Best former AFL players on show in Victorian local leagues
FORMER AFL players are kicking on in Victorian local leagues — here are 25 former stars lighting up the VAFA, Northern, Western Region and Southern footy leagues.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AS AFL stars they made the big bucks and played under the bright lights of packed stadiums.
But they still love the game, and one-time stars are now a common sight on suburban grounds all over Melbourne.
In the second of a two-part series we round up ex-league champions kicking goals in the VAFA, Northern, Western Region and Southern leagues.
Have we missed any? Tell us in the comments below.
PART 1: FORMER AFL STARS IN ESSENDON, EASTERN DISTRICT, MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN LEAGUES
VAFA
Stephen Milne (Beaumaris)
At the age of 38 the former star St Kilda small forward continues to be a threat around goals. Milne joined the VAFA Sharks in 2016 and made the Premier team of the year in 2017.
Taylor Hunt (Collegians)
A bank of clubs chased Hunt after he was delisted by Richmond at the end of last season, but he chose to play with the 2017 VAFA Premier runner-up. The Lions are 8-1 this season, and the ex-Cat and Tiger has had four mentions in the best from his eight games.
Viv Michie (Collegians)
After his 22-game AFL career wound up, the former Fremantle and Melbourne midfielder joined Collegians last year (he was the Wesley College captain in 2009) and was second in the best and fairest.
Jason Tutt (De La Salle)
Club best and fairest and VAFA Premier team-of-the-year honours went to the former Western Bulldogs and Carlton wingman when he joined amateur ranks last year.
Mitch Brown (St Kevins)
The 94-game West Coast Eagle joined St Kevins last year and had such a dominant year that one or two AFL clubs apparently considered drafting him.
He played in a premiership and was centre half forward in the Premier team of the year.
Jay Schulz (St Kevin’s)
The ex-Richmond and Port Adelaide player joined SKOBs last year and booted 43 goals from 16 outings in a premiership season.
Ayce Cordy (Uni Blues)
The 27-game Western Bulldogs ruckman and tall forward switched to the VAFA this year after some good seasons at Williamstown in the VFL.
Kristian Jaksch (Old Carey)
Like St Bedes Mentone Tiger Liam Sumner, Jaksch is a former GWS and Carlton player in his first year in the Ammos. He’s become a spearhead in Premier B.
Henry Schade (Old Carey)
The former Gold Coast and Collingwood defender initially signed to play at Balwyn in 2018, but ditched the Tigers when his former Suns mentor Rodney Eade was appointed coach. He’s one of the reasons Old Carey is going so well.
Kieran Harper (Uni Blues)
The 40-game North Melbourne Kangaroo joined Blues in 2016 but battled injuries. He overcame them to be chosen in the 2017 VAFA Premier team of the year.
Ross Young (Uni Blues)
The classy left-footer started at the Blues in 2002 and returned in 2013. In between he played at the Northern Bullants, Carlton (six AFL matches) and Perth, where he won the 2009 Sandover Medal. A model amateur footballer.
George Burbury (Collegians)
The ex-Cat crossed to Collegians this year after two dominant seasons in the lower grades for Old Geelong, and he’s made a slashing start with the Lions.
Matt Thomas (Old Melburnians)
The VAFA has a WAFL Sandover Medal star in Ross Young and a SANFL Magarey Medal winner in Thomas, who played 87 games for Port Adelaide and another 15 for Richmond. He sprang from Old Melburnians and returned there in 2016.
Adam Bentick (St Bernards)
The midfielder has been one of amateur football’s most decorated footballers since linking with the Snowdogs in 2013 (he shared the Woodrow Medal with Ross Young in 2015). He had 68 appearances with the Blues and three seasons with Port Melbourne in the VFL before entering VAFA ranks.
NORTHERN
Ahmed Saad (West Preston-Lakeside)
The former Saints sharpshooter was the leading goalkicker in Northern Football League Division 1 last year with 75 goals for West Preston-Lakeside and already has a bag of nine this year against North Heidelberg.
Brent Harvey (North Heidelberg)
The AFL games record holder was a key reason the Dogs won promotion to Division 1 last season, winning the NFL Division 2 league best and fairest. His brother Shane was second in the count and continues to cause headaches for defenders.
Ben Kennedy (Montmorency)
The former Dee and Magpie was a headline-clinching recruit for the Magpies in the off-season, with some observers saying he would be one of the best players in local football in 2018. After a 40-game AFL career he’s made a strong start for Montmorency playing as an inside-midfielder.
Matthew White (Montmorency)
The former Richmond and Port Adelaider flyer joined Kennedy as one of several high-profile additions to the Magpies during the off-season and hasn’t disappointed, with his three-goal game against North Heidelberg a highlight.
Gary Moorcroft (Bundoora)
They still talk about Moorcroft’s soaring mark at Colonial Stadium, and he still kicks bags of goals in Division 1 17 years on.
Moorcroft might not have the same spring in his step as he did two decades ago, but he is still a handful for defenders wary of the small forward’s smarts around goal.
Travis Cloke (Hurstbridge)
The left-footer left the Bulldogs last year thinking he wouldn’t play footy again but was drawn to the Bridges by his older brother and former Blue, Power and Magpie Cameron. He was only locked in for home games at this stage, but don’t rule out a few more if Hurstbridge is in the mix for finals later in the season.
SOUTHERN
Andrew Lovett (Port Melbourne Colts)
The former Essendon dasher joined the Southern league Colts this year after a short stop at Sorrento in 2017.
Russell Robertson (Doveton Eagles)
After becoming a gun-for-hire player in which he dropped in to more clubs than the Deltones, the former high-flying former Melbourne forward has found a happy home at the Eagles.
He was one of the heroes of their Division 3 premiership last year, booting the matchwinning goal in the grand final. Still enjoying his football at the age of 39.
Chris Bryan (Keysborough)
The affable big fellow is back where his football started, at Keysborough, after a remarkable few years in which he rucked for Carlton and Collingwood and spent time with NFL outfits Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets.
WESTERN REGION
Shannon Byrnes (Deer Park)
After 131 appearances for Geelong and Melbourne, Byrnes is in his third season with the Western Region Football League powerhouse.
Byrnes has played a key role as a small forward in Deer Park’s past two premiership triumphs with the club chasing a sixth consecutive flag this year.
Brian Lake (Caroline Springs)
The three-time Hawthorn premiership player and Norm Smith medallist helped Caroline Springs earn promotion to the top grade of the Western Region Football League by booting 52 goals from 15 games as the club claimed the Division 2 flag in 2016.
Now in his third season at the Lakers, Lake continues to cause headaches for opposition defenders when available.
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.