WRFL: Kwame McHarg signs with Deer Park after Port Melbourne Colts exit

Deer Park has pulled off a stunning recruiting coup just two weeks out from the start of the season with the return of a seven-time premiership hero.

He’s back.

Deer Park has confirmed local football champion Kwame McHarg will again be in club colours in 2022.

The Lions confirmed the news in a social media post on Monday evening, just hours after coach Mark McGoldrick said the seven-time premiership hero trained with the club last week.

“The rumour mill has been in full force all week and we can now officially confirm Kwame will return to the Lions Den in 2022,” the post said.

“We could not be happier! Welcome back home.”

Earlier McGoldrick said he was as surprised as anyone to see McHarg at Lions training on Thursday.

“No one knew he was coming and he just drove into the ground and I was as surprised as anyone,” he said on Monday morning.

“Kwame hasn’t committed to playing with us because he’s not sure if he’s even going to play this year.

“Being good mates with him, I told him the door was always open for him to play at Deer Park.

“It would be a bonus for us if he did because he would be a one-point player.”

Kwame McHarg spent 2021 with Port Melbourne Colts. Picture: Aaron Cook

McHarg had crossed to Port Melbourne Colts ahead of the 2020 season, which was eventually abandoned because of Covid.

The Southern league club had to wait until 2021 to see him and it was worth it: he was named in the best in 10 of his 12 games, kicked 21 goals and won their best and fairest.

He was also runner-up in the Division 1 league medal.

Colts assistant coach Jason Clarke said this morning he was unsure of McHarg’s movements, but “he more than likely won’t be playing with us’’.

His departure is a blow for the Port Melbourne club, but it has picked up a number of notable recruits, including another WRFL Barry Priest medal winner in David Kovacevic.

Levi Greenwood was a major recruit of the season. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Deer Park has been on a recruiting spree of its own, headlined by the arrivals of former AFL players Aaron Edwards and Levi Greenwood, who retired from Collingwood.

McGoldrick said the pair had brought terrific experience to John McLeod Oval.

“They’ve implemented a really strong game style full of fantastic structures,” he said.

“Even with a depleted squad in our practice match on the weekend it was clear everything we had been working at training.”

Former Richmond forward Todd Elton will practically be a “new recruit” for the WRFL powerhouse this season, according to McGoldrick.

He was limited to seven games last season after suffering a serious hamstring injury.

But the Lions coach tipped youngster Luke Scicchitano to have a big second season in blue and gold.

Scicchitano crossed from Airport West ahead of last season.

“He’s going to be a special player for us,” he said.

“Bailey Morrish, Billy Cannolo and Ryley Barrack are all VFL listed guys as well and we think they’re going to play big roles for us this year as well.”

Jeremy Mills and Rodney Van Riet are the only two confirmed departures from the club.