The 20 players to watch for in Melbourne’s suburban leagues this year

From AFL record holders to Brownlow medallists and former No.1 draft picks. Here’s 20 familiar names you will see running around suburban ovals in local leagues this year.

The depth and quality of ex-AFL talent in Melbourne’s local football competitions grows by the year.

From AFL games record holder Brent Harvey coaching at North Heidelberg, to No. 1 pick Brendon Goddard returning to Caulfield Grammarians and Brendan Fevola’s new club, 2019 promises to be a year where several prominent names will be out to lead their suburban teams to glory.

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Here’s 20 players you should keep an eye out for:

1. Brendon Goddard (Caulfield Grammarians, VAFA)

The recruiting coup of the off-season in Melbourne’s suburban leagues. After his 334-game career came to an end last year, Goddard announced this week he would play with Victorian Amateur Football Association club Caulfield Grammarians. The 33-year-old is a former student at Caulfield Grammar and returns as a major boost to the club’s hopes of earning promotion from the VAFA second tier — Premier B.

What they said: “I didn’t want to sit back in five or six years and regret that I didn’t still continue to play footy when I still can. When I’m 38 to 40 and I can’t move, I’d wish I had have done it now.” — Brendon Goddard on AFL Tonight.

Brendon Goddard was drafted with pick No. 1 out of Caulfield Grammar.

CGFC are thrilled to announce that Brendon Goddard will be lining up for the Fields this year!
After 334 AFL games the former Essendon captain and St Kilda great will return to Caulfield and represent the club in season 2019.
Welcome home BJ!#yourfields pic.twitter.com/XtRBDAgf3k

— Caulfield Gram. FC (@cgfc1920) April 1, 2019

2. Brent Harvey (North Heidelberg, Northern FL)

The AFL games record holder has taken the coaching reins at North Heidelberg, where he plays alongside his brother Shane. Boomer’s class has shone through in his two years in the Northern Football League, kicking 118 goals in 37 games. Harvey played in a Division 2 premiership in his first campaign and was the league best and fairest, before he was integral to the Bulldogs’ progression to a preliminary final last year.

Brent Harvey dodges out of traffic for North Heidelberg, where he will be coach this year.

What they said: “These days, a playing coach in Division 1 footy is a fairly unique role and there is some sort of element of risk in that I suppose but you look at the credentials of the person, Brent felt it was the right time to look at his coaching career.” — North Heidelberg president Warren Haysom.

3. Brendan Fevola (Hastings, Mornington Peninsula FL)

Ex-Carlton and Brisbane spearhead Fevola has enjoyed a successful suburban career since being delisted by Lions, winning a Western Region Football League premiership with Deer Park, coaching in the Ballarat Football League at Melton South and featuring for Yarrawonga in the Ovens and Murray league. He’s also renowned for playing a series of one-off games around Victoria and interstate which have attracted bumper crowds. Fevola will be playing for MPNFL Division 2 club Hastings, which finished sixth in 2018, this year.

What they said: “He’s got to miss a few games here and there with his work commitments and obviously with The Footy Show and that sort of stuff but I asked him if he was keen and he’s actually got that excitement about playing footy again.” — Hastings coach Ricky Ferraro.

Brendan Fevola in action for Deer Park. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Brendan Fevola marks for Melton South, where he was co-coach. Picture: Alex Coppel.

4. Adam Cooney (Spotswood, Western Region FL)

Cooney has longed been linked with pulling on the boots for Western Region Football League club Spotswood and has reportedly been talked into a playing comeback. The Brownlow medallist, who played 250 AFL games with Western Bulldogs and Essendon, is expected to feature in about 10 WRFL Division 1 matches. Cooney’s son Jaxon and his wife Haylea both play for Spotswood.

What they said: “It was good for the young kids to experience being around a player of that calibre.” — Spotswood coach Anthony Eames after Adam Cooney trained with the club in 2016.

5. Tom Bell (Greensborough, Northern FL)

Rarely does a player fresh out of the AFL system link with a community club. No wonder Greensborough was thrilled when it completed the drawn-out pursuit of ex-Carlton and Brisbane Lions midfielder Tom Bell, who has returned to Melbourne from Queensland. Bell spurned interest from VFL clubs to sign with the Boro, a regular flag contender in Northern Football League Division 1. The 27-year-old is tipped to have a huge impact as a midfielder-forward.

