Northern Bullants secure a late recruiting coup, signing an ex-AFL midfielder
Just weeks out from the VFL season, Northern Bullants have pulled off a recruiting coup, signing an ex-AFL midfielder for 2022.
Victorian Football
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Just weeks out from the start of the 2022 VFL season, Northern Bullants have secured a massive recruiting coup.
Former Melbourne AFL-listed midfielder Kyle Dunkley has agreed to terms for the coming season, giving the Bullants’ midfield a significant boost.
Dunkley played five AFL games in 2019 after being snapped up by the Demons in the mid-season draft.
The 21-year-old played six games for Essendon’s VFL affiliate last season but will cross to Preston City Oval after playing in the past two practice matches for the Bullants.
Northern general manager Shane Joules was rapt to bring in another AFL-quality talent.
“He’s been involved for the last few weeks, training wise, and we’d been talking to him for a while,” Joules said.
“He’d been weighing up his options, he’s among that crew of players that went through the hub process, got delisted, and was questioning where they wanted to be.
“He’s had a couple of games (against Frankston and Williamstown) and seemed like he enjoyed and it and we’ve managed to lock him away.”
Dunkley is a ready-made replacement for former GWS and North Melbourne midfielder Paul Ahern, who decided to step back to suburban football this season.
Securing the tough midfielder completes a strong off-season for the Bullants.
AFL Draft contender Ben de Bolfo will call PCO home in 2022 as will running machine Liam Kolar, Essendon VFL forward Kobe Brown, defender Ethan Penrith and NAB League graduates Matt Day and Andrew Courtney.
“Kyle didn’t look out of place (in the practice matches), he’ll be pretty handy,” Joules said.
“Losing Paul Ahern, he’s the ideal replacement, similar position and role.
“Ben de Bolfo was really impressive down back and now with Kyle locked away as well, I think we’ve done pretty well this off-season.”
It is understood the Bullants are also one of several clubs in talks with former Essendon AFL midfielder Dylan Clarke.
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The Bullants won three games in their return to a standalone club in 2021, knocking off reigning premier Richmond, former partner Carlton and Bell Street rival Coburg.
Australian Football Hall of Famer Ben Hart took the coaching reins last year after Josh Fraser earned a role at Collingwood.
The club has started the pre-season strongly with wins over Frankston and Williamstown.
The club will complete it’s pre-season preparations with a practice match against Port Melbourne at Parade College on Saturday, March 12, before rolling into a Round 1 clash against Gold Coast on March 26.
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