Jimmy Toumpas signs for Swan Hill in the Central Murray league

A country club hopes it can be a finals contender this year with the addition of a former AFL player who had recent success at state level.

Swan Hill hopes the signing of ex-AFL player Jimmy Toumpas can be a valuable asset to the team for years to come.

The Central Murray league team has signed the 37-game AFL player for the 2024 season.

He comes to the Swans after playing for Woodville West Torrens in the SANFL for the past several years and before that Port Adelaide and Melbourne.

For the Eagles, he played 117 games and was part of their 2021 premiership success.

But after Toumpas wanted a change in scenery the Swans were there to provide it.

“He works with the AFLPA (AFL Players’ Association) and so does one of our guys on the committee,” Swans president Carl Hufer said.

“It was a work relationship and through that they got talking.

“He wanted a bit of a change up from the SANFL and we’re excited to have him on board.

“It’s unreal, it’s exciting for our footy club and for the competition.

“He’ll be one of the best players to run around in our competition for a long time.”

Jimmy Toumpas in action for the Eagles in the 2021 SANFL grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

Hufer said the deal is for one year but he’s hopeful it can be for longer.

“It’s just the one year to see how he likes it but we are hoping he can put on the boots for the Swans for a few years,” he said.

“He was a high draft pick in the AFL and he was averaging good numbers in the SANFL for Woodville and he has plenty of good football ahead of him.”

Toumpas played 13 games in the SANFL last year, averaging 18.5 disposals per game.

Hufer said his recruitment will help the team challenge for finals and be competitive against the top teams in the league.

“Our aim this year is to sneak into the top-five,” he said.

“We’ve got a real good bunch of local players and really good juniors but we needed to add someone of the talent of Jimmy to our team so we can push the Kerang’s, the Balranald’s and the Nyah’s, and push the top teams.

“Everyone is recruiting really well in our league.

“It’s going to be an even competition so we had to be pretty aggressive and active in our recruiting, which we have been.

“Full marks to ur recruiting team who have done a good job.”

Toumpas is expected to play most of the year and finals.

His first game will be the Swans match against Woorinen on April 13.

Originally published as Jimmy Toumpas signs for Swan Hill in the Central Murray league