MPFNL Division 2: Former Dingley star Dan Farmer among Crib Point signings

Crib Point has secured a package of recruits, including an ex-AFL Magpie and a VAFA best and fairest winner, as it aims high in 2025.

Max Coughlin and Dan Farmer are among Crib Point’s recruits.

Crib Point is aiming to be a genuine flag contender in 2025 and an impressive haul of recruits will boost its bid.

Hampton Rovers best and fairest winner Max Coughlin is the latest Magpies signing.

He joins former Collingwood AFL listed Dan Farmer, ex-Mornington vice-captain Tyler Hobson and Red Hill young gun Aden Phillips as key additions at Crib Point, which narrowly missed finals in Mornington Peninsula league’s Division 2 this year.

“They are four pretty quality signings and we’re hopeful we’ve still got a couple up our sleeve, we’re still speaking to a couple,” Crib Point coach Duane Annable said.

“We’ve retained most of our list which is probably the most important thing and after a pretty positive year we want to challenge, we really want to obviously make finals and challenge.”

Max Coughlin playing for Hampton Rovers. Picture: Supplied

Coughlin, 24, is a tall, goal-kicking midfielder who was on Casey Demons’ VFL list in 2024 but played every game at the Rovers as they made the grand final in VAFA Premier C.

Coughlin was a star of the club’s Under 19 team two years ago, captaining it to a premiership and booting 42 goals.

“He’s on Casey’s list this year,’’ Annable said.

“And he’ll be doing pre season and trying to get on their list again. He’s a good size and he’s really good mates with a couple of the boys. He predominantly plays in the midfield but he can go forward.

“Midfield depth was probably a little bit of an area we needed to (boost)…we’ve been pretty targeted.”

Daniel Farmer celebrates a goal for Dingley in the 2017 SNFL grand final. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Farmer joins Cribby as playing assistant coach and the Magpies hope he’ll be a strong goal-kicking target up forward.

His football journey includes two seasons (2011-12) on Collingwood’s list, premierships and 291 goals at Dingley and, most recently, two goal-filled seasons (kicking 90 and 67 goals) at Woodside in the North Gippsland league, including a premiership in 2024.

“We really lacked that key pillar, a key forward,’’ Annable said.

“He’s 32, 33, and is going to be a playing assistant. He has got an assistant coaching role with Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates league so he might miss a few games and a bit of our training but we’re pretty happy to have him on board.’’

Tyler Hobson has joined Crib Point. Picture: Facebook

Hobson, 27, has played around 80 senior games with Garfield and Mornington, and is described as “a taller hybrid defender’’ with leadership.

Phillips, 23, is a tough-as-nails mid-size defender who has played 24 senior games at Red Hill in the past two seasons and has also been part of the Frankston VFL academy. He is a smooth-moving left footer with elite ball use and is approaching his best years as a senior footballer.

Annable said the addition of Hobson and Phillips would allow Crib Point to “release Miles Shepherd and Josh Le Grice a bit more’’.

Mornington under-19 player Harrison Goosey is another Crib Point addition.

Crib Point has lost mobile big man Travis Stewart (Beaconsfield) and Jackson Weyne (South Mornington).

Co-captain Brad Arnold has had surgery on a wrist injury and could return to playing in the second half of the 2025 season.

Ruckman Peder Whelan will go around again. He played every game last season. “We’re very happy to have a Peder for another year,’’ Annable said.

CRIB POINT

IN: Dan Farmer (Woodside), Aden Phillips (Red Hill), Tyler Hobson (Mornington), Harrison Goosey (Mornington), Max Coughlin (Hampton Rovers)

OUT: Travis Stewart (Beaconsfield), Jackson Weyne (South Mornington)