Speedy wingman Ronald Fejo signs with West Adelaide ahead of 2021 SANFL season

West Adelaide’s midfield brigade will be boosted by a speedy wingman from the Northern Territory. Find out why Ronald Fejo Jr signed with the Bloods.

West Adelaide new recruit Ronald Fejo Picture: Supplied, West Adelaide Football Club

Ronald Fejo Jr concedes to having little confidence in his football ability heading into the 2020 NT Premier League season.

But that all changed after he was nominated for the competition’s Rising Star Award after a blistering performance in round four for the Wanderers.

Now the speedy midfielder is hoping to take his game to an even greater level after moving to Adelaide and signing with West Adelaide for the 2021 SANFL season.

Fejo, 19, is known for his pinpoint kicking ability and evasive pace — all skills he is keen to inject into the Bloods’ on-ball brigade.

“I reckon I didn’t have a lot of confidence … so I never really looked at (footy) as anything serious,” Fejo said.

“My run and carry and taking the game on then led to my rising star nomination.

“Then I thought it would be a good idea to come to the SANFL to showcase my skills and better myself.

Ronald Fejo Jr in action for the Wanderers last season. Picture: Felicity Elliott/NTFL Media

“My manager contacted Westies and then they gave me a call and aid they’d be willing to sign me.

“I am enjoying it and the boys at the club get around me a lot.”

An Academy player with the Territory Thunder under-18 side in 2019, Fejo did not nominate for the 2020 AFL National Draft.

But he is set to put his name forward for this year’s AFL mid-season draft, which gives clubs a chance to recruit players between January 6 and March 9, then again on June 2.

“I thought the SANFL would give me a good opportunity to try and get picked up or listed by an AFL club,” Fejo said.

West Adelaide football manager Wayne Siekman said Fejo would be a strong addition to the side as it looked to win its first flag since 2015 and under new coach Brad Gotch.

“(He) has an elite kick, amazing agility, good speed and has good endurance,” Siekman said.

“He is a great athlete and an exciting talent for 2021 (who) is keen to improve and see how far he can go with his footy”.

The 2021 SANFL season will kick off on the Easter long Weekend in April (1-4) with the return of Port Adelaide and the Crows after they were forced to sit out in 2020 due to the AFL’s COVID-19 rules.

The SANFL fixture is yet to be released.