The Blues will have a new-look squad heading into the 2023 season with a host of star names opting not to return in a “changing of the guard” at the 2022 semi-finalist.
Mercurial Northern Territory legend Cam Ilett has brought his association with the club to an end after 34 games and 28 goals, with travel demands cited for his decision to step away.
The Nightcliff midfielder was a crucial cog in Tongala’s flag tilts since joining in 2019, dazzling crowds throughout the league in that time.
Ilett often made the trip down from Darwin to suit up for the Blues, and last season did so alongside Nightcliff teammate and former Fremantle defender Ryan Nyhuis, who has also departed.
The 2019 best-and-fairest Jack Hammond will make his return to Hampden Football League club Cobden, while Tongala captain Adam Lovison has left for Kyabram District League preliminary finalist Stanhope as an assistant coach after a 163-game career at the Blues.
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Experienced campaigner Anthony Dennis returns to Loddon Valley club Calivil after coaching it to a premiership in 2017.
This also comes after the departure of two-time best-and-fairest and reigning O’Dwyer medalist Nick Jamieson, who has made the move to Mornington Peninsula club Sorrento.
While the departures paint a bleak picture in Tongala’s efforts to snap a four-decade premiership drought, the club is expected to announce its new recruits in the coming weeks, albeit with a focus now on nurturing local talent.
Tongala finished third on the MFL ladder in 2022, blitzing Deniliquin by 78 points in an elimination final before falling by two goals to Moama in a semi-final epic.
The Blues’ 2022 A-grade netball finalists will be looking to go one better under new coach Grace Hammond, who was announced as Paige Wade’s replacement.
The Blues face Echuca United at Tongala Recreation Reserve in round one on Saturday, April 1.
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