All the latest recruiting moves among Riddell District league clubs

The Riddell District league season is only a month away and the clubs are putting the finishing touches on their lists. Check out the latest recruiting announcements.

William Thornton-Gielen in action for Melton South. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Riddell District Football Netball League season is just a month away.

However, that hasn’t stopped clubs from adding key pieces on the recruiting front.

A key forward has joined Macedon, two brothers have arrived at Melton Centrals from a neighbouring rival and Western Rams have an ex-AFL man joining their ranks.

We’ve wrapped up the past couple of months of player movement in the league.

What was the biggest move?

Dane Swan in action for St Kilda City. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MELTON CENTRAL

Melton Centrals secured a massive recruiting coup with the arrival of Jack and Will Thornton-Gielen. The pair were key players for Melton South in the Ballarat league last season with Jake acting as club vice-captain and named in the league’s top 50 players. Jake will slot into half-back, providing some much-needed class to the Blues ball movement. Jake will likely be on the receiving end of some of that class as a dangerous forward. He booted 20 goals last season and can also make an impact in the midfield

MACEDON

Macedon has officially announced Sam Indian as a recruit for 2023 but he will still need a clearance from previous club Whittlesea. An initial request was denied earlier this month. If Indian does suit up for the Cats he will be a major boost to the club’s forward line. Jason Cooke is in need of a sidekick and Indian could be the perfect foil. A premiership player, as an 18-year-old, with Whittlesea in 2018. Ned O’Connell has also arrived at Tony Clarke Reserve, shifting from EDFL Premier Division outfit Essendon Doutta Stars. O’Connell played 12 matches at senior level last season and will slot in nicely at Macedon. The Cats round out a trio of new faces with Aaron Morham. A best-and-fairest winner at Greta in the Ovens and King league, Morham will add some grit and toughness to the team.

Lachlan Hickey in action for Melton. Picture: Andy Brownbill

DIGGERS REST

The Burras made a splash with the addition of Melton premiership-winning trio Mark Orr and Jaycob and Lachlan Hickey. Jaycob Hickey was named among the Bloods’ best in the Ballarat league grand final win over Sebastopol, collecting 24 disposals, including 21 kicks, and five tackles. Orr looms as one of the RDFNL’s best ruckman if he can remain fit and Lachlan Hickey will add further class and outside run to a team that was out-paced in last year’s grand final defeat to Riddell.

WESTERN RAMS

Last year’s wooden spooner has made a major signing for it’s standalone season opener against Melton Centras and Ian Cowie Reserve. The Rams will run out with Brownlow Medallist and Collingwood premiership star Dane Swan in the team on April 1. Swan will take the field and then be involved in a sportsman’s night with Ricky Nixon. While it is a one-off, Swan’s appearance will hopefully be a major boost to Western Rams off-field success and could even help the club end its 52-game losing streak.

WOODEND-HESKET

The battle for the No.1 ruck in the Riddell District this season is going to be a good one with Woodend-Hesket adding Banyule premiership big man Tim Martin. Martin is a two-time Bendigo league best-and-fairest winner and 2022 Northern league Division 2 grand final best-on-ground medallist. Martin’s arrival caps a highly successful off-season that has also seen the return of Ben and Daniel Toman and arrival of Gisborne premiership midfielder Ethan Minns.

WALLAN

The Magpies might have been quiet on their social media but they’ve been busy on the phones. While a host of players have left, Wallan has secured several high-quality recruits. Carlton VFL-listed big man Hayden Gill, former Brisbane Lions VFL-listed Jacob Langborne and brother Callum, former Calder Cannon Mason Bowden, Steven Callanan and Michael Baccari, Patrick Baccari and Craigieburn premiership wingman Josh Vilinskis. Current Calder Cannon and under-16 Vic Metro talent and 2024 AFL Draft hope Nash King will also call Wallan home. Write Wallan off at your peril.

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LANCEFIELD

The Tigers have added a pair of new faces in the past month. Arii Rintala joins from Maryborough Castlemaine league outfit Trentham. He played six senior games last season and will be a handy addition to Lancefield’s forward line. Former junior Daniel Reynolds has also returned.