Coburg Football Club are pleased to announce the permanent signing of Ryan Sturgess for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The former Northern Knight and Vic Metro representative, who was considered reasonably unlucky to have been overlooked in both drafts at the end of 2019, had initially signed for the Northern Bullants (then known as the Northern Blues) for 2020 after spending the preseason training for a spot for Carltons list as an SSP selection. He managed two AFL practice matches, one of them a Marsh Series game.
However, with Carlton ending their alignment with the Northern entity and as a result not taking part in the proposed revised 2020 VFL season that was eventually cancelled, Sturgess in June this year jumped at the bit to join the Lions and play under his older brother Andrew.
Sturgess is a defender who can also pinch hit up forward. Standing at 189cm, he has an outstanding intercepting and rebounding ability. In his top age NAB League year with the Knights, he 18.5 disposals and 5.8 marks from his 13 games where he was named in the best eight times.
After the ups and downs of the last 12 months, Sturgess can’t wait to resume his footy with a few of his former Northern Knights team mates, including Braedyn Gillard, Josh D’Intinosante and Jackson Davies.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and hopefully playing in the new look VFL system where I hope we can have plenty of success with our young group.”
“What impressed me the most was how connected and driven the group was and the amount of belief everyone had that they could be successful for the little season that we hoped would’ve gone ahead. The work ethic from the group after having such a long time off was super to see but all in all, just the people at the club impressed me, not one bad person at the club,” said Sturgess.
Coburg General Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo said “Ryan is a fantastic young man who has the talent and character to play at the highest level and we are really excited to have him join our club for the next two seasons. His strengths have been displayed as a defender but he may also provide Andrew Sturgess and our coaching group with some added flexibility with his ability to play forward if required too. We can’t wait to welcome him in permanently now and get to work with him on board.”
Over the next few days and weeks the club will continue to announce both re-singings and more new player signings as it prepares to succeed in 2021.
You can play your part and commit to the club as a member in 2021 by heading to following the club on all social media channels and ensuring that when the 2020 membership campaign is launched that you’re part of the club by becoming a member.
