The Northern Suns have utilised their two priority picks in the national draft to secure the big names of Matt Kemp and Vandyn Hartman from the Western Crows for the 2019 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
Under the ruling of the Retained Player List (RPL) Category 3, it states:
Each Premiership side will be able to retain up to five Auckland based players (if a Premiership side cannot supply the required amount of players from the 2018 season, a Priority Draft Pick will be allocated to rectify this.)
Matt Kemp
A stalwart in New Zealand footy, Matt Kemp is still one of the top players in the country.
Playing for the Mt Roskill Saints in the Auckland AFL, Kemp’s main attributes are his skills and endurance.
A former winner of the Premiership Pre-Season 3km Time Trial, Kemp finds a new home at the Sun’s as they push for their first Premiership.
Vandyn Hartman
Vandyn ‘Diesel’ Hartman has been picked up by the Northern Suns for the 2019 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The 2011 AFL International Cup squad member made his debut in the 2018 Premiership but has a rich history of playing AFL in New Zealand.
Vandyn plays for the Manurewa Raiders in the Auckland AFL and is a tough midfielder which great skills who can run all day.
Hartman will now join a formidable midfield where he will link up key players Ben Hick, Liam Beattie and Will Dickinson.
Read more:
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Premiership coach signs on for 2019
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