VAFA: Former Bomber Marty Gleeson joins Premier club Uni Blues
New Uni Blues senior coach Guy Martyn will have magnets for a former AFL Bomber and a SANFL premiership player.
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VFL clubs were understandably keen to land him.
But former Bomber Marty Gleeson will continue his football at the club where he has family ties: Uni Blues in the VAFA.
The 27-year-old played 97 AFL games after being drafted from North Ballarat Rebels in 2012.
Gleeson’s tally includes six appearances for the Bombers last season.
His brother John played at Uni Blues and his cousin Quinton Gleeson is a much decorated figure at the club, having won a Woodrow Medal, and served as captain from 2003 to 2007 and senior coach from 2014 to 2016.
Quinton is still involved with Blues and he said Marty Gleeson’s arrival was a great lifter for them.
“He’s just a solid person, one of the best humans alive,’’ he said.
“He’s going to be a great asset for Blues and the VAFA because he’s such a quality individual.
“Everyone who meets Marty falls in love with him pretty quickly.’’
Gleeson suffered a severe ankle injury during his time at Essendon but the Blues say he’s well over it and his fitness is excellent.
In another boost for Uni Blues, they have recruited leading SANFL player Matthew Crocker.
Crocker retired at the end of last season after 158 appearances with Sturt.
He figured in Sturt’s 2016 and ’17 premierships, came third in the senior best and fairest in 2019, and was judged best team man three times. He was also a state Under 18 representative.
Crocker played at Sturt with Jack Stephens, who was superb for Uni Blues last season – he was named in the best in 10 of his 11 matches.
Jeremy Goddard, the brother of Hugh, is another addition, having crossed from Old Melburnians.
On the minus side, premiership player Marshall Rippon has put in for a clearance to the North Central Football League.
The club will go into 2022 with a new senior coach in Guy Martyn after deciding to let go former Swan Jarred Moore.
Martyn coached St Kevin’s to the 2018 premiership, to the 2019 grand final and to a 9-2 record in 2021, only to be replaced.
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