Former Brisbane rookie Reuben William snapped up by Redland

The big signings keep on coming for Redland with former Brisbane and Footscray VFL player Reuben William the latest to join the club.

William, 21, joins former AFL pair Adam Oxley (Collingwood) and Blake Grewar (Brisbane) in the past week to commit to the Bombers for the 2020 NEAFL season.

“I know both of them (Oxley and Grewar) pretty well and I played with Jack Rolls in the State Under 18 program and there’s also Matt Hammelman and Peter Yagmoor, so it will be an easy environment to step into,” William told the club’s website.

“I’m really looking forward to teaming up with Yags – we’re both free spirits.”

Born in South Sudan and arriving in Australia via a Kenya refugee camp as a five-year-old, William’s rise to the elite level was remarkable.

The Zillmere Eagles junior made his NEAFL debut back in 2015 for Brisbane where he was a member of the Lions Academy.

Brisbane drafted the talented youngster in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft that year, where he played three AFL games over the next two seasons before being delisted.

William has spent the past two seasons with Footscray in the VFL, working heavily in the community space. It’s a role he hopes to continue at Redland as well as help left the club back into finals contention.

“I’ll be working at all levels – not just footballers – but volunteers or aspiring umpires or anyone who can come on down to a club and not feel like a total stranger,” he said.

“With the recent signings and with the quality of player already at the club I reckon the Redland club will be pushing for the finals next year.”

Coach Phil Carse was thrilled by Reuben’s decision to join the Bombers.

“Having experienced both AFL and VFL football over the past four years in strong systems Reubs will bring plenty of experience and leadership to our program,” he said.

“Most of all he’s a great young man off the field and we can’t wait to have him as part of our Bombers’ family.”

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