EFNL 2025: Mitcham wins race for VFL prodigy Max Donohue

Mitcham’s latest inclusion has an impressive footy CV at 18, with the former Gippsland Power star touted to make a mark at state level.

EFNL 2025: New Mitcham recruit Max Donohue in action for Gippy Power. Picture: Supplied

It’s another late boost for Mitcham ahead of its top-division return.

The Tigers have won the race for VFL-listed teen prodigy Max Donohue, with the versatile wingman crossing from Leongatha where he played senior footy last year, as well as representing Gippsland Power and Vic Country at under-18 level.

Named Power’s best first-year player in 2023, it’s understood another Eastern Premier Division club was keen to land Donohue, who has won a spot on Box Hill’s list.

He joins new Mitcham teammates Jack Baldwin and Will Kellar at the VFL outfit.

“It all happened pretty quickly,” Mitcham senior coach Neil Winterton said of Donohue’s signing.

“Max was looking for a local club to align himself with, and coming from Leongatha, he was moving out this way so it was probably going to be a bit of a drive for him to go back down that way.

“Jack Baldwin I think was the one who initiated it and got us in contact with him.

“He’s (Donohue) played two full seasons down at Gippsland Power and acquitted himself really well, and played some senior footy at Leongatha when he was 17.”

EFNL 2025: New Mitcham recruit Max Donohue in action for Leongatha. Picture: Supplied

Winterton said the young gun had already made an impression at the Hawks.

“We’re unsure about how much we’ll see him, he’s been playing for Box Hill in their practice match series, so it looks like he’s going to be a really good chance to start the year at Box Hill,” he said.

“Whenever we’re lucky enough to get him, it’ll be very handy for us.”

Meanwhile, the Tigers have waved goodbye to triple premiership star Jessie Smyth, who has returned to junior club Ferntree Gully to play alongside close friend and ex-AFL man, Jaidyn Stephenson.

But the coach was confident a few magnets could be shuffled to cover the livewire’s departure.

“It was disappointing to lose Jessie – he’s been a really influential player across three flags … he’s been a great servant of the Mitcham footy club,” Winterton said.

“He certainly leaves a hole in our forward line – he’s one of those mercurial players where he’ll take mark of the year or kick goal of the year, and he’s a really difficult match-up because of his ability in the air and at ground level.

“It is a bit of an out, but we’ve got some younger guys we feel can step in and fill that void – Jack Kritopoulos, Will Kellar, so we think we’ve got coverage in that area.”