2014 Recruitment

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caseman2

Team Captain
Mar 31, 2008
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Hawthorn
I know it is early and trade week hasn’t started but an early look at who we should target in terms of recruiting for 2014 so we can mount a serious premiership defence
The VFL is going to be more competitive than ever next year with 2 AFL Clubs (Bulldogs and Tigers ) going it alone which means 2 VFL Clubs (Wiilamstown and Coburg) will be out their rectruiting even harder and then take into account Port have already lost at least 8 or 9 senior players and they have stated they are going to rebuild in an aggresive manner. The queue for players is going to be longer than ever before.
The other factor that also needs to be considered is apart from the expanded competition, the one certainty every year is the turnover of players on VFL lists and Box Hill is no exception.

As we don’t know the full ist of available players as yet, however we do know that we always get a good number of Eastern Rangers and Oakleigh Charges graduates each season. In saying that, I have focused on Tasmanians primarily because of their sponsorship of the HFC – and of course our very own Sammy Isles!!

A few names to get the conversation started.

Jacob Gilbee (Gold Coast Suns) – Lock and Isles are also both former Suns and that turned out very very well.
Marcus Davies (Carlton)
Aaaron Joseph (Carlton)
Jesse Crichton (Fremantle)
Aaron Cornelius (Brisbane)

Although not Tasmanian another player and former skipper I would love to see return – Lukas Markovic
We don’t know as yet what is happening with Litherland, Kelly or Cheney at the hawks so to have someone with Markovic’s experience and size planted at CHB would be a massive bonus.

Obviously a lot is going to happen between now and the AFL rookie drafts but you can be rest assured, all state leagues clubs over the country have already started their recruiting process!
 

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Will Johnson leaving according to this.

Paul Amy@PaulAmy375 10 Oct
And one more recruit for Port Melbourne: Box Hill Hawk and ex-Saint and Zebra Will Johnson. Had few opportunities this year but nice player
 
Johnson was only a depth player, with the emergence of Retzlaff and O'Brien.

It appears, however, that Box Hill has signed ex-player Marco Bello as its new senior coach, with Damian Carroll moving into a role of head of development at Hawthorn.

 
Marco Bello appointed Box Hill Hawks Senior Coach for 2014

On behalf of the Box Hill Hawks Board and in conjunction with the Hawthorn FC, it is with great pleasure we announce Marco Bello to the role of BHH Senior Coach for the next two Seasons.

Marco Bello - Football Profile

http://www.boxhillhawks.com.au/news-read.aspx?NewsId=1074
 
Who will be captain? Will it go to Dave Mirra acting Captain in the Grand Final?

It's always a Box Hill only listed player and Pratty has retired................

An ex AFL player drafted in of 100 to 150 games stature may also fill the criteria.

David made some great speeches and radio interviews after the GF, so he'd certainly be in the mix.

I guess we are assuming he will be bypassed in the draft.
 
It's always a Box Hill only listed player and Pratty has retired................

An ex AFL player drafted in of 100 to 150 games stature may also fill the criteria.

David made some great speeches and radio interviews after the GF, so he'd certainly be in the mix.

I guess we are assuming he will be bypassed in the draft.
Yeah i knew pratt had retired so Mirra does seem the obvious choice. Thanks for the info IGO
 
Kudos to Williamstown who have already started agressively recruiting - here are some snippets from their website which as an aside, is extremely impressive - clearly the best in the VFL for club news!


