Your ultimate Gippsland footy signing tracker
The silly season is well underway across Gippsland footy with clubs signing new players in droves. See every move throughout the off-season here.
Local Footy
GFNL ‘Round 0’ locked in as AFL Barwon reveals 2025 fixtures
AFL Barwon has locked in the fixtures for every league, and the Geelong competition has taken the AFL’s lead with its own opening round. See every game and all the key dates here.
GFNL club secures overlooked draft prospect, VFL player
A player who was firmly in mid-season draft calculations this year has been snapped up by a GFNL club.
‘Pathetic’: Interleague footy support cash axed
A decreasing amount of money country footy leagues banked on to cover costs of staging interleague matches has gone. See the reaction.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season is in motion and clubs have made big moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.
How Old Brighton plans to rebound
Old Brighton came close to creating club history in 2024 but fell short at the final hurdle. Here’s how they can go one step better with the inclusion of some big names.
Cats lock in another ex-Magpie, dual sport gun
Another former Collingwood player is joining Geelong’s VFL side — and it is not the only Geelong club he has signed with this year.
Footy festival: The chance for Victoria to celebrate footy like never before
A third major Victorian football league has made the move to hold their showpiece event the day before the AFL grand final. Now SHANE JONES argues others should follow suit to create a statewide footy festa.
Ex-AFL defender makes call on his future
A defender with more than 120 games to his name has stepped away from his 2025 contract and will instead line up for a footy club in a town with a population of less than 500.
Rumour mill: Ex-AFL signing sprees, coaching shocks
Surprising yet familiar faces at pre-season, the race for an ex-AFL man heats up and a stack of coaching tidbits. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.
Every in and out across the entire Outer East league
From big names to local stars, there’s been a plethora of new arrivals and departures in the Outer East Football Netball league. See all moves here.
Millions on offer for local footy clubs
Grassroots footy clubs in search of much-needed funds have a perfect opportunity coming next week. Find out how you can apply.
Named: Melbourne local footy’s most influential movers and shakers
Local footy is the heartbeat of the game but it requires countless hours of expertise and dedication from thousands of people. Here are those who are having the biggest impact on the grassroots.
The country footy teams with plenty to prove in 2025
The 2025 country footy season is shaping as a thriller. We profile the clubs with something to prove across Victoria.
Footy club’s double heartbreak
A sporting club in Melbourne’s west has been rocked by the second death of a popular member of its community this year with the mother-of-three remembered as the “life of the party”.
Dogs lock in home away from the kennel
The Western Bulldogs will continue to play home games in regional Victoria after again extending their contract in Ballarat. See the details.
Former AFL tall joins Ballarat league club
A recently delisted AFL key position player has found his new footballing home for next year. He reveals what impressed him about his new club.
Divisive AFL social media ‘guinea pig’ makes country footy move
A social media sensation who labelled himself a “full-time media guinea pig” during his AFL career, will play country footy next year. Here is what we know.
Former Bendigo league legend takes on coaching role
After the success of the first interleague between the Bendigo league and VAFA, the concept returns in 2025 with the former announcing its coach. Here is what we know.
Country footy club forced into recess
A club in the state’s north has made the tough decision to sit on the sidelines next year and enter recess. Here’s what we know.
The key factor in ex-Geelong star’s move to country footy club
Gary Rohan has made a decision on where he will play his footy next year after being delisted by Geelong. And his inspiration for the move was motivated by one thing.
Revealed: The biggest and best Eastern league recruits
There’s been no shortage of top-drawer recruits putting pen to paper at Eastern league clubs this off-season, from ex-AFL stars to state league talents and more. We’ve named the best.
The must-watch Eastern league blockbusters of 2025
Clear your diaries, local footy fans – the Eastern league fixture has dropped and here are the biggest matches to pencil in across all five divisions.
All the latest Eastern league key signings
Ex-AFL talent, state league names, homecoming heroes and more – there’s been no shortage of key player signings across all five Eastern league divisions …
Ex-AFL, VFL boost for Sharks’ ‘redemption’ hunt
A former AFL Cat and a VFL great have put pen to paper at Eastern Division 1 club Park Orchards, as it looks to atone for grand final heartbreak.
Oak Park set to build on 2024 with impressive recruits
After a year where his side “exceeded expectations”, Oak Park coach Todd Clark has welcomed a package of recruits for season 2025 headlined by one of the EDFL’s best defenders. Here’s what we know.
‘No U-turns’: Pies flag star’s big role in getting new Cat drafted
Keighton Matofai-Forbes had got by on his power and lethal left boot, but some strong feedback from a Collingwood premiership player helped steer him in the right direction.
