WANGARATTA Rovers enforcer Karl Norman’s stellar Ovens and Murray career is over, with the Hawk veteran signing with Glenrowan.
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After agonising over the decision for several months, Norman confirmed yesterday he would rejoin the club where he won a best and fairest as a 18-year-old.
The former Carlton player has been bombarded with offers over the off-season with Beechworth showing strong interest in the ruckman.
But Glenrowan president Casey McPhail said yesterday Norman was only ever going to stay at the W.J. Findlay Oval or sign with the Ovens and King league club.
“It was going to be either Rovers or Glenrowan,” McPhail said.
“Karl would never go anywhere else.
“That is the way Karl is.
“He’s a very loyal person and the main thing for him was doing the right thing for Rovers and his family who are Rovers through and through.
“He has been offered a lot more at other places and we are happy he’s decided to come over to us where a lot of his mates are playing and where he started his football.”
Norman, 30, has been one of the premier ruckmen in the O and M for the past decade, winning Wangaratta Rovers’ best and fairest last year and finishing runner-up in 2002 and 2011.
His decision to depart was made even more difficult by the fact his stepfather, Andrew Smith, is president of the Hawks.
Norman’s departure continues a roller-coaster ride for Wangaratta Rovers with new coach Paul Maher signing former AFL players Jarrad Boumann and James Mulligan but losing Sam Caruso and Lachie Raven to Pascoe Vale and Kyle Raven to Tarrawingee.
Norman won Glenrowan’s best and fairest in 2001 before joining the Hawks in 2002, when his performances attracted Carlton’s attention.
He was picked up with selection 79 in the 2002 draft despite never playing in the TAC Cup.
Norman went on to play 27 senior matches for the Blues before being cut and joining Mooroopna in 2006 and 2007.
He moved back to Wangaratta Rovers in 2008 and played outstandingly as the Hawks re-emerged as a force.