Seagulls Announce Player Re-Signings
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce the re-signing of 29 existing players for the 2014 season. The Club has been delighted with the response of the player group and their willingness to commit to the Club as it embarks on a new journey as a standalone entity. Included in the 29 players who have been re-contracted are the top 5 placings (Lockwood, Jolley, Wheeler, Wood, Carr) in the Club’s Senior Best & Fairest as well as 13 of the 15 VFL listed players who played in our last finals game against Geelong. The Club has also signed 13 of the 22 VFL listed players who played in the Development League Premiership and is extremely optimistic of securing more of this young talent in the next couple of weeks.Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon stated that it was a vote of confidence in the Club’s new direction and a vote of confidence in the Club’s recent appointment of Senior Coach Andy Collins. “We’ve been delighted with the response from the playing group. They are all excited about the guarantee of 23 Seniors Spots available each week. A few of them have been approached by AFL Clubs with stand-alone VFL sides but it’s great that these players see Williamstown as the best place for their development going forward.” “The fact we had three players drafted last year from our system (Frost, Goodes, Rampe) also emphasises that we want to combine the aim of winning games with also assisting players to be drafted into the AFL. The Club’s only significant departure to date is Stephen Witkowski, who is travelling and studying overseas in 2014. Dixon said that the Club was excited about announcing some of it’s new recruits in coming weeks. “We’re really excited about some of the top end talent we’re going to bring in. We’ve been pretty selective in our recruiting in line with our list management model, and have been extremely specific in trying to target particular players for our needs. I think it will be obvious that we’ve put a lot of energy into bringing in the right type of player, rather than having a scattergun approach to recruiting.” “We have planned this strategy for the last 12 months after our Club decided to end the alignment with the Western Bulldogs, and we are genuinely excited about how our list is shaping for 2014.”
Player re-signings (In alphabetically order):

