SEAGULLS LURE TOUGH TONGAN
Tasmanian rugby convert set to beef-up North Shore list
NORTH Shore has gained its second recruit from Tasmanian club Lauderdale, luring powerful Tongan big man Toutai Havea on the eve of the GFL season.
The rugby convert, who stands about 195cm and weighs 115kg, played in a practice match against Lake Wendouree at the weekend and will line up for the Seagulls against South Barwon on Saturday.
Former coach and dual best-and-fairest winner Jason Davenport is also set to pull on the blue and gold for the first time in three years against the Swans at Windsor Park.
Havea claimed the Matthew Richardson Medal as the Tasmania State League’s rookie of the year in 2016 under Darren Winter, who has returned to North Shore to take on the coaching role with Nick Dixon.
Winter said Havea would be a “big asset” in the North Shore forward line as part of a new-look side.
“He’s very quick and nimble for a big fella — good skills, good mark on the lead,” Winter said.
“He’s very strong in the contest and he certainly doesn’t take a backwards step.
“He hits the contest very hard.”
Havea nailed 18 goals from 13 matches in 2020 and also played in Lauderdale’s losing 2017 and ’18 grand finals.
He arrived in Australia as part of a rugby tour with
Tonga and started playing Australian rules through cousin Phil Bellchambers, making his senior debut in 2015.
It was announced in February that Bellchambers had also signed with North Shore, along with ex-Carlton listed player Finn O’Dwyer and former Geelong College captain Noah Lever.
Winter said Havea would travel from Tasmania for the early rounds before settling in Geelong.
“He’s got really good skills, good awareness and is probably a little bit different to someone who’s transitioned in from another sport,” he said.
“He’s been a bit of an asset for us over here (Lauderdale) as well.
“I think he was weighing up whether he was going to play footy this year or not but he got the urge to play again and come over.
“It was probably just a conversation that we had with him (that convinced him to sign).”
The Seagulls have also gained Trent Archer (Geelong West, GDFL), Mitch Bone (Mayne, Queensland AFL), Ross Celano (Portarlington), Jack Cripps (Violet Town, Kyabram District FL), Lachie Hayes (North Geelong), Noah Lever, Griffen Wilson (St Joseph’s), Liam McKenna (Essendon Doutta Stars, Essendon District FL) and Davenport (Templestowe, Eastern FL).