Check out all the Riddell District recruiting moves ahead of the 2024 season

Several of local footy’s most decorated players, plus a heap more top talent, is heading for the Riddell District league in 2024. See who’s heading where.

Riddell District clubs lock in recruits for 2024

A host of top talent is heading for the Riddell District league in 2024.

Three of local footy’s most decorated players, Chris Stewart, Dean Galea and Shaun Campbell, headline a strong group of recruits.

Every club has secured exciting fresh talent for the new season.

Newcomers Kyneton have also loaded up with returning juniors and ex-VFL talents.

Check out every club’s new faces below.

Shaun Campbell celebrates a goal for Parkside in the WRFL Division 2 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

DIGGERS REST

Campbell Wearne: The gun onballer arrives from Essendon District club Essendon Doutta Stars, having also previously played more than 250 games for Morningside in the QAFL. Was named in the best 15 times in 17 appearances for the Stars last season and kicked five goals.

Shaun Campbell: One of local footy’s most decorated players. Campbell has spent the last three seasons at Western Region Division 2 club Parkside, winning a hat-trick of league medals, two club best-and-fairests and co-captained the Magpies to the premiership this season, winning the best-on-ground medal in the process. Previously coached Wagga Tigers to a Riverina league premiership and won a Central Highlands league medal while with Ballan.

Luke Delahey: Returns to Diggers after a season with Perth league club North Beach. The big-bodied midfielder-defender made 11 senior appearances for North last season after playing all 20 in Diggers run to the grand final in 2022. Currently running around for Southern Districts in the NTFL Premier Division, playing 10 games so far

KYNETON

Dylan Holden: A Tigers junior who captained the club’s under-18s before shifting to Trentham in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league. The defender co-captained the Saints for the past two years and was runner-up in the club best-and-fairest in 2022. Brings invaluable leadership and experience to a Tigers outfit stepping into a new competition for the first time.

Ben Saliba: Another returning to their junior club for its inaugural season in the RDFNL. Saliba is a hard-running midfielder who played Coates Talent league for Bendigo Pioneers and earned a VFL contract at Bendigo Bombers. Spent time at VAFA heavyweight Uni Blacks before stepping away from the game through the COVID years.

Will Martin-Alcaide: Is still only 17 but seen as a long-term senior footballer. Switches from Bellarine league club Torquay. A smooth-moving midfielder with elite endurance and foot skills, according to the club announcement.

Billy and Alex Mahoney: Billy spent two seasons with Kyneton in 2017-18 and returns with an impressive resume; VFL experience at Werribee, Bendigo Pioneers, Bendigo league Rising Star in 2014, Heathcote District Team of the Year and a Mount Pleasant club best-and-fairest. Played two games for Maryborough Rovers in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league last year. Meanwhile, brother Alex joins Kyneton after three seasons at the Rovers. He won a club best-and-fairest and finished runner-up twice in that time.

Sam Bartels: Returns to the field with the Tigers after a couple of seasons away. Previously a stalwart of Cohuna in the Central Murray league.

Dan and Evan Davie: Dan was a member of Woodend-Hesket’s grand final side last season, playing 10 matches and kicking 17 goals in total, including two in the loss to Diggers Rest, earning a mention in the best. Evan, meanwhile, was a staple of the Hawks reserve grade team, playing 16 matches and kicking six goals.

LANCEFIELD

Corey Reid: A Lancefield junior, Reid returns to the club from Northern league power Greensborough. He played all 19 games for the Borough’s reserve grade team last season and will look to bring his experience to a developing Tigers outfit.

Adam Miles: Arrives from Broadford, where he played 13 senior games in Outer East Division 2 last year. Played for Outer East Premier Division club Woori Yallock for the two seasons prior. Lancefield has been impressed with his impact in the pre-season.

Ben Radford: Joins his brother Jack at the Tigers. Radford kicked 67 goals last season for Parkside, finishing second in the league goalkicking award and helping the Devils claim the VAFA Division 2 premiership.

