Hawthorn, Sydney, Palm Beach? Buddy’s potential move to play on the Coast
Could one of the greatest Aussie Rules players be joining a powerhouse in the QAFL? Details of Buddy’s next potential move >>>
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Could one of the greatest Aussie Rules players in history be joining a QAFL powerhouse?
Rumour’s are swirling that two-time premiership player Lance Franklin could be strapping on the boots in 2024 for the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions.
The former Sydney and Hawthorn player moved to the Gold Coast late last year after spending 18 years in the AFL where he kicked 1066 goals across 354 games.
The four-time Coleman Medal winner has links to the Lions through new recruit Tom Hickey (Sydney Swans) and coach David Armitage.
Former Palm Beach Currumbin president Anne Cornish said the club had not approached Franklin at this stage but it’s understood a deal could still come to fruition to have the 36-year-old feature in a clash at Salk Oval.
“We know that David and Buddy are good friends, but I can confirm there have been no conversations on this matter,” Cornish said
“So for now it is all just speculation.”
Cornish said members at the club had heard about the rumour and believed having Franklin play would be a dream come true but one hard to fulfill given the points cap.
“Under the new points system, if all three AFL players took the field (Hickey, Hall and Franklin ) that would be 18 points from the 50 point allocation per game gone,” Cornish said.
Franklin is arguably the greatest forward of the modern era and the last player to kick more than 1000 goals.
He joins legends Tony Lockett (1360), Gordon Coventry (1299), Jason Dunstall (1254), Doug Wade (1057) and Gary Ablett sr (1031) as the only players to kick more than 1000 goals.
Palm Beach have been busy this off-season, adding fellow former AFL player Aaron Hall to the club alongside Hickey.
Hall played 161 games between the Gold Coast Suns (103) and North Melbourne (58) before retiring at the end of last season.
Hickey played 150 games across four clubs, starting as an inaugural player for the Gold Coast Suns with Hall.
Hickey played with Franklin between 2021 to 2023 before hanging up the boots after 48 games for the Swans.
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Former Docker and Eagles player becomes a Shark
Southport have reeled in a massive catch from the depths of Western Australia Football League, signing a key premiership player from East Fremantle Sharks.
Hugh Dixon played a key roll in East Fremantle’s premiership success in 2023 and will be looking to bring that success to the east coast.
The 24-year-old was part of the Fremantle Dockers from 2018-2020 but injury plagued him of bursting onto the AFL stage.
Dixon said his body is finally right and ready to put in a big season.
“I had a few issues last pre-season but during the season, I would safely say it was the first time my body has got through a full season since I was about 18,” Dixon said.
“I am excited to join Southport, they are a really strong club and all conversations I have had with the football manager shows to me they are heading in the right direction.
“I played a bit of ruck this season, so not sure if I will play that role for Southport.
“I do know I have been mainly recruited to be a centre half forward.
“That is my main position.”
Dixon was delisted from the Dockers at the end of the 2020 season but was picked up by cross town rivals, West Coast in 2022 as part of the supplemental selection period for a potential replacement for Jack Darling due to the covid mandate in the AFL.
The 197cm power forward played 10 games for the Eagles in 2022 before heading back to the WAFL in 2023.
“I learnt a lot in the AFL system and would love to get back there for sure, that is what we all play for,” Dixon said.
“I know the VFL will give me a better opportunity than what the WAFL did.
“I am originally from Tassie, so it would be nice to lace up the boots for them when they come in.
“But in saying that, I will be 29-30 by then, my legs will be pretty shot and probably won’t work.”
It is another huge signing for the Sharks as they look to climb back up the ladder in 2024.
Bullant turns Shark thanks to brother’s pull north
Southport have boosted their midfield stock, recruiting the younger brother of one of the Sharks dominant players.
Will Sexton, the younger brother of Jack Sexton, has joined the Sharks after spending his first year in the VFL with the Northern Bullants.
Sexton said the opportunity to play with his brother again was a driving factor to come north.
“I played with him a couple years ago in a grand final side and that was pretty special, despite the fact we lost.” Sexton said.
“I really like the club atmosphere around the Sharks.
“When I have spoken to Jack he has explained how good it is around the club, even though they had a rough season.”
Originally from Finley, New South Wales, Sexton averaged 12 disposals, five marks and three tackles across his 15 game season at the Bullants in 2023.
The Sharks also added Ben Jepson to their list.
Jepson had a breakout year in 2023, earning him a spot in the VFL team of the year.
It is another boost to the club as they look to rise up the ladder in 2024
From one apex predator to another, why the Lion became the first major signing for the Sharks
Southport Sharks unveiled their first major signing for the 2024 season as they look to climb back up the ladder becoming premiership contenders once again.
Wylie Buzza has headed south from the Brisbane Lions to the Southport Sharks looking to help take the Sharks to premiership glory.
Buzza said he cannot wait to get started at the Sharks.
“I want to win premierships, and I know they had a rough season last year but I am confident that is a once off,” Buzza said.
“I have been seeing all the re-signings they have been announcing and I am pumped for next season.
“They have always been a pretty strong club, I hope I can add value and experience to them and help the young players coming through.
“The dream is to get back to the AFL and I am sure there will be a few of the Sharks boys heading to the mid-season draft on top of having a strong pre-seasons and starts to 2024.
“But right now my pure focus is getting the Sharks back to where they belong which is back at the top.”
Buzza grew up in Gatton, Queensland, mainly playing rugby league, hoping one day he could play for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Reds.
But with the build of an Aussie Rules footballer, Buzza chose the path that lead him to being drafter in 2015.
