VAFA: Former Saint David Armitage signs with Collegians
In a tale of two Davids, former St Kilda midfielder David Armitage will join one-time Hawthorn defender David Mirra in donning new colours at a suburban footy club.
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What a lifter for the Lions.
A few days after confirming they had secured delisted Hawthorn defender and former Box Hill Hawks captain David Mirra, Collegians today announced they had gained former St Kilda midfielder David Armitage.
The 31-year-old’s phone ran molten-hot after he retired at the end of 2019, with local clubs showering him with offers.
He was most linked with Pines in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league, Mordialloc in the Southern league, and North Ringwood and Doncaster Doncaster in the Eastern league.
But he’s settled on Collegians in VAFA Premier.
Recruited from Mackay, Armitage had a fine career with the Saints, playing 169 AFL games from 2007-19.
He was runner-up in the best and fairest in 2015.
“His past few years have unfortunately been hampered by injury, but at his prime he was right up there with the best midfielders in the game,’’ Saints football manager Simon Lethlean told the club website when Armitage announced his retirement.
Collegians coach Shane Joyce told Leader: “We wanted to add some depth and experience to our midfield, and David has played football at the highest level for 12, 13 years.
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“He’s a very strong leader and I love the way he plays the game with his physicality and hard-nosed approach.
“That’s something we felt we needed to add to our mix during the off-season.
“I know that he was in high demand, not only in our competition but elsewhere.
Joyce said the arrivals of Armitage and Mirra would help cover the loss departure of captain Courtney Hylton, who has gone to the US with work.
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