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General Bombers Talk 2026 VFL

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straightuplazy

straightuplazy

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Random news, Sam Frost may join our Vfl team. If his unable to find a new afl team, according to trade radio
 
So we've signed Boston Dowling (205cm ruck), Jaxon Binns, Connor Evans (HBF Pioneers) and Kristian Ferronato (Small mid from Northern Knights, absolute ball pig).

No word on departures apart from Foley, if Hately, Sellers and O'Neil stay on we could go ok this year.
 
Zach Package said:
So we've signed Boston Dowling (205cm ruck), Jaxon Binns, Connor Evans (HBF Pioneers) and Kristian Ferronato (Small mid from Northern Knights, absolute ball pig).

No word on departures apart from Foley, if Hately, Sellers and O'Neil stay on we could go ok this year.
Click to expand...
Will Hoare has joined Coburg with Matt Foley
 
Yoda_ said:
Will Hoare has joined Coburg with Matt Foley
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that, good opportunity for him, hopefully not a massive loss for us, provided we can get them on the park we should have a really strong cohort of tall defenders in the VFL.
 

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Zach Package said:
So we've signed Boston Dowling (205cm ruck), Jaxon Binns, Connor Evans (HBF Pioneers) and Kristian Ferronato (Small mid from Northern Knights, absolute ball pig).

No word on departures apart from Foley, if Hately, Sellers and O'Neil stay on we could go ok this year.
Click to expand...
Also, Brandon Newton most recently played in South West Vic, originally from Mount Gambier SA. Medium sized forward with a nice highlight reel, can provide some damaging run off half back if needed
 
Signed Charlie Naish (son of Chris) from Old Ivanhoe and Will Bella from Coburg.

Don't love the Bella signing unless we're losing Sellers too. He's a slow KPP/ruck who struggles for impact at VFL level.
 
faible said:
www.zerohanger.com

Channel 7 to abandon VFL broadcast coverage

The VFL won’t be on free-to-air television for the first time in more than 50 years.
www.zerohanger.com www.zerohanger.com
Click to expand...
just another fork in the lower tier by AFL house after the Bullants weren't helped out of the predicament they found themselves in. Didnt need to be financial help Preston needed but some guidance wouldn't have hurt.

The ch 7 Saturday night games were huge, think you will find that the grounds with adequate lighting will be packed this season. Frankston, Port Melbourne, Dingley good enough?
 
Yoda_ said:
just another fork in the lower tier by AFL house after the Bullants weren't helped out of the predicament they found themselves in. Didnt need to be financial help Preston needed but some guidance wouldn't have hurt.

The ch 7 Saturday night games were huge, think you will find that the grounds with adequate lighting will be packed this season. Frankston, Port Melbourne, Dingley good enough?
Click to expand...
Ratings were poor. It was not AFL house. It was 7 not getting a return on the cost.
 
Yoda_ said:
Saturday night games?
Click to expand...
Yes. If it rated they would not walk away from it.
It mentions why in the article.
Modest ratings v cost of streaming
 
VFL Fixture:

AFL R2: Port Adelaide vs Essendon, Adelaide Oval, Sun Mar 22, 3:15 PM
VFL R1: Geelong vs Essendon, Kardinia Park, Fri Mar 20, 7:05 PM

AFL R3: Essendon vs North Melbourne, Docklands, Sat Mar 28, 7:35 PM
VFL R2: Essendon vs North Melbourne, The Hangar, Sat Mar 28, 12:35 PM

AFL R4: Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, Docklands, Sun Apr 5, 7:20 PM
VFL R3: Footscray vs Essendon, Whitten Oval, Sun Apr 5, 3:05 PM

AFL R6: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Carrara, Sat Apr 18, 1:15 PM
VFL R4: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Carrara, Sat Apr 18, 9 AM

AFL R7: Collingwood vs Essendon, MCG, Sat Apr 25, 3:15 PM
VFL R5: Collingwood vs Essendon, Victoria Park, Sat Apr 25, 12:05 PM

AFL R8: Essendon vs Brisbane, Docklands, Sat May 2, 12:35 PM
VFL R6: Essendon vs Williamstown, Windy Hill, Sat May 2, 2:05 PM

AFL R9: GWS vs Essendon, Sydney Showgrounds, Sat May 9, 4:15 PM
VFL R7: GWS vs Essendon, Tom Wills Oval, Sun May 10, 11:05 AM

