We’ve named the biggest recruiting coups of the local footy off-season
From Melton to Mornington, Epping to East Brighton, local footy clubs have secured some elite talent. We’ve named the biggest moves of the summer here.
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The local footy recruiting season never fails to disappoint.
Ex-AFL talents, league best-and-fairest winners and goalkicking giants have found new clubs for 2025.
From Melton to Mornington, Epping to East Brighton, clubs across Melbourne have been battling to sign some big names.
We’ve named the biggest moves of the summer below.
EASTERN
Jake Aarts, Beaconsfield
One of the most sought-after signatures of the local footy off-season, the former AFL Tiger rejoins junior club Beaconsfield after a top-division premiership and a league medal with Dromana.
Josh Schache, Doncaster East
The key forward and former No. 2 draft pick links with the Premier Division club after 76 AFL games across Brisbane, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.
Liam Shiels, South Croydon
Arguably no bigger local signing than the triple AFL premiership star, clubs came calling from far and wide for the 288-game Hawk and Roo upon his retirement at the end of 2024.
Jaidyn Stephenson, Ferntree Gully
Back where it all began for the ex-Magpie and Kangaroo, with the former AFL Rising Star reuniting with his junior club in Eastern’s Division 3 following 122 matches.
Sam Weideman, Vermont
The phone ran hot with offers, but only his junior club was going to do – with the ex-Melbourne and Essendon forward returning to the Eastern league powerhouse immediately following his 76-game AFL career.
ESSENDON DISTRICT
Sam Hayes, Strathmore
The ex-AFL ruckman has made the move from VAFA Premier Division club Uni Blues. Also made one VFL appearance for North Melbourne last season.
Mark Jamar, Keilor Park
He might be at the end of his career, but the former AFL ruckman’s arrival is a significant boost for a club who struggled on field and was relegated from Division 1 last season.
Lin Jong, Deer Park
The former Western Bulldog has crossed from Eastern league outfit Mulgrave, where he played 22 Division 2 matches in two years for the Lions.
Jackson McDonald, Aberfeldie
McDonald has returned to his junior club after a stint in the WAFL with East Fremantle where he won two flags.
Lachlan Stredwick, Oak Park
One of the premier defenders in the competition has made the move from Premier Division grand finalist Pascoe Vale to the Roos.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Ryan Clarke, Sorrento
The ex-AFL Kangaroo and Swan joins his brother Dylan, who won Sorrento’s best and fairest last year. Ryan played 97 AFL games and will add explosiveness to the Sharks midfield.
Jordan Gallucci, Edithvale-Aspendale
The former Adelaide Crow joins the Eagles for their rise to Division 1. Gallucci played at South Fremantle last season and can play in a range of positions — mid, back or forward.
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.
Mitch White, Rosebud
The Casey Demons VFL premiership captain and best and fairest winner brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Buds, and will be vital on and off the field.
Max Williams, Frankston YCW
The 2016 Sandringham Dragons premiership player joins the Stonecats from the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL where he played over 50 games. Will strengthen YCW’s defence, standing at 194cm and 92kg.
NORTHERN
Sam Gilmore (Heidelberg)
Could have picked a number of recruits, given the Tigers stellar summer, but no one is bigger than the two-time premiership captain and star ruckman. Returns from a year at Old Paradians, where he won the NFNL Division 3 flag.
Brock Carter (Fitzroy Stars)
A sizeable recruit for the Stars, physically (standing 204cm) and metaphorically. Immediately solves any concerns about the club’s ruck and overall height. Brings WAFL experience after playing 12 games for West Perth in 2024.
Levi Greenwood & Aaron Edwards (Reservoir)
The ex-AFL double act arrive at Crispe Park after winning an Outer East premiership together at Healesville last season. Greenwood will be hard to stop in midfield and Edwards an absolute nightmare for Division 3 defenders.
Brent Macaffer (Epping)
After one season at Old Eltham Paradians, the Collingwood premiership player is on the move to Division 3 rival Epping. Produced a stellar 2024, winning the league best-and-fairest and Coaches’ MVP double.
Patrick Fitzgerald (Laurimar)
A huge get for the Power as they move back to NFNL Division 3, landing one of the all-time league goalkicking greats. Fitzgerald kicked almost 800 majors in more than 250 senior games for Montmorency.
Noah Cumberland (South Morang)
Arguably the biggest recruit of the off-season in the Northern league. Fresh out of the AFL and lands at Mill Park Lakes Reserve full-time. Kicked 33 goals in 25 AFL games for Richmond and is sure to be a major boost to the Lions’ NFNL Division 1 hopes.
Fraser Thurlow (North Heidelberg)
Comes down to Shelley Reserve after a best-on-ground medal-winning performance in North Shore’s AFL Sydney Premier Division premiership last year. Bulldogs coach Kasey Duncan believes he can be the best big man in NFNL Division 1.
RIDDELL DISTRICT
Victor Micallef (Wallan)
A star in the Essendon District league, winning best-and-fairests at Hillside (twice), East Keilor and St Albans. Also won a league best-and-fairest and was a seven-time Team of the Year selection.