Anastasio, Bugeja, Carr, Casley, Charleston, Christodoulou, Critchley, Conway, Deery, Dorgan, Flack, Gallucci, Giles, Hetherington, Johnstone, Jolley, Lockwood, Masters, McCallum, McConnon, Mead, Nastasi, Sherman, Sing, Walker, Wheeler, Williams, Wood, Wyatt
Banner Unfurled
Mitch Banner signs with Seagulls
The Williamstown Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of Mitch Banner for the next 2 seasons (2014 – 2015). Mitch Banner won the 2008 Barry Round Medal as Best & Fairest for the Western Jets and was selected in the 2008 TAC Cup Team of the Year. At the end of the 2008, Mitch was drafted by Port Adelaide with Pick 42 and was on their list for 4 years playing 19 AFL games and kicking 16 goals. After being delisted at the end of 2012, Mitch moved to Western Australia and played at South Fremantle in the WAFL. Mitch had an excellent season with South Fremantle where he played all twenty games and racked up 532 disposals for the year (average 27 per game) and kicked 33 goals. Mitch finished in 7th place in the Sandover Medal and third in South Fremantle’s Best & Fairest. Williamstown Football Club Football Manager Chris Dixon stated “We are very excited that Mitch has joined our Club. At 23 years of age we believe he will add considerable class to our midfield and is a proven goalkicker. Mitch’s signing further illustrates our strong alignment with the Western Jets and he is an example of the top end talent we are recruiting for 2014.”
Marcon Signs On
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Adam Marcon from the Northern Blues. Adam joins the Club having spent the past 3 years at the Northern Blues where he won the Senior Best & Fairest in 2012. Marcon has made a name for himself as a classy ball winning midfielder having graduated from the Northern Knights at the end of 2010. He won the Knights Best & Fairest in 2010 whilst also making the TAC Cup Team of the Year in the same season.His accolades don’t stop there having won the Blues Best & Fairest in 2012 as well as winning the VFL Coaches Award as voted upon by the opposing coaches in the competition. 2012 was a great year for Marcon with selection in the VFL Team of the Year as well as being selected in the Victorian representative side that beat Tasmania. Marcon was also a member of the VFLAcademy along with current Seagull players Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters. A knee injury interrupted Marcon’s 2013 campaign but he still managed 10 games and initial selection in the VFL State Side. Marcon has played a total of 40 Senior VFL Games to date and will add to the Seagulls emerging midfield depth with the likes of Wheeler, Banner, Carr, Johnstone all under the age of 23. Williamstown Senior Coach Andy Collins stated that he was delighted with Adam’s decision to join the Seagulls. “He is a quality footballer and a quality character. Adam is excited by the opportunities that we can offer him as a stand alone Club and we are excited to work with him going forward.”
Williamstown List Update
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce 3 more players have committed for the 2014 season with Michael Stockdale, Josh Bench and Ben Norton putting pen to paper for the Club’s 150th year. The trio re-committing has taken the Club’s retention rate to 32 players from its 2013 list as the Club prepares for the start of a new era. Football Manager Chris Dixon said the Club was pleased to have Stockdale, Bench and Norton on board again next year. “Both Michael and Ben have had issues with their knees in the last few years so it was pleasing for us how they got through the year without any major concerns. We’re certainly hoping that we can see Stocky get back to his best form which saw him make the VFL Team of the Year.” “Josh Bench is an extremely talented youngster who was best on ground in our Development Premiership win and has a lot of senior football ahead of him. We really expect him to start establishing himself as a senior player in the next two years.” Jamie McNamara informed the Club last week of his decision to head back home to Perth and play for East Fremantle in the WAFL. Jamie spent 2 seasons with the Seagulls and was vice-captain of the Club in 2013. “We thank Jamie for his time and effort with the Club and wish him all the best back in Perth. He is a quality individual and made a real impact on the playing group in his two years here. It’s disappointing to lose him and it was a tough decision for him to make as he enjoyed his time here in Melbourne.”
Player re-signings (In alphabetically order):
Anastasio, Bench, Bugeja, Carr, Casley, Charleston, Christodoulou, Critchley, Conway, Deery, Dorgan, Flack, Gallucci, Giles, Hetherington, Johnstone, Jolley, Lockwood, Masters, McCallum, McConnon, Mead, Nastasi, Norton, Sherman, Sing, Stockdale, Walker, Wheeler, Williams, Wood, Wyatt
Seagulls seal Tighe
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Sean Tighe from South Fremantle for the next two seasons. Tighe is a former Western Jets player who won the Barry Round Medal as the Western Jets Best & Fairest winner in 2009. Tighe has made his name as a versatile key position player capable of playing at either end of the ground or in the ruck. He finished 2nd in South Fremantle’s Best & Fairest in 2013 playing as a ruckman. Prior to that Tighe played for Werribee in the VFL and Aspley in the NEAFL before heading west to play in the WAFL. Tighe had an exceptional year in the WAFL playing 19 games following on from 20 games the year before. He averaged 19 possessions and 28 hit outs a game playing in the ruck which resulted in a 2nd place finish in South Fremantle’s Best & Fairest. Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon said Tighe was a critical signing for the Seagulls. “He fills an important role for us and his flexibility is critical. We’ve always said we would be chasing key position players and Sean fits that mould. We see him playing predominately forward and also supporting Cam Wood in the ruck so it’s a really important signing for us.” “It’s great to bring back former Western Jets players to the Club and we’re delighted that Sean has committed for the next two years.” Tighe joins the Club with good friend Mitch Banner, with the pair having played together this year at South Fremantle.
Richmond to Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Ben Richmond for season 2014. Richmond joins the Club after a year on Collingwood’s Rookie List where he played a total of 16 VFL Games. Richmond’s journey is a different tale to most having played elite basketball throughout his junior career before making the transition to AFL in November, 2012.Richmond was at the Australian Institute of Sport when Collingwood offered him a spot on the rookie list for season 2013. Despite having played elite basketball his whole career Ben decided to turn his hand to AFL. Richmond started off playing forward for the VFL Pies before moving down back in the second half of the season. He showed consistent improvement throughout the year and despite being delisted by Collingwood, Ben is keen to keep developing himself as a footballer going forward. Seagulls Football Manager Chris Dixon said the Club saw Ben as an exciting development prospect. “We received strong endorsements about Ben from a few people at Collingwood and were really impressed when we sat down with him by his attitude and desire to improve. He got a taste of AFL last year and it’s great he wants to continue down the football path.” “He performed some really good defensive jobs last year in the second half of the year and actually played one of his better games against us in Round 16. We see him as a player who is going to keep developing and will hopefully get another chance in the AFL system in future years.” Richmond’s signing adds to the Club’s developing key position players with David Fahey and Sean Tighe having already been added, along with Sam Critchley, Simon Deery and Ben Casley all re-committing for season 2014.
Seagulls secure Bloods Captain
Williamstown is delighted to announce the signing of West Adelaide captain Ryan Ferguson for the 2014 season as a Playing Assistant Coach. Ferguson follows Senior Coach Andy Collins in returning to Melbourne from West Adelaide. Ferguson started his VFL career with Frankston, before being drafted by the Melbourne Football Club at Pick No.66 in the 2002 National Draft. He played 47 AFL Games for the Demons in his 5 years on the list, whilst also playing in Sandringham’s successful Premiership era between 2004 – 2006. After finishing with Melbourne at the end of the 2007 season Ferguson moved over to West Adelaide where he carved out an extremely successful SANFL career with the Bloods. He was named Club captain at the start of the 2009 season and would win West Adelaide’s Best & Fairest on 4 occasions in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013. 2013 was a particularly successful season for Ferguson being named captain in the SANFL Team of the Year as well being awarded the Fos Williams Medal for the best player in South Australia’s winning state game against the NEAFL. Whilst at West Adelaide, Ferguson played predominately as a key defender with a remarkable ability to read the play, however has also spent time forward kicking 25 goals in his 91 games with the Bloods. Williamstown Senior Coach Andy Collins is delighted to have secured Ryan’s signature: “Ryan is not blessed with huge muscles or blistering pace but I have coached Ryan for the last 6 years and it is easy to say that he is the best player I have been involved with. Ryan has great aerial courage, he understands the game and the angles that are critical to being a great key defender.” Collins stated that Ferguson will bring considerable expertise both on and off the field. “Ryan seems to be getting better with age, he is a big game big moment player. His leadership and experience will be of great support to Ben Jolley and the whole group.” “Ryan will bring other great qualities to our club . Ryan’s wife Bree Munroe will be a great asset for the coach. A former Olympian aerial skier Bree specializes in athlete development and leadership. Their eldest child Logan is probably the best under 2 footballer in the country. All supporters will love watching this little fellow kick his footy.”

