AFL: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti comes out of retirement to re-sign with Essendon
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will play for Essendon in season 2023 despite retiring from the AFL in May.
AFL
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Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has ended his short-lived retirement and will play for Essendon next season.
The Bombers favourite, who didn’t add to his 126 games and 153 goals this year, also had interest from Fremantle but has signed a one-year deal to resume his career at Tullamarine.
McDonald-Tipungwuti, originally from the Tiwi Islands, retired in May after only months earlier taking personal leave from the club.
However, news of a potential comeback surfaced during the trade period in October and Essendon firmed in recent weeks as his likely destination.
McDonald-Tipungwuti, who last played at AFL level in round 21 last year, met with new Bombers coach Brad Scott on Thursday and will start his pre-season in the coming weeks.
The league needed to give the green light for the 29-year-old’s return, given he had officially lodged his retirement.
Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney was “thrilled” to welcome the brilliant forward back to the club.
“Anthony took time away from the club in 2022 to focus on life outside of footy,” Mahoney said.
“We’re comfortable he has taken the time he needs to bring a renewed enthusiasm to return to the AFL and play for Essendon.
“He is a committed Essendon person who loves playing football and our conversations with Anthony recently led us to believe there was a realistic chance he would come back to Essendon.”
Mahoney said the Bombers would continue to provide McDonald-Tipungwuti with support.
“We acknowledge a lot of hard work is ahead but feel confident he can achieve his football ambitions and goals at the club he loves,” he said.
“He is loved by players, coaches, staff and fans and we look forward to him returning to Essendon.”
McDonald-Tipungwuti made his AFL debut in 2016, coinciding with 34 past and present Bombers receiving season-long suspensions from the club’s controversial supplements saga.
He quickly reached cult figure status, going on to be Essendon’s leading goalkicker in 2020 and kicking 30 or more majors in three separate seasons.
McDonald-Tipungwuti promises to be a significant addition for the Bombers, who struggled to find reliable scoring options behind club champion Peter Wright in 2022.
Originally published as AFL: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti comes out of retirement to re-sign with Essendon
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