EDFL: Ex-AFL, VFL and NAB League players join EDFL clubs
EDFL clubs are continuing to bring in high quality recruits. Here’s the latest from across the competition.
Essendon
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New faces are continuing to roll in across the Essendon District Football League.
Clubs have already been busy in the recruiting stakes, some waiting just weeks after the completion of the 2022 season, while some elected to wait a little bit longer.
Here are all the moves to go down so far in November.
Hillside lands double signing from WRFL
Division 1 club Hillside is continuing its busy pre-season recruiting spree after announcing the arrival of two new players, both from Caroline Springs.
Midfielder Jack Tarr headlines the moves after playing 18 games in the Lakers’ senior side this season.
“Jack is extremely excited to be joining the Sharks, where he will play alongside a lot of close mates and together will be striving for success,” Hillside said in a social media post.
Daniel Scerri is returning to Hillside having played most of his junior footy at the club.
“His move back to the Sharks gives him the opportunity to continue developing into a senior footballer. He can’t wait to get out and start playing with his close mates and be part of a supportive and successful environment,” Hillside said.
Roxburgh Park adds another recruit
The signings have been flowing at Roxburgh Park this off-season and the Magpies have welcomed another player from a rival club.
Former junior Ahmed Hamdan is set to return from the club in 2023 after time away with Westmeadows “where the goal sneak has been working on his craft”.
“We love a goal celebration at Roxy, and we love big personalities that bring energy and excitement to the club. These are strong attributes of Ahmed and we look forward to seeing it all in action,” the club said.
Aberfeldie bolsters playing list
Aberfeldie has landed one of the EDFL’s best forwards in a major boost to its premiership chances.
Karl Brown has crossed from Essendon Doutta Stars to play alongside with a group of mates.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for him to leave Douttas,” Abers coach Adam Marcon said.
Brown joins Josh Kemp and Ryan Martin who have returned to the club.
Kemp will play for Abers when he is not selected in Coburg’s VFL side while Martin, a former Calder Cannon, returns after a year with Merrigum in the Kyabram District league.
Joining them will be Jack Mapleson who crosses from North Heidelberg where he finished in the top three of the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest this season.
In a social media post, Aberfeldie said Mapleson enjoys playing on “the best small forwards”.
Son of a gun joins East Keilor
East Keilor has announced its first two major recruits of the off-season with Ben Silvagni and Matt Dennis joining the club.
The 22-year-old is the brother of Jack and son of arguably the greatest fullback of all-time Stephen.
He spent last season with the Northern Bullants in the VFL.
Joining Silvagni at the Cougars will be Joseph Genoese and Nicholas Kerr who were also unveiled as new signings on Monday.
Overall, the Cougars have signed 18 new players this season.
Greenvale confirms yet another signing
It’s been a busy off-season at Greenvale so far and the signings are continuing to roll in.
The Jets have confirmed Bobby Saric is set to return to the club after he spent time with Western Region league outfit Albanvale.
“Please joins us in welcoming Bobby back to Greenvale as we look forward to seeing him back wearing the green and black again,” the club said.
Joining Saric will be premiership star Matt Bonello who is set to return to the competition after a stint with Wallan in the Riddell District league.
Pascoe Vale continues to stockpile talent
After falling short of a grand final appearance in 2022, the Panthers are building nicely for next season with a swagger of new recruits.
Forward Adam Del Busso, formerly of Glenroy, was the latest new face unveiled by Digby Morrell’s new side last week.
“Delly is a forward who loves to use his athleticism and power to get up the ground and be an aerial threat but also can works hard to get deep and is deadly around goals,” the club said in a social media post.
He booted 25 goals from nine games in 2022 as the Roys were relegated to Division 1.
Del Busso’s arrival follows the confirmation VFL talent Sunny Brazier would make the move to the Panthers next season.
Port Melbourne’s Corey Wagner has listed Pascoe Vale as his home club.
Jackson Smith, Jonah Evans and ruckman Zac Steinhoff-Pino are the club’s other new recruits.
Although they have lost Liam Ogden who will return to Kyabram.
Tullamarine introduces four new faces
Tullamarine’s playing list is beginning to take shape under new coach Ben Tankard.
In recent days, the Demons have confirmed the arrivals of four new faces.
Former Essendon Doutta Stars duo Tom Filipovic and Tom Jackson were the most recent to be unveiled by the club.
They have also welcomed key forward Jacob McNicol and former junior Steve McCallum into the fold for next season.
McNicol, 23, is expected to spend time in the ruck as well and is a former Vic Metro and Calder Cannons representative.
McCallum, who has signed a two-year deal, played junior footy at Tulla from under 10s to under 16s before going onto win the Calder best-and-fairest during their 2009 premiership season.
He then played over 100 games of VFL footy for Williamstown before recently playing for Montmorency in the Northern league.
Craigieburn secures an important signing
Craigieburn has continued to add to its playing stocks for next season after it was confirmed Sammy Laffan would return to the club.
Laffan is a two-time premiership player with the Eagles and crosses from Division 1 rivals Tullamarine.
New wingman rolls into Westmeadows
James Duell has become Westmeadows’ latest recruit for next season after previously playing for Broadford and Tullamarine.
The Tigers said their new signing has “speed to burn” and will “fit in perfectly down the wings at Willowbrook Reserve”.
Avondale Heights add ex-AFL forward
It’s been a busy month at Canning Reserve with Avondale Heights unveiling four new players.
Anthony Tiricola, 22, is the club’s latest recruit as he prepares to make the step up from Division 2 after spending 2022 with Taylors Lakes.
He’ll be joined by now former Northern league talent Ethan Penrith who crosses from West Preston Lakeside.
The arrival of the pair follows the confirmation of former Port Adelaide forward Aidyn Johnson’s signing.
Johnson played 11 games for the Power during a four-year stay at Alberton after being drafted with pick 45 in the 2015 national draft.
Since then, he has spent time with Port’s SANFL side, Sturt and Richmond VFL.
Airport West adds to its key position stocks
Reigning Division 1 premier Airport West is continuing to build towards next season with the arrival of Stuart Hobjin-Allen.
Able to play at both ends of the ground, the 196cm key position prospect arrives from Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley League.
He also has experience in the VFL with Coburg and Sandringham.
Hobjin-Allen played 16 games for Shepparton last season.
Division 1 newcomers continue to build
Keilor Park is continuing to make a positive impression ahead of its promotion to Division 1 with a further three recruits unveiled by the club.
Former VFL player Angelos Sidhom headlines the latest inclusions as he prepares to cross from Airport West.
Sidhom was best on ground in the Eagles’ reserves premiership last season.
He’s set to be joined by Louis Alexopoulos and Michael Gatt who both took a year off in 2022.
Alexopoulos is a former leading goalkicker in the Division 1 reserves competition while Gatt played senior footy at Tullamarine in 2021.
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Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.