Former Western Bulldog Alex Keath will play Melbourne suburban footy in 2025

A recently retired AFL gun has linked with a strong suburban club in one of the signings of the off-season. Here are the details.

Alex Keath with new coach Nick Jewell.

What a boost for suburban footy.

Recently retired Western Bulldog Alex Keath will pull on the boots at local level in 2025.

Keath, who played at Adelaide and Western Bulldogs after crossing from first-class cricket, has signed at East Brighton in Melbourne’s Southern league.

The 32-year-old joined the Crows as a Category B rookie in 2016 after playing seven first class and 16 List A matches for Victoria.

His 109-game AFL career included a Showdown Medal in 2019 as well as a grand final appearance in 2021.

Keath was one of the most prized recruits this local football off-season but chose East Brighton, where he had a prior connection with coach Nick Jewell.

Alex Keath on the run. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jewell, who also crossed between AFL and first-class cricket, coached Keath as a teenager and said “he’s one of the best blokes you’ll meet”.

“I coached him when he was (age) 16, 17, 18 at school and then assisted him with his cricket when he made the decision not to pursue an AFL contract,” Jewell said.

“I sat in on a few of those meetings with him, he was a boarder and his parents lived hours away, I have known him for a long time and know he’s a great person.

“If that had something to get him over the line, that’s lovely, but you don’t help people for your own gain, you just do it because you could see he was a great kid.

“We’re nearly 20 odd years on, getting back into it together.”

Alex Keath with new coach Nick Jewell.

Keath was a reliable key defender at AFL level but Jewell thinks he will be able to play anywhere as a Vampire.

“We’re talking about playing him in the midfield as a big-bodied midfielder, he would be a huge-bodied midfielder,” he said.

“He’s obviously got the ability to play across half back but we know if we put him forward with Corpy (Nick Corp) and Tom Lamb, one of those guys are going to get the third defender.

“We’ve got some good options, some good bullets in the gun.”

Keath playing Sheffield Shield for Victoria.

The Vampires have had a strong off-season so far, signing Ben Dessent, Tommy Evans, Emile Tait, Luke Grima, Kyle Cooper and Tyler Flanigan.

They also have Kai Love-Linay returning from a season on the sidelines with a knee injury.

East Brighton identified what it was lacking in its first season back in the top flight and is now aiming towards the flag.

“I think after coming up from Div 2 we realised in our first year what we were missing,” Jewell said.

“We’ve picked up four or five with state league or VFL experience, a couple from Albury who have some speed and skill by foot, that’s what we were missing.

“We think we’ve filled those gaps and Keathy is just cream on top, he’ll give us a calm head in big moments, he’s a great voice, leader and person.”

East Brighton kicks off its 2025 campaign with Division 2 premier Murrumbeena.

EAST BRIGHTON

IN: Ben Dessent (Montrose), Tommy Evans, Emile Tait (Bonbeach), Luke Grima (Wantirna South), Kyle Cooper (Chiltern), Tyler Flanigan (Irrewarra-Beeac), Kale Love-Linay (returning from injury), Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs, AFL)

OUT: Jordan Grollo (St Kilda City), Jack Rennex (Yea), Kyle Hutchison (TBC)