OEFN: Premiership sharpshooter among Emerald’s recruits package
A goal-kicking premiership forward is among a package of recruits set to reinvigorate Emerald in Outer East league in 2026.
After two tough seasons in Outer East’s Premier Division yielded just five wins, Emerald is hitting the reset button with intent.
Leading the charge is premiership sharpshooter Hamish Browning, whose 62-goal haul in Lyndhurst’s 2022 flag triumph has the Bombers buzzing about their Division 1 return.
The prolific forward has linked with Emerald through friendships with several Bombers players including Jake Pedder and Josh Rich.
“We had a little chat with him and he’s keen and looking fit,” Emerald playing-coach Dave Johnson said.
“He’s been smashing out all that body fit stuff and he’s keen to get into pre-season.”
Browning will provide Emerald with another big target in attack alongside Johnson, allowing the Bombers to stretch opposition defences.
Johnson believes the dual-threat will prove particularly effective in Division 1, where clubs typically have fewer quality key defenders than Premier Division.
Emerald has also recruited Yarra Junction winger Hori Jury and East Ringwood youngster Ethan Crosher, both former Emerald juniors.
Johnson played with Jury at Yarra Junction and rates the athletic basketballer-turned-footballer highly as a half-back or winger option.
Crosher will provide another midfield boost after his opportunities were limited at East Ringwood following a broken hand in 2025.
Emerald will compete in OEFN Division 1 in 2026 after finishing bottom of Premier Division in 2025, winning just five games across two seasons following their 2023 Division 1 premiership.
“The last two years we’ve won five games, coming off the premiership (in Division 1) in 2023,’’ Johnson said.
“And that season was probably the most enjoyable season the boys at the club have had. And then to go up to Premier and stop winning games of footy (was hard).
“We got relegated and the boys are like, can’t wait for next year ... there’s a bit of belief that we’re going to give it a red hot crack next year in the first division.
“It just probably makes it a bit more inviting for people to get back into the club when you’re winning games of footy.”
In another boost, key players Josh Rich and Jordan Donadel will return in 2026 after missing much of 2025 with ACL and foot injuries respectively.
EMERALD
IN: Ethan Crosher (East Ringwood), Hamish Browning (Lyndhurst, Skye), Hori Jury (Yarra Junction)
Ethan Crosher: An Emerald junior returning home after two seasons at East Ringwood.
Hamish Browning: Big forward who kicked 62 goals in Lyndhurst’s premiership season in 2022.
Hori Jury: Athletic, fit and good size.
*Key players Jordan Donadel and Josh Rich will return in 2026 after season-ending injuries in 2025.
Every signing: Your EDFL off-season recruiting tracker
