Part 2
JAMES McCALLUM (Old Eltham Collegians)
The 20-year-old played all 18 games for Panton Hill in NFNL Division 2 this season, named in the best four times. The ruckman is a key addition to the Turtles’ line-up as they look to improve on this year’s elimination final exit. Previously won the 2021 NFNL Under-17 league best-and-fairest while with Eltham.
SAM HAYCROFT (Old Eltham Collegians)
Played seven games and kicked four goals in the reserves at Greensborough this year. A youngster looking to find his feet in senior football. A hard-running winger-forward flank.
JOBE PARMANSCHE (Old Eltham Collegians)
At 19, a young player looking to break into senior football. Played a couple of Division 1 Under-19s games for Eltham this season and has previously played under-18s and reserves for Benalla in the strong Goulburn Valley league.
DYLAN BRIZZI (Old Eltham Collegians)
Made his senior debut in 2022 and captained Macleod’s under-19s in 2023 but was restricted to four reserve grade games this season. Will be looking to rekindle his football with the Turtles, bringing Division 1 experience to the club. A midfield-forward who could have a big impact.
BROCK TOGNI (Old Eltham Collegians)
Arrives from Greensborough, where he played 40 reserve grade matches in the past three seasons. The 23-year-old is looking to step up to senior football with the Turtles in 2025. Has “great hands and an impressive leap”, according to the club’s announcement.
OMER MUSTAFA (Old Eltham Collegians)
The speedy winger or half-back played all 18 games at Division 1 reserve grade level for West Preston-Lakeside this season. Made his senior debut for the Roosters back in 2019, spent a season at Epping – playing nine games – and returned to Moore Park in 2023 for another two senior games. A NFNL representative at under-19 level in 2019, Old Eltham will be hoping he can bring speed and skill to Eltham College and cement himself as a consistent senior player.
MICHAEL FLORANCE (Kinglake)
Another North Heidelberg legend joins the Lakers with coach Dave’s brother Michael coming on board. The veteran big man brings a wealth of experience to Memorial Oval after stints at the Bulldogs, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge. A NFNL Division 2 premiership player at North Heidelberg in 2017 and a two-time Team of the Year player, including Division 1 honours in 2018. Will significantly bolster Kinglake’s midfield.
DYLAN HOYSTED (Kinglake)
Look out Division 3 defenders, Kinglake’s attack is going to be one to watch in 2025. Key forward Hoystead has signed on for the Lakers, arriving after two seasons with Avenel in the Kyabram District league, where he kicked 45 and 47 goals. Certainly not stranger to the NFNL having come through the ranks at Whittlesea and played senior football at Epping. Will add a marking presence in the attacking 50m alongside the likes of Team of the Year ace Damian Pywell and the evergreen Shane Harvey should he decide to play on.
BAILEY & CONNOR CALDOW (Kinglake)
The brothers reunite at Memorial Reserve. Bailey is coming off a season out of the game, while Connor has played the past two years at Avenel in the Kyabram District. Bailey previously played for Epping and both came through the ranks at Whittlesea but have never played together. The Caldows have strong family connections at the Lakers with uncles Mick Nott, Luke Nott and Steve Hurst all having major impacts on and off the field. No doubt Kinglake will hope they can follow in the family tradition.
HIRSI TWOMEY (Lalor)
A big man. A big return for Lalor. Twomey is back at Sydney Crescent after three seasons away at Oak Park in the Essendon District. He played 41 senior games for the club and played a key role in the 2022 Division 2 premiership. Played 13 games as the club stepped up to Division 1 and played finals this season.
JACK KENNDY (Lalor)
A premiership player at Oak Park and Keilor, Kennedy will bring much-needed leadership and experience to the Bloods.
Sam Glover in action for North Ballarat. Picture: Hamish Blair
Liam McVeigh in action for Wangaratta Magpies. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
LIAM McVEIGH (West Preston-Lakeside)
Always a good day when a premiership player returns to the club. After three seasons with Ovens and Murray power Wangaratta, McVeigh returns to Moore Park. Kicked four goals in the Roosters’ 2018 NFNL Division 1 triumph but missed the club’s 2019 win. A Northern league representative in 2018 and 2019 and earned a Vic Metro guernsey in 2019 too, while playing three VFL games for North Melbourne. A massive inclusion for the young Wests side.