Mangan becomes a Seagull

The Williamstown Football Club is pleased to announce that today we have signed Brad Mangan to play with the Seagulls for the next two years.The 22 year old Mangan hails from Kyabram and played TAC Cup Football with the Murray Bushrangers where he played in the 2008 TAC Cup Premiership. Brad then joined Werribee in the VFL. At Werribee, Mangan established himself as one of the best defenders in the VFL and his form was recognised when North Melbourne selected him with Pick 28 in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Unfortunately Brad was delisted at the end of the 2012 season and Brad was recruited to West Adelaide where he was coached by Andy Collins. At West Adelaide in 2013, Brad had an outstanding season finishing equal fourth in their Best & Fairest and gained selection in the SANFL Team of the Year. Mangan played a different role with the Bloods, accumulating more of the ball and providing a lot of drive from the back half of the ground whilst also spending time on ball. Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon said the Club was delighted to have Mangan on board for the next two years. “He’s a player who we’ve admired in the past and obviously Andy Collins has had a lot to do with him in the last 12 months. Brad is probably remembered in VFL circles as a real shut down defender but over at West Adelaide this year he played a much different role” “Brad had an outstanding season this year which was recognised by his selection in the SANFL Teamof the Year so it’s obviously an extremely exciting acquisition for us.”


Seagulls secure Lambert
Williamstown Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Northern Blues Midfielder Kane Lambert. Lambert comes to Point Gellibrand after winning the Fothergill-Round Medal in 2013 as the Most Promising Player in the VFL Competition. Lambert also went extremely close to clinching the 2013 Liston Medal, falling 1 vote short of the game’s highest individual honour. Lambert had a stellar year in 2013 winning state honours, making the VFL Team of the Year and also winning the Northern Blues Best & Fairest comfortably. Lambert was considered a very strong chance to be taken in either of the drafts but was overlooked to the shock of many. Lambert added another string to his bow this year kicking 20 goals in his 18 games as well as being named in the Blues’ best players on 12 occasions. He has played 42 VFL Games in total and at only 22 years of age is entering his prime football years. Seagulls Football Manager Chris Dixon was delighted to have secured Lambert’s signature. “He’s a quality character and a quality player. We were as surprised as anyone when he wasn’t picked up by an AFL Club. Everyone is well aware of his talent at this level having been judged the most promising player in the competition and almost winning the Liston.” “We’ll be doing everything we can to help get Kane on to an AFL list, but if it doesn’t happen we’re hoping he’ll have a long and distinguished VFL career at Burbank Oval.” Lambert will link up with his new teammates for the first time this Saturday.


