All the latest rumours from across Melbourne’s local footy competitions

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.

Riley Bonner celebrates a Gather Round goal. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The local footy silly season is here.

The rumour mill is in full motion and will only continue to gather pace in the coming weeks and months.

Without further ado, keep up to date with all the whispers in Leader Local Footy’s rumour mill.

THE DRURY IS OUT

Eagle-eyed footy fans have excitedly pointed out a recently delisted North Melbourne Kangaroo was pictured training with Eastern league powerhouse Vermont this week, sparking rumours of another big signing. Blake Drury is the player in question, a former junior of the club, who went on to play 10 games with the Roos across the past two seasons after his selection in the 2023 rookie draft. It had already been a fruitful off-season of recruiting at Vermont, with ex-Demon and Bomber Sam Weideman and star ruckman Liam Buxton putting pen to paper. But we did a bit of digging, and it turns out Drury had popped in to his former club to help out with pre-season training. The word is he’ll look to state league footy for the next chapter of his career.

Blake Drury of the Kangaroos. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

NOT THE ANSWER HE WANTED

An interview for the senior coaching position at an Eastern league club didn’t go to plan for a very, very well credentialed football man. With a coaching and playing record that includes 12 premierships and VFL experience, the man thought the interview went well — until the club told him, “we need someone with a bit more experience’’. Fair to say the fella left the meeting a tad deflated.

NEW YEAR, NEW COACH?

Keep your eyes peeled for a coaching bombshell in the new year, with a highly-successful coach pondering a shock exit. There’s nothing sinister about him wanting to move on other than he feels a fresh voice is good idea for the group. If the coach does to decide to step down, he will help the club find his replacement.

STILL ON COACHING …

Western Jets coaching applications have closed and we’ve heard the Jets are looking for someone who is local to the region and has a deep understanding of the upcoming talent. With the Jets’ past two coaches taking off into AFL club land, it would have been a sought after gig.

RACE FOR RILEY

The race for ex-AFL man Riley Bonner is reaching the pointy end. Bonner is rumoured to be on Casey’s VFL list and lead the Dees’ academy program but he’ll need a local club. One source thinks the race is down to two powerhouse local clubs who both fancy their chances.

Riley Bonner. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

SMITH A KANGA

A terrific recruit for Langwarrin, with Frankston VFL key position Josh Smith signing with the Kangaroos — but we can’t help but see the irony. Smith made the news last season when he was involved in a highly publicised bump with then Sydney Swan Luke Parker in a VFL night game. The ironic part is that Langwarrin is Parker’s home club.

SIGNING BOOST

Standby for a pre-Christmas signing spree by a battling southeast club that has so far this off-season had plenty of outs but few ins. The whisper is it is poised to announce multiple ex-AFL players as recruits in what will be a timely boost.

THANKS FOR POPPING IN

He was the story of the AFL draft this time 12 months ago and he delivered in an AFL final. But the bright lights of league footy haven’t blinded Geelong livewire Shaun Mannagh, who showed up to Port Fairy’s pre-season training last week for a run. He showed his class with and without the footy, offering some advice to the club’s youngsters. Well played, Shaun.

A fellow rolled up
to training at Port Fairy FNC the other night, asking if he could have a run. Sure, they said. He quickly showed silky skills, gave the young players advice and encouragement, and came across as a brilliant bloke. His name? Shaun Mannagh. Thanks @porridgekemp6pic.twitter.com/TCSjAoOGL3

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) November 29, 2024

EARLIER …

BIG BLUE’S NEW HOME? 

Rumour has it recently delisted Carlton tall Alex Mirkov has linked with an Essendon District league powerhouse. The soon-to-be 25-year-old stands at 210cm and would be a towering inclusion to any local football club – and just as big a headache to opposition ruckmen. Mirkov won his way onto the Blues’ AFL list after he was plucked out of the VFL in the 2021 mid-season rookie draft.

Alex Mirkov of Carlton (R) . (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos)

BOOKED IN

A southeast club has enrolled two of its star recruits into pilates and yoga classes. Both lads were plagued by hamstring injuries last season, so the club reckons a bit more muscle flexibility and strength will lead to more game time — and bang for the club’s buck.

PREMIERSHIP DOG LOCKED IN

Great news for VAFA club Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, with Western Bulldogs premiership player Toby McLean recommitting for 2025. He started the ‘24 season like a house on fire but then missed games with a hamstring injury and also with his coaching duties at the Bulldogs’ AFLW side (he’s midfield coach).

NO, BUT WE’D LIKE TO

Still on former Western Bulldogs … we chased a rumour of one local giant landing former Dog Mitch Wallis not long ago. When we asked if they’d spoken him, the club had a laugh, said no but proceeded to ask if we had his phone number because he did fit the type of player they were looking for.

Mitch Wallis. Photo by Michael Klein

PUNCH UP?

An exodus of players at a suburban club has many scratching their head wondering why. Is it because of a willing clash between players on the training track?

SING IT

The Southern league has asked its clubs to professionally record its theme songs ahead of 2025. Clubs will be able to use the songs when they like while the league plans to play the songs during finals matches and when eventual premiers are welcomed to the stage to lift the cup.

LOCKED IN

There were some rumours ex-AFL forward Mitch Brown was calling time on his local career after one season at VAFA club Parkdale Vultures. But it is in fact quite the opposite: Brown has committed to take on the role as playing assistant coach under Owen Lalor next season. The Vultures are full of good news, preparing to welcome back multiple best and fairest winner Charlie Dillon next year after a stint overseas.

Sam Weideman, who was once on the rumour mill, has since signed at Vermont in the Eastern league. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

HOW MUCH?

It’s fair to say the ex-AFL men have been the most prized recruits this silly season. We understand a former AFL player was recently chased by one club and was pitched the role of playing-coach for a sturdy sum of $100,000 over two years. In a scary thought, we believe he knocked the offer back.

TWO FOR ONE SPECIAL?

Local footy big men get paid a handsome sum, sometimes they can probably name their own price given they don’t grow on trees. Well for one of local footy’s powerhouse clubs it sounds like they’re about to bolster their stocks with a huge double signing.

NUMBER WHAT?

A big-name recruit could be in for a shock when his new club informs him of the number he’ll wear in 2025. It seems there are no low numbers available and the new man looks like carrying a number that’s a lot higher than his age.

OUCH …

We’re told a captain from one local club discovered he was no longer the captain of his side via Facebook this off-season. It wasn’t through a message or a call on Facebook, no, he was broken the news by the announcement of a new captain on the club’s public page. Ouch.

SA RUMOUR MILL CONTAINS MORE BIG NAMES

The Rumour Mill is not just constrained to Victorian borders. Over in South Australia the local footy Rumour Mill is also in overdrive featuring ex-AFL names such as Shane Edwards, Troy Menzel, Tex Wanganeen, Jarryd Lyons and Riley Bonner. Check it out.