St Albans has continued its busy GFNL off-season, adding Ethan Mantas from the former VFL club Northern Bullants.
Mantas says that despite playing alongside Sam Donegan at the Bullants, it wasn’t the current Supersaint who was key to him signing with Rick Munn’s men.
“It was all done very late,” Mantas told K rock Football.
“I waited till after my season; (I) made the grand final with Caroline Springs, and got done in overtime.
“I met up with Cam McKenzie, the recruitment manager, who I’ve known for a very long time, and he sold it to me in the end.”
An intercept half-back who likes to run, Mantas, who turns 23 this Saturday, is relishing the opportunity to play on the vast expanses of St Albans Reserve.
“As soon as I intercept, I look to go real quick and try to take the game on with one kick,” he said.
“I love playing on big grounds; I’ve got not a bad tank.”
Mantas played 42 games in his three seasons with the Northern Bullants and says he feels for the volunteers who have worked to keep the club afloat.
The Preston-based club was told last week that its licence to play in the VFL was being withdrawn.
“All the players still stay in contact, which is good,” Mantas, who hasn’t ruled out chasing a VFL spot elsewhere, said.
“But for the volunteers that put endless hours in and don’t get paid – they’ve been there for ages – it’s really disappointing and upsetting.”
Mantas joins Ocean Grove duo Miller Keck and Jack Stephenson, Noah Cockerell (North Ballarat), Zac Cutropia (St Joseph’s), and Brodie Evans (Essendon Doutta Stars) as St Albans signings.
The Supersaints won six games in Munn’s first season in charge, their best return since recording 10 victories in 2015.
X: @krockfootball
