VAFA players signings for 2023

Your one-stop shop for all the big VAFA recruiting news. See the biggest signings so far.

As pre-season approaches, VAFA clubs are unveiling their new recruits with a number of big names entering the competition for 2023.

Stay up to date with all the VAFA recruiting news here:

Jasper Rouget, Caulfield Grammarians

The former Caulfield Grammar student will be join old schoolmates and his brother Darcy at the Fields.

A key forward or defender, Rouget finished at the school in 2016 and spent the 2017 season with the Eastern Ranges.

He then progressed to make it onto the Casey Demons list in 2020 although the season was interrupted due to Covid-19.

Throughout these seasons since 2018, he has been holding down key defensive positions for North Ringwood in the Eastern Football League.

Former GWS footballer Matt Buntine with join Caulfield next season. Pic: Michael Klein

Matt Buntine, Caulfield Grammarians

Caulfield have secured former GWS and Casey Demons VFL premiership footballer Matt Buntine who will be “dedicating more of his time” to the club in 2023.

Buntine is set to maintain his involvement as a Casey player transitioning towards more of a mentoring/coaching role, but the club expects to see him in Blue and White for a majority of the season.

He said he was looking forward to spending more time with the Fields this season.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity I had with the Grammarians last year and really look forward to increasing my involvement with the club moving forward,” Buntine said.

“There is an abundance of quality people and players at the club that has me really excited and I hope to be able to add to what they have and are building towards.”

Billy Gowers, Old Xaverians

Old Xaverians have signed former AFL player Billy Gowers for season 2023 in a move that continues a special family tradition at the club.

The former Western Bulldogs forward will wear the black and red following his grandfather Trevor and father Andy who are described as “greats of the club” alongside his uncle Michael Blood who won six A-grade premierships.

The 26-year-old, Gowers, was the Bulldogs leading goalkicker in his first year as an AFL player in 2018.

Gowers graduated from Xavier College in 2014 and is set to reunite with mates on the football field when he returns next season.

Gowers has maintained his footballing prowess playing for VFL club Southport in the last two years.

He looks set to play a vital role in the club’s attempts of VAFA premiership for the first time since 2016.

Former Western Bulldogs footballer Billy Gowers will join Old Xaverians. Pic: Michael Klein

Sam Roberts, Beaumaris

Roberts is former Cheltenham Panthers and Old Mentonians who is excited to challenge himself at Premier B level with Beaumaris.

Ben Hempel, Beaumaris

Hempel is a Victorian Metro and Sandringham Dragons representative who will complete a VFL pre-season and play games with Beaumaris in 2023.

Brandan Young, Beaumaris

Brandan Young is a former key position player with West Coast in the WAFL, who will complete a VFL pre-season and play with Beaumaris next season.

Logan Young, Beaumaris

Logan Young is Sandringham Dragons player who played with West Coast in the WAFL last year. He is returning from an ACL injury and will be excited to play for Beaumaris.

Max Williams, Beaumaris

A former Beaumaris footballer who has been playing with Frankston in the VFL in recent years. The club will be excited to have him back at the club with his added VFL experience.

Josh Gorman, Beaumaris

The regular in the Sharks senior side in 2018 and 2019 will return next season. Gorman was rated as an outstanding junior at the club highlighted by with the league best-and-fairest in a premiership winning season with the 2016 Sharks under 17 division 1 team.

Kai Owens (right) of Sandringham is seen in action during a TAC Cup match against Eastern Ranges at Box Hill City Oval. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Tomo Owens, Beaumaris

The brother of St Kilda footballer Mitch Owens will play with the Sharks when available in 2023 as he balances commitments with his VFL side Sandringham. Tomo Owens is a former premiership junior of the club who won a flag in the 2018 under 17 division 1 competition.

Joe Nowell, Beaumaris

Nowell, a 200 centimetre key position player comes through the Sandringham Dragons and Sandringham VFL programs. He is set to be a strong asset to the club in 2023. He played the last two seasons with Ormond.

Harry Houlahan, Beaumaris

Harry Houlahan returns after taking a year off. He was a regular in the Sharks senior team in 2019 and 2021 seasons. Prior to that he was a handy junior who won the 2013 under 13 division 1 premiership coached by Terry Lucas. He is a highly regards player having picked up several best player awards.

Kai Owens, Beaumaris

Kai Owens was a standout junior before a stint with the Sandringham Dragons and more recently with Frankston in the VFL. In 2016 Owens was a key player in the clubs under 17 division 1 premiership team, a side that included a number of current senior players.

Doulton Langlands, Ormond

Langlands played three AFL games with St Kilda 2019 and 2020. The 23-year-old is set to be a major player in Ormond’s side this season in Premier C.

Nick Coffield and Doulton Langlands are joined in the middle of the circle by Brett Ratten in 2019 after their first wins for the club. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Nick Dixon, Old Geelong

Departed North Shore as a playing co-coach and his exit has proven to be a major win for Old Geelong who have signed Dixon as a playing coach.

Corey Rich, Old Haileybury

Ahead of their new season in VAFA premier competition, Old Haileybury have landed Rich, a Williamstown and former Frankston VFL forward. He is set to play a key role in the forward line. He was picked in the VFL team of the year in 2018.