Gippsland league: Vermont champion Tom Schneider joins Traralgon

One of local football’s most decorated midfielders is heading bush, signing to play in the Gippsland league in 2022.

Tom Schneider celebrating a goal for Vermont.

He’s a former AFL rookie, a VFL best and fairest and a two-time Eastern league premiership player.

And he’s heading to Traralgon.

Tom Schneider is joining his former Vermont teammates Jake Best and Brett Eddy at the Gippsland league club, giving the Maroons one of the best midfielders in local football.

Schneider won the medal as best-afield in the 2019 Eastern league grand final as Vermont made it successive premierships with a team regarded as one of the best seen outside the VFL.

Best and Eddy were also part of it, with Eddy winning the league best and fairest medal and topping the goalkicking.

Best returned to his Gippsland roots this year to coach the Maroons and they were 5-5 and fifth on the ladder when Covid killed off the season.

Former AFL forward Eddy signed with Traralgon last month after spending 2021 with Caulfield Grammarians in the VAFA.

And now Schneider makes it three players from the formidable Vermont side to link with Traralgon.

Tom Schneider with a pair of medals after the 2019 grand final.

Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers, he was with Hawthorn in 2011-12 and as a rookie was Box Hill’s club champion in 2012.

In powerful sides at Vermont he won the best and fairest in 2013, 2016 and 2018.

“Oh mate, he’s a phenomenal player,’’ Best said of Schneider.

“He just finds the ball, he’s so clean – he’s probably the cleanest player below the knees that I’ve played with – and he hits the scoreboard as well, is really damaging.

“Fantastic teammate as well, with his professionalism and the way he goes about it.

“We’re so lucky to have him, and it’s going to be good for him to experience country footy. He’s going to really enjoy it and he’ll fit nicely with what we’re building.’’

He said the Maroons would benefit from the experience and leadership of Schneider and Eddy.

Best said the club had a young and exciting list and had blooded nine first-gamers this year.

“We saw some improvement and next year the guys will be a year older and a bit stronger and we’ll have some top-end talent to add to it,’’ he said.

“Hopefully it can take us that step further.’’

Best kicked 30 goals from his 10 matches for the Maroons and was named in the team of the year.