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Gippsland League discussion 2026

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benbrown said:
Big blow for drouin losing their captain and best player both heading to the money tree at Devon meadows
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Saw that, it'll be tough for them again next year, the redevelopment of their facilities looked great and hopefully it helps them to attract some players and retain as many from this year as possible. They've posted a number of youngsters that have re-signed which is a positive & some of them looked really promising from a couple of their games that I watched later in the season, especially a couple of taller athletic types but I can't remember their names. Hopefully they group together and hang around for a while to drive some improvement on field.

They've also posted that Seb Amoroso signed again for next year, former Gippy Power captain and spent the last 2 seasons on Box Hill's list. He'd be the best player left on their list. He isn't listed below as he didn't make their top 10 for appearances in the best players in 2024 - missed a chunk of that season through injury and played 3 for Box Hill VFL. He only managed 2 with Box Hill this year, both times in for 1 week and then out again so maybe he will be full time with Drouin.

This list is their top 10 for appearances in the best players in 2024 with number of times named in the best, listed in brackets:
Kye Quirk (11 in 2024, 15 in 2025) has signed at Devon Meadows for 2026
Ed Morris (10 in 2024) Left for Garfield in 2025, think he has signed on again at Garfield for 2026
Mitchell Cotter (9 in 2024) Left for Montrose in 2025, didn't play a game though. Don't see him returning to Drouin.
Tim Hancock (8 in 2024) Left for Warragul Industrials in 2025, signed at Dusties for 2026.
Jordan Kingi (8 in 2024) Left for Ellinbank in 2025, returning as Drouin coach for 2026.
Will Papley (8 in 2024) Left for Neerim South in 2025, unsure what he's doing for 2026.
Jarrod Marshall (7 in 2024, injured a lot of 2025) was captain at Drouin, has also signed at Devon Meadows for 2026.
Aden Quirk (7 in 2024, 8 in 2025) not sure where he's at for next year. Joined Drouin in 2022 alongside Kye who's out.
Caleb Quirk (6 in 2024, 5 from 8 games in 2025) as above. Joined the other 2 Quirks at Drouin from Heathmont in 2024.
Tom Johnstone (5 in 2024) left for Kew in 2025, started 4ths at Drouin in 2019, started seniors in 2022, left for 2023, back for 2024, left again for 2025. Could return based on that history but who knows if he does.

That's 8 out of their best 10 players that have left, the 2 remaining may also not be back for 2026. Admittedly from that list, Kingi is returning after 1 year away but that's potentially 1 of their best 10 players from their 2024 list that will be at the club in 2026.
 
It looks like an indicator of the playing group's feelings about playing in the GL that so many have moved in the past couple of years. I would suggest that a few may have stayed or come back if they had been granted their transfer to the WGFNC.

Being stuck at the bottom of the ladder is hardly attractive scenario for retaining or recruiting players.
 
MortlockWatcher said:
It looks like an indicator of the playing group's feelings about playing in the GL that so many have moved in the past couple of years. I would suggest that a few may have stayed or come back if they had been granted their transfer to the WGFNC.

Being stuck at the bottom of the ladder is hardly attractive scenario for retaining or recruiting players.
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Yep they would have got quite a few back so they say
 
Oraaaaazio said:
Saw that, it'll be tough for them again next year, the redevelopment of their facilities looked great and hopefully it helps them to attract some players and retain as many from this year as possible. They've posted a number of youngsters that have re-signed which is a positive & some of them looked really promising from a couple of their games that I watched later in the season, especially a couple of taller athletic types but I can't remember their names. Hopefully they group together and hang around for a while to drive some improvement on field.

They've also posted that Seb Amoroso signed again for next year, former Gippy Power captain and spent the last 2 seasons on Box Hill's list. He'd be the best player left on their list. He isn't listed below as he didn't make their top 10 for appearances in the best players in 2024 - missed a chunk of that season through injury and played 3 for Box Hill VFL. He only managed 2 with Box Hill this year, both times in for 1 week and then out again so maybe he will be full time with Drouin.

This list is their top 10 for appearances in the best players in 2024 with number of times named in the best, listed in brackets:
Kye Quirk (11 in 2024, 15 in 2025) has signed at Devon Meadows for 2026
Ed Morris (10 in 2024) Left for Garfield in 2025, think he has signed on again at Garfield for 2026
Mitchell Cotter (9 in 2024) Left for Montrose in 2025, didn't play a game though. Don't see him returning to Drouin.
Tim Hancock (8 in 2024) Left for Warragul Industrials in 2025, signed at Dusties for 2026.
Jordan Kingi (8 in 2024) Left for Ellinbank in 2025, returning as Drouin coach for 2026.
Will Papley (8 in 2024) Left for Neerim South in 2025, unsure what he's doing for 2026.
Jarrod Marshall (7 in 2024, injured a lot of 2025) was captain at Drouin, has also signed at Devon Meadows for 2026.
Aden Quirk (7 in 2024, 8 in 2025) not sure where he's at for next year. Joined Drouin in 2022 alongside Kye who's out.
Caleb Quirk (6 in 2024, 5 from 8 games in 2025) as above. Joined the other 2 Quirks at Drouin from Heathmont in 2024.
Tom Johnstone (5 in 2024) left for Kew in 2025, started 4ths at Drouin in 2019, started seniors in 2022, left for 2023, back for 2024, left again for 2025. Could return based on that history but who knows if he does.

That's 8 out of their best 10 players that have left, the 2 remaining may also not be back for 2026. Admittedly from that list, Kingi is returning after 1 year away but that's potentially 1 of their best 10 players from their 2024 list that will be at the club in 2026.
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There’s some real talent in that list,I guess the youngsters just have to stick together and try to rebuild club
 

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MortlockWatcher said:
It looks like an indicator of the playing group's feelings about playing in the GL that so many have moved in the past couple of years. I would suggest that a few may have stayed or come back if they had been granted their transfer to the WGFNC.

Being stuck at the bottom of the ladder is hardly attractive scenario for retaining or recruiting players.
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Not so sure on that - most left last year rather than this year and the blokes who left had done long stints or multiple stints at the club. Some came or went for money, some left after years of loyalty, some of them come from existing West Gippy clubs so would assume they'd return to their home clubs if Drouin were to be in the WG comp - Morris already did so, returning to Garfield. Being a struggling team doesn't help & some may have returned if they landed in West Gippy but there's an expiry date for anyone with a club regardless of the league they're in.
 
Plenty happening across the WGFNC this off-season with some huge signings, returning stars and fresh coaching appointments. I’ve put together a full club-by-club breakdown here: https://localsportsvictoria.com.au/wgfnc-2026-off-season-signings. Curious what everyone thinks — which club has strengthened the most and who’s shaping as an early contender for 2026?
 

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