DUAL Norwood premiership player Mat Suckling has signed with reigning premier Wangaratta.
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In another recruiting coup orchestrated through Magpie assistant-coach Michael Newton, the hard-nosed midfielder shapes as a huge inclusion as the club chases back-to-back flags.
His signing comes only weeks after former Norwood and Sturt midfielder Craig Evans committed to play at Norm Minns Oval.
“Mat is going to be really good for us,” Newton said.
“He’s a big-bodied inside mid who has a dangerous, penetrating right-foot.
“I’d say kicking is one of his main attributes.
“He finds a lot of the ball.
“He’s a really good accumulator and will fit nicely into the side.”
Originally from Victoria, Suckling played in Norwood’s 2012 and 2013 premierships before returning to Melbourne to work for his family’s construction business.
He spent time on Collingwood’s VFL list in 2014 and played a match for Wangaratta Rovers after nominating the Hawks as his second club.
Suckling then returned to the Redlegs for a season.
The 29-year-old made his way back to Collingwood in 2016 and sat out last season due to work and family commitments.
“He was pretty successful at Norwood playing 70 or 80 games and winning two flags,” Newton said.
“He was an integral part of the Norwood group.
“It’s going to be really good having more leadership and hardened bodies in Mat and Craig.
“They will give us a lot of experience in the midfield, along with Matt Kelly and Daniel Boyle, and Nick and Joe Richards and Daniel Sharrock are going to learn off them.
“We have a good mix in there.”
Wangaratta is well positioned for another shot at the premiership with key forward Tom Whittlesea (South Australia) and Judd Porter (retired) the only certain departures.
The arrival of Evans, siblings Jamie and Mark Anderson and Suckling will make the Magpies a more formidable line-up on paper than last season.
Josh Porter has returned from overseas and is yet to confirm his plans.