MPFNL: All the latest key signings ahead of 2024 season
There’s been plenty of recruiting news in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League over the Christmas and New Year period. Here’s a club-by-club look.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s been plenty of recruiting news in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League over the Christmas and New Year period.
Bonbeach’s quest to hit back hard in Division 2 this year has been boosted by a star signing — former VFL, WAFL and Rosebud and Sorrento midfielder Liam McKenna.
Meanwhile, former Centrals Trinity Beach playing-coach and ex VFL on-baller Luke Morgan has joined Mornington, as a player.
Chelsea has unveiled several recruits, including a couple of VAFA guns, and welcomed back a club favourite.
Rye has landed an Irish recruit, and Crib Point has picked up one of the best players in the Ellinbank and District league.
BONBEACH
Liam McKenna: Arrives at the Sharks with an impressive resume of achievements at state-league level, both in the WAFL and more recently in the VFL. He won Rosebud’s B&F in 2022 and played 14 games last season for Sorrento, featuring in the best players on eight occassions. Aside from playing, McKenna will also take on an assistant coaching role as he looks to pass on his wisdom and knowledge to Bonbeach’s young midfield crew.
MORNINGTON
Luke Morgan: A former Northern Bullants VFL on-baller with vast leadership experience.
The 35-year-old has been player-coach of Centrals Trinity Beach in the AFL Cairns league for the past three seasons. He also led Wangaratta to a grand final in 2019 and Benalla to a premiership in 2015, as well as coaching at interleague level in Victoria.
CHELSEA
Harry Schaffer: The Caulfield Grammarians vice-captain is a one-touch, versatile, hard running player who will be a big asset for the Seagulls.
Luke Clark: Returns to the Seagulls from a stint playing at Lang Lang. Similar to his brother Jase, Luke has a great set of hands and is a versatile mid sized forward/back who will be a welcome addition back in the hoops.
Lachlan Shaw: Comes across after three years with Yarragon in the Ellinbank and District league. In his time there he managed to captain the club for a year and finished runner up in the B&F. Prior to that he played at Reservoir Mustangs where he won a B&F. A skilful player who will provide great drive off the half back line.
Jack Elliston: Fresh from winning the best and fairest at VAFA club St Mary’s Salesians. A tall forward who loves the contest, he kicked 40-plus goals last year — and received league team of year honours.
CRIB POINT
Travis Stewart: A versatile, athletic player with a substantial vertical leap, the 23-year-old stands at 6 foot 4 and comes across from Nyora where he has played some seriously good football in the Ellinbank and District league. Was league MVP in 2022, third in the league B&F and last season won Nyora’s best and fairest.
RYE
Seadhna Hanna: Arrives at the Demons all the way from Ireland having taken up residence locally. Seadhna has already shown a willingness to improve and has been working hard on his skills under the watchful eye of Rye coach Brendon Moore and chairman of selectors and head of development Andrew Brady.
EARLIER...
MORNINGTON
Mornington has made a major signing ahead of its return to MPFNL Division 1 with the addition of Frankston Dolphins vice captain Kai Owens. The 24-year-old is capable of dominating the league, according to Mornington coach Josh Newman, who captained Owens at Frankston in 2022. “He’s a genuine gun so I think he’ll be awesome for us,” Newman said.
BONBEACH
The Sharks have secured two sky-scraping youngsters. Ben Honey is a 22-year-old, 204cm ruckman who has played at Langwarrin and Dromana in their premiership years. Cooper Hodgson, 21, is a 195cm key forward who played at Frankston Bombers before spending the 2023 season as a development coach at Subiaco FC in the WAFL. He also was a Dandenong Stingray listed player.
KARINGAL
Oscar Whitty returns to the Bullpit after playing 14 senior games at Chelsea last season. The hard running mid/forward also spent time with Rye and with Pint in the Northern Territory league where he was runner up in the league best and fairest.
EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE
Former Richmond and Hawthorn forward Ty Vickery has signed on with the Eagles in a huge coup. The 33-year-old played 125 games for Richmond and Hawthorn and booted 160 goals in the AFL. At 200cm he will certainly be a handful for opposition defenders.
RYE
Zach Byrns is back at Rowley Reserve. The gun midfielder has spent the past decade with Sorrento after a great junior career at Rye. He will wear the famous No.35, like dad Wes.
EVEN EARLIER...
DIVISION 1
DROMANA
Matt Gahan: The 2019 Dromana premiership player returns to the jungle after three years with Southport Sharks in the VFL. He played 18 games in the VFL last season.
RED HILL
Tom Pepperell: Joins the Hillmen from Murrumbenna and previously played most of his footy at Old Camberwell and Old Xavs in the VAFA. A strong running left footer who is versatile and can play either across the half back or further up on the wing.
Charles McCallum: At 6’4”, the Old Camberwell forward is known for his goal sense.
