2026 player moves - ins and outs, signings and departures

[Bobby Beecroft]

There has been all of 2 players announced from Ashwood to Doncaster.
Will be interesting to see how many do cross over.

 

[The Kaiser Chief]

Probably sounds harsh but other VFL clubs would be best to avoid most of them - as the Bullants results show they’re simply not up to VFL level.

There’s a few exceptions who will find new homes but most don’t belong in the VFL.

disagree..........the club was a basket case. They had some talent but the off field situation made it very difficult to play any good footy

 

[Bowlers Name]

Another one from Ashwood to Doncaster.

It’s a risky strategy for all involved. What happens when these coaches leave? For the coaches too. Pillaging your old club doesn’t do much for the reputation. Can often just leave you a target for battling clubs who just need the players you can bring.

I guess when the club has folded you need to take the risk.

As for Ashwood, good chance they don’t survive this. Any club being relegated to the bottom division and losing a pile of players is going to be up against it (they don’t have juniors either). To think the EFNL were seriously trying to bring them into the comp. Shows how much they’re really trying to build the quality of the league vs just filling their pockets with affiliation fees from whoever. Try to bring them in to Division 4, Doncaster fold, they get back into D4 by raiding Ashwood. What a circus.

You could look at it either way. EFNL dodged a bullet with Ashwood falling to pieces, or denying the transfer has caused Ashwood's players to look elsewhere to play EFNL. Regardless it's sad to see clubs entering what appears to be a death spiral.

 

[Th3B1gD0g]

Blake Pearson to East Ringwood just announced on their socials

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Blake Pearson to East Ringwood just announced on their socials

Interesting to see how he goes. Huge leap from D3 to Premier. Obviously he’s been there before but playing a very different level for multiple years affects players.

 

[champp53]

Interesting to see how he goes. Huge leap from D3 to Premier. Obviously he’s been there before but playing a very different level for multiple years affects players.

Big out for OD

 

[thefunnelweb]

Big out for OD

Was announced before seasons end so they well aware but yes indeed very interesting times for them on topic of above you’d wonder if the new coach think his from Beaconsfield would bring in some division one talent

 

[Mj_foopy]

Article just released on Annakis potentially returning to Doncaster, would be great to see given his history with the club. Would think that might attract some more former players and some higher end talent too. Could be firm premiership favourites by end of summer

 

[good thing]

Scoresby setting themselves up for 2nd division offering premier reserves players upwards of $600.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Scoresby setting themselves up for 2nd division offering premier reserves players upwards of $600.

Not history repeating you’d hope

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Just checked out their latest signing… apparently he kicked 27 in 7 games for Mulgrave this year.

Didn’t mention 4 were in one game against the bottom side.

And 8 were in another game… in the Reserves.

Also has “Premier experience”… 6 senior games in 4 years at Noble.

Gotta look in the detail to find that devil!

 

[Login]

Another one straight off an AFL list for Surrey Park in Blake Leidler from Sydney.

The rise through the divisions looks set to continue.

19 year old and a 1 pointer. They are building a pretty good culture there when ex AFL listed players want to go back to them.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

19 year old and a 1 pointer. They are building a pretty good culture there when ex AFL listed players want to go back to them.

Yep, like to see it if he’s a junior and going back to his home club. Gone are the days of them automatically going to Vermont or Balwyn.

 

[guest100]

I saw a picture of him on instagram or facebook that had him in his junior Surrey kit. He looked under 10’s.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

 

[Wagonwill]

Scoresby setting themselves up for 2nd division offering premier reserves players upwards of $600.

Makes you wonder if that will cut it in division 2, considering the likes of Surrey Park are signing guys off AFL lists?

 

[thefunnelweb]

View attachment 2452294

Gee wizz you hate Donny east what did they do to you bunk

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Makes you wonder if that will cut it in division 2, considering the likes of Surrey Park are signing guys off AFL lists?

Hard to say. But history tells us they should do well.

Clubs that have come up between those divisions are

East Burwood in 2022 - prelim

Waverley Blues in 2023 - finished second then straight sets

Surrey Park - prelim

They’ve all made finals comfortably. So that says the gap between the divisions isn’t huge and they should go well.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Gee wizz you hate Donny east what did they do to you bunk

I just hate blatant cheating and find it hilarious that it fails so miserably… and they keep doing it.

We’ll have to run a book on what round they start blaming injuries for being shit in 2026.

 

[thefunnelweb]

I just hate blatant cheating and find it hilarious that it fails so miserably… and they keep doing it.

We’ll have to run a book on what round they start blaming injuries for being shit in 2026.

Their neighbours might need a look aswell having no dramas recruiting at division 4 level landed another good player today!!

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

View attachment 2452294

They would have had a better return if they had spent the money on Tattslotto entries.

 

[adock]

Their neighbours might need a look aswell having no dramas recruiting at division 4 level landed another good player today!!

They are up to their necks in it. Offering big coin to some average players and signing much better ones daily. There is no way they are playing within the cap. Its disgraceful.

 

[cantwinfinals]

They are up to their necks in it. Offering big coin to some average players and signing much better ones daily. There is no way they are playing within the cap. Its disgraceful.

Said this from the start. Why on earth is a Mulgrave player (a very good one at that) going down to Div 4….
Money talks.

 

[Harry Cheezels]

Said this from the start. Why on earth is a Mulgrave player (a very good one at that) going down to Div 4….
Money talks.

Take everything you hear about Doncaster splashing money with a grain of salt. I said this on another post, their coaches Jake and Decca are 2 very popular people off the field and would have some great relationships with alot of players, Jake has recruited a couple of cousins, their mates etc. Decca has dragged a few across from the SFNL and the others are former Donny players or mates.
Honestly not the best strategy, but from what I've heard they are trying to establish their juniors again and they are gaining alot of off-field momentum to get the club back up and running

 

[Harry Cheezels]

Rumour is their twos coach will be promoted to the senior role

Would be a good get if true. The players absolutely love him.

Rumour is their twos coach will be promoted to the senior role

Very smart footballer when he played, just unlucky with 4 ACLs. Has a ridiculous coaching record albeit 2s only. Coached 100 games for 86 wins 3 flags, 1 Runner-up and 1 prelim.