Retired Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has signed with Sunraysia Football and Netball League side Imperial for the 2024 season.
McDonald-Tipungwuti called time on his career at the conclusion of the 2023 season - a campaign where he made his return to the Bombers after initially hanging up the boots in May last year.
The 30-year-old played seven games in the red sash this year, his last coming against Collingwood in Essendon's Round 24 meeting with the eventual premiers.
McDonald-Tipungwuti left the AFL after 133 matches for Essendon, who he joined out of their VFL program as a defender.
After making the move to the forward line, the Tiwi Islands product would star as an exciting small forward and would go on to lead his side's goalkicking for the 2020 season. McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 157 goals during his time with the Dons, which spanned eight seasons.
While the livewire forward has recently featured for the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League, McDonald-Tipungwuti is set for a return to Victoria after signing with Imperial.
The regional Victoria club announced the "outstanding recruiting coup" on Monday ahead of the new year.
"The Imperial Football Netball Club is ecstatic with the key signing of former Essendon cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti," a club statement read.
"After announcing his retirement from Essendon after a 133 games career, 'Tippa' has relocated to Mildura and has shared his time between Mildura and playing some games in Darwin.
"This is another outstanding recruiting coup and we are delighted with Anthony's decision to join the club.
"We are fortunate as a club to have great connections and after speaking with Anthony and his mother Jane, Tipa quickly confirmed that he loved the family atmosphere and strong culture of our club.
"The club holds no expectations of Anthony and welcomes Jane and Anthony with open arms and look forward to providing them both a home to share their experiences both on and off the field.
"Tippa is extremely talented as we have seen and to have him in our playing group and for our junior players to look up to will have the club buzzing with excitement."
Imperial finished the 2023 season in ninth after failing to record a win this year.