Four years prior to his draft, he ‘wagged’ school to head to an AFL Schools Cup clash, ultimately being the start of his AFL journey.
“I am like a cat in saying that I was afraid of mum, so there was no way in hell I was ever going to be wagging school,” Buzza joked.
“I spoke to mum and just explained what it was and she saw it wasn’t a bad thing and what could come out of it.
“Getting drafted was incredible, playing down at Geelong for the years where they had some incredible players.
“Getting to rub shoulders with the likes of (Joel) Selwood, (Tom) Hawkins and players like that.
“You definitely pick up a lot from them and just listen to what they have to say and help me along my journey.”
Buzza played nine games for the Cats after being drafted at pick 69 in the 2015 national draft.
He debuted against GWS in round 15, 2017, kicking two goals.
The 198cm forward was delisted at the end of 2019 but was picked up by Port Adelaide Power as a delisted free agent.
After six years in the AFL system, Buzza played for Werribee in the 2021 VFL season before returning to Queensland playing for the Lions over the past two seasons.
Buzza is the first of many major signings to come this off season for the Sharks as they look bolster their premiership contention.
Broadbeach Cats pounce on one of Victoria’s greatest players to lead in 2024
Broadbeach Cats take the next step in chasing premiership glory after bringing in one of Victoria’s best players of the 2000 era.
Broadbeach named Danny Nolan as the new senior coach who played 192 games for the Heidelberg Tigers in the Northern Football Netball League in Victoria, kicking 294 goals.
Nolan won five NFNL Divsion 1 premierships as a player and led his Tigers to the 2022 premiership as senior coach.
The premiership coach was a key member of the Tigers four-peat dynasty, which delivered five flags in six seasons between 2004 and 2009.
Adding to his resume, Nolan is a four time Best and Fairest winner as well as a member of the Team of the Decade for the Tigers.
He returned to the Tigers as senior coach before the cancelled 2020 season.
Nolan also worked with the NAB league teams developing the next crop of stars, most recently as a line coach at the Gold Coast Suns Academy Under 16’s team.
Outgoing coach Craig O’Brien led the Cats to their first premiership in 2021 after being runners up in 2020.
O’Brien stepped down after three seasons with the Cats.
Broadbeach finished third in 2023 and were knocked out in the semi final by six points to the hands of Wilson Grange.
The Cats have also re-signed women's coach Shayne Fergus for 2024.
Fergus led the senior women’s side in 2023, finishing sixth, just missing out on finals by seven per cent.
Former Saints captain to lead Palm Beach Currumbin
Palm Beach Currumbin have pulled off a massive coup, signing a former St Kilda captain as senior coach for 2024.
Former St Kilda David Armitage will take the reigns at the Lions next season as they look to go deeper into September after going down to Broadbeach in this years elimination final.
Armitage played 169 games for St Kilda from 2007 to 2019 including three games as captain when Nick Riewoldt was absent.
Each week the Bulletin will be bringing you the latest signings, transfer news and rumours for Gold Coast clubs across the senior male and female competitions.
The now 35-year-old was plagued by injury late in his career, ultimately it was a concussion that ended his tenure at the highest level.
PBC president Darren Redwood said he is thrilled to have Armitage as coach for the next two seasons.
”David’s impressive resume, passion for the game, and dedication to player development make him the perfect fit for our club,” Redwood said.
“We believe his leadership will inspire our players to achieve their best both on and off the field.”
Armitage’s responsibilities will include overseeing player development, strategic planning, and
fostering a supportive team environment in alignment with PBC’s core values.
His role also extends to player recruitment, junior development, and mentoring coaching staff, highlighting the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and achieving success at all levels.
“I am truly honoured and excited to join the PBCAFC family as Senior Coach,” Armitage said.
“I look forward to working closely with the players, coaching staff, and the entire PBCAFC community to build on the club’s legacy of success.
“Together, we will strive for excellence and aim for new heights.”
Former Cat and Suns ruck headlines Coast Aussie Rules transfer centre
The 206cm giant, Zac Smith returns to the Gold Coast joining a premiership contender with a former Suns teammate and a Geelong local footy premiership player.
A former Gold Coast Suns duo are the major talking points of the off season recruits so far as a premiership contender looks to go deeper into September in 2024.
Each week the Bulletin will be bringing you the latest signings, transfer news and rumours for Gold Coast clubs across the senior male and female competitions.
Surfers Paradise Demons have recruited ruckman Zac Smith and defender Josh Hall from Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs in the AFL Cairns competition.
The Biloela born prospect was an inaugural player for the Suns until he was traded to Geelong during the 2015 trade period, before finishing his career back at the Suns in 2021.
Smith played 124 senior AFL games before he signed with the Bulldogs in Cairns in 2022.
Hall returns to the Gold Coast after just one year in the Bulldogs colours.
The 33-year-old was recruited to the Suns in the AFL Rookie Draft in 2012, playing just seven senior AFL games.
The former AFL and NRL player later joined the Southport Sharks where he spent a number of years before spending the 2023 season in Cairns.
The Demons have also recruited one of the Leopold Lions best players, Mitch Patten, who joins the club after winning the Geelong Football Netball League.
In his debut season for Leopold, Patten kicked 55 goals in 2016 and has kicked 154 goals across 94 games for the Lions, including a career best 64 goals in 2022 and four in the 2023 grand final.
The Sharks have lost three players so far this off season, who have headed north to join the Cairns competition.
Former Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Dan Charlesworth returns to his junior club, Cairns City Lions, while Tom Fields and Jack O’Shea have joined the South Cairns Cutters
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