We may still be months away from the beginning of the 2023 Eastern Football Netball League season but there’s already been plenty of movement with clubs announcing some massive key signings.
The official transfer window opens on the first of February but here’s a look at some of the major recruitment announcements made from the clubs in the previous few weeks.
Berwick (Jackson Drake, Will Arthurson)
Berwick have added a proven goal-kicker from The Basin ahead of the 2023 season, looking to boost their scoring power up forward. Drake kicked 24 goals this season and will look to test himself at Premier Division level. Also returning back to the club is Will Arthurson, a key defender that has spent the last couple of seasons playing at VFL level.
Blackburn (James Elliott, Sam Rodgers)
The Burners have started December off well with a couple of key recruitment announcements with Sam Rogers and James Elliot both joining the club. Rodgers has joined Blackburn with experience from the Oakleigh Chargers this season, he can play in multiple positions, giving the club the flexibility of playing him at half back or further up the ground on the wing. Elliot will also add a bit of depth to the backline as a mid-sized back, having recently played at Lower Plenty.
The club will also be benefited by Kade Answerth, McKenzie Doreian and Matt Bartlett returning to the club as full time players.
Doncaster (Robbie Gray)
The biggest signing of the off-season thus far sees Port Adelaide legend Robbie Gray commit to the Doncaster Football Club for season 2023.
With a great connection to senior coach, Chris Annakis, the signing with the Sharks made perfect sense for Gray. Only just recently retired, the former Power star played 271 games at AFL level, kicking 367 goals.
The club are set to benefit just as much off the field as on the field with Robbie at the club. The first game he plays in the blue and white will sure pack a crowd and have plenty of outside attention on the Sharks.
Currently, Robbie is working in Port Adelaide’s list management and recruiting team so it’s unsure how many games he will play this season.
Doncaster East (Tom Bell, Taylin Duman)
The Lions have been busy already, they’ve been able to attract another Ex-AFL player down to the club with Tom Bell committing to Doncaster East for season 2023. Bell played 72 games at AFL level for both the Brisbane and Carlton Football Clubs. Since the end of his AFL career, Bell has been playing in the Northern Football Netball League for Greensborough winning league and club best and fairest. It’s another very welcome inclusion to Zerbes Reserve.
The club’s other ex-AFL player pick-up, Taylin Duman played 45 games for the Fremantle Dockers from 2017 to 2021. Since then, Duman has played in the VFL with the Frankston Football Club, being named in the Team of the Year on the Half Back. Despite losing big names Zac Clarke and Sam Rowe, they’ve done well to keep bringing in top-end talent to keep themselves as a serious threat for the flag.
East Ringwood (Josh Weightman, Daniel Collier, Michael Cramp, James O’Connor)
A lot of attention will be on the Roos in 2023 as they return to the top division of the EFNL.
It’s likely the club will have at least a couple of retirements after their premiership-winning year but in positive news, the club have already had a few signings. They’ve topped up their midfield with the likes of Ringwood’s Daniel Collier, Norwood’s Jordan Cramp and the return of Josh Weightman.
Noble Park (Jackson Casey and Hudson Thomas)
The Reigning Premiers have done nothing to hurt their chances of back-to-back premierships. Since the announcement of Shane McDonald, the club has also announced the signings of Jackson Casey and Hudson Thomas. Casey joins the club as a former captain at Bonbeach Football Club. A great get for the club, adding more experience and leadership to the current premiership team. Hudson Thomas also returns to the club for the first time since 2018 after a short stint with the Bentleigh Football Club.
Norwood (Yarran Jaffer-Williams, Hugh Johnson)
Crossing over from Balwyn, Yarran Jaffer-Williams joins Norwood ahead of the 2023 season. It’s a great pick-up for the club with the dangerous small forward giving Norwood another avenue to goal. Also making his way to Mullum Mullum in 2023 is former VFL Key Forward Hugh Johnson. He’s come across from the VAFA with great marking abilities and is the type of strong tall player the club is in need of.
In 2022, a lot of Norwood’s scores came from the middle of the ground, a strong forward line is a clear priority for the club going forward.
Park Orchards (James Parsons, Liam Jeffs, Jackson Winter, Sam Allen, Riley Winter)
The Sharks are looking to bolster their stocks ahead of their second season in the top division of the league.