ROSEBUD
Rhys Dempster: The Narre Warren 2022 premiership player joins his brother Mitch and completes a trio of twins at the club along with the Cumming and Nanscawen boys. Rhys missed the 2023 season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
MORNINGTON
Jackson Voss: Last season’s Frankston Dolphins B&F third placegetter will be calling the kennel his local footy home for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
DIVISION 2
BONBEACH
Jackson Casey: The Bonbeach life member and long serving club captain returns after a season with Noble Park. One of the hardest footballers going around, Casey is passionate about football and craving success, and he has unfinished business in the MPFNL.
Jack Sullivan: Returns to Bonbeach after a year with Mordialloc. An exciting small forward with the ability to hit the scoreboard and apply pressure to the opposition.
Jack Caspersz: The 22-year-old is a big key forward from Mazenod Old Collegians and was named in the VAFA Premier C Men’s Team of the Year in 2022 after kicking 43 goals.
DEVON MEADOWS
Brendan Hermann: The Nar Nar Goon midfield dynamo joins the Panthers after a decorated career in the West Gippsland league, including over 150 senior games, four best and fairests and a stint as club captain.
Dylan Gregson: A 27-year-old key defender who has been captain of Mordialloc for the past two years and team of the year for the Southern league.
Jack Bailey: A 24-year-old running half back who was named in Mordialloc’s best in six successive games last season.
Jack Wilson: The 18-year-old was Stingrays-listed when he played 10 games in Hampton Park’s seniors last season, finishing runner-up in their best and fairest.
PEARCEDALE
Shane Davidson: A seasoned player with over 100 senior games at Vermont, he was also captain of EFL club The Basin from 2021-2023, playing another 100+ senior games.
EDI-ASP
Bayln O’Neil: With a family connection to the Eagles, O’Neil is coming off winning the reserves B&F at Chelsea.
SOMERVILLE
Andrew Wright: The Mt Eliza ruck/forward has cut his teeth in the reserves as well as playing a handful of games in the seniors at the Redlegs.
Luke Farrelly: The super fit defender/midfielder won Player of Finals last season at Karingal. His brothers Justin and Todd are both Somerville past players.
CHELSEA
Matt Smith: The young half back has come across from Karingal where he played seniors in 2022 before rupturing his ACL in the reserves grand final. Known for his intercept marking and a good kick of the footy, he is a great addition to the Seagulls defence.
John Simson: A silky goal kicking midfielder who previously played football at Old Geelong where he was a three-time best and fairest winner. He also was part of VAFA’s representative team in this period. Also played with Waratah in the NTFL.
Jordan Kelly: The former Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs AFL listed player is a key inclusion. Most recently he has been playing his footy with Old Xaverians and will boost the Gulls backline in 2024.
TYABB
Liam Gruar: Joins the Yabbies from Somerville where he played over 100 senior games including last season’s grand final.
Jimmy Freeman: The former Casey Demons and Sandringham Zebras forward is highly skilled and athletic and capable of dominating games. Also spent time in top leagues with Balwyn and Beaumaris.
CRIB POINT
Ryan Smith: The versatile 201cm ruckman joins the Magpies from Mornington where he has played in a runner-up grand final and was awarded the MPFNL Division 2 reserves Best & Fairest in 2023.
Harri Dekleuver: Returns to Crib Point after two seasons at Mornington. A versatile forward who can play a key role as a leader in the Magpies’ forward half.
SEAFORD
Jak Nardino: An explosive midfielder with an ability to break open games, Jak comes to Seaford after winning a league best and fairest with Beaumaris in the VAFA premier B competition in 2022.
EVEN EARLIER...
DIVISION 1
RED HILL
The Hillmen have been buoyed by the return of 2019 premiership backman Michael Mock as they look to climb the Division 1 ladder next season. Mock is fresh off captaining Barmera Monash to the Riverland Football League premiership in South Australia. He was named best-on-ground in the grand final. Mock brings a wealth of experience with over 100 senior games at Red Hill as well as a stint with the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.
FRANKSTON YCW
Former Frankston VFL forward Riley D’Arcy has signed on at the Stonecats, crossing from Karingal in Division 2. He will add power and aggression to the YC forward line, having kicked 111 goals in the past two seasons with Karingal.
MT ELIZA
The Redlegs have made two big signings, securing former VFL players Damian Mascitti and Chris Carey. Mascitti won a Box Hill Hawks best and fairest as a top-line rebounding defender and captained the Hawks. Carey, a ruckman, played with Port Melbourne and Sandringham. He is the son of Essendon premiership defender Steve, and was vice captain of Sandringham and also won league medals in the Southern League for East Malvern where he was a playing-coach.
FRANKSTON BOMBERS
The Bombers have picked up two of the best young players in the MPFNL, Mitch Harvey from Seaford and Langwarrin’s Ben Charles. Harvey is the nephew of two-time Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey and possesses the same endurance traits. He played senior footy at 16 and comes off a fine season with Seaford. Charles is a highly regarded rebounding defender who played in Langwarrin’s senior premiership in 2022 and in the Kangaroos under 19 flag this year. He will wear the No. 6 jumper worn by his dad, ex-club champion and coach Ash. Their commitment follows the re-signing of Bombers stars Alex Harnett, Daniel Didomenicantonio, Jason Kingsbury, Dyl Garrett and Harry Prior.
