Kangaroos midfielder locks in new deal to continue career

After being delisted by the North Melbourne Kangaroos not too long ago, 130-game midfielder Kayne Turner has signed on with a new team to continue his career.

Turner has agreed to terms with the Eastern Football League side Balwyn Football Club (otherwise known as the Tigers), with the club confirming his arrival on their social media pages.

The Eastern Football League is based in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, and the competition was founded in 1962, 61 years ago.

Selected with Pick 25 in the 2014 Rookie Draft, Turner kicked 61 goals in 130 appearances for the North Melbourne Kangaroos at AFL level between 2014 and 2023.

A junior footballer for the Murray Bushrangers, his addition to the club comes as premiership defender Kris Pendlebury and mainstay duo Aaron Britten and Fraser Hicks have departed the Tigers.

Turner’s arrival at the club will see him join former Adelaide coach and Tigers mentor Brenton Sanderson.

Sanderson spoke about his arrival and stated that Turner’s former teammate, Josh Walker, played a large role in securing the 27-year-old’s signature.

“It was sort of a combination of his relationship with Josh Walker … and I guess like most community clubs we’re eager to keep making our list stronger,” Sanderson said via Herald Sun.

“He decided that he wasn’t going to pursue his AFL career any further and didn’t have any interest in dropping back a level and playing in the VFL.

“All these boys are highly sought-after – with attracting good AFL talent at community level it’s always a challenge, but Balwyn’s a club which has always been able to attract good players.

“We’re grateful he’s chosen our club.”

A versatile utility man, Kayne Turner has played an important role over his career at North Melbourne

A rookie draft selection in 2014, Turner’s gritty, hard-nosed style of play and team first attitude personify many aspects of the Shinboner spirit.

With his birthday falling on December 31, Turner was the youngest player in his draft class, and was still completing his VCE when he made his debut in Round 20, 2014.

After his debut, Turner would go onto play in all three finals North contested in 2014, suffering defeat to Sydney in the preliminary final.

Eventually cementing himself as one of first names on the team sheet under Brad Scott, Turner played 21 games in his first three seasons on the list, before a breakout 2017 campaign where he played 15 games and kicked 17 goals.

North Melbourne debut: Round 20, 2014

2022: Playing 17 games for the season, Turner offered some valuable versatility during a year with a lot of shifting pieces.

Mostly used as a small defender in 2021, the 118-game Roo was often tasked with shutting down a dangerous opposition small forward, but in Round 2’s 15-point win over the Eagles he played an attacking role which saw him get on the end of some effective team chains to finish with 13 disposals and a pair of majors.

He was delisted at the end of his ninth season at Arden Street but will be in blue and white again in 2023 after the club selected him with the 39th pick of the 2022 Rookie Draft.