MPFNL: All the latest key signings ahead of 2024
The big signings continue in the MPFNL, with an ex-VFL midfielder and a Western Region premiership player joining clubs.
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The recruiting news rolls on...
Edithvale-Aspendale announced on Sunday they’ve signed Lewis Diggins, a big-bodied midfielder from Beaumaris who had stints at both Richmond and Sandringham in the VFL.
And Rye and Rosebud unveiled their latest signings.
NOTABLE MPFNL SIGNINGS FOR 2024
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 five 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. Rosebud has also signed Wyndham Suns premiership player Paul Tomelty. He is 6’2”, quick and a proven goal kicker.
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 a string of recruits. The latest is Lewis Diggins, a big-bodied midfielder who had stints at both Richmond and Sandringham in the VFL and has recently played with Beaumauris where he won a VAFA Premier B League Medal. Edi-Asp’s other signings are Seaford’s Ishak Bashir and St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers defender Kane Hutchinson. 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.
RYE
Experienced midfielder Taylor Ward joins the Demons after playing his senior football at Old Mentonians. Rye has also picked up brothers Lochie and Brodie Sweetnam, from Dromana. Lochie is a key position centre half forward and Brodie can play ruck or forward.
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