Country footy 2025: Werribee flag star Nathan Cooper joins Wangaratta Rovers

VFL clubs recruit hard out of country leagues. But there are always some going the other way. See the big moves for 2025.

VFL team lists for the 2025 season have been finalised in recent days and reigning premiers Werribee and other clubs have again recruited heavily from country clubs.

Players trying to emulate the success of country stars Shaun Mannagh, Aidan Johnson and Riley Bice of being drafted into the AFL this year include Moe’s Riley Baldi, Echuca’s Hugh Byrne and Corowa-Rutherglen’s Ryan Eyers.

But there are some players who are going the other way from the VFL to country clubs.

Here are the ones to watch this year.

NATHAN COOPER (Werribee to Wangaratta Rovers)

Nathan Cooper, right, represented the VFL against SANFL last year. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

One of the country recruits of the off-season.

Cooper was a star key defender for the reigning VFL premiers and joins the Ovens & Murray reigning premiers where he has played one game the last two seasons.

Patience pays off for Wangaratta Rovers who have been planning for his arrival on a full-time basis since Covid.

CALLUM BROWN (Box Hill to Mansfield)

Son of Collingwood 1990 premiership star Gavin joins Mansfield after two seasons at Box Hill in a huge boost to the club’s chances of returning to Goulburn Valley league finals.

ROARKE SMITH (Port Melbourne to Balranald)

Roarke Smith playing for Port Melbourne against Williamstown last year. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Played 47 matches at AFL level for the Bulldogs before joining Port Melbourne last year. Timely signing for the Central Murray club which has lost the Neagle brothers to Sunraysia club South Mildura.

BEN CROCKER (Collingwood to Moe)

Played 42 AFL matches at Collingwood and Adelaide and has spent the past four years in the VFL with Carlton and Collingwood.

Star recruit for Moe which is trying desperately to break a flag drought in the Gippsland league stretching back to 1967.

WILL FORDHAM (Williamstown to Wodonga Raiders)

Will Fordham playing for Frankston in 2018.

A veteran of 149 matches in the VFL with Werribee, Frankston and Williamstown.

Triple best and fairest winner at Frankston who should be a star in the O&M.

SAM WILLOUGHBY (Footscray to Echuca)

Played 12 games for the Bulldogs’ VFL team before returning to play in another flag for Echuca.

Among the Murray Bombers; best in the grand final thrashing of Shepparton.

CODY HENNESS (Port Melbourne to Balranald)

Has joined Roarke Smith at Balranald after playing seven matches for Port Melbourne and 11 at Gippsland club Sale last year.

RYAN SPARKES (Collingwood to Wonthaggi)

Ryan Sparkes returns to Wonthaggi after one season in the VFL. Picture: Daniel Heathcote (supplied)

One of the stars of the Gippsland league who tried out at VFL level along with another Wonthaggi player Jack Hutchinson, who was drafted to West Coast.

Sparkes played 17 matches for Collingwood last year and will be a star player again for Wonthaggi, which is being coached again by Jarryd Blair.

JOEL BUDARICK (Brisbane Lions to Eaglehawk)

Late signing by the Bendigo club which is under pressure to hold its spot in the top five wit some new challengers emerging. Alternated between Brisbane VFL and Queensland club Wilston Grange the past two years.

DARBY HENDERSON (Williamstown to Lara)

Has been a more than handy player over 53 VFL matches with the Seagulls.

Missed the latter part of last season with concussion and joins Lara where his dad Brett, a former leading VFL assistant, will coach for the first time.

TOM TOMA (Essendon to Cohuna Kangas)

Tom Toma has headed back to Cohuna Kangas after one season with Essendon's VFL team. Picture: Essendon Football Club

Played 11 matches for Essendon VFL last year after being a premiership player and triple best and fairest winner at Golden Square in the Bendigo.

Also won three best and fairests with the Kangas who are trying to win a first flag as a merged club.

His former Golden Square teammate Ricky Monti is having a second season with the Bombers’ VFL team and will also play at Cohuna Kangas when available.

HARVEY NEOCLEOUS (Casey Demons to Traralgon)

Played 11 games with Casey before returning to be a member of Traralgon’s upset grand final win against Leongatha when he kicked three important goals.

COREY RICH (Williamstown to Wodonga Raiders)

Has previously played country footy for Mansfield in 2022 when incoming Raiders coach Chad Owens was in charge. Talented onballer who joins another VFL star, Will Fordham, at Raiders.

BEN RIGONI (Coburg to North Albury)

Goulburn Valley league Morrison Medal winner in the Covid-shortened season of 2022 with Seymour.

Played 12 matches with Coburg last year and bolsters the surprise packet of the O&M 2024 season, North Albury

TRISTEN WAACK (Northern Bullants to Traralgon)

Made the headline grabbing switch from Morwell to Traralgon early last year and played 15 matches for the Bullants before playing in Traralgon’s premiership team.