Ex-VFL and WAFL defender joins Chelt

After 105 games in the state league the classy defender has joined 2019 Division 1 grand finalist Cheltenham. 

Classy VFL defender Oliver Tate is heading for the Southern league.

Tate, living and working locally, today signed for 2019 Division 1 grand finalist Cheltenham after deciding to retire from Williamstown.

The 27-year-old will serve as a playing assistant, joining fellow former VFL players Dylan Weickhardt and Myke Cook in a line-coaching role.

“He’ll run our defensive six,’’ Rosellas coach Des Ryan said.

“We’re over the moon we’ve got him. It’s been a bit of a theme for us, to develop relationships with these guys over a period of time and hope that when they’re ready to leave the VFL we’re one of their considerations.

“He’s got a business that’s local (Tate is a podiatrist), he lives local, he’ll play footy local.

“Players like him increase our football intel, players and coaches.’’

Tate played for the Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup and progressed to VFL club North Ballarat, where he was a senior regular after making his debut in 2009.

A move to WA in 2015 for university studies took in a two-year stint with Claremont in the WAFL.

He returned to North Ballarat in 2017 and, after the Roosters lost their VFL licence, joined Williamstown in 2018

He brought up his 100th senior game this year and finished with 105 VFL matches. The right-footer also made 25 appearances with Claremont.

Ryan said Tate had a good career in the state leagues and was “not only a very good player but a really solid human being’’.

“That’s what we target at Chelt now, really good people. We understand they can play football but it’s all about quality people,’’ he said.

The Rosellas can count former Adelaide Crows wingman and Sandringham captain Cook and key forward Josh Fox as recruits for 2020 given they missed this year with knee injuries.