VAFA: De La Salle has welcomed an ex-AFL player a week after having another drafted

A week after having one of its own drafted, a Victorian Amateur Football Association contender has geared up with the signing of an ex-St Kilda player.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Leo Connolly of the Saints looks on during the 2021 AFL Round 16 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 4, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It’s been a memorable seven days for De La Salle.

Just a week after having Luke Lloyd land on Brisbane’s list, De La has signed former St Kilda player Leo Connolly.

Connolly, 22, has linked the Victorian Amateurs club as his home base while he pushes for a spot on Casey’s list.

Connolly, hailing from the Gippsland region, was drafted to St Kilda with pick 64 in the 2019 national draft.

He debuted for the Saints in 2021 and went on to play 7 matches of league footy before being delisted at the end of the 2023 season.

Club president Phil Proy is thrilled to have a player with AFL experience on the list.

“You don’t get too many ex-AFL blokes coming to play amateurs too often,” he says.

“I think Leo is going to bring a lot of professionalism and he’s just a great natured person from what we’ve seen so far, so I think we’ll fit in perfectly.

“We’re not 100 per cent sure yet, he is going to be playing with Casey VFL – selfishly I hope we get him every week – but realistically we think we’ll get him for around five (games).”

Leo Connolly during his time at St Kilda. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lloyd being drafted and Connolly landing at De La Salle, according to Proy, speaks volumes of how the club is setting up off field.

“It’s been great, having Luke drafted last week was amazing,” he says.

“Hopefully Luke has a really good career up in Brisbane.

“We have Luke’s brother Joe still with us, who is on Frankston’s list, he is a great asset to have with the club.

“And bringing Leo in, it’s just tremendous, he’s a mature player already, he knows the system well.

“It’s very fortunate for the club at the moment, we’re in a great position.

“Off field we’ve set up amazingly well, it’s a great place to be moving forward, so anyone that wants to get involved in the amateur system – give us a call.”

De La Salle is also expecting to have Fraser Cameron – who spent time on North Melbourne’s list – back after a year away from footy.