OEFN recruiting tracker: Every signing, every move

Footy never sleeps and Outer East FN clubs are already wheeling and dealing for 2026, making some huge signings — track every in and out right here.

Aden Quirk has joined Pakenham. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The off-season rush is well and truly underway across the Outer East Football Netball league, with clubs making bold moves to strengthen their lists ahead of the 2026 campaign.

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PREMIER DIVISION

GEMBROOK COCKATOO
IN: Sahaf Ali (Avondale Heights), Regan Uwandu (West Preston-Lakeside), Noah Crew (Officer), Jordan Maslen (Narre South), Daniel Taylor (Officer)

OUT: Michael Firrito (retired), Brayden Weller (Bunyip), Callum Bourne (Bunyip), Aaron Firrito (Narre Warren)

Sahaf Ali: joins the Brookers as a talented 22-year-old key forward, bringing valuable Box Hill Hawks VFL experience and strong senior football pedigree from East Ringwood in the EFL Premier Division and more recently Avondale Heights in the EDFL.

Regan Uwandu: the 6’4” versatile key position player from West Preston-Lakeside brings Northern Knights and Coburg VFL experience to both ends and can pinch hit in the ruck.

Noah Crew: the towering 6’6” ruck/forward brings best-on-ground form from Officer’s 2024 U19s Grand Final and a year of senior development experience.

Jordan Maslen: is a medium-tall sized forward with strong hands and goal sense who played senior football with the Narre South Saints in 2024.

Daniel Taylor: returns from a two-year break from football due to work and university commitments. He has played senior football at Officer in 2022, a winger/forward with some serious leg speed.

*Coaching appointment: Troy Tharle has been appointed Brookers senior coach for 2026, a star forward with 250-plus games, dual premierships, Cranbourne life member, and recent coaching experience at Officer and West Gippsland U18s Interleague.

Sahaf Ali of East Ringwood celebrates a goal. Picture: George Sal

HEALESVILLE

IN:

OUT: Rodney Van Riet (Altona)

*Coaching appointment: Dale Watkins will steer the Bloods in 2026, bringing extensive coaching experience from Vermont EFNL, strong leadership, player development expertise, and passion to build the Bloods’ competitive future.

MONBULK

IN:
OUT: Josh Rak (Queensland)

*Rob Savory has said he will retire but the club hopes he will have a change of mind. Jon Hevern has retired to player/coach in the twos.

MT EVELYN

IN: Thomas Bunning (Vermont), Devon McKernan (South Croydon), Riley Clarke (West Preston–Lakeside)

Thomas Bunning: a 6’5” high-leaping forward/ruckman from Vermont, bringing reserves best and fairest honours, Eastern Ranges experience, and proven versatility and scoreboard impact.

Devon McKernan: Smooth-moving on-baller with over 70 senior games at Mooroolbark (2022 Grand Final) and South Croydon. The 22-year-old joins brother Ryley, adding polish, power and poise to the maroon and white.

OFFICER
IN: Tom Gambetta (Berwick), James Carver (Berwick), Tex Marsham (Nar Nar Goon), Jasper Young (Wahgunyah), Josh Brown (Belgrave)

OUT: Tyler Canute (Drouin), Jack Liddle (Mitcham), Daniel Taylor (Gembrook Cockatoo)

Tex Marsham: joins the Roos for 2026 as an experienced premiership ruckman (at Nar Nar Goon in 2024) with interleague honours, bringing valuable Gippsland Power development and Box Hill VFL experience to the blue and white.

Jasper Young: Standing at 188cm, the talented and versatile utility developed through Dingley juniors and the Cheltenham U19s.

OLINDA FERNY CREEK

IN:

OUT:

Nic Visser has signed at Upwey Tecoma. Pic: Upwey Tecoma FNC

UPWEY TECOMA

IN: Nic Visser (Warragul Industrials)
OUT: Spencer Richards-West (Ferntree Gully), Jack McKay (Norwood), Simon Orenshaw (Chirnside Park)

Nic Visser: Impossible to tackle and tough as nails, this Gippsland star and 2017 grand final BOG brings a human wrecking ball mentality to the Tigers’ engine room.

*Coaching appointment: Leigh Horsburgh is the Tigers’ new senior coach for 2026 and 2027. Leigh’s coaching career started at Cranbourne JFC in the early 2000s before he landed his first senior gig at Stony Creek in 2010 (Alberton FL). He had stints at Buln Buln (Ellinbank DFL) and Chirnside Park (EFNL), before moving to VAFA club Elsternwick AFC in 2015.

