2026 player moves - ins and outs, signings and departures

[thefunnelweb]

Don’t see how they possibly meet the points target - unless they just fudge the individual players points.

I know common sense doesn’t always apply but from what I’ve seen on here ashwood isn’t the best level of competition would there be a case for those players to be 1 pointers? Even though as stated that goes against the community standards

 

[guest100]

Was the points system even around when Donvale came out of recess?

 

[Voice of the G]

Was the points system even around when Donvale came out of recess?

Donvale went into recess 2014,come back into D4 EFL 2015 and the points system come in 2016.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I know common sense doesn’t always apply but from what I’ve seen on here ashwood isn’t the best level of competition would there be a case for those players to be 1 pointers? Even though as stated that goes against the community standards

Nah - it’s not just about quality of player, it’s about developing your own juniors and having players stick around your club rather than jumping around from club to club as mercenaries.

If points are allocated correctly I don’t see any way that Doncaster are under 46 points next year. Which might be alright, but it’s gonna happen. You’d hope the EFNL have actually thought about it before making this announcement.

 

[localfootyguru]

Jack McKay from Fitzroy / Upwey to Norwood. Was flogging himself on trainstop for big coin (just as he did 12
months ago when he joined Upwey).

Perhaps some cash had returned to Norwood.

Upwey Tecoma happy to see the back of him. Promised the world and delivered nothing. Always an issue with him and high maintenance.

Wouldn't think he was a great fit for Norwood who will spend the majority of 2026 on the bottom of the ladder. I can guarantee he won't be there in 2027.

 

[Pendles1991]

Upwey Tecoma happy to see the back of him. Promised the world and delivered nothing. Always an issue with him and high maintenance.

Wouldn't think he was a great fit for Norwood who will spend the majority of 2026 on the bottom of the ladder. I can guarantee he won't be there in 2027.

Besides not winning the league best and fairest, how did he not deliver? He won there club best and fairest and also made team of the year... and seeing as he would have been there only key position forward over 6"2 next year, I highly doubt they were " happy to see the back of him"

 

[good thing]

East Burwood doing very well this off season so far.

I just looked him up NO senior games ??

 

[localfootyguru]

Besides not winning the league best and fairest, how did he not deliver? He won there club best and fairest and also made team of the year... and seeing as he would have been there only key position forward over 6"2 next year, I highly doubt they were " happy to see the back of him"

Trust me Pendles1991 the club was. Mercenary is the best description. Made lots of promises and didn't deliver. Can play but other behaviours are questionable.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Was the points system even around when Donvale came out of recess?

The obvious difference is Donvale had a decent chunk of their guys go to Whitefriars and then come back to Donvale once re-established. They would have returned as 1 point players (if it existed).

Doncaster had around 20 players go to other EFL clubs and the very large majority will not be returning to the club in Div 4. No option but to bring in your typical 3 point player.

Agree with Bunk, interesting to see how this works. No sure it can.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

When you break down the issue it feels pretty straightforward?

Work out on average how many 1-point players were fielded by D4 clubs this year. Say it’s 11.

Doncaster won’t have 11. It’s not possible. Say they have 2.

So the issue is they are short 9x 1 point players. Those 9 will have to be three point players. So rather than taking up 9 points, they’ll take up 27 points. An extra 18.

So in 2026 they get an extra 18 points… total of 64 points.

2027 those players one drop by a point, so they get 55 points.

2028 they’re back to normal.

 

[Harry Cheezels]

The obvious difference is Donvale had a decent chunk of their guys go to Whitefriars and then come back to Donvale once re-established. They would have returned as 1 point players (if it existed).

Doncaster had around 20 players go to other EFL clubs and the very large majority will not be returning to the club in Div 4. No option but to bring in your typical 3 point player.

Agree with Bunk, interesting to see how this works. No sure it can.

Also a good chunk of the returning Donvale team were former juniors or had been at Donvale before they went under.
Murphy, Purcell, Toce, Cotsford, Leardi, Grocott etc. All were at Donvale when they were in Div 2

 

[adock]

So the issue is they are short 9x 1 point players. Those 9 will have to be three point players. So rather than taking up 9 points, they’ll take up 27 points. An extra 18.