Ranked: The ex-AFL players who lit up local footy this year
From the bush to the ‘burbs, former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across all corners of the state this year. We’ve named the best – and ranked the top 15. See who heads the list.
How Eagles plan to soar to new heights
Craigieburn has enjoyed arguably the most impressive off-season of any EDFL club. We go inside their impressive recruiting drive.
Every in and out across entire Mornington Peninsula league
Keep up to date with every in and out across both divisions of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League. See every move here.
‘Super fit’: Delisted AFL Eagle chooses local club
He was “just one of the lads” but one thing stood out when a delisted West Coast Eagle trained with a Mornington Peninsula league club recently.
‘He’ll straighten us up’: VFL forward joins MPFNL Division 1 club
Pines has added firepower to its 2025 list, signing a strong-marking VFL forward. He’s the second state league recruit in a productive off-season for the Pythons.
Locked in: Every MPFNL coach for 2025 named
There are a bunch of new appointments and ex-AFL men among the coaching ranks in the Mornington Peninsula league in 2025. See who’s coaching every club.
Third time lucky: Draft snubs, Cats’ crucial hand in ex-VFL ruck’s rise
Joe Pike missed out at the end of 2023 and then again six months later. But 12 months after his initial disappointment, he became a Geelong player. And the Cats were pivotal before drafting him.
Six Calder Cannons hoping for AFL Draft chance
Isaac Kako looks a first-round AFL Draft lock but there are up to six other Calder Cannons with a big chance to hear their names called this week.
Murray Bushrangers look towards another strong draft haul
Towering twin stars headline the crop of young footy guns from the Murray Bushrangers who are in the hunt to be drafted this week.
Sims ready to step into draft unknown
This time last year, Tom Sims didn’t think he was on the draft radar, 12 months, a school premiership and national championship title later he’s one of the top key forward prospects.
Northern clubs make recruiting splash
RECRUIT TRACKER: Northern league clubs have combined to sign more than 150 recruits for 2025, including ex-AFL, VFL-listed talents and promising young guns.
Whittlesea’s one big lesson from straight sets exit
Having crashed out of finals in straight sets this season, Whittlesea is taking a different approach to season 2025 and has secured the return of several juniors.
Scotland pleased with Bundoora improvements
Bundoora coach Heath Scotland is confident the club’s list depth has improved despite a number of key personnel departing this off-season.
No recruiting rush for South Morang
As South Morang prepares to return to the Northern league top-flight, the club is in no rush to bring in a swag of recruits and comfortable trusting its premiership group.
Revealed: the 10 must-watch Riddell District blockbusters
Good Friday and Anzac Day double-headers, an early grand final rematch and two new clubs making their debuts. These are the must-watch Riddell District matches of 2025.
How soon-to-be rival convinced Zanic to take Centrals job
A chat with a soon-to-be rival helped Damien Zanic take on the Melton Centrals job. He discusses the Blues’ recruiting and his pre-season first impressions.
Marlion Pickett heading South for new footy home
Two-time Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett has chosen his local footy home for 2025, signing for a struggling western suburbs club.
Wallan loads up in bid to end flag curse
Looking to end its 40-year flag drought, Wallan has loaded up with several big-name recruits, including ex-AFL star Cameron Cloke.
Ranked: The top 70 local footy clubs of 2024
After a stunning year of local footy we’ve ranked our top 70 clubs as the best in Melbourne. Did we get it right? See who we say is number one and lodge your own vote.
Ex-AFL players coach teams to glory
Champions were crowned across the state in local footy with coaching guns helping their teams get to the top. Here is the wrap of all the grand final action from Saturday.
Ginni-style GF prep, $1999 is unders and the QR code highlight reel
There’s a Jack Ginnivan-style GF preparation, a player not settling for less than 2k a game, a QR code to individual highlights and two big AFL names linked to local footy. It’s all here in Quick Kicks.
Grand final wins and a shock or two
Finals accelerated in local footy with plenty of grand final winners as elsewhere there were stunning results as teams looked to qualify for the decider. Here are the talking points from Saturday’s football.
Every in and out across the entire Southern league
Keep up to date with every in and out across all four divisions of the Southern Football Netball League. See all moves here.
Port’s secret scouting missions that unearthed suburban gem
It was purely by chance that Port Adelaide recruiters spotted Josh Lai on Anzac Day. After that game, they’d covertly watch him six more times. PAUL AMY has the inside story of Port’s SSP bolter.
‘Cream on top’: Ex-AFL Bulldog selects suburban footy home
A recently retired AFL gun has linked with a strong suburban club in one of the signings of the off-season. Here are the details.
Triple threat: Eagles swoop on package of recruits
A 206cm ruckman highlights a recruiting haul from one of the Southern league’s most formidable clubs. Here are the details.
