Almost a yr to the day Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti introduced his retirement, the Essendon ahead says he needs to go round once more in 2024.
The 30-year-old says he “would love to” play on as confidence in his physique grows and he begins to point out extra of his trademark ahead stress and excellent ending abilities.
McDonald-Tipungwuti was subdued in final week’s loss to Brisbane however performed his greatest recreation of the season within the five-point defeat to Port Adelaide with 13 disposals, 4 tackles and a objective.
On the eve of the Dreamtime on the ‘G game, the forward from the Tiwi Islands told reporters his aspirations stretched beyond the end of the current season.
“I love playing again, being around the footy club, I’m simply taking it week by week however I might like to go once more – we’ll see what occurs after this yr,” he mentioned.
“I was surprised that my body is pulling up really well after games. It’s been great, I’m really enjoying my football.”
McDonald-Tipungwuti mentioned he liked coaching and enjoying alongside the membership’s younger Indigenous gamers and was wanting ahead to his sixth Dreamtime recreation after lacking out on enjoying within the 2022 celebration on the day of his retirement.
“I always look forward to Dreamtime at the ‘G, obviously last year it was my last day, walking out, but I always look forward to it and hopefully we can get a lot of supporters to come from both teams.
“I think we’ll get both teams together to show a celebration of Indigenous culture, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the dancers put on … we’ll share in that experience.
“Coming back now and just seeing the young guys, the Davey twins and Anthony Munkara and Tex Wanganeen – being around those young boys has been really good and I’m really enjoying playing with the guys I’ve been playing with for a few years now.”
Bombers captain Zach Merrett mentioned they have been decided to snap a irritating four-match shedding streak in entrance of a sellout MCG crowd.
“We have lost four games in a row against some really high quality opposition teams, and been in positions to really challenge in probably three of those games, so to not be able to get one or two of those is a little bit disappointing,” he mentioned.
“I don’t think you get to play in many games bigger and better than this one on Saturday night, so the boys are absolutely excited and pumped to get out there.”
Merrett mentioned the Bombers didn’t give a lot significance to the 13-game profitable streak the Tigers held over them that’s an equal competitors report.
“I think everyone’s struggled against them the last decade, they’ve been an extremely strong unit,” he mentioned.
“We’ve obviously had a pretty different decade to them … hopefully this is a chance to compete and try to get the four points for the first time in a long time against them.”
Source: www.news.com.au
