Ovens and Murray clubs unveil new recruits
Ovens and Murray league clubs have left no stone unturned to improve their lists for 2024 with a number of players signing across the competition. Here’s the latest.
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The Ovens and Murray off-season has been a busy one with clubs making big moves ahead of next season.
This includes one team returning from 12 months off.
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.
ALBURY
Fletcher Carroll: Carroll returns to Albury after playing in the SANFL for the Central Districts last season. He made his debut for the Bulldogs this year and made five appearances for the senior side. The midfielder, who will bring valuable experience to the team, also played for multiple VFL sides in his career.
Mathew Walker: The former Hawthorn-listed AFL player is back at Albury after 40 games in the VFL for multiple clubs over the past few years. Already a premiership player with the Tigers, in 2018, he will remain with Albury until 2026 after signing a three-year deal.
Jono Male: Male comes to the Tigers from Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in the Riverina league. He averaged almost a goal a game for the club last season and comes to the Tigers after also playing for Henty during his career.
Jackson Kelly: The son of Sydney legend Paul Kelly makes the move to Albury next year. Kelly played for Norwood in their 2022 premiership win in the SANFL and was involved with Wagga Wagga Football Club last year.
Lachie Tiziani: The former GWS Giant rookie player has rejoined Albury for this season after playing in Sydney the past couple of years. Tiziani is a midfielder who has played NEAFL for the Giants and was part of the Murray Bushrangers before he got drafted.
COROWA-RUTHERGLEN
Note – As the club is returning from recess all their signings for seniors next year are here.
Will Bott: Makes the move back to the area after playing for Finley in the Murray league. He didn’t play last year but is looking to test himself at the Ovens and Murray level
Nick Wright: The midfielder joins the Kangaroos from Culcairn Football Netball Club in the Hume league. A former best and fairest winner at Culcairn, Wright knows how to find an avenue to goal.
Bailey Pirnag: The midfielder/defender returns to the team after playing for Lavington last season.
Jayden Hall: Hall is back after playing for Coreen Daysdale Hopefield Buraja in the Hume league last season.
Luke Arcuri: Makes the move to the Kangaroos from the Wangaratta Rovers. Arcuri will play for the club while living in Geelong.
Bailey Minogue: A former Kangaroo junior who joins the club again after playing for Coreen Daysdale Hopefield Buraja last season in the Hume league. Capable of playing in any position.
Sam Haigh: Another signing for the Kangaroos to come from Coreen Daysdale Hopefield Buraja in the Hume league. Haigh was the 2019 best and fairest in the reserves for the club and will be looking to push into seniors next year.
Jedd Longmire: Longmire comes back to the club after playing for Collingwood last season in the VFL. He will play for the Kangaroos when he isn’t involved with the Magpies.
Jed Ansell: Returns to the club after playing for Lavington in the Ovens and Murray last season.
Kade Kuschert: The club stalwart is back after sitting out last year with the Kangaroos in recess. Likely to play seniors and could play with his son for the first time as well.
Jesse Johnstone: Johnstone is back at Corowa-Rutherglen after playing in Geelong for Newtown-Chilwell. An athletic player who will be a handy inclusion for the Kangaroos.
Brady Morton: The former GWS player in the NEAFL returns to the Ovens and Murray after playing for Wagga Wagga in the Riverina league for the past couple of years. Morton is a tall defender who will not only play with the Kangaroos but be an assistant coach. He used to play for the Albury Tigers in the competition.
Jordan Eyers: Returns to the Kangaroos after playing for Newtown & Chilwell in the Geelong league last season. He joins his brother (below) back at the club.
Ryan Eyers: Will play for Corowa Rutherglen when he isn’t playing for Geelong in the VFL. He played for Newtown & Chilwell in the Geelong league last year but returns to his home club for next year.
Mak Lavis: The former Kangaroos player comes back after playing for Newtown & Chilwell last season in the Geelong league. It’s a return of the Mak for Corowa Rutherglen.
Aaron Spencer: A versatile player who comes back to the club after playing for the Wodonga Raiders last season.
Joe Hansen: It was a no-brainer for the captain to return. Hansen played 15 games last year for Lavington in the Ovens and Murray last season and will now play for Corowa-Rutherglen next year.
Benny Black: The former Kangaroo returns after playing for the club in 2022 in reserves. He joins after playing in Melbourne last year while the club was in recess.
Jason Marks: Will play for the club after being instrumental off it to get the Kangaroos back after being in recess. Last season he played for Coreen Daysdale Hopefield Buraja in the Hume league and kicked 19 goals in 15 games. Next year will be his seventh season at Corowa-Rutherglen.
