'Loyal' Mzungu follows heart home

Perth's already bolstered midfield has received another boost, with ex-Docker Tendai Mzungu signing a two year deal with the club on Wednesday afternoon.

The 30-year-old joins Clem Smith and Brant Colledge as Perth products returning to Lathlain in 2017 after time in the AFL.

Mzungu played 72 games for Perth between 2006 and 2010, before being picked up by Fremantle as a 24-year-old following a strong 2010 season which saw him win Perth's Butcher Medal.

He went on to play 102 games across six seasons at Fremantle, including the club's inaugural grand final where he kicked their first goal in a grand final.

Mzungu said he took time with the decision to make sure he felt comfortable with it.

"I had some really positive discussions with Claremont and Swan Districts and to their credit they were really good to deal with which made my decision a little bit tougher than I probably thought it would be," Tendai said.

"But in the end my heart brought me here and that’s what I went with, I went with my gut.

"I love the place, I spent five years here and developed some really close friendships and bonds so in the end it was a decision I thought that I had to make."

Mzungu said he learnt a lot about leadership and influencing during his time at Fremantle and is motivated to help develop Perth's young and upcoming playing group.

"It’s a young, developing group and that was something that I wanted to come and be apart of," Mzungu said.

"That’s something I feel like I can bring here…that influence and driving high standards.

"It’s an attractive thing to come here and work with these guys who probably need a bit of up-skilling and mentoring so that’s something that I’ll try and do to the best of my abilities."

Mzungu played an integeral part in Peel Thunder's premiership winning campaign this year and said he wants to bring success to Perth.

"That’s the goal, I’d love to bring a premiership to Perth," Mzungu said.

"It’s going to be a really hard slog to get there, they’re not easy to win, but with the right attitude I know that the club’s got a huge supporter base and it would be great to fill the hill and the grandstand each Saturday with our faithful."

Mzungu has recently returned from a holiday in Africa with his girlfriend and said he is feeling fit and ready to go.

"I’ve had a really good block of training over the off-season and feel fit and healthy," Mzungu said.

"I had a good trip away in Africa and feel revitalised and ready to train.

"In the next couple of weeks I’ll be training with the boys."

Away from football, Mzungu is working to complete his teaching degree and has coaching aspirations.

Although admitting he'll miss his time in the AFL, Mzungu said he'll move on and is excited about the next chapter at Perth.

"I’m excited about this challenge, it’s a new challenge for me,” Mzungu said.
 

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