MPFNL: ex-AFL Sun Sam Fletcher signs at Red Hill after recovering from ACL injury
He walked away after doing his ACL. Now a former Gold Coast Sun is back, signing at a Mornington Peninsula club that’s always felt like home.
It’s been a red-hot week for Red Hill.
The Hillmen have secured two premium midfield recruits in former Gold Coast Sun Sam Fletcher and metropolitan football rising star Matt Emmanouil.
Fletcher, a Balnarring junior who played in the Dandenong Stingrays’ breakthrough 2018 premiership before becoming the Suns’ first SSP signing in 2019, returns to football after two years away following a serious knee injury.
“I signed a couple days ago and it’s a good feeling,’’ Fletcher said on Thursday.
“I feel excited to be back and getting involved.”
The 25-year-old suffered an ACL injury playing for Dromana against Pines two years ago, taking time away from the game for rehabilitation and travelling — he ventured to South America, Mexico, Europe and Morocco.
“I had quite a big injury history, so it sort of tainted that love for the game a little bit, but over the last couple of months, I’ve been missing it and wanted to get back involved,” he said.
Red Hill represents a homecoming for Fletcher, whose family connections run deep at the club.
“Red Hill is sort of my family club,’’ he said.
“My sisters have played netball there and my old man played footy there. I grew up in Somers, so that was our local club. I’ve sort of always wanted to play there, really.’’
Fletcher met Red Hill’s new coach Ben Murphy this week, describing their initial meeting as “really good” and expressing confidence in the club’s direction for 2026.
“We got along really well and spoke about some things to do with footy and spoke about a lot of things just unrelated and that was nice as well,’’ he said.
“He’s a really good man and hopefully brings a new fresh perspective to the club and, yeah, we can have a good year.’’
The Hillmen also secured 21-year-old Emmanouil, who claimed both Parkdale’s club and the VAFA league best and fairest in 2025, capping a remarkable season where he polled votes in 16 of 19 games.
Former Coburg VFL midfielder Josh Watson is also set to boost Red Hill in 2026.
He signed with the club last season, however, he lived overseas doing a university placement so didn’t play. So, effectively, he will be like a recruit.
RED HILL 2026
Coach: Ben Murphy
IN: Matt Presutto (Ivanhoe), Matt Emmanouil (Parkdale Vultures), Sam Fletcher, Corey Trigger
OUT: Michael Mock (North Brunswick), Dylan Atkins (Sorrento)
Matt Presutto: Composed ball winner with exceptional skills off half-back and penetrating midfield presence.
Matt Emmanouil: The 21-year-old powerful midfielder from Parkdale Vultrures won league and club best and fairest, served as vice captain, and earned VAFA C Team of the Year selection.
Sam Fletcher: The ex-Gold Coast Sun joins Red Hill’s midfield stocks. The experienced Frankston product brings elite inside work, clean hands, and leadership to mentor Red Hill’s emerging young guns.
Corey Trigger: The 199cm big-bodied defender returns from basketball, eager to dominate at centre half-back after a two-year break from footy.
OEFN recruiting tracker: Every signing, every move