Brody Thrum: Another club junior returning to bolster the club’s development. Was a regular senior at Kyneton last year in the Bendigo league but jumped ship to a now Riddell District rival for 2024. An strong runner who will bring versatility to the Tigers line-up.

Ryan Johnson: Returned to the game after a few seasons off last season, playing three senior matches at Broadford. Adds important depth to the Tigers squad.

Isaac Smithwick: Jumps across from Outer East club Broadford after 11 senior matches. Joins teammates Miles and Johnson.

MACEDON

Matt Dick: The Macedon star returns to the club after a season out of the game. The former Sydney and Carlton AFL-listed midfielder is a significant boost to the Cats hopes of returning to finals football this season after missing out for the first time since 2014 last year.

Tom Indian: Joins his brother Sam at Tony Clarke Reserve. The developing big man spent 2023 at Northern Division 1 finalist Hurstbridge, playing nine matches. Offers a big boost to the Cats ruck and key position stocks.

Nathan Hynes: The young gun won the RDFNL Under-19s goalkicking award last season, booting 47 majors for Gisborne Giants. While still eligible for underage football, the Cats will be hoping he can make the step up to senior football and bring his scoring prowess with him.

Dylan McDonald: A one-time AFL Draft prospect, hailing from Albury and graduating from the Murray Bushrangers and AFL Academy programs.

Johno Bissell: Was a senior regular for Bacchus Marsh last year, making 16 senior appearances and will look to step up again at Macedon, bringing experience and attack on the ball.

Jayden Cott: Another trading Cobras for Cats. Cott made three senior and 10 reserve grade appearances for Bacchus Marsh last season. Will compliment Macedon’s mature talent nicely.

MELTON CENTRALS

Brad Layton: Crosses from Ballarat premier Darley. Played just the five reserve grade games last season after 13 reserves appearances in 2022. A tall forward, who will add much-needed height to the Centrals squad.

Josh Thomas: Joins Centrals from Point Cook, where he played two senior games and according to the club was an emergency for the Bulldogs’ grand final. Will look to make a half-back flank his own at Arnolds Creek Reserve.

Caleb Higgins: The Blues junior returns to Arnolds Creek Reserve after a stint at St Albans in the WRFL and EDFL. Played all 18 games in the EDFL Division 1 Under-18s last season. Looking to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a Centrals senior player.

Beau Arnautovic: Arrives from EDFL club St Albans, where he was a mainstay for the club’s under-18s, playing 13 games, and also stepped up for one match in the reserve. A tall defender who can play on talls or smalls.

RIDDELL

Dean Galea: Remains one of the most feared forwards in local footy. A two-time Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist as the VFL leading goalkicker, VFL premiership player and Team of the Year full forward. Was an almost annual leading goalkicker in the EDFL Premier Division, first with Avondale Heights and then Keilor, leading to his selection in the EDFL Team of the Decade. Arrives from Rupertswood, where he kicked 62 goals and was named in the Division 1 Team of the Year.

Brent Swallow: One of Rupertswood’s greatest players. A premiership player, four-time best-and-fairest winner and captain for seven years. Swallow also won the RDFNL Bowen Medal in 2016 and finished runner-up in 2018 and was named best-on-ground in the 2019 grand final. Walks into the competition as one of the best midfielders.

Jack Hammerling: The 2022 Riddell premiership player returns to the club after one season with Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District league. The young gun played five senior games for the Lions last year and will return to the Bombers a better player for the experience.

Luke Cannon: A key position swingman, capable of making an impact at either end of the ground. A member of Rupertswood’s 2019 RDFNL premiership and returns to the league after playing 20 matches and kicking seven goals for the Sharks in EDFL Division 1 last year. Follows coach Aaron Bray.

Taylor Ford: Returns to his junior club after three seasons with Trentham in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league. The defender was a key part of the Saints’ run to a preliminary final last year and bolsters the Bombers backline significantly. Made 16 senior appearances last season and kicked one goal.

