Outer East Football Netball League: All the latest key signings ahead of 2024

Outer East league clubs have been busily recruiting for 2024, with a stack of key signings landing across the divisions ...

Outer East league clubs have been busily recruiting for 2024 since the season finished — and there’s been no shortage of key player signings landing.

Also keep up to date with all the latest coaching moves in our club-by-club guide.

PREMIER DIVISION

Macauley Beckwith of Lilydale marks. Photo: Hamish Blair

WANDIN

Macauley Beckwith: The versatile Lilydale player kicked 32 goals last year but can also impact games through the midfield. He reunites with his ex-Lilydale teammate Jordan Jaworski at the reigning premiers.

WOORI YALLOCK

Jason Lindgren: Returns after missing most of last season for work reasons and will be a welcome addition with his experience and work rate.

Marcus Baxter: The mercurial premiership forward returns after stops at Eley Park Sharks, Mooroolbark and Kilcunda Bass. He once kicked 15 goals in a game for Woori in 2017.

Taylor Gibson: The big skilful centre half forward known for his strong marking returns from Kilcunda Bass where he kicked 42 goals in 10 games last season.

Jason Lindgren (middle) lays a tackle for Montrose. Picture: Stuart Milligan

PAKENHAM

Cooper Reilly: The mobile ruckman comes across from Garfield. Played at Cranbourne before that.

Beej Brougham: A welcome addition back at the Lions after a stop at Cora Lynn where he was U18s captain.

Caelan Addis: The former Pakenham junior returns after a stint with Cora Lynn.

Kade Perkins: Exciting youngster from Cora Lynn where he won the U18s best and fairest and made his senior debut. Has a strong family bloodline to senior football at Pakenham.

Kaleb Brice: The 196cm ruckman comes from Officer in Outer East league and will give the Lions first use of the football.

Jai Rout: Returns after stints in Western Australia and also in the West Gippsland competition. The former Gippsland Power representative is a crafty forward who enjoys time in the midfield.

Ryan Hillard.

Corey Phillips (middle).

GEMBROOK COCKATOO

Ryan Hillard: The star midfielder joins the Brookers from Hampton Park. A best and fairest winner and Berwick premiership player in 2017, his strong leadership and class will ensure the Brookers’ midfield runs deep in 2024.

Cory Phillips: The Hampton Park premiership captain is a strong-bodied midfielder with a raking left foot, sure to add grunt and depth to the midfield under coach Michael Firrito.

Dale Walker playing for South Croydon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MT EVELYN

Matt Barnard: After playing all of his senior football at South Wantirna, the 198cm power player is set to crash packs at the Rovers.

Dale Walker: With a senior career spanning nearly 15 years, Walker brings a stack of knowledge and experience having played in numerous premierships, starting with Box Hill Hawks reserves, Ainslie (NEAFL), Wagga Wagga and South Croydon in the EFNL Premier League. Signed as senior assistant playing backline coach.

BERWICK SPRINGS

Matt Soutter: A skilled half back with years of leadership experience, including seven years with Springvale, where he contributed to the club’s rise from D3 to D1. Won the 2018 premiership as a Springvale D3 player. Aso worked as an assistant coach in the Ellinbank league.

OLINDA FERNY CREEK

Ethan Greenall: Returns to the Bloods after stops at Palm Beach Currumbin and Monbulk.

Anthony Giacobbe: Joins from Doncaster in the Eastern league Premier division where he played 17 games this year.

Jake Gains (right). Picture: Andy Brownbill

Rowville’s Ben Kernick (left) and Noble Park’s Shane Valenti. Picture: Chris Eastman

OFFICER

Jake Gains: A Noble Park and Berwick premiership ruckman, Gains can play any position along the spine.

Brenton Hillard: A former club junior, the tough midfielder’s footy journey includes five years with Casey’s VFL program including a VFL development premiership, two years at Frankston VFL and the past three seasons with Noble Park.

Jeremy Valentine: A crafty small forward from Beaconsfield with great goal sense.

Ben Kernick: A former Rowville midfielder known for his balance on both sides of the body.

Jeremy Monckton: A former club junior, Monckton returns after winning bestand fairests and premierships at Cora Lynn.

Jeremy Monckton. Picture: Sarah Matray

Brenton Hillard (right) playing for the Casey Demons.

DIVISION 1

BELGRAVE

Joshua Brown: The Berwick defnder is set to bolster the back six. Known for his intercept marking and kicking and last year he finished runners up in the reserves best and fairest. Ryley Pentland: A forward from from Ferntree Gully with leadershp qualities.

Josh Molden: Returns to the club after playing on the wing for Nunawading. Will add zip and skill.

Ben Holland: The key defender from Noble Park is a terrific pick-up, bringing strength and size and is rarely beaten one-on-one.

Zac Prizmic: A former Lysterfield junior, joins Belgrave after spending the past few seasons at Boronia as a midfielder/forward.

Nathan Power: The tall and athletic forward from Narre Warren can play close to goals and further up the ground when needed.

SEVILLE

Matt Robinson: Signs as senior playing assistant coach. The experienced Robinson previously played seniors at Montrose and is coming off an assistant coaching role at Vermont this year. He’s also had a coaching role with Eastern Rangers’ under-16 squad for the past two seasons and will benefit Seville’s young group.

Matt Graham: From Croydon, the 6’2 athletic swing man can play at both ends of the ground.

YARRA JUNCTION

Cooper Foulis: Young and ready to go, Foulis has risen through the Eastern Ranges program before taking a couple of years off.

YEA

The Tigers have plenty of positive recruiting news, regaining the dashing Lachy Beattie from Whittlesea, premiership player Chris Graham, goal kicker Trent McMahon, Nick Gilbee back from Healesville, Hayden Witton, Cameron Evans back from Forest Hill, Aidan McSpeerin, ex-captain Patrick Evans, ruckman Darcy Pell, defender Mitch Ryan and speedy wingman Jye Aldous from Cairns.