Tarkyn Lockyer signs at Gembrook-Cockatoo in the AFL Yarra Ranges

GEMBROOK-Cockatoo will have two former AFL players at its disposal in 2018 after securing the signature of former Collingwood midfielder Tarkyn Lockyer..

Tarkyn Lockyer in one of his last AFL games for Collingwood in 2010.

GEMBROOK-Cockatoo will have two former AFL players at its disposal in 2018 after securing the signature of former Collingwood midfielder Tarkyn Lockyer.

The 38-year-old will join ex-North Melbourne defender Michael Firrito, who kicked five goals in his return to the Brookers on Saturday, at the club this year.

Gembrook-Cockatoo announced on Friday that it had signed Lockyer, who last played local football with Eastern Football League Division 1 club Doncaster in 2016.

“It’s really big news, given we’ve already got Michael Firrito return home this year,” Gembrook-Cockatoo coach Matt O’Neill said.

“To be able to add Tarks to the list, it will be a big buzz for the club and a boost I’d be imagine.”

Lockyer’s first game for the Brookers will be on Saturday against Yarra Junction.

It’s expected Lockyer, who played 227 AFL matches over 12 seasons before retiring at the end of 2010, will play about six games for the AFL Yarra Ranges Division 2 club but he will juggle playing with his coaching commitments at Collingwood.

The Brookers have lost their past 19 games since the 2016 Division 2 premiership win, going winless last year to be relegated from Division 1.

O’Neill said 2004 premiership player Jamie Wilkie helped the club get in contact with Lockyer.

“He (Wilkie) mentioned Tarkyn might be interested, so we put him in contact with Michael Firrito to have a quick chat and it led from there,” O’Neill said.

“Our president went down and had a chat with him last week, he had a week to think about it, spoke to his missus, she was happy and spoke to the Collingwood Football Club and they’re all happy so that is how it has come about.

“It was probably (an) opportunity to play local (football) again and, given we are a big family based club, I think his kids want to have the opportunity to come and watch him play.

“It was a good fit for him, he can come play alongside Mick and help the club in the right direction.”