Former Melbourne midfielder Kyle Dunkley has linked up with Mornington Peninsula league club Sorrento for the back-end of the 2022 season.
Dunkley is currently tied to standalone VFL side the Northern Bullants this year and will join Sorrento from the Murray Football League, where he was tied with Barooga.
The 22-year-old played five matches and booted three goals for the Demons after joining the club through the 2019 Mid-Season Draft, remaining at the club until the end of 2020.
Dunkley has since featured for Essendon's VFL side and was considered by the Bombers as a potential recruit before injury hampered his chances of an AFL lifeline.
The Gippsland product ventured to the Bullants for this season and has played a majority of his footy at Preston City Oval, where he has averaged 15.8 disposals, 4.1 marks and 4.7 inside 50s per game.
His latest outing came in early June against Brisbane, having battled a thumb injury and requiring subsequent surgery.
Despite the setback, which will see Dunkley out of action for the coming weeks, Sorrento are keen to inject the ball-winner into their squad as they push for a finals finish in Division 1 of the MPNFL.
READ: โI was in a bit of an average placeโ: Ex-Demon still daring to dream
โHeโs got another three weeks before he plays again,โโ Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke toldย News Corp.ย
โAnd then whether itโs with us or his VFL side the Bullants, well, itโs to be confirmed.
โYouโd think after seven or eight weeks, I donโt know, they might have him straight back in but thatโs a long time without footy to bring someone straight into the VFL system. But again, I donโt know.
โItโs just a nice place for him to call home for a little while.โ
โWeโre hopeful for next season but itโs a good start to build a relationship, get to know him and for him to get to know usโฆfor a place for him to call home while he plays VFL.
โHe might get a crack at AFL again. If he doesnโt then hopefully he can call Sorrento home.โโ
Sorrento are currently third on the MPFNL top division ladder after 11 matches, 12 premiership points behind ladder leaders Frankston YCW.
The Sharks will face Edithvale-Aspendale this Saturday at Regents Park, the first of their final seven matches of the home and away season.
