2026 player moves - ins and outs, signings and departures

[Bunk Moreland]

This is becoming a lot more common now I think football clubs are going back to the old ways slightly and being more intrenched in their own people and getting less “outsiders” in as well as pre planning coaching hand overs
Thoughts on this?

It’s a hard task and a huge leap of faith to appoint a coach - think a lot of clubs are more comfortable with somebody internal or somebody with a lot of references.

If you get a coach appointment wrong at a lower division club it can very quickly turn into a player exodus - recruiting is strong and it can easily be the excuse players need to move on.

 

[guest666]

Harry Isaacs, Heathmont to Vermont

Heathmont captain Jordan Haynes also leaving, going to a GVL club

 

[Login]

I apologise I got that wrong

All good, a board member told me last Friday he'd signed.
You were 100% spot on about the Balwyn rumour though. Apparently they offered a huge amount of cash and a job.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Heathmont captain Jordan Haynes also leaving, going to a GVL club

Which club?

 

[cromball90]

Doncaster have signed 35 players to this point for 2026.

Some big names coming in
Have heard the 2 coaches have been really good

 

[Blacky burner]

Some big names coming in
Have heard the 2 coaches have been really good

Moving along nicely on and off the field

 

[guest666]

Which club?

Shepparton united

 

[good thing]

Donny East
Out DeLuca
In Kai Owens (Mornington )

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Donny East
Out DeLuca
In Kai Owens (Mornington )

Donny East following their usual strategy of calling any ex VFL/AFL footballer in Victoria who’ll take their call and offering them mega money within 5 minutes. Looks like they landed one.

 

[Blacky burner]

Donny East following their usual strategy of calling any ex VFL/AFL footballer in Victoria who’ll take their call and offering them mega money within 5 minutes. Looks like they landed one.

Heard on good authority owens 2k a game

 

[magpies2013]

Heard on good authority owens 2k a game

Was by all reports on very good coin at Mornington. Massive get for Donny East if true. Kai is a gun who has dominated at vfl level and came runner up in the b+f at Frankston. Played the last 2 years at Mornington and made team of the year this year. Older brother of Owens from St Kilda.

 

[muesli]

Lincoln Wong is back from overseas and returns to Wantirna South for the 2026 season.

 

[eflreceiver]

Mitch Lake, Moama to EB.

 

[adock]

Lincoln Wong is back from overseas and returns to Wantirna South for the 2026 season.

Unlucky. Chose the wrong year to go overseas.

 

[Thepigshow]

Unlucky. Chose the wrong year to go overseas.

Missed a flag for south a relegation for Templeton.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Heathmont captain Jordan Haynes also leaving, going to a GVL club

Confirmed - mail was good

 

[Avidwatcher1556]

Doncaster have signed 35 players to this point for 2026.

And have probably blown well over salary cap at this point. Rumour has it they are offering every man and his dog $$. Had heard that a bit of leniency would be given in terms of player points and salary cap but if I was any of the D4 clubs I’d be absolutely spewing.

 

[thefunnelweb]

And have probably blown well over salary cap at this point. Rumour has it they are offering every man and his dog $$. Had heard that a bit of leniency would be given in terms of player points and salary cap but if I was any of the D4 clubs I’d be absolutely spewing.

So they get leniency by getting division one players back to play division four they’ll win the flag by 700 points watched the final and it was terrible a division one player will have a field day in the division

 

[Voice of the G]

So they get leniency by getting division one players back to play division four they’ll win the flag by 700 points watched the final and it was terrible a division one player will have a field day in the division

Do not write off Nunawading,perhaps allowed to only field 1 senior team,which I like.Welcome thoughts from others and perhaps Forest Hill as well.

 

[thefunnelweb]

Do not write off Nunawading,perhaps allowed to only field 1 senior team,which I like.Welcome thoughts from others and perhaps Forest Hill as well.

Nunawading getting division one players as well?? Where is bunk when you need him haha he’ll formulate a points system for the efnl to keep it fair

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

And have probably blown well over salary cap at this point. Rumour has it they are offering every man and his dog $$. Had heard that a bit of leniency would be given in terms of player points and salary cap but if I was any of the D4 clubs I’d be absolutely spewing.

And have probably…….
Rumour has it……..

So you don’t know.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Do not write off Nunawading,perhaps allowed to only field 1 senior team,which I like.Welcome thoughts from others and perhaps Forest Hill as well.

I’ve wondered a few times if you could get a footy league off the ground in Melbourne - 16 per side plus up to 4 on the bench, one team only.

Obviously a lower standard but in these times of clubs folding and struggling for numbers, maybe a way to keep some clubs going.

Basically every other sport has a more social version but footy never has had it, wondered if that could work.

Perhaps a Friday night comp now that most grounds have lights.

 

[cantwinfinals]

And have probably…….
Rumour has it……..

So you don’t know.

Can second what Avidwatcher is saying here, but can understand the skepticism completely Bobby. I am well aware of numerous players especially from the Southern being poached by Donc and they are being offered some serious coin. Will be interesting to see how Donc go this year nonetheless

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Can second what Avidwatcher is saying here, but can understand the skepticism completely Bobby. I am well aware of numerous players especially from the Southern being poached by Donc and they are being offered some serious coin. Will be interesting to see how Donc go this year nonetheless

What Division are the guys that have been approached playing in Southern?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

What Division are the guys that have been approached playing in Southern?

You'd imagine with the coach coming from Ashwood that there'd be some targets there.

Would hope they're not paying too much - D3 and D4 Southern is pretty horrendous footy.