Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) Division 1 newcomers Red Hill have managed a stellar coup ahead of their 2021 campaign, with former Richmond defender Steve Morris linking up with the club.

Red Hill claimed the Division 2 premiership in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their promotion to the top flight, with the club giving their bid for safety a major boost with the Tigers' VFL captain set to play in the season opener and potentially further.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt celebrate a goal by Steven Morris of the Tigers during the round nine AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Domain Stadium on May 21, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Morris led Richmond to a stunning VFL Grand Final victory two years ago before going without any football duties in the same fashion as Red Hill last year.

The 32-year-old played 87 matches for Richmond between 2012-2017 and is a previous SANFL Team of the Year player and West Adelaide Best and Fairest.

Morris remains linked with the Tigers' second-tier side, who will compete in the VFL's new look 22-side interstate competition, set to kick-off on April 17.

Red Hill coach Jamie Mollo spoke toย The Mornington Peninsula Leader's Simon McEvoy on Morris'' immediate impact ahead of the new season.

โ€œHeโ€™s been training with us every Monday night, running our academy,โ€ Mollo said.

โ€œHeโ€™s going to be a great inclusion and he looks like playing round one. But weโ€™ve just got to wait and see what Richmond say as well."

Red Hill will get their 2021 campaign underway against Dromana on Good Friday.