AFL Cairns: Manunda Hawks sign Tea Tree Gully giant for season 2025

Manunda Hawks have started their off season in the biggest way possible, recruiting a 6’7 ruckman from Tea Tree Gully in South Australia.

Mugzy Mooka, Tom Norbury and Josh Welsford have all signed for the Manunda Hawks ahead of the 2025 season. Picture: Jake Garland

Manunda Hawks have started their off season in the biggest way possible, recruiting a 6’7 ruckman from Tea Tree Gully in South Australia.

Tom Norbury, 24-year-old and his partner flew into the Tropical Far North on Wednesday and confirmed he was the Hawks first recruit heading into the 2025 season.

Norbury said it was a decision that was easy to make.

“I have a mate who plays for the Hawks up here and he reached out to me and asked,” Norbury said.

“I spoke to my partner about it and we figured we didn’t have a lot to lose, so jumped on a plane and here we are.

Mugzy Mooka, Tom Norbury and Josh Welsford have all signed for the Manunda Hawks ahead of the 2025 season. Picture: Jake Garland

Gun midfielder and vice-captain Josh Welsford has re-signed for the Manunda Hawks for season 2025. Picture: Jake Garland

“I am pretty excited to play here, it is such an incredible place, the views, mountains and everything is pretty close as well.

“I can see why so many people do come and play footy here, a lot different to what Adelaide is like for sure.”

The Hawks latest recruit comes to the nest with a 2024 premiership under his belt with his former club, Ingle Farm.

Norbury was a former soccer player growing up before making the transition to AFL.

“A couple of my mates said I should come out and try and the rest is history,” Norbury said.

“My main focus is to keep working on the fundamentals and getting better so we as a club can get better as well.

“I haven’t heard too much about the club but what I have heard and witnessed is these boys seem like a great bunch of blokes.”

Vice-captain Josh Welsford and returning gun Mugzy Mooka both have signed on for 2025.

Welsford said he believes the club is heading in the right direction.

“We had our first win this season and I know there are plenty more just around the corner,” Welsford said.

“We are building as a club, the boys get around each other, the girls get around each other.

“It is a great place to be and that has always been our focus is to be a club where players want to come to.

“I love playing here and learning under T-dog (Troy Barbero) has helped my game and that is the plan to continue to grow it.”

Mooka returns to the club after a year and a half off after a serious knee injury in round 3 2023.

“The knee is going well, I wanted to get out there this year and play a few games but we decided not to risk it,” Mooka said.

“Watching the boys get their first win for a couple of seasons was pretty awesome to watch.

“Looking forward to helping them get another few wins next season and helping this club to continue to develop.”

Originally published as AFL Cairns: Manunda Hawks sign Tea Tree Gully giant for season 2025