WANDIN

IN: Angus Strachan (Vermont)
OUT:

Angus Strachan: joins from Vermont FNC as an agile ruck/key position player, adding valuable versatility and youthful talent to complement the Bulldogs’ growing list and pursuit of more September success.

Blake Muir. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

WARBURTON-MILLGROVE

IN: Josh Berenger (Hastings), Blake Muir (Woori Yallock)

OUT: Tarkyn Nicolandos (Seville)

Josh Berenger: 2024 Hastings FNC best and fairest winner and MPFNL team of the year squad member. His talent and pedigree make him an exciting addition to the Burras’ squad for their rise to Premier Division.

Blake Muir: the young gun suffered an ACL injury in 2024 but he’s returned to the Burras where he played in an Under 18s premiership in 2022. An elite kick with huge upside.

WOORI YALLOCK
IN: Anthony Daraio (Kilcunda Bass), Kynan French (Lilydale), Jack Soroczynski (Kilcunda Bass)

OUT: Blake Muir (Warburton-Millgrove)

Anthony Daraio: The former Kilcunda Bass forward arrives with impressive credentials: 2021 best and fairest at Yarragon, consecutive 45 and 48-goal seasons, team of the year forward.

Kynan French: The electric speedster returns to Woori Yallock for 2026. He was the third-top goal scorer in 2024 at just 18 years old, and his pace will ignite the Tigers.

Jack Soroczynski: The attacking half-back and Kilcunda Bass 2021 best and fairest winner brings three years of VFL experience at Frankston, elite ball-use, and damaging run-and-carry ability.

*Coaching appointment: Jake Mathews will lead the Tigers, with extensive experience and passion for the yellow and black. The perfect leader to guide the Tigers into the future.

Jack Soroczynski (left) playing for Frankston in the VFL. Picture: Richard Serong

DIVISION 1

ALEXANDRA

IN:
OUT:

BELGRAVE

IN: Jayden Malek (Berwick Springs), Aidan Kidd (South Belgrave), Jesse Prescott, Brodie Prescott (returning), Ryleigh McCormick, Harry Ryan (South Belgrave), Connor Wilson (Upper FTG), Heath James Black (Upwey Tecoma), Dyllan Wilson

OUT: Kyle Nunn (Pakenham), Corey Fritze (Pakenham), Josh Brown (Officer)

Jayden Malek: the inaugural Berwick Springs captain from 2021 brings versatile defensive skills, strong hands, leadership experience, and invaluable knowledge to the Magpies’ backline.

Aidan Kidd: joins BFNC for 2026 from South Belgrave Division One and country football, bringing toughness, skill, and impressive on-ball class to strengthen the senior midfield.

Dyllan Wilson: joins Belgrave, continuing his family legacy as son of best and fairest winner Adam “Willow” Wilson, returning from Upwey to reignite his football journey.

Jesse Prescott, Brodie Prescott, Ryleigh McCormick, Harry Ryan, Connor Wilson and Heath James Black join for 2026, bringing youth, speed, versatility and exciting talent to the Magpies’ senior ranks.

EMERALD

IN: Ethan Crosher (East Ringwood), Hamish Browning (Lyndhurst, Skye), Hori Jury (Yarra Junction)

OUT: Lachlan Hoye (Chirnside Park)

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.

Hamish Browning (left) jumps for joy after kicking a goal for Lyndhurst in the 2022 grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

PAKENHAM

IN: Aden Quirk (Drouin), Kyle Nunn (Belgrave), Luke Molino (returning), Sam Wellwood (Narre Warren), Mitch Dowling (Neerim South), Corey Fritze (Belgrave), Sam Kors (Warragul Industrials), Cooper Sheppard (Keysborough), Matt Ryan (Cora Lynn)

OUT: Jake Kidd (retired), David Sollberger (Kilcunda Bass), Bailey Brougham (Cora Lynn), Caelan Addis (Cora Lynn)

Aden Quirk: joins as playing assistant coach, a dominant 6’1” Gippsland FL midfielder averaging 31 possessions, bringing premiership bloodline from grandfather Bryan Quirk’s Carlton legacy.

Kyle Nunn: a dangerous forward with exceptional goal sense, speed and agility, boasting an impressive 70 goals in 28 games over two seasons at Belgrave.

Luke Molino: returns to the Lions after a 2019 departure, the 195cm 24-year-old bringing massive upside after pursuing tennis, basketball and sports science studies during his sabbatical.

Corey Fritze: a 6’4” athletic 24-year-old defender with 50 plus senior games, combining youth, experience and elite versatility against key forwards.

