - who can also play in defence - also are valuable signings, while ruckman Angus Kurtze, midfielder Craig Evans and unheralded backmen Pat Fittock and Dane Avery have secured their futures.
"We are really pleased these players have decided to remain with the club for the '09 and '10 seasons," Sturt chief executive Stuart Totham said.
"These key signings confirm the club is heading in the right direction."
Veteran Sturt ruckman Simon Feast is yet to decide his future, with the former Sydney Swan focusing on this month's finals series before choosing whether to play on in 2009.
But the signature of 23-year-old Crane is important for the Double Blues with players such as Ben Nelson, Jade Sheedy and Andrew Whiteman in the twilight of their careers.
Crane is averaging close to 23 possessions a game in 2008, landing him on the third line of betting to win the Magarey Medal with bookmaker Thornton Sportsbet.
Listed as an equal $6 chance - with North's James Allan - to win the SANFL's most prestigious individual award, Crane is behind only Eagles captain Mark McKenzie ($2.60) and team-mate Sheedy ($3.10).
South rover James Boyd - who won last year's reserves Magarey Medal - is an unlikely winner, despite being listed as fifth favourite at $10.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Zac Milbank