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Eastern league clubs have been busily recruiting for 2024 – and there’s been no shortage of key player signings landing across all five tiers.
See all the latest inclusions in our division-by-division guide ...
PREMIER DIVISION
BALWYN
Balwyn has made its first major signing of the off-season with the addition of former AFL Kangaroo Kayne Turner.
The midfielder was delisted in October after almost a decade at North Melbourne, playing 130 games from 2014-2023.
BLACKBURN
Jake Hammond is back at Morton Park.
The high-flyer spent the past two seasons with the Cohuna Kangas in the Central Murray league, following a decorated stint with the Burners from 2014-2021 which took in almost 400 goals across more than 130 games.
The former Oakleigh Chargers and Port Melbourne VFL talent enjoyed returns of 54, 59, 60 and 53 majors at Blackburn from 2016-2019.
DONCASTER EAST
Ex-AFL forward Tim O’Brien headlines the Lions’ haul, following more than 100 games across Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs from 2013-2023.
Former Port Melbourne VFL names Hugh Johnson and Michael Wenn have joined from Premier Division rival Norwood, while experienced midfielder Chris Tout will test himself in the top-flight next season after crossing from Warrandyte in Division 3.
EAST RINGWOOD
Arguably the Southern league’s most damaging forward is set to boost an already-potent ‘Roos attack next season, with Cheltenham spearhead Josh Fox joining the club.
Fox played a vital role in Chelt’s Division 1 premiership this season, kicking 77 goals on the way to Team of the Year selection.
Four-time Team of the Year backman Tristan Tweedie has returned after a five-year stay at Premier Division rival, Norwood, and midfielder Liam Kinsella is back after two years abroad.
Meanwhile, midfielder Connor Weightman will be full-time at the ‘Roos in 2024 after stepping away from VFL footy with Williamstown.
NOBLE PARK
The Bulls have hit the off-season running, securing ex-state league pair Bailey Lambert and Luke Nelson full-time for 2024. The duo had been aligned with Noble during their VFL stays, with midfielder/small forward Lambert returning from Frankston’s list while wingman Nelson plied his trade at Coburg.
Their commitment follows the re-signing of star pair Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher.
NORWOOD
Key defender and former Eastern Ranges captain Josh Tovey headlines the inclusions, while Jarrod Thomson (returning) and Will Quirk (Myrtleford) will add grunt to the midfield.
SOUTH CROYDON
The Bulldogs have been buoyed by the return of star defender Chris Jones as they look to climb the Premier Division ladder next season.
Jones is fresh off a 50-game stint with WAFL club Swan Districts from 2021-2023, after last playing at South Croydon in 2019.
The former VFL defender spent five seasons with Box Hill from 2014-2018, taking in state representative honours in 2017 before a premiership with the Hawks in ’18.
Big-bodied midfielder/forward James Fasan has joined from the Whitehorse Pioneers, where he won the best and fairest and made the Division 3 Team of the Year in 2022. He’s played most of his footy with Park Orchards.
And the Bulldogs have also welcomed back 2017 premiership defender James Crowle following a season with Division 3 outfit, Fairpark.
DIVISION 1
BAYSWATER
Former Eastern Ranges gun Christian Poe has signed on at the Waters, crossing from The Basin in Division 2. A regular starter for the Bears in recent seasons, he’s set to bolster Bayswater’s engine room, with the tough midfielder taking the honours for best afield in the 2022 under-19 grand final.
Baysie has also signed Riley Purton (Lysterfield) who is expected to play most of next season at the Dandenong Stingrays. He’s the son of 1995 Bayswater premiership hero, Dion.
BEACONSFIELD
The Eagles have been busy.
Former St Kilda utility Nathan Wright has signed at the Eastern league Division 1 outfit, crossing from top-flight Southern league club Chelsea Heights.
Wright played 35 matches for St Kilda across six years from 2013-2018 before linking with Chelsea Heights ahead of this season, playing 17 matches.
Tall talent Charlie Muley has arrived from top-division club Berwick, after kicking 24 goals this season where he was also listed at Casey.
Mackay Bateson (Monbulk), Matt Orford (Pakenham) and Brady Niezgodka (Noble Park) round out the signings.
