WANGARATTA signing Abraham Ankers will fly from Alice Springs for the opening rounds of the Ovens and Murray season before relocating to the North-East.
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The classy midfielder, who has lived in the Northern Territory for the past eight years, will debut for the Magpies against Wodonga Raiders on Good Friday.
He has already trained at Norm Minns Oval and taken part in a camp at Bright.
"I can't wait for Friday," the laid-back 25-year-old said.
"I've never seen an O and M game but I know a bit about it from following 'Juice's' (Michael Newton) footy for a while.
"I know the standard is really high.
"I'll stay here for a few rounds and then hopefully make my way down there."
Ankers was approached by Wangaratta after he struck up a friendship with Newton while playing for Waratah.
"We played in a few games together, seemed to crack on well after the games and became pretty close," he said.
"It will be good playing with him again.
"They (Newton, Josh Porter and Ben Reid) will have to clear the way as I think 'Stoney' (Dean Stone) will give me the square.
"Nah, I think I'll get yelled at if I go anywhere near it.
"Everyone I've spoken to at Wangaratta has been great so my partner Celine and I am looking forward to getting down there and having some fun."
Originally from Brisbane, Ankers was named NEAFL Team of the Year captain in 2019 and finished third in the competition's MVP award.
He was set to play for Aspley last year before coronavirus saw the season abandoned.
Wodonga Raiders could have up to 10 new faces in their line-up from the 2019 finals series when they take on Wangaratta at Birallee Park.
Scott Meyer, Steve Jollifffe, Isaac Muller, Tim Haines, Jacob Smith, Mitch Thomas, Max Beattie and Tyrell Lui are likely inclusions.
"It's a good test ... a good measure," coach Jarrod Hodgkin said.
