Country footy: Bendigo Football Netball league clubs unveil recruits

A host of former VFL and NAB League stars are set to play in the Bendigo league next season with a number of recruits already announced. Here’s the latest.

Bendigo Football Netball League clubs are already making moves as they look to get ahead in the premiership race.

A number of players have already found new homes for 2023.

Here are all of the moves announced so far.

Cody Brooks, South Bendigo

The midfielder has made the move to South Bendigo for next season. Brooks has been training with the club for the past 12 months and is expected to provide plenty of run and good decision making in the centre. He played 15 games for Donald last season, including a grand final appearance against Birchip Watchem.

Mac Cameron, South Bendigo

Ruckman Mac Cameron joins South Bendigo after being on VFL lists with Sandringham and Coburg for the past few years. He was with Coburg last year but played most of his football for Monash in the VAFA this season, playing 21 games.

Bryce Curnow, playing for Calivil United, has been named playing coach at Sandhurst. Photo: Yuri Kouzmin

Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst

Curnow is another premiership player heading to the Dragons this off-season. He’s linking up with Sandhurst as a playing coach in a joint role alongside Ash Connick. Curnow played 15 matches and kicked 39 goals for Kerang last season. He has previous experience in the BFNL, playing for Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square.

Sam Conforti, playing for Victoria Country, has signed for Sandhurst next year. Picture: Michael Klein

Sam Conforti, Sandhurst

Conforti comes back to the Dragons after playing for Cohuna in the Central Murray Football League and Essendon in the VFL this year. Conforti played 18 games for the Bombers this season, kicking seven goals and finishing second in their best and fairest. Conforti is likely to play for both the Dragons and Essendon next year.

Connor Dalgleish, in the black and white guernsey, has signed for Eaglehawk next season. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Connor Dalgleish, Eaglehawk

The ruckman has joined the Hawks from Montmorency in the Northern Football League (NFL). Dalgleish made more than 80 appearances for Montmorency and has also played in the VFL for Coburg and the Northern Knights.

Jack Exell, Strathfieldsaye

Exell has joined last year’s grand finalists after dominating for Violet Town last year in the Kyabram District Football League. He kicked 110 goals in 16 games and was also the best and fairest in the competition. Against Longwood he kicked 30 goals in two games. Exell joins Strath after playing for Sandhurst and Kyneton in the Bendigo Football Netball League during his career.

Luke Foreman, Kangaroo Flat

Foreman joins the Kangaroos after playing more than 100 games for Cora Lynn in the West Gippsland Football League. Last season, he kicked 40 goals in reserves and played three games in seniors. He’s a medium sized forward who has an eye for the goals.

Jarryn Geary, Eaglehawk

The former St Kilda captain has joined his junior club after finishing his AFL career this year. Geary has joined as an assistant coach and a decision on him playing for Eaglehawk will be made in the new year following injuries.

Kallen Geary, Eaglehawk

The brother of Jarryn, Kallen joins Eaglehawk after playing for Strathfieldsaye over the past few years. He’s won a premiership with the Storm before and was in this year’s grand final losing team. A midfielder who is one of the best players in the competition.

Jordan Rouse, Kangaroo Flat

Rouse joins after playing for Mount Eliza in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League last season. He played 19 games and kicked 19 goals in a few positions for the club. Rouse used to play for Wodonga Raiders in the Ovens and Murray Football League and has also played for Frankston in the VFL.

Zac Rouse, Kangaroo Flat

Rouse joins after also playing for Mount Eliza this year. The defender joins after playing 18 games for the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League this year. Rouse previously played for Wodonga Raiders and Frankston, like his brother Jordan.

Sandhurst’s Nick Stagg, pictured in 2015, has returned to the club. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Nick Stagg, Sandhurst

Stagg returns to the Dragons after winning a premiership with Kerang in the Central Murray league. One of the key players in the premiership success, Stagg played 17 games and kicked 27 goals and was among the best in 10 games. He previously played for Sandhurst from his junior career to last year, playing 230 games for the club and helping the Dragons to premiership success in 2016.

Steve Stroobants, South Bendigo

The former Rochester coach makes a return to the club he played with from 2010 to 2012. Stroobants kicked 47 goals in 17 games last season and the forward has averaged more than two goals a game in the past few seasons. He has played VFL for North Melbourne and Bendigo.

Lachie Wright, Sandhurst

The Bendigo Pioneers representatives has made the move to the Dragons after playing in the NAB League and senior football for Woorinen in the Central Murray league. Wright kicked 14 goals in nine games for Woorinen.