Seagulls snap up Scott Clouston
Williamstown Football Club can confirm that the services of Scott Clouston have been acquired for the 2014 season. The Club has reached an agreement with the Werribee Football Club that will see Clouston wear Blue & Gold colours next season. Clouston, 26, joins Williamstown after one year in the VFL, having played all of his football previously in Queensland with Morningside, Brisbane Lions and Redlands. Scott was drafted to the Brisbane Lions 2007, spending 3 years on the Lions list and playing 2 AFL Games. 2012 was a standout year for Clouston kicking 55 goals in 20 games, he received many accolades including the 2012 Redlands Best & Fairest, the 2012 Syd Guildford Medal and being named Centre Half Forward in the NEAFL Team of the Year. At Werribee this season Clouston finished 4th in the Tigers Best & Fairest spending the first half of the year forward, and the second half of the season at full back. He kicked 20 goals for the Tigers in an excellent first season in the VFL. Seagulls Football Manager Chris Dixon said although Clouston can play at both ends, he was more than likely to play up forward for the Gulls. “We’re excited to have him and we think it’s a good fit. We were after a key forward and think that Scott can provide that for us. He has a great set of hands and a beautiful long kick so I’m sure our supporters will enjoy watching him play.”

Faulks returns to the Nest
The Williamstown Football Club is pleased to announce that former player Peter Faulks has re-joined the Seagulls for the 2014 season.Peter Faulks joined Williamstown in 2010 from the Casey Scorpions where he had an outstanding season which saw him represent the VFL against the WAFL, win selection in the VFL Team of the Year and finish third in Williamstown’s Gerry Callahan Medal. Faulks was drafted to the Fremantle Football Club in the 2010 National Draft and played 3 AFL Games in his 3 year at the Dockers. The 25 year old Faulks played outstanding football in the WAFL for Peel Thunder but was unable to win a consistent berth in the strong Fremantle side. Williamstown CEO Brendan Curry stated. “We are thrilled that Faulksy has decided to re-join the Seagulls. He was drafted from our Club and told me that once he and his girlfriend decided to move home to Melbourne, that Williamstown was his Club of choice.” “Peter and Andy Collins have discussed his role in 2014 and are keen to play him further up the ground in a more attacking role.”

Kulikowski a Seagull
The Williamstown Football Club welcomes aboard Daniel Kulikowski for the next two seasons after the Port Adelaide Magpies utility put pen to paper for seasons 2014 & 2015. The 21 year old Kulikowski has played 36 SANFL league games for the Magpies after making his Senior debut in 2011. After a successful 2013 season with the Magpies, Kulikowski was invited to train with Port Power in the lead up to the Rookie draft. Williamstown Senior Coach Andy Collins had this to say of Kulikowski: “My friend and assistant coach Ben Watkins identified a young emerging bull of a midfielder Daniel Kulikowski. He was playing for Port Adelaide Magpies. He was 18 years of age mixing it with men and thriving on the contest.” “Over the last couple of years I have learnt a lot about Daniel as a player and more recently as a young man. Supporters and teammates will love his competitive nature. He is an elite athlete that enjoys the physical side of football. “ “Off the field he is moving into his 3rd year as an apprentice electrician and will live with his old team-mate and friend Mitch Banner.” We welcome Daniel to the Williamstown FC

Seagulls secure more young talent
Williamstown is very excited to announce the signing of three very talented TAC Cup graduates in Isaiah Miller, Michael Gibbons and Reid Adams.The three young men join the Seagulls from the Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers and Geelong Falcons respectively. All three players had outstanding seasons at TAC Cup level whilst also playing a mixture of representative, VFL, school and senior football.

