MPFNL: Dromana signs Hastings player Clayton Gay

Dromana has lured a young gun from a MPFNL club, saying he’s the perfect replacement for a retiring Tigers great.

Clayton Gay in action for West Adelaide in the SANFL in 2022. Picture: David Mariuz

Dromana says its latest recruit will help fill the void left by a retiring Tigers champion.

Hastings star Clayton Gay signed with the reigning MPFNL Division 1 premiers on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old left-footer is regarded as one of the best young players in the Mornington Peninsula league and the Tigers say he will add a new dimension to their multi-pronged attack.

“He will be another half forward...he will kind of take the Terry Wheeler role,’’ Dromana coach Ben Holmes said.

“He’s another quality young fella. I think he’s only 22, played Vic Country in the under 18 competition...so he’s a quality player and was team of the year at Hastings.’’

Clayton Gay was named half back in the MPFNL Division 2 team of the year. Picture: Facebook

Gay was named as half back in the MPFNL Division 2 Team of the Year in September after an excellent season with Hastings.

He joins Dromana a day after the Tigers secured Noble Park full-back Ryan Morrison, regarded as one of the best key defenders in suburban football.

As a teenager, Gay emerged as a draft prospect, described by his then Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox as a “natural footballer’’ with “X-factor’’.

The former AFL Academy and Vic Country representative spent season 2022 with West Adelaide in the SANFL before returning to Hastings.

At Dromana, he will slot in alongside Sam Fowler, Ethan Johnstone and Jordy Andrews in the Tigers forward line.

More signings are on the way for the premiership-winning Tigers.

“We’re still going to add one or two more to that but we’re working through that,’’ Holmes said.