http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/afl/motlop-to-join-...
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MOTLOP TO JOIN EAGLES
26/03/2009 4:00:00 AM
NORTH Melbourne premiership player Shannon Motlop will play with Dunolly in the Maryborough-Castlemaine District Football League this year.
The Eagles confirmed the signing of Motlop to The Advertiser late yesterday in what is a massive coup for the club, with the season now less than a month away.
Motlop is expected to play between eight and 10 matches this year, as well as finals should the Eagles qualify.
The 30-year-old is set to debut with the Eagles in their round one clash against Maryborough Rovers under lights at Princes Park on Friday, April 17.
“This will be a perfect opportunity for people to see a new-look Dunolly,†an elated Eagles’ president Daniel McNamee said.
“We have a new jumper design, new coaches, a number of good recruits and Shannon adds a massive point of interest for the spectators.â€
Dunolly is co-coached by James McNamee, who spent the summer in the NTAFL playing alongside Motlop with grand finalist Wanderers.
Dunolly and Wanderers, who are also known as the Eagles, have a sister-club arrangement.
The arrangement has also helped Dunolly recruit Wanderers’ trio Tim Karpany, an NTAFL best and fairest and SANFL premiership player, Ashley Matz and Luke Butler.
In just his seventh AFL game, Motlop was a member of the North Melbourne team that defeated Carlton by 35 points in the 1999 grand final.
As a 21-year-old, Motlop kicked two goals and had 11 possessions in the Roos’ grand final win.
Motlop played with the Roos until being de-listed at the end of 2003.
He played 54 games in his five years at North Melbourne, kicking 31 goals.
After spending 2004 playing in the SANFL with North Adelaide, Motlop was given a second chance at an AFL career with Melbourne.
Following the death of Melbourne’s Troy Broadbridge in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, Motlop was added to the Demons’ list.
The small forward spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons with Melbourne, playing 10 games, before he was again delisted.
While at Melbourne, Motlop played in both the Demons’ VFL affiliate Sandringham’s 2005 and 2006 premierships.
Since his AFL career ended, Motlop has spent the past two years back at North Adelaide.
Having finished eighth last year with six wins, Dunolly shapes as one of the big improvers of the MCDFL this season.
“While last year was clearly a foundation year for Dunolly by making some good inroads, this year we hope to step up to a higher level,†McNamee said.
Dunolly hasn’t won a premiership since 1969.
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