AFL R10: Essendon vs Fremantle, MCG, Sun May 17, 1:10 PM
VFL R8: Bye

AFL R11: Richmond vs Essendon, MCG, Fri May 22, 7:40 PM
VFL R9: Richmond vs Essendon, North Port Oval, Sat May 23, 2:05 PM

AFL R12: West Coast vs Essendon, Perth Stadium, Sun May 31, 7:20 PM
VFL R10: Essendon vs Werribee, Windy Hill, Sun May 31, 12:05 PM

AFL R13: Essendon vs Carlton, MCG, Sun Jun 7, 7:20 PM
VFL R11: Essendon vs Carlton, Windy Hill, Sun Jun 7, 2:05 PM

AFL R14: Melbourne vs Essendon, MCG, Sat Jun 13, 1:15 PM
VFL R12: Casey vs Essendon, Casey Fields, Sun Jun 14, 2:05 PM

AFL R15: Bye
VFL R13: Bye

AFL R16: North Melbourne vs Essendon, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R14: North Melbourne vs Essendon, Arden Street*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R17: Essendon vs St Kilda, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R15: Essendon vs St Kilda, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R18: Brisbane vs Essendon, Gabba, Time/Date TBC
VFL R16: Brisbane vs Essendon, Springfield Central Stadium*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R19: Essendon vs GWS, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R17: Essendon vs Coburg, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R20: Hawthorne vs Essendon, MCG, Time/Date TBC
VFL R18: Box Hill vs Essendon, Dingley*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R21: Essendon vs Adelaide, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R19: Bye

AFL R22: Geelong vs Essendon, Kardinia Park, Time/Date TBC
VFL R20: Essendon vs Collingwood, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R23: Essendon vs Sydney, MCG, Time/Date TBC
VFL R21: Essendon vs Sydney, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

*Indicates most likely venue
 
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eth-dog said:
VFL Fixture:

AFL R2: Port Adelaide vs Essendon, Adelaide Oval, Sun Mar 22, 3:15 PM
VFL R1: Geelong vs Essendon, Kardinia Park, Fri Mar 20, 7:05 PM

AFL R3: Essendon vs North Melbourne, Docklands, Sat Mar 28, 7:35 PM
VFL R2: Essendon vs North Melbourne, The Hangar, Sat Mar 28, 12:35 PM

AFL R4: Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, Docklands, Sun Apr 5, 7:20 PM
VFL R3: Footscray vs Essendon, Whitten Oval, Sun Apr 5, 3:05 PM

AFL R6: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Carrara, Sat Apr 18, 1:15 PM
VFL R4: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Carrara, Sat Apr 18, 9 AM

AFL R7: Collingwood vs Essendon, MCG, Sat Apr 25, 3:15 PM
VFL R5: Collingwood vs Essendon, Victoria Park, Sat Apr 25, 12:05 PM

AFL R8: Essendon vs Brisbane, Docklands, Sat May 2, 12:35 PM
VFL R6: Essendon vs Williamstown, Windy Hill, Sat May 2, 2:05 PM

AFL R9: GWS vs Essendon, Sydney Showgrounds, Sat May 9, 4:15 PM
VFL R7: GWS vs Essendon, Tom Wills Oval, Sun May 10, 11:05 AM

AFL R10: Essendon vs Fremantle, MCG, Sun May 17, 1:10 PM
VFL R8: Bye

AFL R11: Richmond vs Essendon, MCG, Fri May 22, 7:40 PM
VFL R9: Richmond vs Essendon, North Port Oval, Sat May 23, 2:05 PM

AFL R12: West Coast vs Essendon, Perth Stadium, Sun May 31, 7:20 PM
VFL R10: Essendon vs Werribee, Windy Hill, Sun May 31, 12:05 PM

AFL R13: Essendon vs Carlton, MCG, Sun Jun 7, 7:20 PM
VFL R11: Essendon vs Carlton, Windy Hill, Sun Jun 7, 2:05 PM

AFL R14: Melbourne vs Essendon, MCG, Sat Jun 13, 1:15 PM
VFL R12: Casey vs Essendon, Casey Fields, Sun Jun 14, 2:05 PM

AFL R15: Bye
VFL R13: Bye

AFL R16: North Melbourne vs Essendon, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R14: North Melbourne vs Essendon, Arden Street*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R17: Essendon vs St Kilda, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R15: Essendon vs St Kilda, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R18: Brisbane vs Essendon, Gabba, Time/Date TBC
VFL R16: Brisbane vs Essendon, Springfield Central Stadium*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R19: Essendon vs GWS, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R17: Essendon vs Coburg, Windy Hill*, Time/Date TBC

