Tara Murray
Tullamarine’s premiership hopes have received a boost with the Essendon District Football League division 1 side signing two former AFL-listed players.
The club announced on Monday night, it had signed Matty O’Dwyer and Phil Smith for the next three seasons.
Both players played their junior football at the club before progressing through the ranks.
O’Dwyer was drafted by Sydney in 2007, where he spent three seasons, playing seven AFL games.
He then returned to Victoria, where he played in the Victorian Football League with Werribee, winning the club’s best and fairest in 2011.
He has since played for a number of clubs in New South Wales and Victoria.
Smith was also drafted in 2007, taken by the Brisbane Lions.
After a short stint at the Lions, he returned to Victoria and played in the VFL with Box Hill and Williamstown.
Most recently he has been playing with Koondrook Barham.
In a post on the club’s Facebook page, the Demons said they were thrilled to welcome both players back.
“Both boys played all of their juniors at Tullamarine from under-10s through to under-16s,” the post said.
“They see this as a fantastic opportunity to return to their junior club and not only help us create something special but be part of the journey to consolidate this club as a premier division club.
“This is highlighted in the fact the boys have committed for the next three years until the end of 2024.
“Tullamarine FC is heading into a very new and exciting phase. Our club is changing dramatically for the better. Making this place a home for our kids of today and now our kids from the past.”
The Demons were sitting second on the ladder when the 2021 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
