Country footy: GVL clubs sign ex-AFL and VFL stars for 2023 season

Goulburn Valley League clubs are showing no signs of slowing down on the recruiting front. Here are the latest moves.

VFL Grand Final. 22/09/2019. Richmond vs Williamstown at Ikon Park, Carlton. Richmonds Daniel Butler tackled by Williamstowns Nick Mellington . Pic: Michael Klein.

The quality of the Goulburn Valley League looks set to grow significantly in 2023.

Clubs across the competition have unveiled a host of recruits from ex-AFL players to country footy stars.

Here’s the latest news from across the competition.

Favourite sons return to Euroa

Euroa has enjoyed a busy start to its off-season with the club confirming Will Hayes will return for season 2023.

Hayes had previously been using the Magpies as his feeder club while on carlton’s VFL list before he was picked up in the mid-season draft.

Will Hayes is returning to Euroa. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Joining him will be Jake Penman who will don the black and white again after two seasons with Port Melbourne Colts in the Southern league.

Penman made his senior debut for Euroa in 2019.

He played 16 senior games for Colts this season.

Kyabram champion returns

After several years away, Liam Ogden is returning to Kyabram for the 2023 season.

Ogden has been playing with Pascoe Vale in the Essendon District league since departing the Bombers at the end of the 2018 season.

Liam Ogden is returning to Kyabram. Photo: Hamish Blair

He is the only player to have featured in Kyabram’s remarkable 62-game winning run.

His record at Kyabram already includes three premierships, two best-and-fairests, five interleague selections and six GVL Team of the Year selections.

Lions land Riddell District league pair

After announcing a host of senior re-signings, Seymour has started to unveil the new faces who will be in club colours next season.

Former Wallan duo Ricky Schraven and Will Brock are set to be Lions.

Schraven took home the Riddell District league best-and-fairest in the Covid shortened 2021 season and has VFL experience with Coburg.

“Ricky is the perfect fit for our current midfield and will add some serious class to our forward half with his lethal left foot,” Seymour said in a social media post.

Ricky Schraven has left Wallan for Seymour. Photo: Hamish Blair

Meanwhile, Brock is set to return to the club having previously played some under 18 and senior footy for the Lions.

He won the club’s under 18 best-and-fairest in 2011 before earning a senior debut two years later.

“Will possesses great size and (sic) strength which suits his style of play being a brute force in the ruck. Will has the ability to drift forward and hit the scoreboard and will provide our side a tall target,” the club said.

Shepparton Swans continue to build

There doesn’t appear to be any signs the Shepparton Swans are slowing down in its bid to play finals footy next year.

The Swans have already unveiled three former AFL players with Jamie MacMillan, Nathan Hrovat and Sam Wright all joining the club for next season.

“I knew taking over the current list had huge upside and by adding three guys with this level of experience we can fast track the development for some of the younger guys,” coach Jedd Wright said of the trio’s arrival.

Zac Alderton is returning to the Shepp Swans after a year away with St Joseph's.

The Swans have now backed up that triple signing with two former players set to return to the club.

Tom Preece will be in red and white again as he prepares to return from East Malvern where he won the best-and-fairest this season.

“Spiritual leader” Zac Alderton is set to join him after a year away in the Geelong league with St Joseph’s where he played 17 games and kicked six goals.

Shepparton’s double signing

Shepparton has continued to get busy on the recruiting front with four new arrivals at the club.

The first of those moves is the return of 2018 premiership star Jonty Wardle who returns after some time away in the Picola and District league.

There, he finished second in the league best-and-fairest this season.

Joining him will be former Cobram star Adam De Cicco, who joins his fiance Lili at the club.

“A former MFNL Rep, his skilful traits will no doubt enhance our senior team,” Shepparton said of De Cicco.

The Bears have since unveiled Tyron Baden, also from Cobram, who is a five-time club best-and-fairest winner.

Katandra’s Brady Black is also set to call Deakin Reserve home in 2023.

Benalla’s rebuild continue

Benalla’s goal of again becoming a GVL powerhouse is gathering momentum with the Saints unveiling a host of impressive recruits in recent weeks.

David Mennen is set to return to the club after time away with Whittlesea and Diamond Creek in the Northern league.

Nick Mellington is returning to Benalla. Photo: Michael Klein.

2015 premiership player Nick Mellington is also set to return after a successful VFL career.

Defender Tom Bennett has also committed.

Barnard delivers recruits for Tatura

New Tatura coach Paul Barnard is bringing to former EDFL players with him to the state’s north.

Essendon Doutta Stars captain Aydin Kesici and Brodie Meyers are set to follow the former Essendon hard man to the Dogs as he prepares for his first season in charge.

“It’s a big coup for the club (signing Kesici and Meyers),” Barnard said.

New signings land at Shepparton United

Shepparton United has landed its first three signings for the 2023.

The Demons have announced former under 18s Damon Carroll, Mitchell Black and Sean Thompson will be returning.