Bulldogs sign key forward

CENTRALS Trinity Beach have sent a message to the competition that they are serious about being contenders in 2020, picking up centurion goal-kicker Tom Eltringham.

The former Cairns Saints spearhead was last in AFL Cairns in 2018, kicking 103 goals as he led the Griffiths Park-based club to the grand final, on the back of his impressive start to the season.

The Victorian forward finished top four in the Crathern Medal, collecting 16 votes, despite missing much of the second half of the season with a shoulder injury.

He had a brief conversation with Saints about returning to the red, white and black but will instead be a Bulldog in 2020.

“We are really keen on retaining the list we have got as well as topping up with a few key players as well,” CTB football manager Sam Blease said.

“A key forward was something really high on our list from discussions internally at the football club.

“Tom is a quality player at this level to kick bags of goals.

“We are really happy to get Tom on board.”

Eltringham (above) was an onlooker in the first week of the finals series this season after relocating back to the Far North. He considered flying back and forth to play in Victoria in 2020 but will land at Crathern Park.

He spent 2019 with St Arnaud in the North Central Football League, kicking 54 goals in 16 games.

The Bulldogs missed the finals in 2019 and will again be led by experienced Victorian mentor Wayne Sharkie.

Elsewhere, former Sydney Swans on-baller Brett Meredith has left Port Douglas after two seasons with the Crocs.