Ex-Bulldog Fletcher Roberts joins Port Melbourne in VFL

A Western Bulldogs premiership player has signed with VFL club Port Melbourne, which has made an excellent start to its recruiting for 2021.

Fletcher Roberts marks for the Bulldogs in the 2016 AFL grand final.

Gary Ayres won’t be the only AFL premiership player at Port Melbourne next year.

The Borough have unveiled former Western Bulldogs defender Fletcher Roberts as their latest signing for 2021.

Roberts linked with Essendon for the 2020 VFL season lost to COVID-19 but is making the move to Port, giving the club one of the most high profile recruits for the revamped competition next year.

The right-footer played a stout part in the Bulldogs’ breakthrough 2016 AFL premiership.

Strangely, the Dogs selected him only sparingly after the flag, for 10 games in 2017, two in 2018 and two in 2019.

He finished with 51 AFL appearances after making his debut in 2012.

Roberts was drafted after kicking a bag of goals in a TAC Cup grand final for the Sandringham Dragons.

He figured in the Bulldogs’ 2014 VFL premiership. Two years later he earned an imperishable place in the club’s history with a mistake-free performance in the AFL grand final against Sydney.

Port Melbourne football manager Glenn Balmforth said the recruitment of the 27-year-old was a coup for the Borough.

“We are fortunate to have a player of Fletcher’s calibre see Port Melbourne Football Club as a good place for him to continue his football in 2021,” he said.

“Aside from his ability on field, the leadership and experience he will bring to our young defence and our group as a whole – having spent so much time in a quality program like the Western Bulldogs and experiencing a premiership at AFL level – will be incredibly valuable for our group.”

Dale Morris and Fletcher Roberts after the grand final.

Roberts, who played 103 VFL matches with the Footscray Bulldogs, has a degree in psychology and is based at IKON Park working for Ladder Foundation, the official charity of the AFL Players’ Association.

Balmforth said Roberts’ relationships with some of the Borough players also played a “big part” in him landing at North Port Oval.

Port had previously announced the signings of former Carlton forward Patrick Kerr, ex-North Melbourne tall Declan Watson and Essendon VFL midfielder Liam McKenna.

It has also snared former Gippsland Power pair Matt “Moose’’ McGannon and Kyle Reid, a 2018 All Australian defender.

Meanwhile former Brisbane Lion and 2019 Richmond VFL premiership defender Hugh Beasley is a good chance to join the Borough, where his brother Charlie also plays.