Twenty of the best recruits for the 2025 MPFNL season

A former AFL-Giant and Kangaroo, Southern league stars and an Eastern league medal-winning ruckman are just some of the notable MPFNL signings in the “silly season’’. See them all...

From left, Toby Arms, Aiden Bonar and Tyson Barry.

Notable MPFNL signings for 2025

Toby Arms, Edithvale-Aspendale: Friends with Eagles big man Tyrone Vickery, Arms made the SFL team of the year after an outstanding season at Springvale Districts. Fast and athletic, he is capable of playing in multiple positions.

Jack Austin, Rye: An inside midfielder from Dromana who wins his own ball. Joins mates Tate Dennis and Connor Wallace to make the move to the Demons.

Tyson Barry, Frankston Bombers: The small forward was a premiership player at 20 at Cranbourne in 2022. This year he kicked 32 goals playing a combination of wing and half forward. Will have an immediate impact in the MPFNL.

Tyson Barry of Cranbourne celebrates a goal during the 2023 Southern Football Netball League Division 1 Qualifying Final. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Aiden Bonar, Frankston YCW: The former GWS Giants and North Melbourne formidable defender has made the Stonecats his home club as he plays at Williamstown in the VFL. Played 34 AFL games after being pick number 11 in 2017.

Matt Bullock, Somerville: A highly skilled player who last played with Mt Eliza in 2022. Will add class and speed to Somerville’s team.

Zac Burrowes, Frankston Bombers: Played in Edi-Asp’s reserves premiership this year but has also excelled in 29 senior appearances as a small lockdown defender.

Kayne Councillor, Rye: The 23-year-old key forward or back played at Three Springs Bombers in Western Australia this year. Before that he was at Kaniva Leeor United in the Horsham District league.

Tate Dennis, Rye: A 191cm key forward was a Rye junior and returns to the Demons after playing at Dromana. The 21-year-old is the son of Rye’s 2006 premiership player Braeden Dennis.

Jesse Dinicolantonio, Rye: The 22-year-old comes across from Rosebud where he played seniors. He also played in Dromana’s powerful senior side in 2022. Plays half back or wing.

Lachie Gill-Renouf, Somerville: The former Bonbeach and Frankston VFL mid-forward will add class to the Eagles side.

Sam Glenn, Frankston Bombers: A highly credentialed with vast leadership experience. Was runner-up in Karingal’s B&F this year despite only playing 10 games due to injury. Will give the Bombers depth through the midfield and add to their scoring power.

Max King, Mornington: The 201cm ruck/forward comes from South Croydon, where he played over 100 games and won the Eastern league’s Chandler Medal in 2022. Also spent three years on an AFL list at Melbourne.

Nick Mason, Rosebud: The classy Somerville star is a former club senior B&F winner, and should quickly set down his stamp on Division 1 in a strong Buds backline.

Nick Mason takes a kick for Somerville. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Tim MacDonald, Rye: A two-time under 19 best and fairest winner at Dromana, McDonald is still only 21 and can play forward, back or in the midfield.

Kane McKenzie, Pines: a Pines junior who has come home, having forged a reputation as one of the best defenders in MPFNL Division 2 at Karingal and Somerville, where he won the 2024 best and fairest.

Agape Patolo, Langwarrin: Has been one of the best ruckmen in Division 2 of the MPFNL over the past two seasons while playing with Karingal. A tremendous addition to Langy’s midfield structure.

Connor Wallace, Rye: Key position defender who has been in and out of Dromana’s senior side in the past three seasons and will give the Demons’ backline a boost in ‘25. Returns to Rowley Reserve where he was a Rye junior.

John Walker, Edithvale-Aspendale: A powerfully built key position player from Springvale Districts who is also a two-time Southern league team of the year recipient.

Lachlan Williams.

Lachlan Williams, Rosebud: brings a wealth of experience and achievements, including Captaining the Dandenong Stingrays and playing in a premiership. Has captained Somerville and is a multiple Team of the Year representative.

Ben Williamson, Rye: Boasts 112 senior games at Old Peninsula in the VAFA. The wing or half back is a superb kick with plenty of pace and will relish the wide spaces at the RJ Rowley Reserve. Joins great mate Zach Byrns at the Demons.

Nic Xerri, Langwarrin: Has played good, consistent football at Hastings and will add depth and leadership experience to Langwarrin’s midfield structure.