The biggest off-season recruits so far ahead of the 2021 NFL season
The local footy clearances are open and some Northern Football League clubs have made a strong start to the cut-throat pre-season recruiting campaign.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The countdown is on to Round 1 and the local footy clearances have re-opened.
Some big names have arrived in the Northern Football League since its 2020 season was cancelled in June.
While others are looking for a fresh start or new challenge at rival clubs.
None are bigger than ex-AFL stars Majak Daw and Sam Lloyd who have joined North Heidelberg and Bundoora respectively.
There have also been some important departures, headlined by three-time Rosbrook Medallist Matthew Dennis, who has moved to Tasmania.
Check out the biggest player moves so far this pre-season and keep an eye on Local Footy for the latest news ahead of Round 1.
The former Coburg VFL midfielder returned from London last year and will link up with Heidelberg for 2021. Posar finished third in the Lions best-and-fairest before jetting off overseas and continued to play in the UK with North London Lions. Joins his younger brother Josh at Warringal Reserve.
Coached by Bundoora premiership player Isaac Muller at North Albury, which helped the Bulls land the talent key forward. Young is listed by VFL club Frankston and will play locally when his VFL duties allow.
After being delisted by North Melbourne Daw hoped for an AFL lifeline but when it didn’t come it was no surprise to see him land at North Heidelberg. Daw’s brother Anthony signed before the 2020 season and Kangaroos legend Brent Harvey is still a big part of the Bulldogs set-up despite stepping down as coach after 2019. Will be a handful at either end of the ground.
JAKE, CAM, MITCH WILD (Whittlesea)
It’s gonna get wild in Whittlesea. The three brothers will play together for the first time with Cam signing on from SANFL outfit Central Districts and Jake and Mitch from Division 2 club Diamond Creek. How much the Eagles see of Mitch and Cam remains to be seen with the pair looking to earn a VFL contract at Northern Bullants.
A major coup for Thomastown with the former Sydney Swans-listed midfielder joining the club full-time after spending 2019 with North Melbourne VFL. He crosses from Division 2 rival Watsonia and will joined by Kangaroos VFL teammate and Wallan midfielder Michael Tang.
What a coup for Bundoora. Lloyd should still be playing AFL but decided to call time on his career to concentrate on the next phase of his life. A mutual contact put Bulls coach Michael Ryan in touch with Lloyd last season and the rest as they say is history.
A massive blow for Epping but a massive boost for Division 2 rivals Thomastown. Carter is one of the best big men in the competition and is a more than adequate replacement for Dylan Chapman. The Bears fancy themselves premiership contenders (as do two other clubs called the Bears) and Carter will be integral to their plans.
The Mustangs are slowly rebuilding and continue to add experience and ability. None bigger – physically and metaphorically – than ruckman Gregson who was lucky enough to play footy in 2020, with Tasmanian outfit East Devonport. He’ll link up for former coach Jason Hamilton.
Having lost Tom Simpson, Hurstbridge were in the market for a hard-nosed midfielder and as luck would have it, Beaven was looking for a club. The Queenslander moved to Melbourne for work and had played footy with Bridges’ star Joel Dale in London. Arrives from Zillmere with an impressive resume in QAFL and NEAFL.
It’s always a good day when you can announce the return of a premiership captain. Barden return to the Bears after a stint at Mulwala in the Murray Football League. He’ll join brother and current club captain Darcy Barden in helping Lower jump straight back to the top.
Whittlesea is bulking up for its return to Division 1 and Barrett is a strong addition to the Eagles’ midfield. Arriving from Balranald, the tough onballer has previously represented Northern Blues in the VFL. Another strong leader for the young Eagles.
A genuine coup for Watsonia, attracting Potter for 2021. The flying wingman/defender played four games for Vic Metro in 2019 and was a legitimate AFL Draft candidate before a shoulder injury derailed his campaign. Crosses from junior club South Morang in Division 3.
AND LEAVING THE NFL ...
MATTHEW DENNIS (Bundoora >>> Bracknell, NTFA)
The Bundoora legend will take up an opportunity in Tasmania when his playing commitments in the Northern Territory are complete. The Bulls are confident he will return to bring up his 200-game milestone. The ruck mantle will now land on Joel Grace and new recruit Nathan Howard for 2021. Good luck lads, big shoes to fill.
TOM SIMPSON (Hurstbridge >>> Queensland)
The Bridges midfielder has taken an opportunity interstate but the club hopes to have him back next season. Simpson will be hard to replace in the engineroom after playing 15 games and being named in the best nine times in 2019.
VFL: EX-AFL MID AMONG FIVE RECRUITS FOR BULLANTS
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
NFL: GUMBLETON AMONG BANYULE GREATS TO RETIRE
DAVID MYERS (Northcote Park >>> Western Australia)
Arguably the biggest recruit of 2020 never got to play a game. Myers would have been star attraction every weekend but returned to Western Australia after the NFL season was cancelled. He wasn’t the only big-name arrival to depart Bill Lawry Oval last year with coach Barry Mitchell also deciding to depart without taking charge of a match.
ALEX FASOLO (Montmorency >>> Western Australia)
Sadly, the former Collingwood and Carlton goalsneak never got to pull on the black and white of Montmorency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He would have formed a formidable one-two combination with former AFL teammate Ben Kennedy. Instead, he returned to Western Australia last year.
Ex-AFL gun takes Fitzroy Stars coaching reins
Following the disappointment of grand final defeat, Fitzroy Stars have received a massive boost with the appointment of Neville Jetta as coach for 2025.
Laurimar lands local footy goalkicking great
Laurimar has joined the NFNL Division 3 arms race, securing one of the Northern league’s greatest goalkickers for its return to the competition in 2025.