Geelong, Gold Coast midfielder Jordan Murdoch returns to Glenelg for 2022 SANFL season

A product of Geelong’s success era will return to his former SANFL club as both a player and development coach as it attempts to bring back premiership glory in 2022.

Glenelg has signed AFL 100-gamer Jordan Murdoch as it attempts to bounce back from its disappointing grand final loss to the Eagles.

The 29-year-old midfielder/halfback returns to his old SANFL club after 108 games for Geelong and 14 for Gold Coast as a player but will also take on a development coach role.

Coach Brett Hand said the addition was an exciting one for the club.

“It’s a great boost to have someone of Jordan’s calibre returning to us,” Hand said.

“He was obviously part of a successful era at Geelong and he, along with other new addition Corey Lyons, is going to raise standards on training and game days,” Hand said.

AFL gun Jordan Murdoch has signed with Glenelg for SANFL season 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

“To have someone with his skill, leg speed, awareness and read of the play will be big for us.”

After losing only one game during the minor premiership in 2021, Glenelg lost three of its last four games of the season – including a 67-point grand final loss.

Hand said the signing of Murdoch would provide some needed experience and guidance to the side after last season’s disappointing ending.

Jordan Murdoch starred at Glenelg as a junior, playing in a reserves premiership against Norwood before being drafted to Geelong.

“The grand final was a kick in our guts for sure and the guys took it pretty hard but it’s only increased our desire to go at it again,” he said.

“I don’t want to change too much of what we did last season. I think we need to keep working defensively and we need to cut down on turnovers.

“I think having Jordan joining mids like Luke Partington, Matty Snooke and Brett Turner, along with Lyons now too, gives us some great depth and experience in important areas on the ground and will definitely help us.”

Above his impact on the field, Murdoch’s great strength will be his influence on the sidelines.

Murdoch experienced an injury-riddled career at Gold Coast but is looking to start fresh at the club where it all began. Picture: Chris Hyde

Hand believed his role as a development coach would be key in what should be a tight SANFL season.

“His last two years at Gold Coast gave him the opportunity to work with a lot of younger players so he’s going to be great with the mids and young guys we have at the club,” he said.

“He’s great as a midfielder and across halfback, we know that, but he’s also going to be another strong resource I can talk to and get thoughts and ideas from.”

The Tigers will hit the track at the end of November for Hand’s first full pre-season with the club.