Dylan Podolczak: Moves to Riddells Creek from Rupertswood, joining coach Aaron Bray. A member of the Sharks’ 2019 premiership team and earned interleague honours in 2018. Will look to slot into the Bombers line-up on a wing or flank and provide plenty of run and carry.

Jacob Chahine: Another making the move from Rupertswood. Can play key position at either end but perhaps best suited up forward.

Brent Swallow gets a kick for Rupertswood. Picture: Hamish Blair

ROMSEY

Justin Waldron: The ruckman comes across from Sunbury in the Ballarat league where he played three senior and 16 reserve grade matches last season. Will be vying for the Redbacks’ No.1 ruck role.

Aaron Flavel: Made 13 senior appearances for Western Region Division 2 premier Parkside but sadly missed out on the grand final victory. The midfielder will look to win a place in the Redbacks’ stacked engineroom for 2024.

Connor Bills: Makes the move to Romsey park from Bendigo league club Gisborne, where he was previously teammates with RDFNL Rising Star Darcy Lockens. Broke through for 14 senior appearances in 2023, earning a mention in the best three times.

Oscar Schnoor: Looking to step up to senior football after spending 2023 with Gisborne Giants. Played 16 games for the Giants in the under-19.5 competition, including the club’s grand final defeat. Booted three goals in the qualifying final and major semi-final.

Ash Millane: Played 14 of 16 games for an East Sunbury side that unfortunately didn’t win a game in 2023. Still managed to kick 11 goals for the season and will look to sing the song more often at Romsey.

Brandon Dimech: Was named in Maiden Gully’s best seven times in 16 matches last season in the Loddon Valley league and booted 24 goals. Will enhance the Redbacks’ attack nicely with Jack Jedwab potentially on VFL duties most weeks.

Ethan Beer: A strong addition for the Redbacks as Beer spent last season with VAFA heavyweight St Kevin’s. He played all 20 matches for SKOBs reserves and earned a mention in the best four times.

Maclaren Forbes: Shifts from league rival Woodend-Hesket after three senior matches last season. Will look to establish himself as a more regular senior player at the Redbacks.

WALLAN

Chris Stewart: A giant of local footy. The star ruckman has one of the finest resumes in community sport. A key member of the record-breaking Deer Park team that won seven consecutive Western Region premierships and 11 senior flags in total, WRFL Division 1 league best-and-fairest, two grand final medals, four club best-and-fairests, 11-time Team of the Year and captain of Deer Park’s Team of the Decade.

Reuben Rode: A gun junior at Calder Cannons before going bush and joining Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league. Helped the Bombers reach the grand final last season, playing 20 games and kicking 12 goals. A Wallan junior and currently doing a pre-season with Carlton’s VFL side.

Shaun Stewart: Returns to Greenhill Reserve after two seasons with Rupertswood in the EDFL. A RDFNL interleague representative and co-captain of Wallan’s grand final team in 2019. Earned EDFL Division 1 Team of the Year honours last year as Rupo marched to a preliminary final finish.

Lachlan Inness: Another old Magpie making the return. Inness spent 2023 with Heathcote in the Heathcote District competition, playing 18 games, including the losing grand final. Also a member of Wallan’s 2019 grand final side.

Ned Davis: The young gun is a former Wallan junior and returns from Whittlesea. Davis has made a strong first impression with the Magpies’ senior group and it wouldn’t surprise to see him blooded early.

WOODEND-HESKET

Will Wiseman: The brother grand final player James. The strongly built key position player featured at under-18 and reserve grade level for SANFL power Sturt in 2021-22 and represented Kingston in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League last year, helping the club reach the grand final.

Luke Cuffe: Makes the move to Gilbert Gordon Oval from Essendon District power Strathmore. Didn’t play in 2023 after a series of injuries. Made 11 reserve grade appearances for the Mores in 2021-22 and will be looking to make a mark at senior level for the Hawks.

Jack Duggan: Another to join Woodend from Strathmore. Duggan made 14 senior appearances for the Mores last season, and captained the reserves to a premiership. Played six senior matches in 2022 but missed out on the club’s senior EDFL premiership.