Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti returns for Essendon Bombers after shock retirement

AFL cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has made a surprising backflip after asserting his sudden retirement from the sport 5 months in the past.

The 29-year-old shocked the league in Could when he introduced his time within the AFL was over.

He had taken private depart previous to that announcement, and didn’t play through the 2022 season.

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However on Thursday Essendon introduced a contemporary one-year contract for the Tiwi Islands product which is able to see him make a spectacular return in 2023.

The thrilling small ahead, who’s a famend goal-sneak, will add X-factor and expertise to a younger Bombers line-up.

“We’re thrilled that Anthony has determined to come back again to the Bombers,” membership soccer supervisor Josh Mahoney stated.

“Anthony took time away from the membership in 2022 to deal with life exterior of footy. We’re snug he has taken the time he must carry a renewed enthusiasm to return to the AFL and play for Essendon.

“He’s a dedicated Essendon one that loves taking part in soccer and our conversations with Anthony not too long ago led us to consider there was a practical probability he would come again to Essendon.

“As soon as we knew he was eager to return we labored with the AFL on the suitable pathway again to the membership together with approval from a listing administration perspective.

“We’ll proceed to assist him on and off the sector and help in his quest to return to soccer. We acknowledge loads of exhausting work is forward however really feel assured he can obtain his soccer ambitions and objectives on the membership he loves.

“He’s liked by gamers, coaches, workers and followers and we stay up for him returning to Essendon.”

McDonald-Tipungwuti was Essendon’s main goalkicker in 2020, and holds the file for many consecutive video games performed for the membership, showing in 115 straight.

He has 153 objectives and 126 video games to his identify so far.

There may be additionally stories Essendon is eager to carry Irish speedster Conor McKenna again to the membership.

McKenna left the Bombers final yr as a consequence of homesickness, however is now open to a return to Australia and can reportedly meet with a number of golf equipment.

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