Bundoora secures VFL tall forward thanks to former premiership star

A Bundoora premiership star has helped the Bulls secure an exciting key forward who’s been listed by VFL club Frankston for 2021.

Isaac Muller in action for Bundoora. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Bundoora NFL Division 1 2017 premiership star Isaac Muller has repaid the club by helping it secure exciting youngster Tylar Young.

Young, a North Albury product and Frankston VFL-listed key forward has signed with the Bulls as his affiliated local club.

Muller coached the 6’4 centre half-forward in 14 games in the Ovens and Murray last season after returning to the game from a six-year hiatus to pursue soccer.

Young’s performances for the Hoppers led him to make his VFL debut with the Dolphins in the Round 19 clash against Port Melbourne.

Bundoora coach Michael Ryan said some kind words from Muller – who kicked three goals in the 2017 triumph over Macleod – had helped seal the deal.

NEW SIGNING!! The Bundoora Football Club is excited to announce the signing of Tylar Young! Tylar comes to us from...

Posted by Bundoora FNC on Friday, December 4, 2020

“The connection is through Isaac … he came down from North Albury and he was player-coach up there for the past couple of seasons,” Ryan said.

“When Tylar decided to get back into footy he played at North Albury and at the back end of last year – again through Isaac – played a game at Frankston.

“He’s decided to come to Melbourne for university and Isaac pushed him to come to Bundoora and we were fortunate enough to get him on board.”

Young’s pre-season performances will likely dictate how much time he spends at Frankston in 2021 but his rapid development and upside caught AFL recruiters’ attentions last season.

“The thing with Tylar, he’s so raw because he spent most of his teen years playing soccer, he’s a bit of a late-comer,” Ryan said.

“He’s got so much potential to go from playing a handful of senior games to then get a game at a VFL club.

“He’s one of those kids that there’s going to a bit of interest and excitement about him purely because he hasn’t played a lot of footy but when he has he’s picked it up easily.”

The signing continues Ryan’s rebuilding of the Bulls’ forward line.

Bundoora won five games in 2019 and had he fourth worst points-for.

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After Gary Moorcroft’s retirement in 2019, Ryan was tasked with ensuring the Bulls had the firepower to compete in Division 1.

“We think he can hold down centre half-forward and alongside Hamish Shepheard, John Jorgensen and James Lord it gives us four strong talls up forward,” Ryan said.

“Then we’ve got Kyle Green and a couple of other small forwards at their feet, we think we should be able to find a way to kick a winning score.

“We knew we had to replace Gary, so if we can spread the load and get some diversity on the scoreboard we’ll be better for it.”