ON the day that Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was unveiled as Imperials’ star new recruit, he was miles up the river on a jetski.
The former Essendon fan favourite loves the Sunraysia lifestyle, is ready to make it his home and plans to immerse himself into the community in a variety of ways.
What a win for the region.
And what an exciting new chapter for the man affectionately known as “Walla”, who retired at the end of last season after a memorable AFL career.
From a footy perspective, his signing at Imps has created a genuine buzz across the Sunraysia Football Netball League.
When the Sunraysia Daily broke the news on Tuesday, hundreds of readers flooded our Facebook page with comments, all of them positive, which is a rarity in the social media space.
He now joins a host of ex-AFL players in the SFNL competition including Jarrod Brander (Wentworth), Sam Kerridge (Mildura), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Merbein) and Ben McGlynn (Wentworth).
The SFNL has also been boosted by the arrivals of other stars to the competition, in what is shaping as a brilliant 2024 season.
Imperials look certain to be a big improver, having appointed long-time Ouyen United gun Brad Vallance as senior coach and recruiting Noosa duo Aaron Laskey and Ryley Buntain, among others.
Irymple recently signed new coach Jake Thrum from the Bendigo league, where he was a star of the competition, to add to their premiership list.
Last year’s runner-up Robinvale Euston have added Charlie Ford to its list of talented imports Isaac Corvo, Jack Taylor and McLeod medallist Benji Neal.
South Mildura has recruited another Queensland star, Jonah Licht, while Wentworth has welcomed back Jack Cottrell after a stint in the SANFL.
But, with all due respect to that crop of players joining the league, none have the profile of McDonald-Tipungwuti.
The livewire forward retired from AFL in 2021 after battling injury and weight issues but returned for the 2023 season.
His comeback match was unforgettable for the roar he received when he ran onto the ground, and every time he subsequently touched the ball.
McDonald-Tipungwuti was one of those rare AFL players who was universally loved, no matter which club you supported.
Like many Indigenous players, his explosive pace, catlike agility and sublime skills made him a human highlights reel throughout his 132 career games.
He won Essendon’s goalkicking award in 2020 and also broke the club record for consecutive games played in the AFL era with 115.
As Bombers coach Brad Scott, in his first year as Essendon coach, said to his playing group: “Of all the great champions who have come through the Essendon Football Club, it‘s actually hard to think of something who has made such an impression on our supporter base and on our club on so many different levels.”
Imperials players and supporters, young and old, turned out on Wednesday night to greet their star recruit.
McDonald-Tipungwuti started work in Mildura this week and also found time to sit down with the Sunraysia Daily for a coffee.
For him, he is simply looking forward to being part of a country football and netball club, and part of the wider community.
So, welcome home, Tippa. Great to have you here.