Former Geelong player, James Parsons is the big inclusion, coming to the club in a playing assistant coach role. He’ll take care of the current forwards while also adding to their midfield stocks. One player he’ll work closely with is Riley Winter, a key forward from the QAFL, playing his footy at the Broadbeach Cats.
Defensively, the club have also added Sam Allen, a key defender from South Croydon and Eastern Rangers star Jackson Winter who joins his cousin Riley.
On top of those inclusions, Liam Jeffs joins the Sharks from Lilydale, back into the midfield.
Rowville (Matthew Martini, Jackson McDonald)
A great couple of pickup’s for the Hawks.
East Burwood’s Matthew Martini has committed to the Premier Division club for season 2023. The inside mid had an exceptional year in 2022 for the Rams. 13 times in the best saw Martini earn a spot in the Division Two Team of the Year in the midfield.
Jackson McDonald returns to the Hawks after one year with the Knox Football Club. With former experience at VFL level, McDonald is a big inclusion to their already talented midfield. In 2018, he tied for Rowville’s best and fairest and has a great connection with the club.
2022 was a ground breaking year for the club, Minor Premiers and a Grand Final appearance, there looks to be no sign of the club falling away in 2023
Vermont (Daniel Neilson and Zac Hanlen)
Excellent news for Eagles fans as Daniel Neilson returns home after eight seasons with the North Melbourne Football Club and Werribee. As a versatile tall, the club has picked up a great key position player still in their prime.
The Eagles have also added to the ruck depth with the addition of East Burwood Ruckman Zac Hanlen.
Injuries forced Vermont to play a very young side in 2022, with the addition of their recruits thus far, the Eagles will be looking to close the gap between them and the top six.
Croydon (Callum Spurrell)
The Blues are looking for a quick return to the finals in season 2023, with a total of eight recruits already. Callum Spurrell heads to Hewish Road after a breakout season with Norwood. He’ll be a great asset for the club, adding height to the side, whether they choose to play him predominately in the ruck or use him as well in a key position down back.
Montrose (Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Walker)
Former Richmond defender Ryan Garthwaite joins his cousin Jack at the Demons. Garthwaite is still at the prime age of 24 years old, having experience at the elite level while also playing an important role in the 2019 VFL premiership team. They’ll have the luxury of playing him in multiple key positions, either end of the ground or in the Ruck.
Montrose has also announced the signing of Sam Walker, a Team of the Decade 2010-2019 member of the Labrador Tigers.
North Ringwood (Patrick Rose)
After their relegation from Premier Division this year, North Ringwood has added some key players to get the side back on track in 2023. Rose heads to Quambee Reserve with a stacked resume. 126 VFL Games where he was a Premiership player at Port Melbourne in 2017, leading the goal kicking that year with 80 majors. Prior to that, Rose kicked 100 goals in back-to-back seasons in the Ovens & Murray competition. A fantastic get for the club who will not only give them another option up forward but will also be a great assistance to the rest of the forward line.
Wantirna South (Michael Casey)
Adding to the already impressive list of recruits heading to Walker Reserve in 2023, Michael Casey joins the Devils after a year in Queensland. Previously, the big-bodied midfielder played at Forest Hill where he was a runner-up in the league best and fairest, and also named in the 2021 EFNL Team of the Year.
Wantirna South is tracking along nicely after their return to the finals this season.
Knox (Jack Martin)
With former Doncaster East premiership Coach Steve Buckle committing to coach Knox in 2023, he’s been able to allure over a former Lions player to the Falcons as a playing Assistant Coach. Jack Martin, a dual premiership player at Doncaster East is a strong key back man who will certainly help the club going forward with his experience and knowledge.
Ringwood (Josh Matthews, Diesel McNeil, Jacob Bell, Brad Stewart, Caleb Knight)
Plenty of movement in the last month for the Redbacks with another five players signing with the club. Former Eastern Rangers representative Josh Matthews is a key recruit, coming from North Ringwood. With a high football IQ and great skills, he’ll be looking to make an immediate impact on last year’s Division Two Runner Ups. Joining him from Quambee Reserve is Jacob Bell, adding some more quality talent to their midfield while hard-running midfielder Brad Stewart makes his way over from South Croydon. Some great pick up’s especially with the departure of Daniel Collier.
