Old Brighton welcome back VFL trio for 2025 season

Old Brighton came close to creating club history in 2024 but fell short at the final hurdle. Here’s how they can go one step better with the inclusion of some big names.

Old Brighton is a strong position to go one step better in 2025.

After going down in the VAFA Premier Men’s grand final against Old Scotch, the Tonners have managed to retain a large part of their playing list for next season and have been boosted by significant personnell.

Ruckman Fleix Flockhart, key defender Darcy Gilbert and Luca Macnab have all committed to returning to local level full-time next season after spending 2024 on VFL lists.

Old Brighton coach Marcel Bruin said their returns would be a welcomed.

“We’ve gone away and recognised some of the deficiencies we had and have looked to work on those,” he said.

“In the grand final, Scotch was able to get on top in some of those areas and we feel having these guys back is going to help.

“Felix had a very good year for Port and Darcy had a rough year with injury but we’re really looking forward to having them in our side.

“Having the capacity to potentially be involved in Old Brighton’s first Premier flag was a factor, they have the opportunity to build a legacy.

“But guys are realising the exposure at this level is growing and there is an opportunity for guys to earn higher honours even if they’re not playing in the state league.”

Next year will be Bruin’s second in charge and he has again promised to continue giving young players an opportunity if they earn it.

“Our under-19s are coming off a premiership so there’s some young talent to work with,” he said.

“As coaches, we’ve got another opportunity to articulate what we want from the group on and off the field. We’ve learnt a lot over the first 12 months and there’s still plenty of room left for growth.”

YOUNG GUN EARNS AFL TRAINING SHOT

The rapid rise of Old Brighton young gun Jonah Campigli is gathering momentum and Tonners coach Marcel Bruin is backing him to chase his dream.

After signing with Sandringham’s VFL team for 2025, the 20-year-old has earned the opportunity to train with St Kilda twice a week to further his development.

Campigli claimed this year’s VAFA rising star award after breaking into Old Brighton’s senior team in round nine with Bruin’s side ravaged by injuries after dominating the under-19s with 33 goals in nine games.

He maintained his spot for the rest of the year inside forward 50, booting 16 goals in 12 games winning plaudits for his ability in the air and on the ground as the Tonners reached the Premier Men’s grand final.

The opportunity to train with the Saints came through new Sandy coach Brendon Goddard who “worked closely” with Campigli to make it possible.

“He’s a very good young man, that’s one of his best traits,” Bruin said.

“He’s quite reserved and softly spoken but he’s a competitive beast. Joey’s a gifted athlete with great workrate, is strong in the air and when the ball hits the ground he has the ability to create space between his opponent quickly.

“He’s got a huge amount of athletic talent and he’s very coachable which is a dream, you could slot him into different positions.

“He’s really driven to get a lot out of his footy, there’s no ceiling on his potential.”

Jonah Campigli has signed with Sandringham VFL. Photo: Old Brighton FC.

It has been a remarkable rise for Campigli who didn’t play any club footy in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.

In April 2021 he underwent a procedure known as tibial osteotomy where the shinbone is cut and reshaped to relieve pressure on the joint, forcing him to miss another 12 months.

“I used to always be one of the smallest on my team, so generally played on the wing as an outside midfielder. In Year 11, I would have been around 177 centimetres, but I suddenly grew about eight centimetres really quickly and it caused issues with my leg,” Campigli told VAFA Media.

The exciting talent made interleague squads when he was at East Brighton in the South Metro Junior Football League but was never on a Coates Talent League list.

Campigli joined Old Brighton ahead of the 2023 season alongside his brother Finn and schoolmates to play under-19s, eventually playing two senior games.

He won the under-19 club best-and-fairest and goalkicking award with 24 from the midfield.

Jonah Campigli in action. Photo: Old Brighton FC.

“We ask all of our guys to come in and play a role when they get a chance, Joey certainly did that,” Bruin said.

“He’s very capable of having a big impact on games if he was given an opportunity. He kicked five goals against St Bernard’s in round 15 to show off his talent.

“Even in the grand final against Old Scotch, he wasn’t overawed by the occasion.”

Campigli isn’t the only member of Old Brighton’s grand final side testing themself at a higher level this off-season with ruckman Sam Flockart spending time with Richmond VFL.

“He’s got an incredible attitude, a desire to get better and that’s one thing you love as a coach,” Bruin said.

“Sammy is a 6’3, 6’4” agile ruckman and has all the traits to play at that level. He rucked all year for us and improved immensely.”

Originally published as Old Brighton welcome back VFL trio for 2025 season