Sam Wellwood: a versatile 20-year-old former Pakenham junior returning home after premiership success at Narre Warren, continuing his father Andrew’s Lions legacy with exceptional football IQ.

Mitch Dowling: a young talent with four years’ experience, eager attitude, ready to develop under dedicated Lions coaching.

Sam Kors: returns to the Lions after a season at Warragul Industrials. His speed, skill, intensity, and contest work strengthen the Lions’ push for success.

Cooper Sheppard: returns to the Lions for 2026 after three Southern FL seasons, a versatile player with elite aerial ability, dangerous marking prowess and booming left-foot delivery.

Matt Ryan: 6’4” gun forward returning to Pakenham after stellar stint at Cora Lynn. The 25-year-old brings speed, strength, leadership and goal-scoring power. Reunites with brother Luke for 2026.

POWELLTOWN

IN:
OUT: Ryan Handley (Rye), Josh Cowan (Chelsea), Daniel Kick (Black Rock)

*Coaching appointment: Nathan Moody will coach Powelly for seasons 2026 and 2027. He is red and blue through and through, a 250 plus game player, a multiple best and fairest winner, captain, two-time premiership player.

SEVILLE

IN: Joel Koger (Aspley Hornets), Jarrod Thompson (Lilydale), Tarkyn Nicolandos (Warburton-Millgrove), Aiden Pemberton (Chirnside Park), Cameron Thompson (Lilydale), Daniel Mcnaughton (Olinda Ferny Creek)

Joel Koger: a towering 6’7” ruckman with great hands and scoreboard impact, bringing Aspley Hornets QAFL and EFNL Division 1 experience from Lilydale and Croydon.

Jarrod Thompson: Quick, skilful wingman joining from Lilydale who impacts the scoreboard and creates opportunities. Brings experience and reunites with brother Nathan.

Tarkyn Nicolandos: The 21-year-old speedster brings excitement and pace to the flanks for 2026.Aiden Pemberton: The versatile half forward/wingman from Chirnside Park and formerly Croydon brings exceptional fitness, speed and skills to the lineup. Cameron Thompson:

a hybrid forward who has a powerful boot. Comes across from EFNL side Lilydale, where he was able to break into the senior side this season at 17.

He joins brothers Nathan and Jarrod at the Blues.

Daniel Mcnaughton: a tall half-back with excellent skills and reads the ball well.

*Coaching appointment: Glenn Pemberton will steer the Blues in 2026. He joins the club from EFNL club Croydon, bringing with him a wealth of coaching experience and a strong track record.

Joel Koger playing for Croydon. Picture: Hamish Blair

YARRA GLEN

IN: Jonathan Fraser (Mooroolbark), Aden Stares (Mooroolbark), Cooper Barbera (Hurstbridge), Luke De Goldi (Hurstbridge), Daniel Reid (Lindenow)

Jonathan Fraser: towering full-back with leadership experience and powerful intercept marking ability.

Aden Stares: versatile centre half-back bringing physical presence and uncompromising defensive style.

Cooper Barbera: dynamic forward and wingman. Ex-Northern Knights player.

Luke De Goldi: pacey small forward with intensity, recovering from knee injury setback.

Daniel Reid: creative left-footed half-back flanker with height and damaging boot delivery.

YARRA JUNCTION

IN: Caleb Lee (Woori Yallock), Matt Cliff (Woori Yallock), Matt Todd (Woori Yallock), Tom Heron (Woori Yallock), Allan Chandler (Coldstream)

OUT: Michael Cramp (East Burwood), Hori Jury (Emerald), Harry Relf (Croydon), Dylan Russo (Fairpark), Adam Gleeson (Caloundra), Cooper Holmes (Croydon)

*Coaching apppointment: Troy Pye will coach the Eagles. He brings great experience to the role, having spent the past four years as a reserves co-coach, with stints at Olinda and also Woori Yallock.

Allan Chandler is back at Yarra Junction. (Photo: Bethany Hutchison)

YEA

IN: Rohan King (Kinglake), Damian Pywell (Kinglake), Ryder Plant (Montmorency), Logan Plant (Montmorency), Aaron Cakuls (Woori Yallock), Pierce Jenkin (Woori Yallock), Jack Parker, Axel Kilby

Rohan King: joins as playing assistant coach from the Northern League football, bringing leadership, defensive experience and personal accolades including 2025 third best and fairest honours to strengthen the backline.

Damian Pywell: an exciting livewire forward who works through the midfield, bringing goal-scoring power.

Logan Plant: an athletic big man versatile across both ends, bringing valuable size to Tigerland.

Ryder Plant: a forward bringing strong work rate, defensive pressure and natural goal sense.