SAM GLOVER (West Preston-Lakeside)
The 2018 premiership player returns to Moore Park in 2025. The Collingwood VFL captain, best-and-fairest winner and Team of the Year squad gun was aligned with North Ballarat for the past four seasons. Played 17 VFL games for the Magpies and just two for the Roosters this season, so his availability could be limited but having a player of his quality around the club is sure to help regardless.
JACK EVANS (West Preston-Lakeside)
Spent 2024 travelling but has previously represented Vic Metro in the AFL National Championships and played for Calder Cannons before earning a VFL list spot at Coburg. An elite talent who will be a contender for fittest player at Moore Park and bolster the club’s midfield nicely.
RILEY CLARKE (West Preston-Lakeside)
Arrives from Murray league club Tongala, now the famous home of Harley Reid, where he played 16 matches this season. Came through the ranks at Echuca, represented Bendigo Pioneers and was part of Strathfieldsaye’s Bendigo league grand final team in 2022. Earned a VFL-list spot with Collingwood for the cancelled 2020 season.
MASON GRECH (Watsonia)
The Saints were looking for height this off-season and have found plenty in Grech, a 210cm developing ruckman. Yet to make his senior debut but played 34 under-19s games in the past two seasons at Eltham. Joins his cousin, Luke, at Binnak Park.
CHARLIE SMYTHE (Watsonia)
Brings a wealth of Division 1 experience having made his senior debut for Macleod back in 2016. Played 18 senior games for the Kangas between 2022-24 but just two of those came this season, instead making seven appearances in the reserves. Will look to add to Watsonia’s midfield mix or use his skills off half-back.
Riley Gilchrist in action for Wallan. Picture: Andy Brownbill
RILEY GILCHRIST (Whittlesea)
The Eagles have prized out one of Wallan’s best young talents in Gilchrist. The 18-year-old cemented himself as a senior player with the Magpies this season, playing 20 senior matches – including the RDFNL grand final defeat – while also representing the league in the under-18s against Southern. The Whittlesea junior returns to the Showgrounds looking to break into the senior line-up with his “leg speed across the ground and toughness with his attack at the ball”.
BRAYDON & COREY AVOLA (Whittlesea)
The Avola brothers return to the Showgrounds from Avenel in the Kyabram District league. Braydon, a KDFNL representative in 2019, and Swans captain produced an outstanding season in 2024, playing 16 games and kicking 31 goals. It saw him named captain of the Team of the Year and be picked in the centre. Corey, meanwhile, played 13 games and kicked 13 goals in a solid campaign of his own. Both will add plenty of excitement to the Eagles’ line-up in 2025.
MITCH GREEN (Eltham)
The Panthers bolster their defence with the addition of Green. Steps up from Division 2 club St Mary’s, where he played 13 senior matches this year. The tall defender can also swing forward when required. Played 55 senior games for the Burras and represented the NFNL at under-19 level.
BRADYN TAGLIERI (Eltham)
Returns to Panther Place after one season away at neighbouring Old Eltham Collegians. Taglieri has played more than 130 senior games for Eltham and will serve as an assistant coach under Tim Bongetti. Played 12 senior Division 3 games for the Turtles this season, kicking 14 goals. Will provide critical experience and leadership as the Panthers look to further cement their place in Division 1.
KAI TURNER (Eltham)
A massive win for Eltham, gaining the services of arguably the best defender in NFNL Division 3. Turner steps up to top-flight football from Mernda, where he played 53 games in the past three seasons. The star defender earned selection in back-to-back Division 3 Teams of the Year. Has been invited to do a pre-season with Essendon VFL.