Fabian Brancatisano & Hisham Kerbatieh (Melton Centrals)
Brancatisano played VFL at Coburg, Port Melbourne, Werribee and Essendon, while Kerbatieh represented Carlton, Williamstown and Coburg. The pair arrive from Western Division 2 premier Sunshine after helping the club break its flag drought.
Brad Mangan (Gisborne Giants)
The former North Melbourne draftee and 2015 Williamstown VFL premiership player has been one of country footy’s best for near a decade. Won two premierships with Goulburn Valley power Kyabram and represented the GVFL. Will be the Giants’ inaugural senior captain.
Marlion Pickett (Melton South)
The biggest recruit across metropolitan football? Pickett arrives full-time at the Panthers fresh off a 91 AFL-game career with Richmond, winning two AFL premierships, a VFL flag and a Norm Goss Medal.
Sam Darley (Melton South)
Joins the Panthers full-time after a one-off match last season. Collected a Ballarat-league season-high 53 disposals in that match. Represented Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants and captained Richmond to a VFL grand final. Arrives from Ovens and Murray club Wodonga Raiders.
OUTER EAST
Cayden Black, Wandin
He joins his brother Chayce Black at the Bulldogs. Cayden comes across from South Belgrave in Eastern league Division 1 where he put together an impressive CV of his own.
Josh Cowan, Powelltown
A big bodied midfielder with a penetrating left foot kick, Cowan comes across from St. Bede’s-Mentone Tigers where he was vice-captain and a VAFA rep.
Tanner Stanton, Pakenham
The former North Melbourne VFL player joins the Lions as a playing assistant coach from Hampton Park where he won back-to-back best and fairests in 2023-24.
Daniel Willis, Wandin
A versatile utility who played in Echuca’s premiership last season. His experience and leadership in the back half will be invaluable for the Bulldogs.
Marley Williams, Gembrook Cockatoo
The former Collingwood and North Melbourne 125-gamer is a local — he lives at Avonsleigh, close to the Brookers’ home ground. He will help the club’s young group, bringing a mature body and a wise head.
SOUTHERN
Jackson Sketcher & Kyle Martin, Springvale Districts
Two legends of Eastern league power Noble Park team up at Springvale Reserve. Making his return to his junior club, Sketcher made his senior debut as a 15-year-old. He won the EFNL Premier Division Chandler Medal in 2023 and premiership at the Bulls. Martin, meanwhile, is a 13-time best-and-fairest winner across Collingwood VFL, Frankston VFL and Noble Park and a three-time premiership player and premiership captain at Noble Park.
Luke Horton-Milne, Dingley
The star midfielder returns to the Dingoes, where he won a league best-and-fairest, premiership and best-on-ground medal in 2021 before moving to Noble Park and winning another flag.
Alex Keath, East Brighton
The former Western Bulldogs defender lands in the Southern league, teaming up with former cricket coach Nick Jewell. Keath brings 109 games of AFL experience, not to mention his seven First Class matches for Victoria.
Ben Reid, East Brighton
A huge coup for the Vampires, securing the 152-game Collingwood premiership player and Wangaratta Magpies premiership coach. A connection with new club president Ben Douthie sealed the deal as Reid moves back to Melbourne to coach at the Western Bulldogs.
Charlie Clarke & Robbie McComb, Port Melbourne Colts
The former Western Bulldogs teammates unite at Colts. Clarke arrives fresh out of the AFL system, where he played one game for the Dogs. Kicked 23 majors in the VFL. McComb, meanwhile, is a year out after 18 AFL games. He spent 2024 with VFL club Port Melbourne, playing eight matches.
VAFA
Patrick Marks, Prahran
A star of county footy with Mansfield. Marks looks set for a big season with the newly promoted Premier C club.
Jack Mahony, St Kevin’s
After his time in the AFL was brought to an end, Mahony arrives to boost SKOB’s premiership ambitions.
Patrick Naish, Old Ivanhoe
Returns to the VAFA after a season with Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray league. Played a key role in their in 2023 flag.
Jackson Nelson, Old Geelong
The former West Coast Eagle defender has landed in Premier B and looms as one of the big signings.
Matthew Watson, St Bernard’s
Arrives from Pascoe Vale in the EDFL and will immediately make a difference to the Snowdogs’ forward line.
WESTERN
Harley Armstrong-Weston, Sunshine Heights
Fresh off a Division 1 premiership with Hoppers Crossing, the dominant ruckman moves to the Division 2 club, where he has a strong family connection.
Tyson Brazel, Yarraville Seddon
A dominant forward from South Australia who has previously played at SANFL level.
Bachar Houli, Newport
The biggest signing in his new club’s history. Brings 232 games and three premierships of AFL experience. Will slot just about anywhere on the field with his booming left boot.
Emerson Jeka, Altona
Fresh out of the AFL system, the key forward has returned to his junior club and provides the Vikings with a key forward target they need.
Lachie Hunter, Spotswood
Friendship connections have helped the Woodsmen land one of the biggest signings across all competitions after Hunter retired from the AFL following 199 games with the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, a premiership and Charles Sutton Medal.
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