Essendon Royals Welcome Brad Norton for the 2024 Season
The Essendon Royals are thrilled to announce the signing of Brad Norton as our first Senior Men’s player for the 2024 season. Norton returns to the club where he took some of his first steps on what would become an illustrious senior career.
After forming part of the Royals Victorian Premier League Under-21s in 2007, Norton would go on to play for Melbourne Knights and Northcote City in Victoria’s top flight, before moving to Adelaide United in the A-League.
Upon returning to Victoria, Norton would sign for South Melbourne, where he would become a living legend. His achievements include two NPL Victoria championships, an NPL Premiership, and the 2015 Dockerty Cup, culminating in 301 games and captaincy from 2017-2023.
Norton’s return to the Royals marks a full circle in his career.
“I know the people around the club and I’ve known Vitale [Ferrante] and Mick Ferrante for such a long period of time. As I’ve mentioned a couple of times about South Melbourne, it was the right time for me to move away from from that top tier and the pressurized environment of what South Melbourne brings,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of a better club to come than Essendon. It’s a great family environment, which with a young family now in my life, it’s really important for me.”
No stranger to the Royals, Norton has been a frequent visitor to Cross Keys in recent years, supporting former South team-mates such as Kristian Konstatinidis and Leigh Minopoulos who have played for the club in recent years.
“There are good players here and guys I know from the VPL and NPL like Davey Van’t Schip and Anthony Ramsay, these types of guys, so I think there’s a lot to be excited about here,” he said.
“I think last year was a bit of a disappointing one and that’s already been addressed by the coaches and even tonight in this first session, there are going to be rectifications going into the 24 season.
“So for me, that’s just part of the excitement. I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Norton’s return is a significant moment for the Royals, symbolising the club’s commitment to excellence and its nurturing of talent.
For the club’s younger players, Norton is keen to bring all of his experience and winning attitude to play his part in helping the club achieve its goals for 2024.
“I’m not here to stuff around or to make up numbers,” he said.
“I’m here to win games and help the club get promoted, and that’s what we’re vying for from day one.”
Welcome back to the Royals, Brad Norton!