MITCHAM
Fresh off an upset grand final win in September, the Tigers have added Vermont pair Flynn Maguire and Michael Silvaggi, alongside Blackburn duo Nat Barnes and Xander Tassell.
Meanwhile, spearhead Jake Parente has committed full-time for 2024.
The gun forward spent time with VFL outfit Northern Bullants in 2023, before returning from injury to feature in the finals.
OUTH BELGRAVE
Recently retired AFL midfielder Luke Dunstan has landed at South Belgrave, following 121 matches across St Kilda and Melbourne from 2014-2023.
Dual premiership tall Lachlan Benson has crossed from Narre Warren in Outer East’s top-flight, and 19-year-old midfielder/forward Blake Simondson has arrived from Berwick Springs. He’s also listed with North Melbourne VFL, and made the Outer East league Division 1 Team of the Year in 2022.
Former Silvan captain Matteo D’Alfonso has also signed, with the midfielder fresh off winning the club’s best and fairest following a premiership in Division 4 in 2019.
And ex-Eastern Ranges draft prospect Tyreece Leiu has committed to the club after stepping away from VFL level. He split his time between the Eastern league and Carlton’s VFL arm this year.
WANTIRNA SOUTH
Warrandyte’s Quinn Clark has sought to challenge himself in a higher division following a best-and-fairest at the Bloods in 2022 and a runner-up finish this season. The 23-year-old has made his name as a key forward but relished a move into defence this year.
He joins this year’s Premier Division under-19.5 league best and fairest Sam Pascuzzi, with the midfielder making the move from Noble Park.
DIVISION 2
BORONIA
The reigning premier has bolstered its attack with the inclusion of Tom Sonsie (South Belgrave), who’ll hunt regular senior opportunities. He topped the goalkicking at Scoresby in 2019 and ’21 before shifting to the Saints the following year.
CROYDON
The Blues have secured Norwood champion Rhett Jordon as their playing-coach for 2024.
The midfielder captained Norwood in a career spanning a decade and some 150 games at the club, also bringing previous experience as a player with Northern league power West Preston Lakeside and VFL club Coburg.
Midfielder-forward Tim Anderson (Woori Yallock), ruckman Darcy Yule, Ryan Nunziante, Mike Whelan, Cody Martin and Nick Woodworth have also signed.
HEATHMONT
Norwood trio Dylan Feltham, James Feltham and Braden Bird are among the Jets’ new names this off-season.
Dylan, a former Eastern Ranges talent, was a prolific ball-winner in the Norsemen midfield while James is set to provide plenty of grunt in attack as a big-bodied mid-forward. Bird has built a reputation as an inside midfielder.
The Jets have also signed Lachie Jackson from Croydon and big-bodied defender Zak Trotter (East Burwood), with the pair joining the club via family connections.
MULGRAVE
The Lions have welcomed back key forward Tom McGowan after two seasons in Western Australia. The spearhead last played for Mulgrave in 2021, finishing runner-up for the comp goalkicking. The former Glen Waverley Rovers junior also won an under-19s flag with Mulgrave.
EAST BURWOOD
A package of recruits have joined from top-division powerhouse Balwyn, significantly bolstering the Rams’ midfield. Ned Mullins brings experience as a strong-bodied midfielder, Andrew Bottomer boasts plenty of speed as a wingman while Joe Gorman provides a lift in the ruck, also previously plying his trade for Ovens & Murray heavyweight, Yarrawonga.
TEMPLESTOWE
Former SANFL big man Bailey Griffiths has returned to the Eastern league Division 2 outfit, crossing from Wodonga.
The 203cm ruckman is the nephew of Port Adelaide premiership star Dean Brogan and the son of dual basketball Olympian, Michelle Brogan.
He spent two seasons with South Adelaide before his stop at the Ovens and Murray club this year.
Ex-Glenelg utility Nathan Franklin is set to boost the club’s leg speed, re-joining the Eastern league after playing with Doncaster East in 2019, while defender Lachlan Carter has also returned.
Nick Bird has arrived at Porter St following the past four seasons at Premier outfit Balwyn, where he played in across multiple positions, including wing, half-forward and half-back. He’s also played basketball at college and academy level in North America.
