Lachie Hunter signs for Spotswood for 2025, Josh Carter (Hill) joins Point Cook

A second ex-AFL name has signed for a Western Football League club in the space of less than a week in a move which bolsters a side which reached a grand final just two years ago.

Lachie Hunter has signed for Spotswood. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Another former AFL player is on their way to the Western Football Netball League for season 2025.

Josh Carter (formerly Hill) has signed with Point Cook in the club’s first major move of the off-season.

Hill will add experience to a Bulldogs’ side which was ravaged by injury last year and saw a number of young players blooded in the senior side.

He will also aid new coach Saade Ghazi with on field experience.

“The Point Cook Football Club is thrilled to announce that Josh Carter (formerly Hill) has signed with the club for the 2025 season,” the club said in a statement.

“Josh is an exciting forward who played 178 games in the AFL, representing both the Western Bulldogs and West Coast Eagles, and kicking 224 goals. A key figure in the 2015 AFL Grand Final, Josh’s career has been nothing short of impressive.

“As a proud Indigenous man, Josh’s contributions extend beyond the field. Playing representative football with the Indigenous All-Stars is a career highlight, and he is eager to take on a leadership role within the club, particularly in promoting NAIDOC Week activities in 2025. His passion for education and cultural awareness is sure to leave a lasting impact on the club and the community.

“Josh’s experience, mentorship, and dedication will be invaluable to our young playing group.”

It has been a quiet off-season for Point Cook with Ryan Burton (Gordon), Hugh Wales (Coburg Districts) and Lachlan Edwards (Fitzroy Stars) among the confirmed outs of those who played senior footy in 2024.

PREMIERSHIP HERO JOINS SPOTSWOOD

Recently retired AFL premiership hero Lachie Hunter has locked in a return to local footy in 2025.

The former Melbourne and Western Bulldogs wingman was unveiled as Western Football Netball League club, Spotswood’s first signing of the off-season over the weekend.

Hunter, who played in the Dogs’ 2016 drought breaking flag, announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season after a two-year stint with Melbourne, finishing on 199 AFL games.

He won the Bulldogs best-and-fairest, the Charles Sutton Medal, in 2018.

Spotswood vice-president Tony Schibeci said Hunter already shared relationships with some of the club’s more experienced players including captain David Iaccarino.

“He’s lived in the area for a long time,” he said.

“It’s terrific for him to have the opportunity to play with his mates, he’s a well credential player with almost 200 AFL games.

“It’s going to be a great experience for a lot of our younger guys. We’ve got a lot of under-18s coming through and to be able to play alongside with his knowledge is only going to help their footy.”

If everything goes to plan, Hunter will face off against three-time Richmond premiership hero Bachar Houli in the season opener after he signed with Newport.

After signing with Spotswood, Hunter will return to the competition where he made his name as a junior before being taken with the Dogs as a father-son selection.

He made his underage footy with Williamstown Juniors before graduating to the Western Jets.

When announcing his retirement, the 30-year-old said he had pushed his body “to its absolute limit”.

“I’ve loved every moment of my time as an AFL player. I’ve given it my all and pushed my body to its absolute limit,” he said.

“While my mind is willing, my body is clearly telling me that it’s time I move onto the next chapter in life. I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve achieved throughout my career, and while the 2016 premiership will forever be a highlight, the friendships I’ve built across the journey are just as special.

To date, it has been a largely quiet off-season for Spotswood with only a host of re-signings announced by the club.

Steve O’Bryan has been appointed as the club’s new senior coach for the next two seasons.

“There’s a good vibe around the club at the moment,” Schibeci said.

“Our seniors have missed finals narrowly the last couple of years and we’re determined to get back in there. Our junior are performing strongly and there’s about 150 involved in our Auskick program.

“A lot of great things are going on at the club.”