Locked in: every West Gippsland Football Netball Competition off-season signing
Big moves in West Gippsland: VFL and WAFL stars, goalkicking machines and a 209cm ruck monster. See all the confirmed signings, club-by-club.
Huge signings and key departures...it’s been a busy off-season already in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
See what’s been happening:
CORA LYNN
IN: Bailey Brougham (Pakenham), Caelan Addis (Pakenham)
OUT: Matt Ryan (Pakenham)
DALYSTON
IN: Matthew Gundry (St Albans), Brad Monson (returning from year off), Brayden Duve (Mosman Park, Perth FL), Stevie Hepburn
OUT: Kyle Hutchison (Frankston YCW), Curtis Murfett (Morwell)
Matthew Gundry: VFL experience with Port Melbourne and Northern Bullants, plus WAFL time at South Fremantle. Smooth-moving half-back/wingman with elite-level pedigree and extensive skill to bolster the Magpies.
Brayden Duve: returns to Dalyston after stints in Gippsland League and Perth. The former captain and best and fairest runner-up brings crucial leadership and experience.
GARFIELD
IN: James Freeman (Tyabb), Will Papley (Neerim South)
James Freeman: Terrific addition. Joins the Stars as senior playing-assistant coach. He’s a VFL-experienced tall forward with Casey and Sandringham, and also was a TAC Cup leading goalkicker. Recent Tyabb leading goalkicker, top-five B&F, team of the year. Elite pedigree.
Will Papley: Explosive contested midfielder who can push forward and hit the scoreboard. A premiership player from Neerim South, Papley has also spent time with Drouin and Bunyip Football Clubs as well as Gippsland Power (NAB League).
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK
IN: Ryan Sparkes (Wonthaggi)
OUT: Toby Mahoney (Tarwin)
*Coaching appointment: Leigh Cole and Ryan Sparkes will co-coach the Sea Eagles in 2026. Ryan returns home where he played in an U18s and senior premierships (2017 aged just 16). Cole’s vast experience combined with Sparkes’ on-field leadership creates an exciting partnership.
KILCUNDA BASS
IN: David Sollberger (Pakenham), Brayden Kleverkamp (Phillip Island), Tyce Kleverkamp (Phillip Island), Hayden Brough (Beaconsfield), James Nicolaci (Phillip Island), Ethan Hollings (Beaconsfield), Travis Woodfield (Phillip Island)
OUT: Ned Bradley (The Basin), Anthony Daraio (Woori Yallock), Jack Soroczynski (Woori Yallock), Gavin Boyd (Black Rock)
David Sollberger: Hard-working midfielder/winger from Pakenham. Helped lead their U19s to the 2024 premiership. Top-level experience and leadership qualities make him an exciting addition to the Panthers for season 2026.
Brayden Kleverkamp: An athletic, versatile talent with elite overhead marking ability, he adds excitement and versatility at both ends of the ground.
Tyce Kleverkamp: Returns to Killy Bass after regular senior appearances at Phillip Island in 2025. With dangerous intercepting ability and run-and-carry from half back, he’s a terrific addition.
Hayden Brough: Joins from Beaconsfield as a tough inside midfielder with elite overhead marking skills, versatility and strong ball attack to boost the Panthers.
James Nicolaci: Will be invovled in the Panthers’ reserves program in 2026. With four best and fairests under his belt from Phillip Island, where he played over 200 games, he’ll be a great mentor and developer of young talent.
Travis Woodfield: A proven goal kicker in highly successful sides at Phillip Island, and has plenty of finals experience at PI, Doveton and Cora Lynn.
KOO WEE RUP
IN: Corey Battams (Somerville), Brodie Lake (Southern Districts, NTFL), Taj Stanley (Southern Districts, NTFL), Caleb Crestani (Nyora), Mitchell Gibson (Frankston YCW), Ishak Bashir (Edithvale-Aspendale), Lachlan Hinde (Pearcedale), Zac Holton (Karingal), Lachie Saunders
OUT: Fletcher McMillan (Devon Meadows), Nathan Muratore
Brodie Lake: Premiership-winning key defender with elite pedigree. SANFL experience with North Adelaide and WAFL time at Peel Thunder. Brings proven defensive class.
Taj Stanley: Exciting NT talent with blistering pace and crisp skills. WAFL player with Perth Demons boasting two B&Fs.
Corey Battams: Multiple grand final experience in MPNFL. Dynamic performer with elite work rate, clean skills and scoreboard impact.
Caleb Crestani: Premiership player arrives with strong physical presence. Excellent ball user with elite efficiency. Young talent ready to make immediate impact.
Lachie Saunders: Two grand finals under his belt already. Versatile key defender with composure and reliability. Tall, strong, agile presence capable of shutting down any opponent.
