Tara Murray
Former AFL star forward Brendan Fevola is headed to East Sunbury for next season.
The now-radio star announced on his FOX Melbourne program, Fifi, Fev and Nick for Breakfast, on Friday morning that his footy playing days weren’t over.
Fevola said he had committed to the whole season with the Essendon District Football League division 2 club and that he would train on Thursday nights.
“I haven’t played proper footy, competitive footy in a proper league since St Kilda City which was three or four years ago,” he said.
“I know I’ve said that I’ve retired and not coming back… At the ripe old age of 43… I’m back, I’m playing footy.
“I have signed with a footy club for a full season, 16 games. Training, have to train Thursdays.
“I’ll be playing next year, I’ll be donning the jumper of East Sunbury.”
Thunder co-coach Dave Morrice said it was pretty exciting for the club to get Fevola on board.
“I think it’s a great feeling for the club, the position we’ve been in the last couple of years hasn’t been that successful,” he said.
“Having Brendan there is great. We recruited him as a footy player, not a celebrity. We recruited him for his footy ability first and foremost and we think it’ll be good for the club what Fev can do to help our young players develop as well.
“That is what we want to focus on for the next three or four years, developing our young talent and bringing some young talent into the club.
“It’s about creating a successful but sustainable culture and winning culture.”
Morrice said there were a few contacts in the club that led to the signing of Fevola and that he couldn’t take credit for it.
Fevola will be 44 by the time the season kicks off next year.
“He’ll be a key target for us and he’s in good shape at the moment,” Morrice said. “We have to actually get the footy to him.
“That’s the next step, developing players to be able to do that and bringing in some talent to do that as well.”
Morrice said the signing of Fevola could lead to others wanting to join the club but the main focus of the club is youth.
He said the club has some exciting things happening and there would be some more signings announced in the coming weeks.
“I think all the right people are in place now to bring the club along to the next level.
“Having Juzzy Belleville come on board is a massive help to the senior coaching staff as my senior co-coach and I’m really appreciative of that.”
