Southern league: Doveton Eagles sign former Essendon AFL rookie

Division 2 premiership contender Doveton Eagles has strengthened its tall supplies by signing former AFL rookie listed player Gach Nyuon.

Gach Nyuon marks for Essendon’s VFL team. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

There has been considerable speculation in the past month about a talented ruckman joining Doveton Eagles.

Last night rumour became fact when former Essendon rookie-lister and Dandenong Stingray Gach Nyuon signed with the Southern league club.

He made the move from Doveton, where he played a handful of games in the AFL Outer East.

Nyuon, 22, had an outstanding season with the Stingrays in 2015, culminating in All Australian under-18 selection.

The 201cm right-footer spent 2016 with Essendon.

“The Sudanese-born ruckman was Essendon’s first pick in the 2015 rookie draft,’’ the Dons said on their website.

“Nyuon was a standout at the 2015 AFL Draft Combine among the available talls, with his run and vertical leap among the best. He will require work still, but has the potential to be a valuable inclusion to Essendon’s list in the future.’’

Gach Nyuon rucking for Vic Country at the 2015 national under-18 championships.

But he parted ways with the club after one season, later linking with Casey Demons in the VFL.

His arrival comes at a time when the Eagles’ stock of talls has been depleted.

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Cameron Carmody continues to be one of the best ruckmen in Division 2, but ace recruit Piva Wright (Achilles) will miss the rest of the season, and Jye Sigersma (calf) and Adam Read (groin) are battling injury.

“He (Nyuon) popped up on our radar and will help fill the void,’’ Eagles president Shane McGrath said.

“He’s a great pick-up. We’re rapt.

Nyuon played a handful of games for Doveton. Picture: AAP

“There’s a role for him to play because we’re stretched at the moment.

“In the conversations I’ve had with Gach he presents really well. He’s very respectful and very keen to be involved. Even though he’s a young player he brings some experience to us, having been involved in the AFL, and he wants to have an impact on the group. We can’t wait to get him on board.’’

Nyuon was signed before the June 30 clearance cut-off.

Fellow Division 2 contender Keysborough also moved before the deadline, signing Mt Eliza speedster Will Mace, the nephew of former St Kilda defender and Frankston coach Robbie.