The Dockers have also secured forward Yianni Kazakis from Doncaster East, where he topped the club’s reserves goalkicking this season in the league’s top-flight following the under-19.5 crown in 2022.
THE BASIN
The Bears have arguably been Division 2’s most active club.
Champion forward Billy Schilling has put pen to paper, returning to the Eastern league following a stint with Traralgon. A former captain at Montrose where he kicked more than 500 goals, Schilling’s most recent Eastern league stop was at North Ringwood, often utilised at centre half-back. The three-time Team of the Year representative featured in Montrose’s 2013 premiership in the league’s second tier.
Former AFL-listed Kangaroo Joel Perry has signed, following back-to-back flags with Powelltown across the past two seasons. The 195cm key forward brings more than 300 games’ experience, taking in stops at East Ringwood and Vermont, alongside a playing-coach stint at Upper Gully.
Veteran defender Troy Wright adds more than 250 games’ experience, after helping East Ringwood to a premiership in 2022. He’s also had stops at Croydon, Montrose and Mooroolbark, earning a spot in the Division 1 Team of the Year in 2019.
Daniel Frost has joined from Doveton, after previously playing at Norwood and Mitcham. He’s touted as having elite skills on both sides of the body, boasting versatility in attack or defence.
Former VFL Northern Blue Lachlan Moss has also arrived, bringing premiership experience from Bayswater among stints with Devon Meadows where he finished runner-up for the best and fairest, and a recent coaching stop at Hallam.
Inside midfielder and defender Harley Burmeister-Lyons (Koondrook Barham) will add plenty of experience with more than 200 games under his belt, including a previous stint at Upper Gully, while half-back Josh Swainston (Heatherton) has also signed.
WAVERLEY BLUES
Jayson Miller is expected to add pace to the Blues’ line-up, returning to the club after time at Bairnsdale. Miller featured in the Blues’ 2019 premiership in Division 3.
Former junior Kyle Viccars has also returned, following time in the league’s top tier with Doncaster where he earned a spot on Port Melbourne’s books this year – and was named the VFL club’s most determined player this season.
DIVISION 3
COLDSTREAM
Three-time premiership mentor Jarrod Bayliss will serve as playing-coach of Coldstream in 2024.
Fresh off overseeing back-to-back flags with Outer East club Powelltown, Bayliss also led Park Orchards to a Division 3 crown in 2017 following stints with Wandin from 2010-2014 and 2016.
He also played for Premier Division club Vermont in 2019, before linking with Mooroolbark the next year – but didn’t play a game due to the season’s cancellation.
The incoming coach has attracted a wealth of experience to the Cougars, with Brock Castree, Gary Conyers, Chris Moreland, Jake Sheriff and Dylan Sverns signing.
FERNTREE GULLY
Cooper Wright has joined the Eagles from Outer East club Officer, where he claimed multiple top-five finishes in the league best and fairest. He’s touted as having pace to burn through the midfield and on the wing.
Ruckman Haydan Versluys-Tyrer signs on after stops at Hallam, Hampton Park and Narre Warren South, while Cranbourne midfielder Callum Pola has also landed at the club.
Key forward Chris Dennis, utility Jayden McDonald and small forward Stewart Williamson round out the key signings.
KNOX
The Falcons have been busily bolstering their list ahead of their move into Division 3, following a three-win season in Division 2.
Dysan Morris (Berwick Springs), Ryan Hall (Rowville) and Gavin Pears (Karingal) are set to add experience to the young line-up.
OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
Former Brisbane Lions academy talent Ethan Hunt has put pen to paper. The former Queensland underage representative is set to fill a key spot up forward. The Oaks have also added a handful of names – Dean Mitropoulos (Noble Park), Dean Apostolopoulos, Harry O’Neill (South Belgrave) and Ben Di Cioccio (Glen Waverley).
SILVAN
Four-time premiership star Michael Fowkes has linked with the Cats, following back-to-back flags with Outer East club Powelltown. The key forward will serve as senior playing-assistant coach to new Silvan mentor Jeremy Thomas, with the pair reuniting after time spent at Park Orchards, Thomas as president and Fowkes as a player, helping the club to its inaugural Eastern crown in Division 3 in 2017. Fowkes has also won a flag with Wandin.