Isaiah Miller comes from the Bendigo Pioneers having represented Victoria Country in the U18 National Championships. Miller was selected in the AFL-AIS Academy and was part of the touring party that represented Australia in Europe at the start of the year. Miller is a rebounding half back with elite skills who reads the play exceptionally. He has the ability to play midfield and averaged 23 possessions and 5 marks for the Pioneers this season. He also represented Vic Country on four occasions and the Bendigo Gold on two occasions in the VFL.
Michael Gibbons is a dynamic pint sized midfielder who joins the Club from the Murray Bushrangers where he was captain in 2013. Gibbons has shown tremendous ball winning ability throughout his junior career and averaged 27 possessions in 11 TAC Cup games this season. Gibbons also represented NSW/ACT in the U18 Championships and averaged 26 possessions and 5 marks in his 5 games. Gibbons finished 5th in the Morrish Medal despite only playing 11 games and was also named as Rover in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.
Reid Adams comes to Point Gellibrand having played with the Geelong Falcons and St.Joseph’s Geelong throughout the year. Adams played 16 games for the Falcons averaging 23 possessions, 5 tackles and 5 marks a game. Finishing 6th in the Falcons Best & Fairest, Adams gained a reputation as a hard at it midfielder who won a lot of contested ball. Reid was also a member of the St.Joseph’s Geelong Football side that played in the ACC Grand Final in 2013. Adams in the younger brother of Taylor Adams who has recently moved from Greater Western Sydney to Collingwood.
Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon was delighted to secure the talented trio.
“They’re 3 really exciting signings for us. All three players bring different qualities and traits but we’re delighted to have them on board. Isaiah Miller has obviously been extremely highly rated having been selected in the AIS academy and for one reason or another didn’t get drafted. We’re looking forward to really working on aspects of his game and hopefully putting his name back up in lights in 12 months time.”
“Michael Gibbons has been one of the most prolific ball winners in the country in his age bracket in the past 4 years. He has averaged huge numbers wherever he has played and has such good hands in close. His numbers in the National Championships were at the upper end for all players and we think he can have an impact straight away at Senior level, having had experience with Lavington in the strong Ovens & Murray Competition.”
“Reid Adams joins us from the Falcons and we think he is a really nice prospect. He is a great size for a modern midfielder and averaged good numbers in the TAC Cup this season. We’ll have a focus with Reid on developing his outside game and improving his running ability so we’re expecting to see some real improvement in this area of his game.”
 

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Interesting point of note - former Sandringham Dragon and Port Melbourne player Matt Suckling who has played at Norwood the past 3 years and is now a dual SANFL premiership player, is returning to Victoria.
Hard at it inside midfielder. If the rumours are correct and Luke Andrews is looking elsewhere, a handy replacement.
For the record - unless Luke is rookie listed I would hate to see him leave. Shocking run with injury this year and would be devastated to miss out on playing in a premiership.
 
Haven't seen this anywhere - we're playing in the Foxtel Cup knockout competition over the course of 2014, together with Williamstown as the VFL reps.

http://vflfooty.com/node/8777

If nothing else, it allows our seconds players to get a game in the bye weekends.
 
Bryce Retzlaff signs with Central Districts.

Central District has kicked off its recruiting campaign with the signatures of former Crows rookie Tim McIntyre and ex-Brisbane Lions forward Bryce Retzlaff.

Retzlaff, 22, is a strong-marking key forward who played 11 AFL matches with the Lions before being delisted at the end of the 2012 season.
A nice size at 195cm and 95kg, Retzlaff spent this year playing in the VFL with Hawthorn affiliate Box Hill.
‘’He’s big and strong as he is very powerfully built,’

http://www.cdfc.com.au/club-news/dogs-snare-mcintyre-retzlaff/
 
Bryce Retzlaff signs with Central Districts.

Central District has kicked off its recruiting campaign with the signatures of former Crows rookie Tim McIntyre and ex-Brisbane Lions forward Bryce Retzlaff.

Retzlaff, 22, is a strong-marking key forward who played 11 AFL matches with the Lions before being delisted at the end of the 2012 season.
A nice size at 195cm and 95kg, Retzlaff spent this year playing in the VFL with Hawthorn affiliate Box Hill.
‘’He’s big and strong as he is very powerfully built,’

http://www.cdfc.com.au/club-news/dogs-snare-mcintyre-retzlaff/

Wow!! Definitely didn't see this coming after only 1 season.
Daniel Stewart ex Port Adelaide is moving back back to Melbourne so maybe the like for like replacement.
Former Saints rookie Daniel Archer has also left Nth Adelaide and is back in Melbourne
 

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