SFNL: Ex-GWS Giant and Blue Liam Sumner has signed with Division 3 club Black Rock

Black Rock president Andrew Ferguson says the addition of an ex-GWS Giant and Blue aids the club’s ambition to return to the Southern league’s second division. See why.

Liam Sumner of the Blues kicks a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2016. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Black Rock president Andrew Ferguson is confident the Jets’ newest recruit can help the club build towards sustainable success.

The Jets have signed ex-GWS Giant and Blue Liam Sumner, who played 32 matches at AFL level.

Sumner was delisted at the end of 2017 and has played with local clubs St Paul’s McKinnon and Warragul since.

Ferguson hopes Sumner shares the club’s ambition of returning to — and then staying in — the Southern league’s second flight.

“He lives in Cheltenham, just had his first kid and was doing a fair bit of travel playing for Warragul last year,” he said.

“He is looking forward to playing closer to home next season.

“He’s someone we’re looking to for versatility across the field, leadership and sort of someone who is an on-field coach for us.

“Hopefully he is a part of our club for a few years to come and can help take us to the next level, we have had a bit of difficulty staying in division 2 so our aim is to get back there and be sustainable when we do.”

Liam Sumner kicks a goal in 2016. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

Liam Sumner was taken by Pick No.10 in the 2011 National Draft.

Ferguson also said the addition of an ex-AFL player puts the Jets on the map in a strong footy area.

“I think it’s probably been a couple of decades since Black Rock has had someone with AFL experience,” he said.

“I think from putting ourselves on the map, marketing and publicity, having someone who draws a crowd and is a person of interest across the league is good.

“He’s grown up in the area, played junior footy locally, so hopefully he will be around for a few years.

“We’re excited from that point of view.”

The Jets have added an abundance of new players and have retained the majority of their 2023 list, which will allow them to field a Thirds side in 2024.

Ferguson hopes the Thirds side — unlike previous years — will be a team that promotes younger players and creates healthy competition for spots in the reserves.