Sam Banfield: The mid-sized forward comes to the club from North Ringwood in the Eastern league. Banfield has experience in not only the VFL but also the TAC Cup/Coates Talent League with the Sandringham Dragons.
Connor Leslie: The strong and classy midfielder joins the club from Karingal in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. He has played Coates Talent League football as well for Calder Cannons.
Darcy Hope: Hope joins the Kangaroos from Karingal in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. In the past two seasons the leading forward has kicked 83 goals in 41 games. A handy recruit.
Caleb Bertram: The winger joins the Kangaroos from Chiltern in the Tallangatta league. Bertram played more than 100 games for the Swans and played in last year’s grand final.
Scott Jansen: Jansen is another signing to the Kangaroos from Karingal in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League. He joins Connor Leslie and Darcy Hope at the club. Jansen is a midfielder who has won a premiership for Karingal and also knows how to find an avenue to goal.
Tom Robinson: The former ruckman returns to the club after playing reserves in 2022 for the Kangaroos.
LAVINGTON
Jack Glanvill: A talented junior who played for the Allies last year in the under-18 national championships. He joins the club from Turvey Park in the Riverina Football League. His brother Billy is also at the club.
MYRTLEFORD
Diesel Batey: The former Shepparton Swan is moving competitions to join the Saints in the Ovens and Murray league. A talented midfielder who will be a handy addition to the team next year.
Bowen Calogero: Another Shepparton Swans player who joins the Saints for next season. Calogero is a speedy player who also used to play for the Murray Bushrangers.
Jaxon East: Joins the Saints after playing Colts football in Perth for East Perth and football in the Northern Territory for the Wanderers. East is a midfielder who is sure to be a valuable asset to the team.
Lachlan Plummer: The new Saints recruit joins from the Hobart Football Club. A forward/midfielder who is tough at the contest. Expect him to influence games according to the club.
Xavier Cannizzaro: Makes the move to Myrtleford from Whorouly in the Ovens and King league. Cannizzaro knows how to move around the ground and is capable of playing in multiple positions. He is coming back from a serious injury suffered late last year.
Jake Riley: A forward/midfielder who joins the Saints from Whorouly Football Club in the Ovens and King Football League. He kicked 13 goals in 16 games for the Lions last season.
Ned Turner: Can play in the forward line and in the midfield. Turner comes to the club from Wangaratta Rovers and played in their under-18 side last year.
Pat Sullivan: Returns to the Saints after playing in Queensland since 2022. Sullivan can play in multiple positions with his endurance around the ground.
NORTH ALBURY
Harry Weaven: The defender joins from Brocklesby Burrumbuttock in the Hume league. Weaven finished second in Brocklesby Burrumbuttock’s best and fairest last season.
Darcey Cullen: Cullen comes to North Albury from Leeton in the Riverina league. The versatile tall player joins the club after playing for both Norwood and GWS in under-18 in the SANFL and the Coates Talent League.
Zac Hanrahan: The ruckman joins North Albury from Barooga in the Murray league. Is sure to add depth to the ruck stocks at the club.
Ben Fulford: The forward will play for North Albury after playing for Lockington Bamawm United in the Heathcote league. Fulford kicked 27 goals in 10 games to be a leading goalscorer at the club. He also used to play for Echuca in the Goulburn Valley league.
Keith Tallent: The forward joins the Hoppers from Broc/Burrum in the Hume League. A goal kicking machine, he kicked over 120 goals for the club over three years.
WANGARATTA
Alex Federico: The midfielder has joined the Magpies after playing in the Northern league for West Preston Lakeside. Federico is a two-time premiership winner with the club and was part of the Northern Blues in the VFL. According to Wangaratta he is a consistent midfielder who has great skills and a good engine.
Aidan Tilley: A key forward who also joins from West Preston Lakeside in the Northern league. The former VFL player is an aerial threat who can play in multiple positions.
Nick Richards: The former premiership player for Wangaratta is coming back to the club after a couple of years playing in Sydney.
Brad Melville: Another former Wangaratta player who returns back to the club for next year. Melville has been playing for Richmond in the VFL for the past three years. An extremely skilful and athletic player who will be a major boost to the Pies for next year.
Pat Nash: The former Richmond and West Coast player will play for the Magpies next year after signing with the club. The midfielder played 20 games of AFL and has been involved with the Box Hill Hawks recently in the VFL.
