Former St Kilda rookie Josiah Kyle has returned to the Southern Football Netball League

An exciting livewire, who was once on an AFL list, will suit up for a Southern league club in 2025. Here’s where the club plans to use him.

Josiah Kyle. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Endeavour Hills coach Matt Peake wanted to add some firepower.

And he’s got it, landing former AFL rookie Josiah Kyle.

Kyle was a St Kilda rookie in 2021 but didn’t play a game at senior level.

He has spent time at a number of local clubs since, most recently Berwick in the Eastern league.

Peake is looking forward to having Kyle at the club, confident the 21-year-old has his best footy ahead of him.

“I think it’s very exciting, anytime you can bring someone who is genuine quality into your club is great,” he said.

“I am quite excited by it, actually, we’re going to make him feel welcome, his partner plays in our women’s side so he’s been around a bit and met some of the guys.

“We’ll get a good pre-season under the belt and when he’s comfortable he’ll play his best footy.”

Kyle, second from the left, was a rookie at St Kilda. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Kyle is no stranger to the Southern league, having played in Doveton’s 2022 grand final side.

Peake plans to play Kyle forward to help the Falcons capitalise on momentum.

“I think primarily forward, we really need to lift in that area by hitting the scoreboard when we have momentum in games,” he said.

“He will play there but he’s said as well that he can push up the ground a bit.

“We’ll see how the rest (of the off-season) goes, how we set up.

“We’ve got our certain structures and game plan but there’s enough room to express yourself too, he’ll fit in well because there’s room for him to play his natural game.”

Kyle played for Doveton in 2022. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Endeavour Hills won seven matches in its debut Division 2 season.

Peake thinks the Falcons will build on their seventh-placed finish but knows it won’t happen without a big pre-season.

“I think there was so much unknown going into this year but I was bullish to be honest,” he said.

“There was a lot of guys unsure how they would go with the step up but a year under their belt will make a huge difference.

“We’re certainly under no illusions that because we’ve been a year up that we will just improve, a lot of work will have to go in.”