What they said: “I wanted to come to a club that has a good culture, they win football games and potentially (would be) pushing for that elusive premiership that I think the boys are incredibly close to.” — Greensborough recruit Tom Bell

Tom Bell takes part in pre-season training at Northern Football League club Greensborough. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

6. Billy Hartung (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, VAFA)

There were some eyebrows raised after Hartung was delisted by North Melbourne, considering he featured in 13 AFL games for the Roos last year. Still only 24, Hartung will be playing in the Victorian Amateur Football Association this season with Premier B outfit St Bedes/Mentone Tigers.

What they said: “From my perspective it’s about him getting back to enjoying footy again. It’s about making it fun for him again, having a nice formula which doesn’t involve putting GPSs on backs.’’ — St Bedes/Mentone Tigers coach Michael Hazell.

Billy Hartung will be playing in the VAFA this year after his delisting by North Melbourne. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Cameron Cloke celebrates one of his 127 goals during his last stint with Jacana. Picture: Mark Dadswell

7. Cameron Cloke (Jacana, Essendon District FL)

Former Collingwood, Carlton and Port Adelaide big man Cloke has been a well-travelled and prolific contributor for a series of local clubs in recent years. He finished last season with Murray League grand finalist Barooga but has transferred back to Essendon District Football League club Jacana, where he bagged 127 majors in 19 games in 2017.

What they said: “No matter who they (defenders) are, it’s going to be a big task to keep him quiet,” Jacana coach Matthew Huy said.

8. Jack Redpath (Deer Park, Western Region FL)

How could one of local footy’s powerhouse clubs possibly get better after six consecutive Division 1 premierships? Adding a towering ex-Western Bulldogs forward will certainly help. Redpath’s AFL career was riddled with injuries and he retired last year due to a degenerative knee. A friendship with retiring Deer Park star James Condos helped seal Redpath’s arrival at the Western Region club. The 28-year-old booted 57 goals in 36 games for the Bulldogs and will provide serious headaches for key defenders in the WRFL.

What they said: “The only reason we got him on board is based off his friendship with James Condos. They played together up in Kyneton probably nearly seven or eight years ago now.” — Deer Park coach Marc Bullen

Ex-Western Bulldogs forward Jack Redpath has joined local powerhouse Deer Park. Picture: Michael Klein

9. Robin Nahas (Pines, Mornington Peninsula FL)

Ex-North Melbourne and Richmond livewire Nahas has called time on his VFL career with Port Melbourne to link with reigning MPNFL premier Pines. Nahas will likely patrol a lethal forward line alongside another player with AFL experience, Aaron Edwards. Edwards was the leading goalkicker in MPNFL Division 1 last year with 72 majors from 19 games, while Nahas logged 37 goals in 34 matches for the Borough in the past two years.

Robin Nahas gathers possession for VFL club Port Melbourne. Picture: Mark Dadswell

10. Jarrad Waite (St Kevin’s, VAFA)

There was no shortage of clubs linked with ex-Carlton and North Melbourne key forward Jarrad Waite after he retired from the AFL ranks. North Heidelberg was rumoured through Waite’s connection to Brent Harvey, then there was talk he was headed to Sorrento. Waite was announced as a signing for VAFA top flight premier St Kevin’s Old Boys in October after an AFL career which spanned 244 games and yielded 377 goals.

What they said: “Jarrad will obviously add enormous value on the field with his football prowess but his passion to help develop our younger players will also be of great benefit to our club,’’ St Kevin’s football director Michael Christian said.

Jarrad Waite with his children Teddy and Lola after his last AFL game.

Former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad marks during West Preston-Lakeside’s grand final win last season in the Northern Football League. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

Other ex-AFL players featuring in Melbourne’s suburban leagues:

11. Ahmed Saad (West Preston-Lakeside, Northern FL)

12. Ricky Dyson, Brent Stanton (Banyule, Northern FL)

13. Clinton Young (Gisborne, Bendigo FL)

14. Aaron Mullett (Mooroolbark, Eastern FL)

15. Mitch Honeychurch (Vermont, Eastern FL)

16. Kyle Hardingham (Essendon Doutta Stars, Essendon District FL)

17. Hamish McIntosh (Gembrook Cockatoo, AFL Outer East)

18. Sam Gibson (Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula FL)

19. Courtenay Dempsey, Paul Chapman (Greenvale, Essendon District FL)

20. Kyle Martin (Noble Park, Eastern FL)