SURREY PARK
Two-time Doncaster East premiership spearhead Jake Summers is back in the Eastern league, returning to Surrey Park where he played his juniors.
He spent the past two seasons with Kyneton in the Bendigo league after winning flags in Eastern’s second tier in 2018 and ‘19 – the latter as best afield.
He’s joined by younger brother Lachie, a utility who returns to the club from Old Carey.
The Panthers have also welcomed back big-bodied midfielder Damien Frisina and defender Bede Briscomb. Both have previously made Eastern league teams of the year and should boost the newly-promoted Surrey Park following its Division 4 premiership.
Jake Summers in action for Doncaster East. Picture: Davis Harrigan
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY
Upper Ferntree Gully has bolstered its list ahead of its move into a new division next season – headlined by a two-time league medallist.
Dual competition best and fairest Russell Cowan has joined the Kings, fresh off back-to-back flags with Powelltown in the Outer East league.
They’ve secured Yarra Junction midfielder Dylan Cawsey, who averaged 33 possessions a game in the Outer East’s Division 2 this season on his way to selection in the Team of the Year. He’s also touted for his kicking efficiency and goal-sense.
Joining the classy mid is noted goalkicker Jake Cawsey, returning to the club where he kicked 60 majors from 20 matches as a 19-year-old in 2016. In the past two seasons he’s had stints with Northern club Lalor and Yarra Junction this season, kicking 25 goals from 11 matches, averaging 6.6 score involvements a game.
Defender Jake Saltum has also signed, returning to the Kings after stints with Dalyston in the West Gippsland league, Knox and Robina in AFL Queensland where he played 15 matches this season.
WARRANDYTE
Local footy journeyman Dean Limbach has found a new home for 2024 at the Division 3 club.
The former Williamstown VFL forward crosses from Templestowe where he played 12 matches this season after linking with the Division 2 outfit in May.
The spearhead has kicked almost 900 goals across more than 250 games in a career spanning several clubs.
DIVISION 4
CHIRNSIDE PARK
The Panthers have been arguably Division 4’s most active club this off-season, signing a package of recruits headlined by Justin Ficorilli.
The livewire forward has more than 500 goals to his name in the Eastern league across stints at Croydon and Silvan, helping Silvan to the Division 4 flag in 2022 with 70 majors.
Football journeyman Tyson McKenzie has also signed. McKenzie has won two best-and-fairests, twice named in league teams of the year and has taken in multiple leading goalkicker awards across stops at several clubs. The experienced midfielder’s stops have included Silvan, Mitcham, Warburton Milgrove and Coldstream, having also served as playing-coach of Congupna in the Murray Football League in 2016 and 2017.
Midfielders Peter Cassidy-Marsh (Nunawading), Aidan Pemberton (Croydon) and Billy Findlay (Ashwood) round out the key signings.
ROYDON NORTH-MLOC
A couple of handy signings for the Kanga-Rams, with quick-moving midfielder Benjamin Gill crossing from Park Orchards, while key forward and ruckman Mitch Starling has also joined.
KILSYTH
The Cougars have welcomed midfielder Dean Maunder (Yarra Junction), while former club juniors Cody George, touted as a tall forward, and Luke Ivanovic (utility) have also signed amid a quiet off-season of recruiting.
NUNAWADING
Ruckman Thomas Flood has joined the Lions, reuniting with former Manningham Cobras coach Frank Salanitri. Flood played under Salanitri at the Cobras, making the 2019 VAFA Division 3 Team of the Year. He’s also had stints with St Albans and most recently Whittlesea in the Northern league’s Division 1, where he played nine games this season.
SCORESBY
Adam Amin headlines the Maggies’ signings, with the former Glen Waverley key forward returning to the Eastern league following stops at West Gippsland clubs Dalyston, and Koo Wee Rup where he kicked 34 goals from 17 matches this year.
Prolific ball-winner Hugh Alabaster has signed on, crossing from Wantirna South’s under-19s where he was named in the Devils’ best on 10 occasions this season, finishing runner-up for the best and fairest. He’s joined by Devils teammate Jake Raymakers.