BRENT MACAFFER (Epping)
A massive coup for the Pingers, pinching Macaffer from NFNL Division 3 rival Old Eltham Collegians. Returning to the Northern league in 2024, Macaffer was exemplory, winning the league best-and-fairest and Coaches’ MVP double and Turtles’ club champion award. A four-time Team of the Year selection, now three-time league medallist and Coaches’ MVP - and don’t forget, AFL premiership player. Turns 37 just before next season.
BUCKLEY CHAPMAN (Epping)
Made 10 senior appearances for Western Division 2 club Sunshine this season before dropping back to play in a reserve grade premiership, where he was among the club’s best on the day. Handy big game experience for a club looking to bounce back up to Division 2 next year. The winger kicked eight goals and earned a mention in the best six times, including a stellar grand final performance.
ZAC GILLARD (Epping)
Joins his brother at Epping after spending 2024 at Hadfield in the Essendon District league. Made seven senior appearances and two in the reserves. Played at South Mildura (Sunraysia) and Wyndhamvale (WFNL) in 2023 and Tarneit in 2022, where he was captain. The Pingers hope he can slot in as a key defender “whose intercepting is his greatest attribute”.
LUKE JEFFS (Epping)
A serious injury while playing for Whittlesea ended his 2023 early and saw him sit out the 2024 season. Had played 10 senior NFNL Division 1 games for the Eagles before injury struck. Will look to recapture his best with Epping, where he is a club junior, and add to the club’s midfield mix.
LACHLAN AGNEW (Epping)
Played all 18 games at reserve grade level for Greensborough this season and crosses to the Pingers in search of senior opportunities. Was a mainstay of the Borough senior team in 2023, playing 16 games after 11 in 2022 but couldn’t break in this year. Brings top-flight experience to Epping and will look to establish himself at half-back. The Pingers believe “his style of play will fit perfectly with our already strong defensive unit”.
SEB D’ARRO (Epping)
Crosses from Thomastown where he played 18 NFNL Division 2 senior matches this season. Securing the athletic key defender is a significant coup for the Pingers as they look to improve on this season’s semi-final appearance. Conceded 0.9 goals a game according to Premier Data.
MATT WILLIAMSON (Epping)
The veteran big man jumps across from Division 3 rival Old Eltham Collegians. Brings Division 1 and 2 experience from his time at Eltham before joining the Turtles and winning the Division 3 goalkicking medal in 2023, booting 66 goals in 18 games, and club best-and-fairest. Didn’t have the same impact this season, kicking 26 majors in 11 appearances.
CHARLIE GRAVELL (Ivanhoe)
Crosses from Heidelberg where he unfortunately missed out on the under-19 and reserve grade premierships this season. The youngster played three games at reserves level and six in the 19s. Still only 19, so one for the future at Ivanhoe, but also a player that could step up to senior football at Division 3 level. Hoers football manager Nick Godfrey said on club social media “Charlie is really versatile and will give us depth in our wing positions and also in defence”
CHARLIE ROBINSON (Ivanhoe)
The Hoers junior connection continues to strengthen the senior team with Robinson returning. Was part of the 2015 YJFL Colts premiership team has a youngster before making his senior debut in 2017. Went on to play Division 1 football at Heidelberg and was a part of the Tigers’ reserves grand final team in 2022. Work took him to Sydney this year and he played nine games and kicked 12 goals for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs’ reserves in AFL Sydney Division 1.
MATTHEW CAMPBELL (Mernda)
Returns to Waterview Reserve, having last played for Mernda in 2019. A member of Sandhurst’s reserve grade premiership team in the Bendigo league this season. Campbell played 12 reserve grade and six senior matches for the Dragons. Spent three seasons in Tasmania, playing for North Hobart in the State League, making 38 senior appearances. A signficant signing for the club and league.
MITCH BROWNHILL (Lower Plenty)
The tough onballer crosses from divisional rival Watsonia. Still only 22, Brownhill played 33 senior games in his two seasons at Binnak Park having previously come through the ranks at Montmorency. Joins a Bears team on the rise, bolstering the club’s onball brigade with “an ability to win plenty of contested footy, great skills and an appetite for the contest”.