They could be 2 point players. Any majority reserves players (other than top tier reserves players) will be a 2 point player. Players who haven't played any football in the last 3 seasons will also be a 1 point player. But still agree the math aint mathing.

Also if you look closely at the words said by the EFNL it says;

'Doncaster are subject to the same CCSP conditions' - the conditions DO allow leagues to award extra points for clubs if approved but more easily they are able to reduce the points of individual players.
'Their salary cap will also be in line with cap set for season 2026' - i might be over reaching with this one, but the phrase 'in line' doesn't usually mean exact to me. It usually means there abouts.

 

[thefunnelweb]

I think everyone is right to a degree with all options!! Either way the efnl main objective is that they re enter is the efnl is going to piss off any clubs they’d rather it be the division 4 crap, rather than clubs in higher levels.

Like all things it will be a big deal no doubt heading into round one then come 2027 old news so the efnl will be confident of weathering the storm

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Upper have picked up another very good player from Beaconsfield Ethan Harris.

 

[guest100]

My point was not sure the league can cite Donvales return as the same as Doncaster with points and salary caps now in place.

 

[countryfooty88]

Jack McKay from Fitzroy / Upwey to Norwood. Was flogging himself on trainstop for big coin (just as he did 12
months ago when he joined Upwey).

Perhaps some cash had returned to Norwood.

How much was he asking per game?

 

[cromball90]

Who said Big Footy has no influence? The EFNL has this morning emailed all Div 4 clubs regarding Doncasters re-entry in 2026

• Doncaster are subject to the same Community Clubs Sustainability Program (CCSP) conditions.
• Their salary cap will also be in line with the cap set for 2026
• This precedent was set when Donvale went into recess and entered Div 4
• The league is working with all clubs to continue their sustainability

Also still no mention of Nunawading in the email.

they’ll get players on discounted points but they may need to stay those same pts for multiple years so they can’t just keep topping up with 7-8 guns every season

It’s the only way it’s possible or afl vic offer more pts which they can apply for

 

[Th3B1gD0g]

Upper have picked up another very good player from Beaconsfield Ethan Harris.

Beacy looked like they are cooked. Did Mick Fogarty see this all happening? Is that why he stood down?

 

[wizard34]

Beacy looked like they are cooked. Did Mick Fogarty see this all happening? Is that why he stood down?

Any News if Jake Aarts and Brandon White are going to dromana?

 

[Noddy Smith]

Hearing Cj Preston has signed at Boronia with a 30k price tag.

 

[Th3B1gD0g]

Any News if Jake Aarts and Brandon White are going to dromana?

Apparently both signed two year deals for last season, but both want to go to dromana. We will see what happens

 

[magpies2013]

Hearing Cj Preston has signed at Boronia with a 30k price tag.

You would think he would continue at Box Hill and have Boronia as home club. Recovering from a acl injury but should be right by rd1. A gun player

 

[localfootyguru]

Hearing Cj Preston has signed at Boronia with a 30k price tag.

Not sure where you heard this one Noddy Smith. Nothing confirmed as yet and definitely no sign on fee. Also, the club is living within its means and your earlier comment about the club being the next South Belgrave is well off the mark. The club is financial, is not on any spending spree and will continue to focus on home grown players with some targeted recruiting as has occurred for many years.

The club is also not getting into bidding wars with perennial big spenders like Sorrento.

 

[localfootyguru]

Apparently both signed two year deals for last season, but both want to go to dromana. We will see what happens

My mail is they won't be returning to Beaconsfield. Mick Fogarty leaving was the final straw for many players and as a result a number are moving on to other clubs. Beaconsfield in a fair bit of strife going by what I am hearing with player departures. The new coach is certainly going to have some challenges to remain competitive.

 

[DavefromBoronia]

Hearing Cj Preston has signed at Boronia with a 30k price tag.

I'm sorry to say that you are not hearing solid gold intelligence on this one!