Country Footy: Bendigo Football Netball League clubs unveil new recruits

Bendigo league clubs have left no stone unturned to improve their lists for 2024 with a number of ex-AFL and VFL players signing across the competition. Here’s the latest.

The Bendigo off-season is a couple of week’s old but clubs are already making big moves ahead of next season.

Throughout the next several months, we’ll keep you updated on all the big moves across the competition.

Here’s a look at what’s happened so far.

CASTLEMAINE

Darcy Semmens: The former Magpie returns to the club for the first time in five years after playing in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league for Harcourt. A leader, Semmens helped the team to win the past two premierships in the competition.

Zave Murley: Murley joins the Magpies after playing in Golden Square’s premiership success this season. A small forward who is capable of playing in the midfield, Murley is another key signing. He played 20 games and kicked 16 goals this year.

Kalan Huntly, in action for Port Douglas Crocs in 2022, has joined Castlemaine. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Kalan Huntly: Another Harcourt player who has made the move to Castlemaine in the off-season. Huntly is a former Essendon VFL player who played in the Lions premiership win in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league this season. He has previously played for Castlemaine.

Former Essendon player Michael Hartley is the new coach at Castlemaine next season. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Michael Hartley: The three-club AFL player has signed on as coach at Castlemaine after playing for Seymour in the Goulburn Valley league for the past two seasons. Hartley is expected to be a playing coach.

Declan Slingo: The midfielder returns to the Magpies after one season at Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley league. Slingo played 18 games and was involved in the grand final against Marong.

Douglas Gray: The defender comes back to the club after playing for Maldon in seniors and reserves the past couple of seasons in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league. Gray last year played nine senior games and also made an appearance for Castlemaine in reserves.

Ben Quaynor: The brother of Collingwood premiership player Isaac Quaynor. Ben joins the club after playing for Doncaster East in the Eastern league and as part of the Northern Knights in the Coates Talent League. He is part of Collingwood’s next generation academy.

Zac Greeves: A player who loves to kick a goal or two. Greeves joins after kicking 25 goals for Rowville Hawks in the Eastern league last season. He is also a VFL player for Collingwood who played for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League. A handy recruit.

Tyson Williams: The former Magpie comes back after playing for Newstead and Campbells Creek in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league. Last season he played 15 senior games for Campbells Creek.

Will Moran: Returns to the Magpies after playing for Sandhurst last season. Moran played 23 matches for the Dragons, including nine in seniors. Castlemaine believes he will be a great asset to the team.

Harry Sheehan: The former Bendigo Pioneer and Kyneton player is another addition to Castlemaine for this season. Sheehan is a versatile player who can not only kick a goal but can play a vital role in defence.

Ryan Eyre: Will play for Castlemaine when he isn’t playing for Essendon in the VFL. Eyre last year played for the Calder Cannons and is a midfielder who had impressive performances in the Coates League last year.

EAGLEHAWK

Brady Rowles: Returns to the Hawks after playing for Melton last season in the Ballarat league. The midfielder was part of Sydney’s rookie list in the AFL in 2020.

Bryce and Brayden Frost: The brothers join Eaglehawk after playing for Harcourt in the past two grand finals in the Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball league. The duo have previously played for Euroa in the Goulburn Valley league.

Pala Kuma, playing for Robinvale Euston, has joined Eaglehawk. Picture: Glenn Milne

Pala Kuma: The Richmond VFL player will play for the Hawks when he isn’t playing for the Tigers this year. He was previously affiliated with Strathfieldsaye in the competition.

GISBORNE

Jackson Cardillo of Rupertswood has joined Gisborne. Photo: Hamish Blair

Jackson Cardillo: The midfielder/forward has joined the Bulldogs from Rupertswood in the Essendon District league. He played 20 games last season, kicking nine goals. Cardillo played for Calder Cannons before joining the Sharks.

GOLDEN SQUARE

Kai Daniels: The brother of NBA player Dyson Daniels will make his senior debut for Golden Square next year after signing for the reigning premiers. Daniel played his junior football with the Bulldogs and is a tall player capable of playing in key positions.

Brad Eaton: There will be a new coach at Golden Square next year with Brad Eaton taking over after the club decided to part ways with premiership winning coach Christian Carter. Eaton coached Golden Square’s under-16 and reserves teams last year.

Kyle Stevens: Stevens is back at the club for the first time in six years after moving to the Bulldogs from Merbein. Stevens finished third in last year’s best and fairest at the Magpies and has also played for Birchip-Watchem during his time away from Golden Square.

Jordan Rosengren: The former Bulldog returns after playing for Wedderburn in the North Central league. He averaged a goal a game last season and was among the best players in 12 of 16 matches.

Luke Holt: Holt joins the reigning premiers from Wedderburn in the North Central league. He will play with former teammate Jordan Rosengren at the Bulldogs next year.

