VAFA off-season tracker: All the latest coaching and player moves
The VAFA off-season is well underway with clubs already making coaching and player moves for the 2024 season. Here’s every announcement and clearance lodged so far.
Vic Amateur
Don't miss out on the headlines from Vic Amateur. Followed categories will be added to My News.
VAFA clubs are in full swing making moves to plan for the 2024 season.
Here’s everything that has happened so far.
PREMIER
COLLEGIANS
Coaching announcement: Jordie McKenzie has been named as the reigning premiers new coach, replacing Jared Rivers.
UNI BLUES
Sam Hayes: The ex-AFL ruckman is currently listed as registered on the VAFA’s clearance list.
Matthew Smith: A dominant performer at Heidelberg, where he finished second in the best-and-fairest in 2023. A former VFL player.
Archie Sinnott: Was on the Geelong Falcons’ Coates Talent League list last season playing plenty of footy on the wing.
Jamie Lloyd: Joins from Koroit and has previously played for the GWV Rebels.
OLD SCOTCH
Lachlan Johnson: The ex-Essendon man joins from Strathmore in the EDFL.
Harry Scott: A talented youngster from Leongatha who spent time on the Gippsland Power’s list last season.
OLD XAVERIANS
Sam Fisher: The Sandover medal winner makes the move from the WAFL and will immediately be among the competition’s best.
Coaching announcement: Old Xavs have confirmed Dan Donati will return to the club as senior coach for next season. He was a premiership player in 1996 and was more recently a senior assistant between 2018 and 2021.
OLD BRIGHTON
Coaching announcement: Former player Marcel Bruin has been confirmed as the club’s new coach. He spent the last eight seasons as a senior assistant with Caulfield.
OLD MELBURNIANS
James Harrold: The ex-WAFL and VFL player has crossed from Essendon Doutta Stars.
Sam Wunduke: A former SANFL star with Glenunga, he moves to Victoria after a year at local level in SA.
FITZROY
Coaching announcement: Travis Ronaldson was appointed as the club’s new senior coach.
PREMIER B
OLD HAILEYBURY
Luke Bruest (assistant coach): The Hawthorn star has joined the Bloods as an assistant coach for next season when his playing duties with the Hawks allow. He will be the club’s assistant coach.
DE LA SALLE
Leo Connolly: The former St Kilda listed player arrives at the club as a big name arrival. He finished as runner-up in Sandringham’s 2022 VFL best-and-fairest.
BEAUMARIS
Coaching structure: Josh Bourke will continue as the club’s senior coach next season. Former AFL small forward Stephen Milne will remain as an assistant coach with Justin Wilson and Scott Duthrie joining the senior coaching panel.
ST BEDES/MENTONE
Coaching announcement: Brad Berry returns to the Tigers where he was a premiership player in 1993. He crosses from Cheltenham, where he served as Des Ryan’s assistant for a season.
OLD IVANHOE
Toby McLean: The 2016 Western Bulldog joins the 2023 Premier C premiers after he left the AFL club at the end of last season.
PREMIER C
PARKDALE VULTURES
Harrison Bean: A tall marking utility who crosses from Old Carey.
Joel and Kai Day: Joel is able to play across halfback while Kai is preferred further up the ground.
Mitch Brown: The ex-AFL man arrives at the club from Mordialloc in the Southern league. He will play a key role up forward.
HAMPTON ROVERS
Josh Docking: A former member of St Kilda’s NGA, Docking returns to where his junior journey started. Played for Vic Metro last year.
Coaching announcement: Marty Pask has been confirmed as the club’s new senior coach. “From my point of view, I want to get this club as high as I possibly can,” he told this masthead after his appointment.
OLD CAREY
Eli Taylor: Will spend the entire 2024 season with the Panthers after time on Coburg’s VFL list last season.
Sam Nehme: Spent the 2023 season in the SANFL with Norwood before his campaign was ruined by glandular fever. Played plenty of senior footy in 2022 while in year 12. On Box Hill’s VFL list.
Jed Rule: The key forward will be on Box Hill’s VFL list next season while listing the Panthers as his feeder club.
Braden Andrews: The versatile midfielder has committed to the Panthers full-time for the 2024 season. He spent time on Coburg’s VFL list this season.
Trent Warren: The key position prospect arrives at the club after three years in the VFL with Box Hill and Coburg. He previously played college basketball in the US.
Oli Simpson: Simpson returns to the Panthers where he will play alongside his brothers, Archer and Ed. He is expected to play on the wing or across halfback. He has most recently played with South Bendigo.
Lachy Godden: The 21-year-old has elected to play his footy full-time with the Panthers in 2024. In the last few years, he has played VFL footy for Essendon and Williamstown.
Bede Waters: An Old Carey graduate, the 20-year-old returns from a stint with Balwyn in the Eastern league.
Tom Jepson: After spending the year with Coburg in the VFL, Jepson is returning to the VFL on a full-time basis.
MARCELLIN
Coaching announcement: Bernie Dinneen has returned to the Eagles as senior coach. He has a rich history at the club where he won three premierships.
Local footy rumour mill: The race for ex-AFL big man
An ex-AFL man mountain appears to be the most in-demand name in the game as the local footy trading season swings into overdrive. Here are all the latest whispers from around the leagues.
Ranked: The top 70 local footy clubs of 2024
After a stunning year of local footy we’ve ranked our top 70 clubs as the best in Melbourne. Did we get it right? See who we say is number one and lodge your own vote.