All the latest rumours from across Melbourne’s local footy competitions
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.
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The local footy silly season is here.
The rumours are in motion and will only gather pace in the coming weeks and months before round 1.
Without further ado, keep up to date with all the whispers in Leader Local Footy’s Rumour Mill.
EX-AFL TIGER GOES NORTH
Former Richmond forward Noah Cumberland may have settled on a new footy home. The whisper is a club in the Northern Football Netball League has won the race for his signature after local clubs worked themselves into a frenzy to secure his services.
CASHED-UP CLUB’S OFFER FALLS SHORT
The money in local football is eye-watering. We hear a delisted AFL player was offered 65k by a suburban club, only to knock it back and sign with a country league club.
NEWNES CALLS TIME
Former St Kilda and Carlton wingman Jack Newnes has retired after a year and half at the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL. The Dolphins credited him with playing a big part in their first finals campaign in 16 years. The 31-year-old intends to dedicate more time to family and work.
UH OH
One club might have to have an honest and difficult conversation with one or several players. We’re told after a sour exit interview with one star that the club braced for his departure. The club replaced the player during a recruiting spree but, without notice or any communication after that exit meeting, he showed up to day one of pre-season. There might be some shuffling around because the club has admitted he, or a recruit or two, don’t fit on points.
ADAM THE MAN
Delisted Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson is still without a club in 2025. It’s understood the 31-year-old has spoken to VFL club Sandringham but it could be that he will play local football. “He was stiff not to get another AFL gig because he’s a serious AFL player,” one suburban senior coach said. “He’s a really good leader.”
FREE BEER*
We might have found the best footy recruiting attempt of the off-season. Forget the cash, a job or a fancy new car, Kew is offering free beer*. Well, that’s how the Bears lured us into thinking they were recruiting new players for season 2025. A clever post on the club’s Facebook read ‘free beer’ in a bid to grab attention and it certainly did. The VAFA outfit are looking for players across men’s, women’s and under-19s teams.
ON THE MOVE?
There are whispers a premiership defender could be on the move. He’s supposedly told his current club about the sea change but is yet to make the final leap. We shall see.
OLD GOLD
A Facebook Marketplace post is giving someone the unique opportunity to own some rare memorabilia from one country VFL side. Bendigo Gold, who played as Gold from 2012-14, were a club affiliated with the Bombers for almost a decade before moving to another VFL club. The team, as Gold, weren’t successful but someone can now buy one of the guernseys from the era. The price tag — $200.
EARLIER ...
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.
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.
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.
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
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) November 29, 2024
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
EVEN 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.
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.
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.
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.
Balranald’s ‘massive fish’ halts exodus
Balranald is pulling out all stops to remain one of the top teams in the Central Murray league. See the big name recruited by the small club.
‘Shaping up well’: Richmond Central’s bid to build on 10-year first
In Michael Motta’s first season as coach, Richmond Central ended a 10-year drought and there’s plenty of reason they can go even further in 2025 after a stunning recruiting drive.