‘Biggest signing the club has had’: Eastern great’s next stop
An Eastern club is beaming after landing one of the league’s most distinguished names.
Local Footy
$300k offers, private plane? World of local footy recruiting uncovered
Local footy recruiting is big business with eye-watering packages being offered around the leagues. DAN BATTEN goes deep inside club land to discover how the mega-deals take place.
Off-season central: every RDFNL club’s recruits
The new season is just around the corner and Riddell District clubs have been busy bolstering their lists. Check out all the news recruits here.
Recruit tracker: ex-AFL talents join Northern league
OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: It’s a new year and the new local footy season is just around the corner. Check out the latest recruits at every Northern league club here.
GV powerhouse’s extra challenge for record fourth flag tilt
Echuca’s home ground is regarded as a fortress. See what arrangements are in place for the power club with a major redevelopment starting this season.
Named: the biggest local footy recruits of 2025
From Melton to Mornington, Epping to East Brighton, local footy clubs have secured some elite talent. We’ve named the biggest moves of the summer here.
Where ex-AFL players will feature in 2025
After their time at the top level came to an end, ex-AFL footballers across the country have found their new clubs. See where every delisted player and retired star will play in 2025.
Ex-AFL Saint signs at West Gippsland club
Former St Kilda midfielder Bailey Rice is set to launch his football comeback at a West Gippsland club after four years in the US.
Bloods’ late pre-season gift
A package of recruits has landed at Warrandyte ahead of its move into a new division — with a country footy premiership name the latest signing.
OEFN signings tracker: Every club’s list changes
There are big names among a stack of player movements in Outer East Football Netball league ahead of the 2025 season. See every club’s ins and outs here.
Rumour Mill: 65k, ex-AFL race settled and a bold recruiting strategy
One club made a creative pitch for recruits while another went with the tried and tested ‘cashed-up’ approach. That and an update on the last ex-AFL men local-footy bound in this week’s Rumour Mill.
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.
Former Hawk becomes a Rooster
The Ballarat league will be bolstered in 2025 with another ex-AFL player to join the competition. Here is what we know.
New chairperson for Ballarat league outlines goals for 2025
For the first time this decade a new person is in charge of the Ballarat league. He outlines what the focus is for the league in 2025.
Premiership Cat locks in his next club
Recently retired Geelong and Carlton star Zach Tuohy has confirmed his next football club, signing for a club in the state’s west in a move which will see him link up with a former teammate.
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.
Dragons land dual league B&F winner as finals hopes boosted
One of the best young talents in country footy will make the move to the Geelong Football Netball League in a coup for Bell Park.
Tom Hawkins’ local footy return nears
Geelong superstar Tom Hawkins has confirmed his likely return to country footy in 2025. Check out when you might see him in action.
Ex-AFL player returns to country footy team
Recently retired AFL player Jake Kelly has finalised his football commitments for this year and he’s made a call on whether he will be playing.
How country club landed ex-AFL forward as flag Pie set to follow
After retiring from the AFL, this former mature-age recruit will ply his trade at one of the best country clubs in Victoria. And a premiership Magpie is poised to join him.
Triple AFL premiership star makes a splash
It hasn’t taken former AFL Hawk and Kangaroo Liam Shiels long to make an impact at his new club this pre-season. But he’s not the only standout at the Eastern Premier outfit …
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 …
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.
‘Hungry as ever’: Surrey Park bolsters flag list
A second new division in as many years awaits Surrey Park – with the rapidly rising Eastern outfit busily recruiting ahead of its move. Here’s the coach’s lowdown on all the additions …
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.
Maribyrnong Park lands another Tassie gun
Maribyrnong Park coach Brodie Holland has continued to look to his home state for new recruits, landing a North Launceston rising star.
Local footy community rallies around legend’s family
The Melbourne local footy community is rallying around the family of an EDFL legend who died suddenly several weeks ago. Here’s how you can help.
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.
‘Let’s have a crack’: Ex-AFL player joins MPFNL coaching ranks
Former Port Adelaide forward Brett Eddy reveals his goals after becoming co-coach of Pearcedale in the Mornington Peninsula league. And he names his Dales to watch in 2025.
