Tara Murray
Star midfielder Brad Bernacki has signed with Essendon for this year’s Victorian Football League season.
Bernacki joined the Bombers midway through last season, making his debut for the club in round nine.
He played 11 games for the season, averaging more than 23 possessions a game.
Bernacki then returned to his local club Gisborne for the Bendigo Football League finals series, playing a key role in the Bulldogs premiership.
Bernacki was one of four signings announced by the Bombers last week.
Calder Cannons best and fairest winner Declan Wilmore joins the Bombers as he steps up to open age football.
Wilmore told Star Weekly last year that a move into the midfield part way through the season was the key to his strong form.
“It was a really good experience,” Willmore said. “It was nice to change it up a bit.”
Billy Cootee returns for another season with the Bombers’ VFL side.
The Essendon District Football League product played 13 games last season, playing a key role in the Bombers midfield.
Brad Lynch also joins the Bombers, adding some more experience to the group.
Lynch spent three years on the Western Bulldogs AFL list, playing nine games and kicked two goals.
He spent the last two years in Queensland playing with Southport in the VFL and then with QAFL side Broadbeach last year.
