Wangaratta's Morris medallist Callum Moore calls former Richmond players

Moore spent four years with Richmond from 2016, playing eight senior games, before spending a season with Carlton in 2020, where he added another two matches.

He trained with the Blues over the last off-season, but Oscar McDonald snared the last spot on the list, so the 193cm utility joined Wangaratta in mid-March.

The 25-year-old proved the recruit of the season by claiming the O and M's best and fairest award on Friday night.

"Once I didn't get that spot at Carlton, I thought I needed to find the love for the game again, so I wanted to get out of the metro region and having (great mate) Mark Anderson and others behind me and supporting me to come to Wangaratta, it was an easy decision and I've just found the love for the game again," he revealed.

Interestingly, Moore didn't claim the club best and fairest on Saturday night, with Abraham Ankers claiming the top award from Joe Richards.

He's signed for 2022 and will become an 'unofficial' recruiter.

"I've made a few phone calls to a few people in (former Richmond premiership player) Jacob Townsend and Ryan Garthwaite, but the (AFL) Draft is coming up soon (November 24-25), so I don't want to pressure them, but if the day comes, I'll be recruiting for the Wangaratta Football Club, no doubt," he explained.

Border product Garthwaite was delisted by Richmond last month after playing 14 games over five seasons.

However, he told The Border Mail a week ago he was still hoping to play AFL or at least join a state league outfit.

They say the best coaches are the best recruiters and it also applies to players.

Veteran forward Michael Newton has played a vital role in a number of former SANFL players, including Craig Evans, and Northern Territory star Abraham Ankers, who finished fourth to Moore in the Morris Medal, joining the club.

Moore is now the Pies' 10th winner of the Morris Medal.

Fred Carey claimed the inaugural award in 1933, while Moore broke an 11-year drought after Jamie Allan snared the top gong in 2010.

"I feel like the league is really family-orientated, everyone knows everyone, it's just a really good day," Moore suggested after his debut year.

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"They're big grounds, in the metro there's so many clubs, but the footy's so big here and I just want to give credit to all our supporters."

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