Southern league: All the latest recruiting news
From VFL talents to big kicking forwards, Southern league clubs aren’t messing about in the recruiting market. Here’s the latest news from across all four divisions.
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The big movements from all four divisions of the Southern footy league have continued to emerge as clubs prepare for a monstrous 2023.
Here are all the latest movements from each club this season …
DIVISION 1
ROSELLAS FILL THEIR GAP
Since losing the Division 1 grand final, Cheltenham has filled a spot in which it felt it lacked with the addition of big-bodied midfielder Luke Verma.
Verma crosses from Mornington Peninsula powerhouse Bonbeach and adds to the Rosella’s depth in the engine room.
SAINTS LOSE ‘THE LOOSH’
Brendan Fevola is unlikely to lace up for St Kilda City this season after his debut season last winter.
Fevola kicked 19 goals from six matches for the Saints last year alongside other former AFL stars Dane Swan and Aaron Edwards.
Dane Swan is expected to play for the Saints in season 2023.
BLOODHOUNDS GO BANG
Mordialloc has wasted no time in attempting to improve its 2022 5-13 record by adding a selection of new recruits.
The Bloodhounds added Brown brothers – Mitch and Darcy – as well as former Glen Waverley players Jacob McElroy and James Brailsford Hunt.
NOT FIXING WHAT ISN’T BROKEN
Reigning premiers Cranbourne has felt no need to load up on recruits in 2023 as coach Steve O’Brien feels he has the depth in his current group.
But that hasn’t stopped rival clubs taking a punt on some of Cranbourne’s players, with MPNFL club Rosebud snaring premiership players Jake Carosella and Luca Bellinvia from Livingston Reserve.
SIGNING SPREE AT SPRINGY DISTRICTS
There is almost a shortage of ink at Springvale Reserve after a busy summer on the books.
Kris Thompson’s men have added multiple premiership player Dylan Quirk, utility Xavier Woodland (East Gippsland), Daniel Helmore (Garfield) and Liam Gove (Bairnsdale).
While those players will all flourish for Springvale Districts, no signing will be bigger than the re-addition of Matt Wetering, who will resume at the club full-time after a stint with Collingwood VFL.
Wetering won back-to-back league medals before joining the Pies’ program last year.
DIVISION 2
DOVES ADD DEPTH
In addition to former Australian Test quick James Pattinson, the Doves have also signed a selection of young players from rival clubs.
Nick Pincoctt – a seven-time Team of the Year representative – joins from EFNL club Forrest Hill, as well as former Officer ruckman Matt Waldon.
Last year’s runners-up have too signed Nik Hibbert (Narre Warren), Bailey Farrer (Langwarrin) and Lachy Moss (Devon Meadows) in an attempt to enter the competitions top tier.
BULLDOGS SHARPEN THEIR BITE
Highett has reinforced its list with verified midfielder Dino Karamoshos and a trio of Old Mentonians.
Karamoshos – a talented wingman – played some VFL footy at Port Melbourne after showing his talents in the NAB League program.
Harry Menzel, Jack Roberts and Zac Morgan also loom as strong signings, all coming out of VAFA club Old Mentonians.
NO TIME WASTED AT EAST MALVERN
East Malvern has made some big moves ahead of its 2023 season, with a new coach and a stack of signings.
New coach Michael Rossborough has welcomed hard-nosed midfielder Rob Amendola, a former prospect out of the Oakleigh Chargers, and former VFL-listed player Youseph Dib.
Dib signs with the Panthers for the upcoming season after having played for North Melbourne in 2022. Like Amendola, Dib also played with the Chargers.
VAMPIRES OUT FOR BLOOD
East Brighton – led by new coach Nick Jewell – has gone on a signing spree, landing a plethora of big names ahead of 2023.
The Vampires have added Brady Egan, Ryan Semmel, Tyrren Head, James McNamara, James Van Minnen and Liam Harris ahead of this season.
DIVISION 3
HEAT FROM HEATHERTON
Heatherton has filled a number of gaps in its 22 with two crucial signings.
Liam Brannighan will don the black and white in 2023 after joining from Caulfield Grammar.
The 22-year-old key-position player will steady the sides spine, as well as be a player to build around for the future.
Heatherton has also injected some experience into its midfield with the signature of Aaron Rose.
Rose most recently played with Lang Lang in the Ellinbank competition, where he was runner-up in the Swamp Tigers’ best and fairest.
Prior to that, Rose accumulated over 150 games of senior footy experience at Rosebud in the MPNFL.
HILLS INSERT FIREPOWER FORWARD OF CENTRE
Former Knox player John Rafferty has made his way to Endeavour Hills after a successful stint in the EFNL.
Rafferty – who also spent some time at the Northern Blues – was a regular top five best and fairest finisher and had a track record of performing in big games.
Standing alongside Rafferty at the Hills will be former VAFA star Rohan Scott.
In his 14-year shift in the VAFA, Scott won a premiership, finished runners-up in the best and fairest three times and was a shoo-in for leading goal-kicker at former club St Johns.
EAGER FOR EGAN
Carrum Patterson Lakes was extremely excited with the signing its new key forward, James Egan.
Egan – a coveted junior footballer – joined from the MPNFL, where he kicked over 100 goals in a season as a teenager.
SAINTS SECURE SLICK TRIO
Narre South Saints wasted no time in the off-season by adding dynamic trio Jason Carter, Nick Green and Nick Merrick.
Carter connects from MPNFL club Bonbeach, where he was a midfielder that could play both inside and outside, as well as providing a headache or two for defenders when resting forward.
Additionally, the Saints pinched Nick Green from Berwick and Nick Merrick from Emerald.
DORMAN THE MAN
Clayton has welcomed young star Caleb Dorman from Doveton, where he won the under-19 best and fairest in 2022.
The teenager has had a taste of senior footy at the Doves, but he can expect a stack more of it in 2023.
DIVISION 4
KOUMANTATAKIS TO LEAD THE LIONS
South Yarra has been busy in the off-season with the signing of its new senior coach, George Koumantatakis.
Koumantatakis tackles the challenge of improving the Lions’ last-placed finish last season.
THE WAITE IS OVER
Frankston Dolphins now has more firepower with the signing of goal-kicker Jordan Waite.
Waite joins the Dolphins from South Mornington where he was a Team of the Year representative for two consecutive seasons.
TIGERS TIP IN EXPERIENCE
South Mornington has welcomed the experience of former EFNL player Gavin Cruse.
Cruse formerly applied his trade with Mulgrave and Glen Waverley before joining the Tigers this off-season.
EAGLES ENTHUSIASTIC TO IMPROVE
After a succession of difficult seasons, the Doveton Eagles have signed new coach Rob Marks for the upcoming season.
DEFENDERS DELIGHT AT MOORABBIN
The Kangaroos have welcomed the additions of defenders Louis Cole and Will Gillespie.
Cole is a bounding intercept defender, while Gillespie – formerly from Beaumaris – is a neat half-back flanker.
Every in and out across the entire Southern league
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