The 25 best recruits for the 2025 MPFNL season
The brother of an AFL superstar, a VFL premiership captain and an EFNL Chandler Medal winner are just some of the key recruits in the 25 notable MPFNL signings for 2025. See them all here.
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.
Goal guru takes up coaching role at MPFNL club
A Mornington Peninsula Division 1 club looking to kick more goals has enlisted the help of country footy legend Simon Goosey.
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.
In-demand draft hopeful makes final call on local club
Ajang Kuol mun had clubs in Geelong circling him. Now the rising ruckman — who was on the draft radar last year — has signed with a local side.
Bowman’s lasting legacy at Montmorency
After 11 years Greg Bowman stepped down as Montmorency president late last year, he reflects on his legacy and handing the reins to Justin Mills.
Bundoora snares young Queensland flyer
Bundoora have secured a flying young gun out of Queensland that coach Heath Scotland believes fills a major need as the Bulls look to jump back up the ladder.
Ex-AFL young gun boosts rising local footy power
After being delisted by Richmond, young gun Noah Cumberland has found his new local footy home, joining a fast-rising club making its Division 1 return.
Ex-Tiger sends local footy clubs into a frenzy after shock backflip
This former Richmond goalsneak had already signed with his junior club. But after a change of heart, he has been swarmed by local footy suitors on a recruiting platform.
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.
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.
‘Love the local footy scene’: Ex-AFL defender picks suburban home
A suburban footy power has won the race for an ex-AFL player, who featured in 19 games last season. He reveals why he signed and what’s next.
‘Right blend’: How Magpies plan to mix it with the best
Ashwood targeted a specific type of player this off-season in search of a balance which it believes will work against the best in the competition.
Reigning premier set for coaching succession
A succession plan is now in place at a Southern league reigning premier, with its current coach preparing for his final season at the helm. Here are all the details.
‘Pace, power’: ex-AFL Dog, favourite son makes Southern homecoming
A Southern league contender is celebrating the return of an ex-AFL Bulldog and favourite son. Here’s how they think it will shape their 2025.
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.
‘Footy clubs are beautiful places’: Nathan Brown back at OMs
Old Melburnians hasn’t played finals since Nathan Brown coached six years ago, and now he’s back. He talks about his return, OMs’ list changes and the possibility of Tom Hawkins playing for the club.
Ormond remembers ‘true legend’ of the VAFA
The Ormond Football Club is mourning the loss of its vice-president, remembering him as a man who helped build the club to where it is today on and off the field.
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.
VFL/W clubs, state sides to take on Tassie’s best
VFL and VFLW clubs have been announced as opponents for the Tasmania’s best footballers this year in a series which will also feature NSW and Queensland teams. See who will be in action.
‘Potent on the scoreboard’: Key recruits boost Frankston’s VFL plans
Frankston has handed coach Jackson Kornberg a multi-year contract extension, while securing a string of key recruits. The Dolphins have also revealed how they intend to take another step forward in the VFL in 2025.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another ex-AFL name on the way to WFNL
A second ex-AFL name has signed for a Western Football League club in the space of less than a week in a move which bolsters a side which reached a grand final just two years ago.
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.
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.
‘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…
‘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.
Buddy, Gaz, Dusty? The 10 best AFL players this century ranked
Think naming the team of the century was hard? Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have narrowed that down to 10 and determined the defining player of the 21st century. HAVE YOUR SAY.
SuperCoach winner’s surprising advice for fantasy success
The 20-year-old university student who won $50,000 in SuperCoach last year reveals the strategy and players he hopes can carry him to back-to-back titles.
Highlight reel assured in electric All-Stars squad
With three mark-of-the-year winners included, the AFL Indigenous All-Stars squad is sure to provide plenty of highlights on February 13.
Injury lingers over star-studded All Stars as squad named
The Indigenous All Stars squad has been announced with some massive names, but coach Xavier Clarke will have to juggle plenty of injury issues. See the full squad here.
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