The club have been at the top end of the ladder for several years now and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
Templestowe (Nicholas Prestigiacomo, Jack Harding, Marcel Haj, Luke Francis, Jackson Lee, Matthew Jessup)
Ten announcements of recruits this season see the Dockers pushing hard for a return to finals. 2010 premiership player Luke Francis returns to the club after multiple stints at other clubs including Forrest Hill for the last two seasons, a part of their leadership group.
The club have also picked up a bit of youth including the top vote-getters in Doncaster East Under 19’s Best and Fairest, Josh Warren and Jackson Lee. Warren is an impressive midfielder that debuted in the seniors this year at the Premier Division level while finishing second in the Under 19’s league best and fairest the year prior.
Donvale (Matt Day, James Pell)
Former Donvale Junior Matt Day returns to the club in 2023. Since last at the club, Day has had experience with Essendon and the Northern Bullants while also managing 22 senior games over three years in the Eastern FNL with Premier division club, Blackburn. Matt will join his brother Nick at the club and give the side a bit more flexibility, able to give the side another option up forward or work alongside the likes of James Rausa in the middle of the ground.
James Pell also joins the Division Three Grand Finalists, previously playing with Box Hill’s development team and a mix of senior and reserves footy at Blackburn. He may be used as a key defender for the Magpies next season but again, can play in multiple positions.
Fairpark (Michael Platten, Trent Considine, Aaron Considine, Brandon Goodman, Ben Wheeler, Oliver Sharpe)
After the announcements of Jason Want and Josh Allison, Fairpark has continued to take on new signings. The Basin’s Michael Platten arrives at Fairpark for more opportunities at the senior level. It’s a great win-win for both Platten and the Lions with a strong need to boost their scoring power. Platten kicked 26 goals this year in the Bears reserves team, he’ll look to flourish at Fairpark with a new opportunity.
Also adding to their forward half depth is Jayden Pritchard who has most recently come from Eley Park, known for being a sharpshooter.
Oakleigh District (Andrew Webb, Hamish Heath, D’Arcy Grant, Jayden Adolph, Mitchell Potts, Krish Paulpillai, Connor Cochrane)
Oakleigh District have continued to bring in new players as they enter Division Three after a winless season. They’ve had an influx of players come in from Glen Waverley. They’ll be hoping to play a different style of football with former Chandler Medalist Blake Pearson now in charge of the senior group.
Warrandyte (Kieran Malone, Adam Brovedani, Lachie O’Brien, Zak Carroll, Jake Harkins)
Plenty of movement for the Bloods in recent weeks.
Kieran Malone is a former VFL-listed midfielder who will add some more experience to a team that’s already in contention for finals. Most recently, Malone competed in the Kyabram league where he won consecutive best and fairest awards. Malone will also be joined by multiple other recruits including Adam Brovedani and Lachie O’Brien. Having O’Brien and Malone join the likes of Phillips and Clark gives the club arguably the most dangerous forward line in the division.
On top of that, they’ve added Mitcham’s Zak Carroll and Whitehorse’s Jake Harkins. Carroll will work as a playing midfield coach while Harkins will another contributor inside 50.
It’s a similar look to what the Waverley Blues have done this year which has proven to be successful.
Chirnside Park (Leigh Odermatt)
A veteran of the competition, Leigh Odermatt has decided to go on again in season 2023, this time with Chirnside Park. The resume he brings is full of achievements, five premierships with two best on-field performances, over 500 goals, over 250 career games and nine times featured in the Team of the Year. This season, he missed half of the season due to injury but came back in time to be on the field when South Belgrave won their second consecutive premiership.
A massive pickup for the Panthers who will be aiming to do one better in 2023 and make the Grand Final.
Kilsyth (Jayden Weichard)
After already signing some big names with Ryan McNay and Brandon Drossler set to join the Cougars in season 2023, they’ve also managed to secure Mooroolbark’s Jayden Weichard. He’s coming off a strong season at the Mustangs this year, eight times in the best of a Grand Final side.
The club made up significant ground this year, breaking their finals drought when they took on Chirnside Park. With their inclusions thus far, they’ll give themselves an opportunity to make a deep run late in the year.