Rumour mill: Local clubs’ pre-seasons, contracts spark debate
When is too soon to begin pre-season training? Some clubs have reignited the age-old debate, while another is reportedly rivalling AFL clubs for player contracts. All and more revealed here.
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When is too soon to begin pre-season training? Some clubs have reignited the age-old debate, while another is reportedly rivalling AFL clubs for player contract lengths.
Meanwhile, local clubs are licking their lips at the prospect of adding ex-AFL talent to their lists.
All and more revealed here in our rumour mill, and be sure to check back regularly for all the latest whispers ...
HANG ON, HOW MANY YEARS?
Local footy is stepping up a gear but this may be a touch too far.
Whether it’s right or not, local footy clubs are already starting to match – and sometimes beat – AFL clubs returning to pre-season.
The days of players hitting the track in the New Year are over, with most players returning in November.
But the whisper that hit the local footy rumour mill last week has definitely raised some eyebrows.
One club is taking itself a bit too seriously with four-year contracts for its players and it’s understood it’s even posed a six-year contract for one of its stars.
Considering that contract is worth less than an empty can of Coke if things aren’t rosy in the last week of June, this AFL-mimicking is a bit much.
DERMIE’S GLOWING ENDORSEMENT
The great Dermott Brereton put a call through to Edithvale-Aspendale recently, declaring “you’ve got an absolute beauty”.
He was referring to Lewis Diggins, who has joined the Eagles from Beaumaris.
Dermie coached Diggins at Beauie and is a big wrap for him, believing he’ll make a sledgehammer impact in the MPFNL.
POPULAR BRAND BOOTED?
Rumour has it the renowned Sherrin could be given the boot as ball supplier of one of Melbourne’s powerhouse leagues for 2024, in favour of competitor Kookaburra. It’s said the league’s officials met with the Moorabbin-based manufacturer recently, with a decision imminent.
THE RACE IS ON FOR EX-AFL TALENTS
With AFL lists taking shape for next season, local clubs will now be looking to bolster their playing stocks with those fresh out of the system.
More than 70 names are looking for new football homes and there could be plenty of fresh faces running around at your local grounds in 2024.
Here’s a list of delisted blokes with Victorian backgrounds that could land in local footy.
HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS
An ex-AFL player who reached cult figure status at the top level is potentially on the move, as a desire to finish his career with a premiership has grown significantly in the last 12 months.
He’s sounding out clubs in multiple leagues to see where they sit as suitors.
While he will be an enormous addition to wherever he lands, he will be a handful of points which may narrow down his search.
OPEN? SOCIAL? THIRDS?
A survey went out last month to the Southern league clubs that have a thirds side.
One of the questions in the survey was asking clubs if they would be for or against a name change to the competition.
The options were: social grade, open grade, thirds (still) or a request to nominate a new name.
Some clubs feel open or social may diminish the integrity of the grade while some feel it may bring former players back into the league through a more relaxed competition.
Also included in the survey was the option to have two divisions, which looks likely if enough clubs register a third side.
COUNTRY CALLS FOR MATHIESON
A club in one of country footy’s strongest leagues and looking to rise up the ladder after a success-starved run has entered the race for former Brisbane Lions midfield bull Rhys Mathieson.
The team in question already has a former Lion in its ranks and made a big impression in 2023.
If all is to come to fruition, this club’s starting midfield could feature three ex-AFL players.
Earlier...
HOT RACE FOR EX-LION
Clubs are reportedly tripping over one-another to sign recently delisted Brisbane Lion, Rhys Mathieson.
The former Geelong Falcon played 72 AFL games from 2016-2023 after his No. 39 selection in the 2015 national draft.
It’s believed the 26-year-old has been in hot demand among state league and local outfits alike in Victoria, with the midfielder reportedly offered a king’s ransom by one club.
Mathieson is currently in the Northern Territory playing alongside fellow ex-Lion Mitch Robinson.
WHERE COULD A RECENTLY RETIRED GUN POP UP?