DANIEL JAMES (Lower Plenty)
Have the Bears found a hidden gem in Eltham’s reserves? James, a 6’4 21-year-old played two senior games for the Panthers this season and 15 in the reserves, where he kicked 26 goals. Will join Seth Hill in the Lower ruck division, helping fill the giant boots of Patty Flynn if he decides to hang up the boots.
BEN SMITH (Lower Plenty)
The 23-year-old played one senior game for Eltham this year (against Heidelberg, ouch), spending the majority of the season carving up in the reserves. The midfield-forward finished third in the Division 1 reserves league best-and-fairest count and took home the Panthers’ reserves best-and-fairest award. Will add nicely to the Bears depth for 2025.
DEVON NOONS (Lower Plenty)
Was limited to just eight reserve grade matches this season but did make five senior appearances for Montmorency in 2023 and was part of the Magpies’ Division 1 Under-19s premiership in 2022. The athletic tall can play at either end of the ground and looms as a promising addition to a team on the rise.
PATRICK FITZGERALD (Laurimar)
Recruits will not come much bigger this off-season. Fitzgerald is one of local footy’s goalkicking greats having booted almost 800 majors in more than 250 senior games for Montmorency over 17 seasons. The list of achievements is long, three-time NFNL Division 1 leading goalkicker, two-time Montmorency best-and-fairest, 10-time Division 1 Team of the Year selection, five-time NFNL representative. The power forward gives Laurimar an instant boost in the 2025 Division 3 premiership race.
STEVE McCALLUM (Laurimar)
The Montmorency connection grows at Laurimar with McCallum joining coach Jimmy Atkins and boom recruit Patty Fitzgerald. Arrives from Essendon District Division 1 club Tullamarine, where he spent the last two seasons. Won the Calder Cannons best-and-fairest in the 2009 premiership season, before going on to play 100 VFL games at Williamstown. Spent eight years at Montmorency, winning a club champion award, and represented the NFNL on several occasions.
JAMES STOCKWELL (Laurimar)
Jumps across from Epping where he played just one reserve grade game last season, instead concentrating on basketball. Will add nicely to the Power’s key position depth. Previously played 25 senior games for the Pingers in 2022-23.
Brad Leggett in action for Macleod. Picture: Nathan William Media
BRAD LEGETT (Macleod)
The Kangas great returns to DeWinton Park after a one-season daliance with now-Division 2 rival Panton Hill. Will serve as an assistant coach under new coach, and long-time teammate, Nick Lynch. Leggett is a three-time NFNL Division 1 Team of the Year selection and was voted into the NFNL Team of the Decade. Played 10 senior games for the Redbacks this season, named in the best four times.
NATHAN PYERS (Macleod)
Crosses from Division 1 club Greensborough, where he played 18 matches in the reserves this season - breaking through for two senior games mid-season. Kicked 23 goals and was in the best three times. Will bring plenty of versatility to the Kangas squad as he looks to cement himself as a senior player.
DARCY LAURIE (Diamond Creek)
The Creekers junior returns to Coventry Oval from Eastern Division 1 club Montrose. Laurie played 17 senior games last season and 21 in 2023 under coaching legend Gary Ayres and is sure to bring that experience on and off the field. Played one Coates League game for Oakleigh Chargers in 2022 too. Another quality addition to a playing list that has made the last two NFNL Division 2 grand finals.
TY FRANKS (Diamond Creek)
The veteran defender returns to the Northern league after a season away with Riddell District grand finalist Wallan. Franks spent two seasons at Hurstbridge in Division 1 but is a home-grown Diamond Creek talent, last playing for the club in 2021. Made seven senior appearances for the Magpies this season and was named in the best in their preliminary final win.
BAILEY GRIFFITHS (Diamond Creek)
NFNL Division 2 rivals will be getting sore necks trying to look the 203cm ruckman in the eye next year. Griffths arrives at Coventry Oval from Eastern Division 2 club Templestowe. Played 14 games and kicked 10 goals this season after coming down from Wodonga Raiders. Previously played for South Adelaide in the SANFL and only just turned 25.
Daniel Cencic
