Southern league: Bentleigh ruckman Mitch Smart heading for Gippsland league

The Demons’ Division 1 team-of-the-year ruckman has signed to play in the strong Gippsland league in 2022.

Star Bentleigh ruckman Mitch Smart is heading for the Gippsland league.

The Southern league has lost another of its leading Division 1 players.

Gippsland league club Warragul confirmed today it had signed Bentleigh’s Mitch Smart, one of the best ruckmen in the competition.

It’s another blow for the Demons, who were surprised earlier in the week when dashing defender Matt Rogers set off for Mornington.

Smart is a chippie and has been doing a lot of work in Gippsland.

It’s believed he’s looking to move to the area.

A few weeks ago Smart was named in the 150 best local footballers and he’s expected to give the Bentleigh best and fairest a shake.

He was selected as first ruck in the Division 1 team of the year after being named in the best players in nine of his 12 matches in 2021.

Warragul coach Dean Alger said the club was thrilled to land Smart.

“He does come with high wraps, and we’re very pleased to have him on board,’’ he said.

Earlier this week Warragul also announced the signing of former AFL player Jed Lamb, who played a few games with Bentleigh in 2019.

Curtis Murfett at St Paul’s.

Aside from Demons Smart and Rogers, the Division 1 competition has farewelled:

* Dingley’s Christopher Horton-Milne, who is returning to Noble Park in the Eastern league after winning the Division 1 medal.

* Port Melbourne Colts onballer Chris Deluca, who has joined a handful of other former Subiaco WAFL players at Doncaster East in Eastern.

* Star St Paul’s midfielder Curtis Murfett, heading for Dalyston in the West Gippsland league.

And St Kilda City spearhead Aaron Edwards is said to be on the way to Deer Park.

Meanwhile Mordialloc has made a good signing in triple Frankston YCW premiership player Ryan Santon.

The 27-year-old midfielder has joined the Bloodhounds from Tarwin Sharks, having tired of the travel to and from South Gippsland.

Santon figured in YCW’s 2015-16-17 flags.

He’s brought with him key position player Lachlan Howse.