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

A recently delisted Blue linked with a local footy power, talk of a training dust up and one club enrolling its stars in yoga classes. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.

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

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.

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 south-east 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.

VAFA BOUND?

A leading VAFA club has been linked to an ex-AFL man straight out of the system. We heard not long ago he had met with a VFL club and was expected to sign there but that lead has since gone cold. The latest whisper has the player tied to a top VAFA club. We’ll see.

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.

A COUNTRY HAUL

A country club is rumoured to be in the mix for a decorated duo. Both these players haven’t been happy at their respective clubs and are looking at linking up well east of the city. If we combined their footy resumes, there would be around 10 premierships, nearly as many best and fairests and team of the year appearances.

EARLIER …

Sam Weideman, who was 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.