Cooper Thompson (Noble Park) has also signed.
See all the latest inclusions in our division-by-division guide ...
PREMIER DIVISION
BALWYN
Balwyn has made its first major signing of the off-season with the addition of former AFL Kangaroo Kayne Turner.
The midfielder was delisted in October after almost a decade at North Melbourne, playing 130 games from 2014-2023.
BLACKBURN
Jake Hammond is back at Morton Park.
The high-flyer spent the past two seasons with the Cohuna Kangas in the Central Murray league, following a decorated stint with the Burners from 2014-2021 which took in almost 400 goals across more than 130 games.
The former Oakleigh Chargers and Port Melbourne VFL talent enjoyed returns of 54, 59, 60 and 53 majors at Blackburn from 2016-2019.
DONCASTER EAST
Ex-AFL forward Tim O’Brien headlines the Lions’ haul, following more than 100 games across Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs from 2013-2023.
Former Port Melbourne VFL names Hugh Johnson and Michael Wenn have joined from Premier Division rival Norwood, while experienced midfielder Chris Tout will test himself in the top-flight next season after crossing from Warrandyte in Division 3.
EAST RINGWOOD
Arguably the Southern league’s most damaging forward is set to boost an already-potent ‘Roos attack next season, with Cheltenham spearhead Josh Fox joining the club.
Fox played a vital role in Chelt’s Division 1 premiership this season, kicking 77 goals on the way to Team of the Year selection.
Four-time Team of the Year backman Tristan Tweedie has returned after a five-year stay at Premier Division rival, Norwood, and midfielder Liam Kinsella is back after two years abroad.
Meanwhile, midfielder Connor Weightman will be full-time at the ‘Roos in 2024 after stepping away from VFL footy with Williamstown.
NOBLE PARK
The Bulls have hit the off-season running, securing ex-state league pair Bailey Lambert and Luke Nelson full-time for 2024. The duo had been aligned with Noble during their VFL stays, with midfielder/small forward Lambert returning from Frankston’s list while wingman Nelson plied his trade at Coburg.
Their commitment follows the re-signing of star pair Kyle Martin and Jackson Sketcher.
NORWOOD
Key defender and former Eastern Ranges captain Josh Tovey headlines the inclusions, while Jarrod Thomson (returning) and Will Quirk (Myrtleford) will add grunt to the midfield.
SOUTH CROYDON
The Bulldogs have been buoyed by the return of star defender Chris Jones as they look to climb the Premier Division ladder next season.
Jones is fresh off a 50-game stint with WAFL club Swan Districts from 2021-2023, after last playing at South Croydon in 2019.
The former VFL defender spent five seasons with Box Hill from 2014-2018, taking in state representative honours in 2017 before a premiership with the Hawks in ’18.
Big-bodied midfielder/forward James Fasan has joined from the Whitehorse Pioneers, where he won the best and fairest and made the Division 3 Team of the Year in 2022. He’s played most of his footy with Park Orchards.
And the Bulldogs have also welcomed back 2017 premiership defender James Crowle following a season with Division 3 outfit, Fairpark.
DIVISION 1
BAYSWATER
Former Eastern Ranges gun Christian Poe has signed on at the Waters, crossing from The Basin in Division 2. A regular starter for the Bears in recent seasons, he’s set to bolster Bayswater’s engine room, with the tough midfielder taking the honours for best afield in the 2022 under-19 grand final.
Baysie has also signed Riley Purton (Lysterfield) who is expected to play most of next season at the Dandenong Stingrays. He’s the son of 1995 Bayswater premiership hero, Dion.
BEACONSFIELD
The Eagles have been busy.
Former St Kilda utility Nathan Wright has signed at the Eastern league Division 1 outfit, crossing from top-flight Southern league club Chelsea Heights.
Wright played 35 matches for St Kilda across six years from 2013-2018 before linking with Chelsea Heights ahead of this season, playing 17 matches.
Tall talent Charlie Muley has arrived from top-division club Berwick, after kicking 24 goals this season where he was also listed at Casey.
Mackay Bateson (Monbulk), Matt Orford (Pakenham) and Brady Niezgodka (Noble Park) round out the signings.
