VFL recruiting: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith links with Collingwood

Former Richmond left-footer Derek Eggmolesse-Smith will continue his career with the VFL Magpies.

Derek Eggmolesse-Smith on the burst for the AFL Tigers this year.

Delisted Richmond left-footer Derek Eggmolesse-Smith is on his way to Collingwood.

The 23-year-old has agreed to play with the Magpies’ VFL team next year.

Eggmolesse-Smith had been with the Tigers since 2018, having been recruited as a Category B rookie.

He figured in the 2019 VFL premiership won under the coaching of new Collingwood senior coach Craig McRae.

Eggmolesse-Smith played nine AFL matches for the Tigers after gaining a debut in 2019.

He lined up against Sydney in his only AFL appearance this year.

In his 10 VFL matches he averaged 21.8 possessions, including 23 against Collingwood in Round 13.

“Derek … worked really hard throughout his four years with us, since initially being selected as our first ever NGA prospect,’’ Richmond general manager of football talent Blair Hartley said in confirming Eggmolesse-Smith’s departure from the club.

Meanwhile the Pies have also locked in Michael Hartley to return to the club that gave him his start in the AFL.

The 28-year-old defender was delisteded by Hawthorn six weeks ago.

The Pies have secured other experience in the form of Melbourne favourite Neville Jetta, who will combine a development coaching position with a playing role in the VFL.

Recruited from NSW, Hartley had two years on Collingwood’s rookie list but shoulder injuries checked his progress.

Delisted, he joined Coburg and across two seasons was outstanding as a creative tall defender, winning a best and fairest and a VFL team-of-the-year jumper.

Recruited by Essendon, Hartley played 44 AFL games from 2016-19, and added five more matches to his tally at Hawthorn in 2020-21.

Collingwood’s VFL program was scaled back this year but the Magpies are expected to resume training and operating primary and development lists in 2022.

Dandenong Stingrays premiership mentor Craig Black will continue as coach and has maintained much of his squad.

But the Maggoes have lost their VFL operations manager, Matt Spangher, who has joined the Western Bulldogs as an assistant coach.

New Port Melbourne coach Adam Skrobalak has been busy talking to prospective recruits and the Borough will announce the signings of players from other VFL clubs once they are permitted to do so from November.

Coburg midfielder Marcus Lentini, Casey Demons utility Mitch Lewis and Frankston Dolphin Nathan Scagliarini are tipped to make North Port Oval their new home.

It’s believed Port has also spoken to two-time Coburg best and fairest Lochie Dickson and delisted Hawthorn rookie Harrison Pepper.

The Borough have lost powerhouse midfielder Izzy Conway to local club Oakleigh District and must make a call on the future of VFL great Ben Jolley.

Jolley, who turns 36 in February, needs only 13 more games to join Port Melbourne legends Fred Cook and Billy Swan in the VFA/VFL 300 club.

It appeared Port would also lose former AFL midfielder Cory Wagner, to Williamstown, but he was among the first batch of re-signings announced by club CEO Paul Malcolm.

Top-liners Eli Templeton and Harvey Hooper were also in the welcome-back brigade.

Casey Demons are keen on former AFL Giant Matt Buntine.

Recruited from the Dandenong Stingrays as the No 5 draft selection in 2011, Buntine played 67 AFL matches, including eight this year.

Tom Murphy as a Kangaroo.

Frankston has secured defender Tom Murphy, who played nine AFL matches for North Melbourne from 2018-2020 and turned out for West Adelaide in the SANFL this year.

The former Stingray averaged 20.1 disposals in his 16 matches for West.

Ryley Stoddart, who played six AFL games for Sydney, is also tipped to become a Dolphin.

Stoddart was with the Carlton VFL team this year.

Coburg will announce a string of signings once VFL contract obligations finish at the end of October.

The Lions have been linked to big Macgregor Cameron from Monash Blues.

Cameron was on Sandringham’s books this year and won the Premier C medal in the VAFA with 23 votes from his 10 matches.

Wodonga’s Ethan Redcliffe, an exciting left-footer who plays at half forward, has joined the Lions.

Box Hill Hawks have farewelled former AFL player Josh Deluca (Eastern league), as well as Lachie Walker, who was attracting interest from Coburg.

The Northern Bullants have confirmed a bundle of re-signings, including their champion captain Tommy Wilson, as well as the signing of former Essendon VFL tall Matt Day, who came out of the Oakleigh Chargers.

Werribee is believed to be keen on Footscray Bulldog Reuben William, the former Brisbane Lions utility.