OEFN: All the signings of the 2024-25 off-season

A former Collingwood player, an ex-SANFL key forward and a host of best and fairest winners are among off-season signings by Outer East league clubs. See every recruit in our signing tracker.

Jack McKay (left), Marley Williams and Josh Cowan.

The footy off-season is well underway across the Outer East Football Netball league.

Clubs are already unveiling their fresh faces for season 2025 and you can keep up with every move in our pre-season tracker below.

PREMIER DIVISION

EMERALD

Ethan Grose: The premiership player returns from a season off, bringing leadership, silky skills and hardness.

Luke Spaulding: A multiple Outer East league team of the year recipient, Spaulding comes across from Yarra Junction where he won the best and fairest in 2024. He brings height, skill and class to the Bombers — and experience, with over 150 senior games under his belt.

Luke Spaulding has joined Emerald after winning Yarra Junction's best and fairest in 2024. Picture: Facebook

GEMBROOK COCKATOO

Marley Williams: The former Collingwood and North Melbourne 125-gamer lives at nearby Avonsleigh and will provide experience and versatility at the Brookers under Michael Firrito.

MT EVELYN

Tommy Burkitt: The 188cm running machine joins the Rovers from Mitcham where he spent three years until a nasty leg injury kept him out of the game for a while. He will reunite with his old teammates the Gordon brothers at the Rovers.

Daniel Chamberlin: Returns to his junior club after four years at Montrose where he forged a reputation as a tough, skilful and dynamic forward. Knows how to kick a goal and will definitely make defenders nervous.

OFFICER

Nathan Allen: Has been appointed 2025 senior playing-coach. Boasting a decorated career, including three years with Casey in the VFL, Allen joins the Roos from Meeniyan Dumbalk United in the Mid Gippsland league where he was player-coach.

Ash Allen: Joins the Roos as a playing defensive coach, and will strengthen the backline. A former senior coach at Hallam, Allen was a playing-assistant coach at MDU and has more than 150 games of senior experience.

Jack McKay (right), of Fitzroy, battles with Austin Bradtke of Old Haileybury. Picture : George Salpigtidis

UPWEY TECOMA

Jack McKay: The 201cm key forward joins the Tigers from VAFA Premier club Fitzroy, where he was vice-captain and played for the past five years. The yellow and black is familiar to McKay, having played for Glenelg (also Tigers) in the SANFL, including a season where he claimed an Under 18 best and fairest. He also played top-grade football for Victor Harbour in the Great Southern league. At 27, he will be a great fit for the Tigers’ young group on the rise.

Spencer Richards-West: The 193cm key position player joins the Tigers from South Belgrave, where he played Under 19s and senior footy. The 21-year-old is an exciting prospect at centre half-forward, with his power and skill a perfect fit Upwey’s young side hungry to go to the next level.

DIVISION 1

POWELLTOWN

Josh Cowan: The experienced midfielder with a beautiful left boot finished fourth in St Bede’s B&F in 2024 despite only playing 14 games. He averaged 32 disposals including 21 kicks which puts him in the elite category for both. A prolific ball winner, a multiple (x7) representative of the Big V in the VAFA rep games, Cowan also was vice-captain of the VAFA side in the representative game this season.

Josh Cowan in action for St Bede’s. Photo: Andrew Batsch

Alex Cross: The former VFL player is regarded as a running machine and the ultimate professional. His impressive CV includes best and fairest awards at both St Bede’s and Old Mentone.

Jaryd Wines: A former Oakleigh Krushers VAFA player, he played a starring role in Black Rock’s 2022 premiership in the Southern league. He is known for his physicality and has a knack of finding the big sticks.

Cooper Ferries: A best and fairest winner at Black Rock in 2021, and a senior premiership player in 2022, Ferries has been a champion defender in Southern league for the past decade. He has also proven to be the ultimate swing man, capable of going forward and kicking goals.

Ryan Handley: Is Powelltown’s new playing-coach, signing for seasons 2025-26. Has predominately played his football in the Eastern league, including seven seasons at Bayswater. Handley for the past six seasons was playing-coach at Black Rock in Southern league, taking the Jets from second last on the ladder to premiership glory in 2022.

Jarrad Kay: Comes across from Highett in Southern league and is known for his contested ball winning ability, athleticism and all-day engine.

Cooper Colee has joined Seville. Picture: Facebook

SEVILLE
Cooper Colee: The quick and agile midfielder comes across from OEFN Premier Division club Mt Evelyn. He’s a two-time under 19s best and fairest winner, plus he had a top five finish in a seniors B&F. Just 21, and already with plenty of senior experience.

YARRA GLEN

Jae MacDonald: Comes across from Mooroolbark in the Eastern league where he has played senior footy. A big-bodied mid and only 20, he will give the River Pigs a hard edge in the middle.