EFNL 2024: Oakleigh District signs former Frankston VFL co-captain Luke Potts

A best-and-fairest-winning midfielder who spent six years in the state league has joined Eastern Division 3 club Oakleigh District — but he’s not the only key signing of late.

Luke Potts celebrates a goal for Pines. Picture: Jason Sammon

A former VFL captain is set to inject much-needed midfield grunt at Oakleigh District in a further boost for the Eastern league Division 3 finalist.

Ex-Frankston skipper Luke Potts is the Oaks’ latest addition arriving fresh off a premiership-winning stop at Healesville this year.

Potts spent six years in the VFL, winning Frankston’s best and fairest in 2011, serving as co-captain across 2012-13 before a decorated stay at Mornington Peninsula club Pines where he won a flag in 2018.

He finished runner-up for the MPFNL best and fairest in 2019 to ex-AFL player Mitch Hallahan and made the team of the year.

The 35-year-old, who also spent three seasons with St Kilda City, will serve as an assistant coach in 2025 under fellow ex-VFL man and current Oaks senior playing-coach Blake Pearson.

Potts in action for Pines. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“We needed to fill that gap in the midfield … he’s an inside midfielder and obviously won a premiership this year,” Pearson said.

“To get someone in there with some VFL experience as a captain and a best and fairest winner is huge for us.

“There’s certainly a lot of experience and leadership he can provide the boys during the week and on game-day as well.”

Potts will combine with fellow midfield signing Cam Hansen, who has crossed from Southern club Dingley where he won a best and fairest and a league reserves medal.

“We think Luke and Cam Hansen will be pretty formidable in that midfield,” Pearson said.

“Cam won our fitness testing on night one of pre-season, so he’s really fit.

“Having those two in there fills that void and gives us a point of difference than what we’ve had in the last couple of seasons.”

Pearson said recently-signed Nunawading pair Harry Miller and Paul Tyler could also address key areas.

Miller “shores up the backline”, having also played at Glen Waverley and Geelong-based outfit North Shore, while Tyler is touted as a wing and half-back.

“In terms of complementing the list and what we’ve needed, we’ve certainly been able to do that,” Pearson said.

Oakleigh District opens its season away to Silvan on April 5.