Less than a month before the start of the Murray Football League season, 2021 minor premier Tongala has further enhanced its list strength in ominous signs for the rest of the competition.
The Blues are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit to break a 37-year flag drought, adding a second ex-AFL player to their squad — and strengthening their ties to the Top End in the process.
Tongala coach Jordan Souter confirmed former Fremantle defender and Northern Territory Football League player Ryan Nyhuis had become the club’s fourth representative from the Northern Territory.
“Ryan’s come on board in the last couple of weeks,” Souter said.
“It’s exciting, he’s a pretty big in for us.
“He’ll be coming in with the Darwin boys, flying in at stages as well.“
Nyhuis, 25, brings 17 games of AFL experience to the club after being picked up by Fremantle in the 2016 Rookie Draft.
He joins Nightcliff teammate Cameron Ilett at the Blues, with both players currently chasing the NTFL Premier League club’s fourth consecutive premiership.
They are among the best players in the league and consistently named in the best Nightcliff players in exciting signs for the Tongala faithful.
It is another strong move on the recruiting front for Tongala, but Nyhuis isn’t the only former AFL talent to link up with the Blues.
Former Melbourne and Carlton player Brock McLean made headlines in the Murray league after crossing from Goulburn Valley League club Shepparton United in November.
The 157-game AFL midfielder brings a swag of professional experience and a decorated local football resumé to the Blues.
Tongala has confirmed pre-season hit-outs against Picola league club Katandra, Heathcote district club LBU at Lockington next Friday, and a final practice match against Kyabram league outfit Girgarre before the MFL season starts.
Tongala will face Echuca United at Tongala Recreation Reserve in round one of the Murray Football League on Saturday, April 2.