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.

There are some big names joining country footy squads in 2024.

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

Ben Cunnington will play for Warrnambool in Hampden league this season. Picture: Michael Klein

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.

Fergus Greene has been recruited by his original club Sandhurst. Pic: Michael Klein

Former Carlton onballer has headed to Wangaratta Rovers. Picture: Michael Willson

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

Daniel Howe is back at Yarrawonga after stints with North Melbourne and Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein

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

Michael Hartley, left, will launch his coaching career with Castlemaine. Picture: Martin Keep

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

Tom Gribble, left, has been a star for Werribee before accepting an assistant coaching job with Geelong Amateurs. Picture: Kelly Defina

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

Mark Whiley, right, has returned to his original club Finley. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

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

Sandhurst ruckman Hamish Hosking, right, has headed for Birchip-Watchem. Picture: SAA Imaging

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

Ryan Kemp has played for Werribee and Swan Districts since last lining up for Horsham Demons. Picture: Michael Dodge

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

Mick Mattingly is back at Kyabram after playing in the SANFL. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

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