MITCHAM
Fresh off an upset grand final win in September, the Tigers have added Vermont pair Flynn Maguire and Michael Silvaggi, alongside Blackburn duo Nat Barnes and Xander Tassell.
Meanwhile, spearhead Jake Parente has committed full-time for 2024.
The gun forward spent time with VFL outfit Northern Bullants in 2023, before returning from injury to feature in the finals.
OUTH BELGRAVE
Recently retired AFL midfielder Luke Dunstan has landed at South Belgrave, following 121 matches across St Kilda and Melbourne from 2014-2023.
Dual premiership tall Lachlan Benson has crossed from Narre Warren in Outer East’s top-flight, and 19-year-old midfielder/forward Blake Simondson has arrived from Berwick Springs. He’s also listed with North Melbourne VFL, and made the Outer East league Division 1 Team of the Year in 2022.
Former Silvan captain Matteo D’Alfonso has also signed, with the midfielder fresh off winning the club’s best and fairest following a premiership in Division 4 in 2019.
And ex-Eastern Ranges draft prospect Tyreece Leiu has committed to the club after stepping away from VFL level. He split his time between the Eastern league and Carlton’s VFL arm this year.
WANTIRNA SOUTH
Warrandyte’s Quinn Clark has sought to challenge himself in a higher division following a best-and-fairest at the Bloods in 2022 and a runner-up finish this season. The 23-year-old has made his name as a key forward but relished a move into defence this year.
He joins this year’s Premier Division under-19.5 league best and fairest Sam Pascuzzi, with the midfielder making the move from Noble Park.
DIVISION 2
BORONIA
The reigning premier has bolstered its attack with the inclusion of Tom Sonsie (South Belgrave), who’ll hunt regular senior opportunities. He topped the goalkicking at Scoresby in 2019 and ’21 before shifting to the Saints the following year.
CROYDON
The Blues have secured Norwood champion Rhett Jordon as their playing-coach for 2024.
The midfielder captained Norwood in a career spanning a decade and some 150 games at the club, also bringing previous experience as a player with Northern league power West Preston Lakeside and VFL club Coburg.
Midfielder-forward Tim Anderson (Woori Yallock), ruckman Darcy Yule, Ryan Nunziante, Mike Whelan, Cody Martin and Nick Woodworth have also signed.
HEATHMONT
Norwood trio Dylan Feltham, James Feltham and Braden Bird are among the Jets’ new names this off-season.
Dylan, a former Eastern Ranges talent, was a prolific ball-winner in the Norsemen midfield while James is set to provide plenty of grunt in attack as a big-bodied mid-forward. Bird has built a reputation as an inside midfielder.
The Jets have also signed Lachie Jackson from Croydon and big-bodied defender Zak Trotter (East Burwood), with the pair joining the club via family connections.
MULGRAVE
The Lions have welcomed back key forward Tom McGowan after two seasons in Western Australia. The spearhead last played for Mulgrave in 2021, finishing runner-up for the comp goalkicking. The former Glen Waverley Rovers junior also won an under-19s flag with Mulgrave.
EAST BURWOOD
A package of recruits have joined from top-division powerhouse Balwyn, significantly bolstering the Rams’ midfield. Ned Mullins brings experience as a strong-bodied midfielder, Andrew Bottomer boasts plenty of speed as a wingman while Joe Gorman provides a lift in the ruck, also previously plying his trade for Ovens & Murray heavyweight, Yarrawonga.
TEMPLESTOWE
Former SANFL big man Bailey Griffiths has returned to the Eastern league Division 2 outfit, crossing from Wodonga.
The 203cm ruckman is the nephew of Port Adelaide premiership star Dean Brogan and the son of dual basketball Olympian, Michelle Brogan.
He spent two seasons with South Adelaide before his stop at the Ovens and Murray club this year.
Ex-Glenelg utility Nathan Franklin is set to boost the club’s leg speed, re-joining the Eastern league after playing with Doncaster East in 2019, while defender Lachlan Carter has also returned.
Nick Bird has arrived at Porter St following the past four seasons at Premier outfit Balwyn, where he played in across multiple positions, including wing, half-forward and half-back. He’s also played basketball at college and academy level in North America.
