SANFL club Norwood signs ex-Gold Coast player Josh Glenn, who is on bail following an assault charge

A FORMER AFL player who is out on bail following an assault charge will make his debut for Norwood this weekend.

Josh Glenn celebrates kicking a goal for Central District in last year’s elimination final against Norwood — which he will line up for on Sunday. Picture: Tom Huntley.

• Glenn returns to Dogs
• Josh prepares for AFL life

A FORMER AFL player who is on bail following an assault charge will make his debut for Norwood this weekend.

The Redlegs have named ex-Gold Coast and Central District midfielder Josh Glenn in their reserves squad to face South Adelaide at The Parade on Sunday.

Willaston Football Club last month dumped Glenn after his alleged involvement in a fight at Gawler’s Exchange Hotel on March 2 that left the victim with a broken nose.

Glenn has been charged with aggravated assault causing harm and been bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on April 30.

Josh Glenn playing for Gold Coast against West Coast in 2015. Picture: Adam Head.

Redlegs football manager Mark Ross said the club was aware of the charge and did its due diligence before recruiting Glenn, “as you would with any player”.

Ross said the Redlegs told Glenn he had to undertake a club-run counselling and mentoring program before it was willing to sign him.

“Josh contacted us and was really upfront about what had happened,” Ross said.

“He’s been good (in the mentoring programs).

“He’s a talented footballer. All we can go by is all the due diligence that we’ve done.

“We’re really satisfied from here on in that it’ll help him move forward and be a good player at Norwood.”

Glenn was playing division four amateur football in 2012 before starring with Central District in 2014, leading to Gold Coast rookie-listing him later that year.

He played five AFL games in 2015 but battled homesickness and quit the Suns after one season.

Glenn lined up for Willaston in 2016 and returned to Central District last season.

He rejoined Willaston this summer after the Bulldogs said he did not want to commit to the SANFL.

Willaston secretary John Williams said cutting ties with Glenn “was the right decision to make”.

Gawler’s Exchange Hotel sponsors Willaston.

“We had the full support of the coach,” Williams said.

Central District chief executive Kris Grant said Glenn did not make any contact with his club after leaving Willaston.

Glenn has been contacted for comment.