Jye Lockett, nephew of Tony, signs with North Ballarat for 2026
The nephew of an AFL legend is set to return to Victoria next season after signing on with a powerhouse country club as he prepares to depart Queensland.
The Lockett name will once again don the black and white at North Ballarat next year.
Jye Lockett, the nephew of AFL Legend Tony, will rejoin the Ballarat league club in 2026 after spending the past few years interstate.
He has recently been playing for Broadbeach in the QAFL, kicking 42 goals last season as.
He also played for Southport (2023) and Gold Coast (2022) in the VFL and was a former Greater Western Victoria Rebel.
Lockett, while playing for the Rebels, played four senior matches for the Roosters in 2021.
Just like his uncle, who is the AFL’s greatest goalkicker ever of all-time, Jye will used in attack next year as a key forward.
“We identified that end (forward line) of the ground to improve,” Rooster coach Clint Proctor said.
“We struggled this year to convert scores and get multiple goalkickers.
“He’ll be a great asset to the team up forward, hopefully he can kick a few goals for us.”
Proctor said the signing came about through the club’s players including Lockett’s friends Isaac Carey and Declyn McGuigan.
Lockett has signed a two-year-deal and despite being in Queensland now he does have plans to return to Victoria.
He may need to fly in, and fly out, to play, which has all been factored in by the club.
“It was driven by a lot of the boys, to be honest, a lot of the lads are really good friends with Jye,” Proctor said.
“It eventuated and we were able to make it work.”
Proctor said Jye is one of two signings for the club with Sinclair Burmeister, the brother of AFL draft hopeful Floyd, also joining.
Burmeister moves from Redan and was also part of the Greater Western Rebels squad for the past two years, playing in the side’s Coates Talent League grand final appearance in 2024.
He is a midfielder who will add much needed depth to the team.
Proctor said with the four signings, after the team added former Collingwood VFL captain Sam Glover and ruckman David Brinker-Ritchie, the team was ready to attack 2026.
“We’ve put the pieces together well so hopefully it gives us the chance to play some consistent footy now.
“That sums it up (in recruits) and puts us in a good position. We’re pretty happy.”
Originally published as Jye Lockett, nephew of Tony, signs with North Ballarat for 2026
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