Gippsland: Moe signs former Greater Western Sydney player Tim Golds

A recruiting drought in one of the state’s premier country leagues has ended, with Moe to lodge a clearance for a former AFL player.

Moe has bolstered its chances of staying in the top bracket of teams in the Gippsland Football League this season with the signing of former AFL player Tim Golds on the eve of the official player transfer window opening.

A flurry of clearances for players who have changed clubs since last year will start tomorrow with Golds ending a drought of big-name signings in Gippsland with his decision to join Moe.

Moe was poised to make a serious charge at its first flag since 1967 when it finished second on the ladder before bowing out in the preliminary final when it lost to eventual premier Leongatha.

Tim Golds played six senior matches for Greater Western Sydney between 2012 and 2015. Picture: Lukas Coch

Moe coach Declan Keilty said 30-year-old Golds would “reignite” his career with the Lions after last playing for Old Xaverians in 2019.

“He’s got a lot of mutual connections with the guys who play for us,” Keilty said.

“He was looking to reignite his passion for footy and it was a bit of good fortune for us.

“He was also looking to get out in the country where it’s a bit more community-orientated as opposed to metro footy.”

Despite retaining recent signings including Ben Daniher and Nick and Chris Prowse, Moe has lost former AFL player Billy Gowers back to the VFL and veterans James Blaser and Tom Long have retired.

Leongatha star Aaron Heppell is heading overseas this year and will miss the club’s premiership defence. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Premier Leongatha will be without reigning best and fairest winner Aaron Heppell for the bulk of season due to travelling overseas.

Multiple premiership player Josh Hopkins has taken on the coaching job at his original club, Korumburra-Bena.

Beaten grand finalist Wonthaggi has lost two of its prime movers, Ryan Sparkes and Jack Hutchinson to Collingwood’s VFL team.

Wonthaggi young gun Jack Hutchinson has joined Collingwood’s VFL team. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Traralgon will also be without key duo Brett Eddy and Tom Schneider, who have joined Pearcedale after two seasons in the Gippsland league.

Sale, which overcame an injury-riddled season to make finals, has lost dual premiership player, league best and fairest winner and four-time club champion Kane Martin to North Gippsland league club Sale City.

Bairnsdale is the club that could come from outside last year’s top five to make finals with the retention of Will Mitchell and Xavier Richards and the signing of VAFA recruit Tom Blenheim and Mitch Toms, who was best-on-ground in Wy Yung’s East Gippsland league flag win last year.

Originally published as Gippsland: Moe signs former Greater Western Sydney player Tim Golds