Picola District: Tom Clurey stars on return to Katamatite

Katamatite star recruit Tom Clurey has made his mark in the opening two rounds, as the club prepares to introduce another big name for its next match.

Katamatite is expected to roll in another star recruit for its next match after the club’s biggest signing, former Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey, already made his mark in the opening two rounds.

Clurey has been an important player in the club’s two wins in the Picola District league against Tungamah and Tocumwal with speedster Jack Gerrish set to be introduced for its next match on May 3.

Gerrish played in Wangaratta Rovers’ Ovens & Murray premiership team last year and was an interleague representative two seasons ago.

“He’s not injured or anything, he’s just been unavailable,” Katamatite coach James Hazelman said.

“He had work commitments for the first two weeks.

“Hopefully after the double bye we’ve got we will have him.

“Especially at our level he is going to be a huge bonus.”

Katamatite recruit Jack Gerrish represented the Ovens & Murray in 2023. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Gerrish is good mates with another Katamatite recruit, Ben Bray, who is also yet to play because of a foot injury.

“We’re hoping he will be out of a moon boot next week and start to get going again,” Hazelman said.

Former Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey has returned to Katamatite this season. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hazelman said Clurey had slotted in nicely to Katamatite’s defensive ranks after 124 senior matches for Port Adelaide.

“He knows how country clubs operate and where he has been hasn’t changed him at all,” he said.

“We’ve been playing him where he is most comfortable.

“But as time goes on we will potentially get him up around the footy a bit more.”