The Dockers have also secured forward Yianni Kazakis from Doncaster East, where he topped the club’s reserves goalkicking this season in the league’s top-flight following the under-19.5 crown in 2022.
THE BASIN
The Bears have arguably been Division 2’s most active club.
Champion forward Billy Schilling has put pen to paper, returning to the Eastern league following a stint with Traralgon. A former captain at Montrose where he kicked more than 500 goals, Schilling’s most recent Eastern league stop was at North Ringwood, often utilised at centre half-back. The three-time Team of the Year representative featured in Montrose’s 2013 premiership in the league’s second tier.
Former AFL-listed Kangaroo Joel Perry has signed, following back-to-back flags with Powelltown across the past two seasons. The 195cm key forward brings more than 300 games’ experience, taking in stops at East Ringwood and Vermont, alongside a playing-coach stint at Upper Gully.
Veteran defender Troy Wright adds more than 250 games’ experience, after helping East Ringwood to a premiership in 2022. He’s also had stops at Croydon, Montrose and Mooroolbark, earning a spot in the Division 1 Team of the Year in 2019.
Daniel Frost has joined from Doveton, after previously playing at Norwood and Mitcham. He’s touted as having elite skills on both sides of the body, boasting versatility in attack or defence.
Former VFL Northern Blue Lachlan Moss has also arrived, bringing premiership experience from Bayswater among stints with Devon Meadows where he finished runner-up for the best and fairest, and a recent coaching stop at Hallam.
Inside midfielder and defender Harley Burmeister-Lyons (Koondrook Barham) will add plenty of experience with more than 200 games under his belt, including a previous stint at Upper Gully, while half-back Josh Swainston (Heatherton) has also signed.
WAVERLEY BLUES
Jayson Miller is expected to add pace to the Blues’ line-up, returning to the club after time at Bairnsdale. Miller featured in the Blues’ 2019 premiership in Division 3.
Former junior Kyle Viccars has also returned, following time in the league’s top tier with Doncaster where he earned a spot on Port Melbourne’s books this year – and was named the VFL club’s most determined player this season.
DIVISION 3
COLDSTREAM
Three-time premiership mentor Jarrod Bayliss will serve as playing-coach of Coldstream in 2024.
Fresh off overseeing back-to-back flags with Outer East club Powelltown, Bayliss also led Park Orchards to a Division 3 crown in 2017 following stints with Wandin from 2010-2014 and 2016.
He also played for Premier Division club Vermont in 2019, before linking with Mooroolbark the next year – but didn’t play a game due to the season’s cancellation.
The incoming coach has attracted a wealth of experience to the Cougars, with Brock Castree, Gary Conyers, Chris Moreland, Jake Sheriff and Dylan Sverns signing.
FERNTREE GULLY
Cooper Wright has joined the Eagles from Outer East club Officer, where he claimed multiple top-five finishes in the league best and fairest. He’s touted as having pace to burn through the midfield and on the wing.
Ruckman Haydan Versluys-Tyrer signs on after stops at Hallam, Hampton Park and Narre Warren South, while Cranbourne midfielder Callum Pola has also landed at the club.
Key forward Chris Dennis, utility Jayden McDonald and small forward Stewart Williamson round out the key signings.
KNOX
The Falcons have been busily bolstering their list ahead of their move into Division 3, following a three-win season in Division 2.
Dysan Morris (Berwick Springs), Ryan Hall (Rowville) and Gavin Pears (Karingal) are set to add experience to the young line-up.
OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
Former Brisbane Lions academy talent Ethan Hunt has put pen to paper. The former Queensland underage representative is set to fill a key spot up forward. The Oaks have also added a handful of names – Dean Mitropoulos (Noble Park), Dean Apostolopoulos, Harry O’Neill (South Belgrave) and Ben Di Cioccio (Glen Waverley).
SILVAN
Four-time premiership star Michael Fowkes has linked with the Cats, following back-to-back flags with Outer East club Powelltown. The key forward will serve as senior playing-assistant coach to new Silvan mentor Jeremy Thomas, with the pair reuniting after time spent at Park Orchards, Thomas as president and Fowkes as a player, helping the club to its inaugural Eastern crown in Division 3 in 2017. Fowkes has also won a flag with Wandin.
