Wallan adds major recruits as it looks to go one better in RDFNL 2025

Looking to end its 40-year flag drought, Wallan has loaded up with several big-name recruits, including ex-AFL star Cameron Cloke.

Cameron Cloke has signed for Wallan.

Wallan is going all in to break its 40-year premiership drought.

The Riddell District grand finalist has announced ex-AFL full-forward Cameron Cloke and Roxburgh Park premiership captain Harley Short for 2025.

Although the Magpies have denied two attempted clearances for their skipper.

The Magpies have also secured Jeremy Hayes from Hillside and Alex Crawford and Jesse Nelson from Avenel.

That’s on top of the previously confirmed Victor Micallef, an EDFL league best-and-fairest winner and four-time club champion.

Wallan has also retained Bowen Medallist Chris Stewart and mid-season recruits Jake Carlisle and John Bellino, while Steven Boyall should have an entire season after only returning from a knee reconstruction for finals this year.

Harley Short signs at Wallan.

Magpies coach Daniel Nolan, entering his 10th season at the helm said the club had unfinished business.

“We are determined to work even harder over pre-season and put ourselves in a position to compete on grand final day again,” Nolan said.

“It was pleasing to make it this year but we have unfinished business and as a group we are motivated to take the next step.

“We feel our recruits come with finals experience and will stand up in big games.

“The boys have started training with high standards and have come back in great shape. I have been very pleased with their dedication and mindset.

“The competition is very even and we have two new clubs entering, which is exciting for the growth and reputation of the league.”

Victor Micallef signs at Wallan.

Cloke comes across from Eastern Division 2 club Templestowe, where he played six games in the reserves.

The star goalkicker has been forced to take time out of the game in recent seasons due to concussions, most recently after being coward punched before a game against Heathmont.

Short is a three-time best-and-fairest winner at Roxburgh Park and captained the Magpies’ 2018 EDFL Division 2 premiership, winning the best-on-ground medal in the process.

He played 15 Division 1 matches this season, earning a mention in the best eight times and finishing runner-up in the club champion award.

Hayes, a big-bodied midfielder, played 12 senior games at Hillside this season in EDFL Division 1.

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Meanwhile, Crawford and Nelson return to Greenhill Reserve after one season and two seasons at Kyabram District club Avenel respectively.

Crawford was part of Wallan’s under-19s premiership in 2022.

Nolan said the club would also look to blood its youngsters after the 19s reached the semi-finals.

“We also have some extremely talented kids coming through the system such as Marcus Datson, Max Russell, Jet Kennedy, Luke Young and Archie Moore,” he said.