Mitch Billings: Moves to the reigning premiers from Huntly in the Heathcote league. He played 15 games last season and was among the best in nine of them.

Keanu Padula: The midfielder will play for the Bulldogs after playing for Boort in the North Central league for the past few seasons. He played 45 games for the club over a few seasons.

Dylan Hird: Returns to the Bulldogs after playing for Eaglehawk in the competition last year. He kicked 14 goals in 20 games as he locked down a senior spot.

KANGAROO FLAT

Luke Ellings: The new Kangaroos recruit joins from Gisborne and is a premiership player, being part of the Bulldogs’ 2022 triumph. Ellings played 18 games last season and kicked 17 goals. A player who knows how to tackle and has speed to burn.

Michael Ellings: The Kangaroos have hired Ellings as coach, taking over from Nathan Johns who was sacked in the middle of the year. Ellings is a former North Launceston player and an assistant coach at Old Launcestonians Football Club.

Jack Lefroy: The Carlton VFL player comes to the club from VAFA side Old Trinity. Capable of playing in multiple positions, Lefroy is a player with speed to burn and loves to put pressure on the opposition with the ball.

Michael Roos: The forward joins from Avondale Heights in the Essendon District league. Can kick on both sides of his body and is also capable of playing in the backline for the Kangaroos.

Corey Ash: Will play in country footy for Kangaroo Flat after playing for St Kilda City last season in the Southern League. Before, he played for Mornington FC in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football Netball League. The defender is expected to lead the backline this year.

Austin Lothian: Also played for Mornington FC in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football Netball League. He played in the teams premiership success in Division 1 in 2023.

Lachlan Dalziel: Another player from Mornington FC. Dalziel is a half back who will play in the midfield throughout the season.

MARYBOROUGH

Seb Collins: Collins has joined the Magpies after playing junior football for both Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat. Is expected to make his senior debut this season for Maryborough.

Fraser Russell: The former Carlton rookie listed player has joined Maryborough for next season. Russell played for the Northern Blues in the VFL and in recent years played for Buninyong in the Central Highlands league. He also played for the Pies in 2021 and returns to the club. Russell can play in defence and in attack.

Ash Humphrey: Played for the club in 2022 and returns to Maryborough after a year off overseas. Humphrey is a former VFL player who can play in the midfield.

Aiden Carter: The teenager returns to the club after playing for Carisbrook the past two seasons. He played senior football for the Redbacks and will be looking to do the same for the Magpies.

Robert Castiglia: Join the Magpies after playing for Westmeadows in the Essendon District Football League. Castiglia played 16 games at under-18 level and kicked 14 goals.

SANDHURST

Former Hawk Fergus Greene will be back at his junior club next year. Photo by Michael Klein.

Fergus Greene: In what could be the biggest signing in the Bendigo league, Greene comes back to his junior club after being delisted from Hawthorn this season. The forward played 11 games for the Hawks, kicking 15 goals. He is set to play a major part in the Dragons quest for a premiership next year.

Matthew Campbell: The key position player comes to the Dragons from North Hobart in the Tasmanian league. Is set to assist Greene in the forward line.

Will Wallace: The ruckman is on the move to the Dragons from Mount Pleasant in the Heathcote league. He played in the teams premiership this season.

SOUTH BENDIGO

Jack Francis: Francis comes back to the Bloods after playing for North Bendigo in the Heathcote league the past few seasons. Francis played 17 senior games last season and is known to have a damaging right foot, which can find targets.

Will Marks has moved to South Bendigo. Picture: South Bendigo Football Club.

Will Marks: The tall forward moves to South Bendigo from Birchip-Watchem in the North Central league. He played 17 games last season and kicked four goals.

Nathan Murley: The winger moves to the Bloods from the Loddon Valley league. Murley played 16 games last season for Maiden Gully YCW and kicked 10 goals.

Jack Francis: From North to South for Francis. Francis joins the Bloods from North Bendigo and played 17 games for the club last season. He is a midfielder who can also play as a forward.

St Kilda City player Anthony Zimmerman is off to country footy. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Anthony Zimmerman: The former Collingwood VFL player joins the club after moving to the region this year. He played for St Kilda City last year. Zimmerman is an on-baller who will be a valuable asset to the Bloods midfield this year.

Matt McNaughton: Also recruited from St Kilda City, Matt is an exciting prospect around goal with great pace and ability to score. We will look forward to his impact on our side and also welcome him to the team.

STRATHFIELDSAYE

Darryl Wilson has left Strathfieldsaye and has been replaced by Luke Freeman. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Luke Freeman: Freeman is the new coach of the Storm after taking over from Darryl Wilson who ended his tenure at the club. The new coach was an assistant at the Storm this season and previously coached Newbridge in the Loddon Valley league.