EFNL 2025: Ex-AFL Sun Mitch Riordan among talent tipped to spark Bulls’ new era

Noble Park has waved goodbye to its biggest names this off-season. But there is plenty of cause for optimism with a young list according to the coach — including the arrival of an ex-AFL Sun.

Former Dandy Stingray and Gold Coast Sun Mitchell Riordan has linked with Noble Park. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Youth will spearhead Noble Park’s next era following the departures of the club’s biggest names – but it’s an exciting prospect to senior coach Steve Hughes.

It’ll be a new-look Bulls outfit without nine-time best and fairest Kyle Martin, Chandler medallist Jackson Sketcher and premiership duo Chris Horton-Milne and Luke Bull.

“They’re all young fellas in my group now, mate,” Hughes quipped.

“Kevin Kean and Scott McInerney are the only ones I can think of on our list that are above 27-28 years old.

“In my mind, that’s pretty exciting … our whole young group has really cracked in and trained well.”

And while the club’s recruiting has been quieter than most this off-season, former Gold Coast Sun Mitch Riordan is set to resume his footy with the Bulls after putting pen to paper.

The dynamic inside midfielder was selected with pick 2 in the 2019 mid-season draft after co-captaining the Dandenong Stingrays to their first Coates Talent League premiership in ’18.

Now 25, high hopes surround the 187cm talent after an ACL injury put paid to his time at the top level.

Mitchell Riordan (left) co-captained the Stingrays to the Coates league flag in 2018. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

“He’s no slouch, just quietly,” Hughes said.

“He didn’t play at all last year – he’s training really well and adds a bit to our leadership group, toughness and intelligence around the footy.”

The Bulls have also welcomed back premiership defender Josh Tour following a year off.

“One of the most dependable blokes that I’ve ever coached … in the three years I coached him he was probably close to the first magnet across,” Hughes said.

The coach conceded his club had battled the ruthless recruiting market in recent months – with its quieter-than-usual return this off-season “not through a lack of meetings”.

“We’ve had probably more recruiting meetings in the off-season this year than we’ve had any other year that I’ve been at the club,” Hughes said.

“It’s such a competitive landscape and unfortunately for a lot of reasons, we’ve been No. 2 in a lot of those scenarios. We’ve reached the pointy end and missed out and been a little bit unlucky.”

Despite the club’s high-profile exits, Hughes earmarked flag duo Jordan Marson and Lachie McDonnell to step up in the midfield.

Jordan Marson celebrates a goal during the 2022 EFNL Premier Division GF. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“(Marson) is probably the obvious one, who’s now in excess of 100 senior games,” he said.

“He has been our fourth mid for the best part of a few seasons – he’s had a really good, comprehensive pre-season and he’s a pretty experienced player now in his mid-20s … there’s an opportunity for him to take that next step.

“(McDonnell’s) hunting around the 70 to 80 games now and a quality user of the ball, he’ll get some more opportunities in there.

“From a midfield perspective, we’ve always had really good depth – they’re (Marson and McDonnell) two I’d point out as having comprehensive pre-seasons.”

Meanwhile, a swag of young names are set to be tested at Premier level.

“There’s a big logjam of young, talented players we’re trying to sift through and trying to work out who gets first crack,” Hughes said.

“There’ll be a few stiff ones and maybe a few lucky ones early on where we’re trying to still learn a little bit about them … we’ve got some graduates out of the under-19s which I’ve got my eye on.”

Noble Park finished seventh last season with a 6-12 record.

Pointing to plucky, youthful MPFNL Division 1 premier Mt Eliza – which overcame a formidable Dromana outfit to lift the cup in 2024 – Hughes said there was no ceiling on what his players could achieve.

“We’re excited about what a young group can deliver,” he said.

“You never know when you’ve got a young talented group that buys in, things can happen pretty quickly.”

Noble Park opens its season away to Rowville on April 12.