Hampden: Former North Melbourne star Ben Cunnington playing for Warrnambool
There’s been no shortage of former AFL, WAFL, SANFL and VFL players heading bush in 2024. We rank the top 50 here.
Country footy clubs have once again invested plenty of time and money trying to improve their lists for the 2024 season.
Recruiting is tough business and landing a gun player is cause for much celebration and a trigger of big hopes for a successful year.
The last six months have been no exception with competition for players fierce.
The Weekly Times has ranked the top 50 of those expected to be dominant forces in their new colours.
1. BEN CUNNINGTON, North Melbourne to Warrnambool
Sparked a recruiting frenzy in the Hampden league when he announced his retirement after two best and fairests in an outstanding 238-match career for North Melbourne.
Played his first senior match at the age of 15 for Cobden and joined Warrnambool, which missed finals last year.
2. FERGUS GREENE, Hawthorn to Sandhurst
Headed back to his original club after 20 matches at AFL level with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.
Expected to significantly bolster the goalkicking firepower of the Bendigo league runner-up last year.
3. LOCHIE O’BRIEN, Carlton to Wangaratta Rovers
First round pick in the 2017 AFL national draft, O’Brien played 60 senior matches for Carlton before being delisted at the end of last year. Will bolster an already talented midfield at Wang Rovers.
4. DANIEL HOWE, North Melbourne to Yarrawonga
Originally from Rennie, Howe played the majority of his 107 matches at AFL level for Hawthorn, which selected him in the 2014 national draft.
Playing alongside brother Lachie at the reigning Ovens & Murray league premiers.
5. MICHAEL HARTLEY, Seymour to Castlemaine
Has accepted the challenge of lifting Castlemaine out of the doldrums in his first stint at coaching.
The versatile key position player makes the move from Seymour where he was a star player in the Goulburn Valley league.
6. TOM GRIBBLE, Werribee to Geelong Amateur
One of the bombshell moves of the summer when the dual JJ Liston Trophy winner for Werribee in the VFL signed to play in the Bellarine league.
In his final outing for Werribee in the grand final last year, Gribble had 29 possessions and eight clearances.
7. MARK WHILEY, Yarrawonga to Finley
Classy midfielder who has been a key player in Yarrawonga’s recent time at the top in the O & M.
Returns to where it all began in the Murray league at a club expected to make a charge up the ladder in 2024.
8. HAMISH HOSKING, Sandhurst to Birchip-Watchem
Widely regarded as the best ruckman in country football after winning Sandhurst’s best and fairest the last two years.
Narrowly missed a premiership medal when the Dragons were pipped by Golden Square in the grand final last season.
9. RYAN KEMP, Swan Districts to Horsham Demons
Returning to his original club where he has played in two flags in 2017-18 and was a joint winner of the 2018 Toohey Medal.
Has since played at VFL level for Werribee and most recently for Swan Districts in the WAFL.
10. MICK MATTINGLY, West Adelaide to Kyabram
Proven performer in the Goulburn Valley who returns to Kyabram where he was a premiership player and Morrison Medal winner before deciding to have a crack in the SANFL.
Returns home after finishing second in West Adelaide’s best and fairest last season.
RANKINGS 11-50
11. Jimmy Toumpas, Woodville-West Torrens to Swan Hill
12. Patrick Naish, Ivanhoe to Wangaratta
13. Billy Cooper, Tatura to Congupna
14. Matthew Wade, Swan Hill to Nullawil
15. Derek Egglomesse-Smith, Point Cook to Sale
16. Luke Dahlhaus, Port Cook to Anakie
17. Jack Geary, Golden Square to Cohuna Kangas
18. Sam Lloyd, Bundoora to Deniliquin
19. Ed Curnow, Carlton to Lorne
20. Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye to Bridgewater
21. Joel Brett, Golden Square to Shepparton
22. Jake McQueen, Southport to Nhill
23. Eric Guthrie, Palmerston Magpies to Camperdown
24. Jackson Trengove, Mooroopna to Cobram
25. Jacob Welsh, Broadbeach to Stawell
26. Lachie Taylor, South Fremantle to Geelong West
27. Matt Perry, Waverley Blues to Shepparton Swans
28. Steve Kennedy, Altona to Wycheproof-Narraport
29. Andrejs Everitt, Park Orchards to Bacchus Marsh
30. Jake Thrum, Golden Square to Irymple
31. Hamish Shepheard, Bundoora to Deniliquin
32. Jack O’Sullivan, Seymour to Wodonga
33. Lauchlan Dalgleish, Drysdale to Ballarat
34. Aidyn Johnson, Sturt to Tatura
35. Jayden Magro, Shepparton United to Tyntynder
36. Tate Porter, Merrivale to Leopold
37. Kyle Mueller, Kyabram to Congupna
38. Stephen Staunton, Springbank to Terang-Mortlake
39. Mat Walker, Williamstown to Albury
40. Peter Faulks, Aberfeldie to Nullawil
41. Cam Delaney, Grovedale to Drysdale
42. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Essendon to Imperial
43. Harley Cobb, St Albans to North Warrnambool
44. Teia Miles, Claremont to Portarlington
45. Jackson Cardillo, Rupertswood to Gisborne
46. Kyle Hartigan, Centrals Trinity Beach to Queenscliff
47. Ty Baden, Shepparton to Cobram
48. Ollie Bridgewater, South Warrnambool to Bell Park
49. Jayden Wright, Ararat Eagles to Lake Wendouree
50. Xavier Moloney, Swan Hill to Terang-Mortlake
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