FORMER Geelong premiership defender Tom Lonergan will come out of retirement to make a one-off appearance for Tungamah next month.
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Hopefully he enjoys it and we get him back again next season
- Tungamah coach Jeremy O'Brien
Lonergan has agreed to play against Congupna on June 16 with the Bears hoping the match leads to more games next season.
Tungamah coach Jeremy O’Brien said Lonergan had strong connections at the club.
“Nick Doyle and Tom were in each other’s wedding parties and Tom’s also close mates with Tim Cooper and Craig Whinray as well,” O’Brien said.
“It’s fantastic for the footy club.
“If he wasn’t playing a game in Tasmania in mid-July we might have been able to get a couple out of him.
“Hopefully he enjoys it and we get him back again next season. It will be a big day.”
Lonergan’s uncle, John, played in defence in the Bears’ 1976 premiership team.
Tom, who turned 34 last week, made his senior debut at Yarrawonga at 15 and is set to draw a big crowd to Tungamah’s Jubilee Park Oval.
He finished his AFL career with 209 matches with Geelong’s 2011 grand final win over Collingwood the highlight.
Lonergan was picked up at number 23 in the 2002 draft.
Lonergan’s signing has capped off a huge week for Tungamah who recently lured Cooper back to the club from the Pigeons following a decorated career in the Ovens and Murray.