Cam Ellis-Yolmen recruited to Southern Districts through former AFL player and Crocs junior Aaron Shattock
Southern Districts have batted away rumours they have signed a SANFL star as the Crocs reveal how they managed to snare a former AFL midfielder looking to relaunch his career.
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A fly-in fly-out commitment to Southern Districts this NTFL season could be just the tonic to reinvigorate recruit Cam Ellis-Yolmen’s AFL career, Crocs coach Shannon Rusca says.
The 29-year-old former Brisbane Lion and Adelaide Crow told the NT News recently he would play with Districts in the 2022-23 season while based on the Gold Coast.
Rusca expected the midfielder to benefit from the freedom of playing in the Top End with the club also bolstered by the addition of star ruckman Matt Dennis, while Frazer Driscoll and Jake McQueen will also return.
“He’s been under the microscope for most of his career,” Rusca said of Ellis-Yolmen.
“We just want to make sure he enjoys the game and the Top End experience.
“A lot of people come to Darwin and reinvigorate themselves.
“They’re not under pressure up here, they’re here to play footy and enjoy the experience.
“It might bring out some excitement into him.”
Rusca said the club had sealed Ellis-Yolmen’s commitment several months ago, through a premiership-winning Brisbane Lion and former Crocs junior, who had also played at Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL across two stints, Aaron Shattock.
Ellis-Yolmen played three games with the Eagles at the tailend of 2022 in a bid to relaunch his AFL career.
“We’ve had him tucked away up our sleeves from about mid-June,” Rusca said.
“He showed some interest to a fellow Southern Districts player, probably 25-odd years ago, Aaron Shattock.
“It was a good connection.”
Meanwhile, Rusca would not confirm if the Crocs had signed ex-West Adelaide star and reigning McLeod medallist Kaine Stevens.
Stevens was judged the best player in the Sunraysia Football and Netball League after a strong 2022 season with Ouyen United, where he played alongside Districts’ Dean Staunton.
“He’s been floated at a few clubs, hopefully he shows his head somewhere around the Territory soon,” Rusca said.
“We know he’s hot property.”
The club has also recruited SFNL player Matt Mazzini.
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