South Morang has secured the services of a former AFL-listed league MVP

Fresh off a breakthrough NFNL Division 2 season, South Morang has landed a big recruiting coup, signing an ex-AFL talent and reigning league MVP.

Tyrone Leonardis in action for Thomastown. Picture: Andy Brownbill

South Morang has landed one of the recruiting season’s big fish.

Former AFL-listed midfielder Tyrone Leonardis will call Mill Park Lakes Reserve home in 2024, jumping across from NFNL Division 1 rival Thomastown.

Leonardis enjoyed a stellar 2023, which saw him named the Division 2 Coaches’ MVP – 20 votes clear of second – and earn his first Team of the Year guernsey.

He claimed the Bill Kelly Award as the Bears’ best-and-fairest and finished 11th in league best-and-fairest voting.

The Bundoora and St Damian’s junior had several clubs interested by picked South Morang, much to president Grant Pell’s delight.

“It’s exciting for the boys, it’s an ego lifter for the club for someone like him to come along and join our ranks and help us progress in Division 2,” Pell said.

“Some of the players are mates with Tyrone and he asked me to give him a call … we weren’t the only club, he was open and honest about that.

“As we got talking, we sat there for two hours on day and I was amazed at what a brilliant young fella he was.

“I knew he’d be a good fit for our group, we spoke leadership, we spoke about coaching aspirations and I think it’s a good match for our club.

“He’s definitely not getting the same money he was on, what he was sold on was ‘F’s not for finals’, it’s family, fun, flexibility – Gary (Hall), our coach, preaches this is our fun place.

“I know from what the boys tell me he’s going to be handy on the field.”

South Morang will be Leonardis’ fourth stop in the Northern league after stints at Montmorency, Watsonia and Thomastown.

Leonardis played seven games in the shortened 2021 season and 15 in 2022 before finding his best this season, playing 17 games and earning a mention in the best 13 times.

It’s the latest talent acquisition for South Morang since it stepped up to Division 2.

The Lions saw juniors, VFL-listed talent Josh D’Intinosante, two-time Team of the Year young gun Lachie Potter, Koby Davies and James Traianou return to the club this season.

They also lured legendary goalkicker Gary Moorcroft out of retirement.

It saw the club exceed all expectations stepping up from Division 3, going on to finish fourth and win a final.

Pell said Leonardis would likely not be the last signing of the summer.

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“There’s a few more players we’re talking to.” he said.

“We’re not rushing into anything, we’ll wait and see, there’s definitely some more boys coming back, which is nice to see.”

After an outstanding season, Tye Hall was named the Alan Strickland Medallist as South Morang’s club champion.

Cayden Failla took home the reserve grade best-and-fairest, Jad Assaad won the under-19s medal and Shannon McLean was awarded the netball MVP.