WANGARATTA ROVERS
John Jorgensen: Jorgensen joins after playing VFL football for Essendon this year. A handy recruit who can play either in the ruck or in the forward line. He kicked 19 goals this season for the Bombers.
Xavier Allison: The former Strathmore captain in the Essendon District league joins after playing for the Mores for his whole career. A defensive player who will add some much needed experience in the backline.
Sam Cattapan: Another Essendon District league player is on the move to the Ovens and Murray league. Cattapan joins the Wangaratta Rovers from Aberfeldie and was the captain of the side. Another boom recruit for the Rovers.
Tom McDonagh: The ruckman joins the Rovers from Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley league. McDonagh has experience in the Ovens and Murray league, playing for Myrtleford before moving to other competitions.
Lochie O’Brien: A big recruit in the Ovens and Murray league. The former Carlton AFL player joins the Rovers after being delisted by the Blues in the off-season. He played 66 games for the club. O’Brien is a midfielder who will be a valuable asset to the team.
Kieren Parnell: Moves to the Rovers after playing for St Mary’s in the Northern Territory Football League. Parnell is a defender who can also play in the midfield. In 2019 he played NEAFL for the NT Thunder.
WODONGA BULLDOGS
Jake Bradshaw: The versatile player moved from one Wodonga team to the other to join his brothers. Bradshaw, after 50 appearances for the Raiders, moves to the Bulldogs for next season.
Jack O‘Sullivan: The former Seymour midfielder has joined the Bulldogs as player/coach for next year. O’Sullivan is a two-time league medallist in the Goulburn Valley league and played VFL for Collingwood as well. He also captained Goulburn Valley in the interleague last season. A handy recruit on and off the field.
Jarrod Twitt: The former Bulldogs premiership player and assistant coach will co-coach the team with O’Sullivan next year. Twitt played 75 games for Sturt during his career in the 90s and 2000s and was at one stage on the Adelaide Crows rookie list.
Blayke St John: A key position player who returns to footy after a couple of years off. He joins the Bulldogs after playing for the Murray Bushrangers and for the Wodonga Saints and Raiders.
Tom Miller: The midfielder joins the team from Narre Warren in the Outer East league. He is a premiership player with the club and won last season’s best and fairest at Narre Warren. Will provide valuable experience in the midfield to the Bulldogs.
Ashton Brookes: The half forward makes the move to the Bulldogs from Chiltern in the Tallangatta league. He has won the past two premierships with the Swans in the competition.
Troy Marx: The former Bulldog returns after playing for Chiltern for the past two seasons. He played eight senior games last year for the Swans.
Ethan Redcliffe: Another former Bulldogs who returns to the club. Redcliffe, who is a forward, kicked 110 goals for Mitta United last season in the Tallangatta league.
WODONGA RAIDERS
Jaxon Ryan: The teenager joins from Leeton Whitton United in the Riverina league. Jaxon is a tall forward who can find his way to the goal.
Blake Ryan: The twin of Jaxon he also joins the Raiders from Leeton Whitton United. Also a tall player, Ryan won the best first year player at the club this season.
Zak Sartore: The former Wangaratta Rovers player makes the move to the Raiders after moving to Wodonga for work. Sartore usually plays in the midfield and in defence but has, at times, played in the forward line as well.
Sam Darley: The former GWS and Western Bulldogs player joins the Raiders after playing for Point Cook in the Western Region Football League. Darley played 20 games of AFL before playing for Footscray and Richmond in the VFL, winning premierships with both teams. Darley is a midfielder who can also play at half back.
Jackson Casey: Casey has moved to the Raiders after last playing for North Albury in 2022. He is a former West Wyalong player who can play as either a ruckman or a forward.
Fletcher Paul: A promising ruckman who has joined the Raiders from Murchison-Toolamba in the Kyabram league. Paul is a former Murray Bushranger who played 12 senior games for the Grasshoppers last season.
Brandon Leonard: A tall forward who has moved to play for the Raiders from Melbourne. Leonard played for North Ringwood in the Eastern league and dominated in both under-18 and the Premier Division.
Lochie Simpson: Simpson joins the club after playing basketball in Perth and Albury for the past few years. He is now turning his attention to football and has joined the Raiders for next year. He is a 206cm tall key position player.
Seb Quirk: The Frankston VFL player will play for Wodonga when he isn’t playing for the Dolphins. Quirk has also played for GWS in the VFL and is just 21.
YARRAWONGA
Dan Howe: The former Hawthorn and North Melbourne player comes back to the region he grew up in to play for the Pigeons this year. Howe is set to provide valuable experience in the midfield as Yarrawonga chases back-to-back titles.
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