Every in and out across the entire VAFA ahead of 2025
Keep up to date with every in and out across all six divisions of the Victorian Amateur Football Association. See every move here.
Why VAFA club aren’t afraid to continue playing the kids
Eley Park boasts one of the youngest lists in the VAFA but as coach Matt Embling reveals, he’s not going to stop blooding the youth.
‘You should get eyes on this guy’: How De La will attack Premier return
De La Salle is gearing up for a return to the VAFA’s top comp and coach Nick Hyland says his side — bolstered by strong retention and three good recruits — won’t shy away from the awaiting challenge.
How new coach plans to steer VAFA power
A VAFA Premier club has turned to an experienced and decorated player to steer it into its next phase. He reveals his coaching strategy, an update on the list and what he thinks his new side can achieve.
‘Enormous’ Werribee end 31-year premiership drought
Werribee are kings of the VFL jungle for the first time since 1993 after one of the all-time great grand finals with the Norm Goss Medal winner doing his AFL chances no harm.
Pinnuck’s rise to underrated VFL gun
Louis Pinnuck is one of the unheralded stars of Werribee’s bid for a first VFL premiership since 1993. He opens up on his journey from country Victoria to the expectation on the Bees.
Werribee v Southport VFL grand final: Paul Amy’s ultimate guide
The Bees and Sharks both have history on the line in the VFL grand final. PAUL AMY looks at the state of play for both clubs, names the key players and reveals who the experts are tipping.
Setbacks and ‘relief’: Behind Wade Lees’ unusual career
Wade Lees’ football career has been anything but ordinary. From a doping scandal to a near NFL career, Lees’ “unconventional path” has now brought him back to where it all began.
Essendon VFLW player suffers severe leg injury in NTFL
Two NTFL matches were called off after an Essendon-listed VFLW player suffered a severe lower leg injury, which left her waiting on the ground for ambos for more than two hours.
What’s next for Star Dog after VFLW honour
Fresh off winning the VFLW league best-and-fairest, star Western Bulldog midfielder Dom Carbone has revealed what she’s aiming for next and why she’s eyeing off an AFLW return.
Named: top 50 guns of the NFNL Women’s
Across three divisions, the Northern league is stacked with talented women. We’ve had a crack at naming the best of a sensational season.
‘Let’s settle this in the carpark’: The explosive local footy exchange
A local footy club coach’s testy relationship with his president reached boiling point, while a legendary forward’s hot form ended with a bang — the wrong sort. It’s all in the latest Quick Kicks column…
Inside the WFNL’s interleague return
The Western Football Netball League will return play interleague for the first time since 2019 next year. The boss reveals why he’s confident the very best will feature and the purpose it will serve.
Brownlow medallist’s new role with local footy club
Tony Liberatore has jumped on board with a local footy club in Melbourne’s west in a new role. Here’s what he’ll do and why he’s having an immediate impact.
Every signing of the WFNL off-season
The WFNL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.
Package of recruits set to lift Dragons
Sunshine Heights have produced arguably the best off-season of any WFNL Division 2 club with a package of recruits. Here’s how it played out.
King of the Mountain: De Graaf back in the league he ruled
Jason De Graaf had a brush with league football, but it was to be in the country game where he won acclaim as a player and coach. At 53, he’s back in the league he dominated with a fierce, uncompromising approach.
Where you can watch footy with no AFL on this weekend
The AFL might not be on this weekend but there are plenty of matches around the state for fans to watch. Check out the list of must watch games here.
‘Whispers’: Footballer’s journey from USA to Yarra Glen
It all began with a road trip. Here’s how American Max DePina came to play footy at Yarra Glen and, soon, his country.
AFL reveals tackle ban amid major rule changes for junior footy
Juniors will be forced to not tackle in certain age groups this year after the AFL announced shock new new rule changes for underage footy.
Crows order ‘immediate review’ after Thebby mishap
The Crows have ordered an “immediate review” of the planning documentation around their $100m plan to construct a new training base at Thebarton Oval after a mix-up.
Rugby v League v AFL: 130+ best and brightest teen talents in NSW
They are the talented, hard-hitting game changers, tough guys and speedsters. Our experts have identified 130+ of the brightest U19s male league, union and Aussie rules prospects in NSW.
Heartbreak at shock death of AFLW trailblazer
Devastated friends have paid tribute to women’s football pioneer Sal Rees whose sudden death at age 58 has sparked an outpouring of emotion.
RIP Redders: Call that nearly made Aussie Test great a Cat
Test great Ian Redpath was honoured at a funeral service, where it was revealed he passed up the chance to play for his beloved Geelong Cats. See the heartfelt tributes to the man known as ‘Redders’.
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