SURREY PARK
Two-time Doncaster East premiership spearhead Jake Summers is back in the Eastern league, returning to Surrey Park where he played his juniors.
He spent the past two seasons with Kyneton in the Bendigo league after winning flags in Eastern’s second tier in 2018 and ‘19 – the latter as best afield.
He’s joined by younger brother Lachie, a utility who returns to the club from Old Carey.
The Panthers have also welcomed back big-bodied midfielder Damien Frisina and defender Bede Briscomb. Both have previously made Eastern league teams of the year and should boost the newly-promoted Surrey Park following its Division 4 premiership.
Jake Summers in action for Doncaster East. Picture: Davis Harrigan
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY
Upper Ferntree Gully has bolstered its list ahead of its move into a new division next season – headlined by a two-time league medallist.
Dual competition best and fairest Russell Cowan has joined the Kings, fresh off back-to-back flags with Powelltown in the Outer East league.
They’ve secured Yarra Junction midfielder Dylan Cawsey, who averaged 33 possessions a game in the Outer East’s Division 2 this season on his way to selection in the Team of the Year. He’s also touted for his kicking efficiency and goal-sense.
Joining the classy mid is noted goalkicker Jake Cawsey, returning to the club where he kicked 60 majors from 20 matches as a 19-year-old in 2016. In the past two seasons he’s had stints with Northern club Lalor and Yarra Junction this season, kicking 25 goals from 11 matches, averaging 6.6 score involvements a game.
Defender Jake Saltum has also signed, returning to the Kings after stints with Dalyston in the West Gippsland league, Knox and Robina in AFL Queensland where he played 15 matches this season.
WARRANDYTE
Local footy journeyman Dean Limbach has found a new home for 2024 at the Division 3 club.
The former Williamstown VFL forward crosses from Templestowe where he played 12 matches this season after linking with the Division 2 outfit in May.
The spearhead has kicked almost 900 goals across more than 250 games in a career spanning several clubs.
DIVISION 4
CHIRNSIDE PARK
The Panthers have been arguably Division 4’s most active club this off-season, signing a package of recruits headlined by Justin Ficorilli.
The livewire forward has more than 500 goals to his name in the Eastern league across stints at Croydon and Silvan, helping Silvan to the Division 4 flag in 2022 with 70 majors.
Football journeyman Tyson McKenzie has also signed. McKenzie has won two best-and-fairests, twice named in league teams of the year and has taken in multiple leading goalkicker awards across stops at several clubs. The experienced midfielder’s stops have included Silvan, Mitcham, Warburton Milgrove and Coldstream, having also served as playing-coach of Congupna in the Murray Football League in 2016 and 2017.
Midfielders Peter Cassidy-Marsh (Nunawading), Aidan Pemberton (Croydon) and Billy Findlay (Ashwood) round out the key signings.
ROYDON NORTH-MLOC
A couple of handy signings for the Kanga-Rams, with quick-moving midfielder Benjamin Gill crossing from Park Orchards, while key forward and ruckman Mitch Starling has also joined.
KILSYTH
The Cougars have welcomed midfielder Dean Maunder (Yarra Junction), while former club juniors Cody George, touted as a tall forward, and Luke Ivanovic (utility) have also signed amid a quiet off-season of recruiting.
NUNAWADING
Ruckman Thomas Flood has joined the Lions, reuniting with former Manningham Cobras coach Frank Salanitri. Flood played under Salanitri at the Cobras, making the 2019 VAFA Division 3 Team of the Year. He’s also had stints with St Albans and most recently Whittlesea in the Northern league’s Division 1, where he played nine games this season.
SCORESBY
Adam Amin headlines the Maggies’ signings, with the former Glen Waverley key forward returning to the Eastern league following stops at West Gippsland clubs Dalyston, and Koo Wee Rup where he kicked 34 goals from 17 matches this year.
Prolific ball-winner Hugh Alabaster has signed on, crossing from Wantirna South’s under-19s where he was named in the Devils’ best on 10 occasions this season, finishing runner-up for the best and fairest. He’s joined by Devils teammate Jake Raymakers.
Cooper Thompson (Noble Park) has also signed.