A recently retired AFL star is rumoured to be in talks for several guest appearances for one local club next season.
If the club, which is a former league powerhouse, can pull it off it would be one of the biggest crowds we’ve seen at local level in some time.
The player in question is suggested to be up for three games here in Melbourne while it wouldn’t be a surprise if they popped up in other parts of the country.
WHERE IS NARRE IN 2025?
Narre Warren has committed to the Outer East league for 2024 but there’s a few Southern league outfits that want to see the Magpies in their comp the following year.
After its bid to get into the MPFNL was denied, a handful of teams in the Southern league wanted to see Narre Warren shift its attention to the SFNL.
They feel the competition has grown since Cranbourne came into Southern and feel the Magpies will only make the league stronger.
Narre was denied a third consecutive premiership this season, losing the Premier Division Outer East grand final to Wandin.
COACH WANTED?
A proud regional “footy factory” school is on the look-out for a new coach of its senior footy team in 2024. Rumour has it that the current coach, who is also a teacher at the school, is moving to a nearby college in 2024, leaving behind the prized 1st XVIII head coaching role.
BOOM (JUNIOR) RECRUITS
War has almost been declared between a number of clubs in the south-east, with neighbours poaching juniors to strengthen their future under-19 programs.
One coach labelled the club across the road’s approach “utterly ridiculous” for luring juniors and he thinks a points cap should be introduced to reward clubs who transition their juniors into the senior system.
MORE EX-AFL NAMES TO THE EDFL?
It’s already been a busy off-season in the EDFL and more ex-AFL names could be on the way.
Former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide wingman Trent Dumont has been linked to one of the competition’s powerhouses.
Shaun McKernan has also been rumoured to return to the competition with a rising Premier Division club reportedly in line for his signature.
EXODUS AT WRFL CLUBS?
The last two WRFL Division 1 premiers could have a very different look next season. Talk around the competition suggests Werribee Districts has already lost several players from this year’s flag.
Meanwhile, 2022 premier Altona has already lost stars Connor Menadue (Portarlington) and Josh Bench (Albion). More are expected to follow suit.
WHEN IS TOO SOON?
One club has people talking about how quickly it approached players who played in grand finals this season.
It waited just two days before trying to lure those who competed in deciders.
It’s certainly a first-in-best-dressed approach, but it has raised the question: when is too soon to ask?
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
There’s talk a current VFL captain may be returning to his local side if the pre-season draft doesn’t fall his way.
It might be one to hold onto until AFL lists are finalised in February, but his addition back to his local club would propel it to premiership contention.
FORMER AFL BIG MAN TO THE EDFL?
After a year with Port Melbourne in the VFL, former AFL ruckman Paul Hunter is rumoured to be eyeing a move to an Essendon District Football League club.
It’s believed he will join a Premier Division club that’s already made a swag of new signings to start the off-season.
ALL EYES ON HOPPERS CROSSING
With Jared Polec as its new senior coach, many pundits are expecting Hoppers Crossing to dramatically improve in 2024.
There are rumours Polec’s arrival will spark a signing frenzy which will include ex-AFL players.
HOME IS CALLING
The local footy signings are coming thick and fast with the silly season in full swing.
We hear a former AFL-listed defender has reached out to his original Mornington Peninsula club, keen to finish his career there.
After a decorated career, including a VFL premiership, the player wants to win a flag with his home club.
TOP COACH TO RETURN
A sacked coach is set to re-join the local footy scene in an assistant role.
The former AFL player has coached seven clubs in country and metro football but his sudden departure from a country club mid-season a couple of years ago left him with a sour taste in his mouth.
He will be a great acquisition for his soon-to-be new club.
WRFL FUTURE YET TO BE DECIDED
A report made public last month over the Western Region Football League’s future is still yet to have a final decision. It was reported the league was set to drop from three divisions to two but a move is yet to be decided.
Among the changes, there have been suggestions Albion wishes to remain in Division 2 after it was proposed it would move to Division 1 to help form a 10-team top tier.
The league is also expected to change its name to the Western Football Netball League.
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