Mitchell Gibson: Frankston YCW product with senior MPNFL experience. Elite goal sense and forward craft. Weaves through traffic, genuine aerial threat with natural instincts around goals.
Lachlan Hinde: The dynamic attacking winger with speed and skill brings senior experience from Karingal and Pearcedale plus respected leadership qualities.
Zac Holton: He kicked 30 goals playing as a forward/midfielder at Karingal in 2025. Will add real firepower to the Demons’ attack.
Ishak Bashir: Big-bodied midfielder who was a premiership player at Edi-Asp in 2024. Before that he was a Seaford B&F runner-up. With clearance power, contested strength and goal-scoring ability, he will add firepower and versatility to Demons’ engine room.
Coaching appointment: Darren “Pup” Hulme has been appointed Koo Wee Rup’s senior coach. He played 110 AFL games at Carlton. Has an extensive coaching resume across VFL, metro, country and junior levels. Proven leader ready to guide Demons forward.
KORUMBURRA BENA
IN: Nathan Gillis (South Mornington), Aaron Turton (Leongatha)
OUT: Jayden Deas (Burleigh Bombers)
Nathan Gillis: joins the Giants alongside brother Ryan’s recommitment, bringing exciting versatility across the midfield and forward line to strengthen the list.
Aaron Turton: returns to his junior club from Leongatha with two senior premierships and Gippsland Power pedigree. The 22yo hard-running midfielder’s leadership, speed and relentless work rate will elevate the Giants.
*Josh Hopkins has been reappointed as senior coach for 2026. His passion, leadership and unwavering commitment to the young playing group inspires the entire club. Exciting times ahead under his guidance.
NAR NAR GOON
IN: Lachlan Modica (Beaconsfield), Trent Stokoe (Beaconsfield), Tylah Stokoe (Beaconsfield), Eamon Trigg (returnng after season off)
OUT: Jahvon Bergmann (Berwick)
Lachie Modica: Joins as playing-assistant coach. Boasts VFL experience at Port Melbourne and Casey Demons. Was a Beaconsfield team of the decade (2011-2020) member. His coaching background includes a stint as structure and line coach at Port Melbourne.
Trent Stokoe: With 120-plus senior games of experience, the hardworking, consistent, team-first leader will guide the club’s young list both on and off the field.
Tylah Stokoe: An experienced, hard-working leader who brings footy smarts and reliability, joining brother Trent in an exciting addition.
*Jock Holland: He joins as senior assistant coach with a sharp footy mind and fantastic energy. Will also lead the club’s U18s program, combining senior insight with youth development for the Goon.
PHILLIP ISLAND
IN: Chris Prowse (Moe)
OUT: Brayden Kleverkamp (Kilcunda Bass), Jordy Patullo (Thorpdale)
Chris Prowse: Towering 209cm premier ruckman arrives from Moe. Dominant aerial presence ready to control the ruck division.
*Cam Pederson has been reappointed Bulldogs coach for 2026. Exceptional year building culture and developing young players. His on and off-field leadership continues to drive the club forward.
TOORADIN-DALMORE
IN: Lachlan Young (Ferntree Gully Eagles), Chevy Andersen (Balwyn)
OUT: Lewis Hill (Berwick), Andrew Dean (Ultima), Piva Wright (Springvale Districts)
Lachlan Young: 102-game player from Ferntree Gully. Was vice captain (2024) and captain (2025). Attacking key position defender who’s hard at the footy with outstanding on-field leadership qualities.
Chevy Andersen: Balwyn premiership ruckman (2024-25) with impressive honours: Most Improved, Most Consistent, Best Finals Player and Best and Fairest. High work rate and follow-up pressure are his trademark traits.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
IN: Matt Herbert (returning), Lachlan Bambridge (Neerim South), Mason McGarrity (Neerim South), Boadie Motton (Yarram)
OUT: Josh Bradley (Nilma Darnum), Nic Visser (Upwey Tecoma), Sam Kors (Pakenham), Ben Nichol (Upwey Tecoma)
Matt Herbert: Former Dustie returns after year off with young family. Electric speed, elite skill and trademark flair. Exciting homecoming for a club favourite in 2026.
Mason McGarrity: Star forward returns after premiership year with incredible 112 goals. Dominant goalkicker back in Dusties colours ready to fire again in 2026.
Lachlan Bambridge: High forward returns following flag-winning season with 57 goals. Premiership experience and scoreboard impact reunites with the Dusties for 2026.
Boadie Motton: Classy, hard-at-it player who will add real polish to the Dusties midfield. Has played a lot of top level footy, including stints at Gippsland Power, Hawthorn VFL and North Adelaide in the SANFL.
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