ROSEBUD
The Buds have been busy, adding a quartet of recruits. Somerville’s Jake Haskett boosts the midfield with his ability to rack up large disposal numbers and play in multiple positions on the ground. Kirk Dickson joins Rosebud from Cranbourne where he was a premiership player, perennial team of the year member and a 50-goal-a-season forward. Classy wingman Patrick Nagel crosses from Somerville. He’s a familiar face at Olympic Reserve, as captain-coach of Rosebud’s cricket club. The Buds have also picked up Lachlan Stenning from Bonbeach. The 2018 Dandenong Stingrays premiership player was also selected in Bonbeach’s team of the decade and was a Vic Country representative.
SORRENTO
Sorrento will boast one of the strongest midfields in MPFNL Division 1 next season after securing ex-AFL Bomber Dylan Clarke. The 25-year-old will link up with the Sharks’ other key signing, former Vermont and Montmorency ruckman Liam Buxton. Clarke’s parents live in Sorrento, making his move to the southern peninsula club convenient. Clarke was at Port Melbourne in the VFL this year after playing with Woodville-West Torrens in 2022.
DIVISION 2
KARINGAL
The Bulls have secured Rye captain and goal-kicking ace Andrew Dean. With over 500 goals in senior football, with both Rye and Tooradin, Dean boasts a decorated football CV, including U/19 Vic Country and Dandenong Stingrays listings. He kicked 74 goals for Rye in 2022 and 34 this year. At Karingal, Dean is a timely arrival after the Bulls lost key forwards Riley D’Arcy (to Frankston YCW) and Darcy Hope (Corowa-Rutherglen).
DEVON MEADOWS
Hampton Park young gun Jack Wilson joins the Panthers. He has been on the Dandenong Stingrays list for the past two years playing a total of 13 games. Devon Meadows has announced a stack of re-signings, including Paddy Ryder, Dean Kent, Nick Battle and Joel Hillis.
PEARCEDALE
The Dales have landed a dual signing coup, picking up experienced stars Tom Schneider and Brett Eddy. Schneider, 31, is a former Hawthorn draftee and best and fairest winner at Box Hill Hawks as well as a three-time B&F winner at Eastern Football League powerhouse Vermont, where he played starring roles in two premierships. Eddy, 33, was drafted to Port Adelaide, making three AFL appearances. During a seven-year stint with SANFL’s South Adelaide, he proved himself a prolific goal-kicker, averaging 70 goals a season. He’s also a premiership player with Vermont. Pearcedale has retained Jordan and Ryan Bastinac.
EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE
Since appointing former Collingwood VFL captain Kris Pendlebury as playing-coach, the Eagles have secured Seaford’s Ishak Bashir and St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers defender Kane Hutchinson as recruits. Bashir is a stoppage-king midfielder who was runner-up in Seaford’s best and fairest award in 2022. Hutchinson is a powerfully built 6’5 key back who will slot in beside Pendlebury in Edi-Asp’s backline.
CHELSEA
The Seagulls have been buoyed by the return of Jack Francis after two seasons with Eastern League powerhouse Noble Park, where he played in the Bulls’ 2022 premiership. His leadership and huge presence in the air will be a welcome addition to the Gulls as they look to climb the ladder in 2024.
HASTINGS
The Blues have signed mobile forward Brad Kovac and Morwell midfielder Zac Carlson, a skilful player and prolific tackler. Hastings finished eighth last season with a 7-10 record.
TYABB
Ryan Marks-Logan joins the Yabbies from Frankston Bombers, where he was known as one of the best rebounding defenders in Division 1. A former Dandenong Stingrays player who went on to have a couple of seasons with Frankston in the VFL, Marks-Logan has been a regular inclusion in the MPNFL team of the year.
SEAFORD
The Tigers have signed four young guns — Beaconsfield midfielder Sam Mackinder, former Western Jets best and fairest winner Will Kennedy, Mornington premiership player Harry Bould and Karingal inside midfielder Seth Kelly. They join a talented and youthful group ready to attack the season and climb up the ladder.
CRIB POINT
Former Frankston Dolphins VFL ruckman Peder Whelan, who stands 200cm, has signed with the Magpies for season 2024. Whelan, who also played in a senior premiership at Mornington in 2004 at the age of 18, has in recent times been dominating for the Peninsula Raiders in Division 1 Metro Superules. Cribby have also picked up Pines midfielder Jackson Weyne and Hampton Rovers 6’3 mobile player Joey Wilson.
BONBEACH
After being relegated from Division 1, the Sharks have made two signings: Churchill key defender Hayden Weir and Berwick Springs ruckman Daymon Hutchison, who won the Outer East league Division 1 reserves best and fairest.
Vampires fill coaching ‘holes’ in finals push
East Brighton has pinpointed the gaps that kept it from the Southern league Division 1 finals and has addressed them off the field.
Heidelberg move paying off for Rosbrook Medallist
In his first season at Heidelberg, Tom Keys is now a Rosbrook Medallist, and could add premiership player, but there was heartbreak for a Montmorency gun. FULL WINNERS LIST