AFL R20: Hawthorne vs Essendon, MCG, Time/Date TBC
VFL R18: Box Hill vs Essendon, Dingley, Time/Date TBC

AFL R21: Essendon vs Adelaide, Docklands, Time/Date TBC
VFL R19: Bye

AFL R22: Geelong vs Essendon, Kardinia Park, Time/Date TBC
VFL R20: Essendon vs Collingwood, Windy Hill, Time/Date TBC

AFL R23: Essendon vs Sydney, MCG, Time/Date TBC
VFL R21: Essendon vs Sydney, Windy Hill, Time/Date TBC
Click to expand...
Side by side with the AFL fixtures above.
*Indicates most likely venue
 
Few names the VFL squad has signed;

Will Bella; big powerful former Suns academy prospect.

Jaxon Binns; we know about him already

Boston Dowling; unsure if he does come back after trialing with Richmond but was unsuccessful. 205cm tall who did well in the VAFA last year

Zac Eckersley; younger brother of VFL Don and re-signed Jarrod. Played talent league last year but went undrafted. Zac is good overhead and a decent runner.

Jake Egan; a 22year old, 190cm left footer who played footy at Sunbury Lions in 2025 and won the league B&F.

Connor Evans; a 19 year old left footer who played with the Pioneers the past two seasons, a goal kicker who can turn a game on its head.

Kristian Ferronato; won the Northern Knights B&F in 2023, a midfielder with VFL experience.

Ty Kitchell; 188cm midfielder who played with the Knights in 2024.

Jace McQuade; a GWS country hub member for the VFL Giants last year. A small defender from Wangaratta, won a senior flag and team of the year honours locally (back pocket).

Charlie Naish; forner Tiger who will play midfield./forward for the VFL dons.

Brandon Newton; circa 23, powerful local goal kicker who has dominated local football for two three years.

Nathan Wright; 22 year old goal kicker who was previously apart of the Suns academy. kicked two goals in a game last year for Bullants against Port Melbourne

Keith Robinson; former US College basketball, will play locally with Eltham if not with the VFL Dons.
 
Last edited:

From Code Sports​

​

Will Bella, Essendon​

The 196cm Bella will offer a powerful forward-line presence to the Dons and some experience too, having played 42 VFL games after starting out with Gold Coast in 2021. He was a regular with Coburg in 2024 but slipped down the selection order last year, having only four matches.

Jaxon Binns, Essendon​

Controversially cast aside by Carlton with a year to run on his contract, wingman Binns has signed with the VFL Bombers and is hoping to push up to their AFL list. He played eight AFL games for the Blues, including five in 2025, having 22 disposals against St Kilda and 26 against West Coast.

Boston Dowling, Essendon​

Not wanting to rely on AFL resources, the VFL Dons were keen to get a ruckman and they landed 205cm Dowling, who last season had two games for Collingwood VFL and at local level was a force for Old Trinity in the amateurs. From Shepparton, Dowling played school football for Trinity Grammar and for Oakleigh Chargers in the Talent League. “Boston has great agility for his size, a terrific, competitive nature, and with more experience at senior level, we have no doubt he has an exciting future ahead of him,’’ Old Trinity coach and former VFL premiership mentor Donald McDonald said in support of Dowling’s VAFA Rising Star nomination in 2025.

Zac Eckersley, Essendon​

The lightly-built Eckersley is the brother of VFL Bomber Jared, who has re-signed for 2026. A member of the Gold Coast Academy, he played four games in the Talent League last year and also turned out for Surfers Paradise in the QAFL. “Very much a developing player … a strong runner who will take the game on and is decent overhead,’’ Surfers coach and former Collingwood half-forward Sam Dwyer told CODE Sports.


Jake Egan, Essendon​

Egan, a 190cm left-footer from Sunbury, was the talk of the Ballarat league last year after storming to the competition best and fairest. On the back of a season in which he kicked 34 goals from 22 games, he grabbed five consecutive best-on-grounds to pip former Fremantle left-footer Brett Bewley for the medal.

Connor Evans, Essendon​

Bombers coach Cameron Joyce is keen on left-foot defender Evans, seeing something in his kicking and intercept marking. The 19-year-old is from Kangaroo Flat and spent the past two seasons with the Bendigo Pioneers, unfortunately encountering injuries, some in a serious car accident in 2024. But his talent is not in dispute; after a long absence he returned to the team in Round 17 last season to boot five goals against the Geelong Falcons.

Kristian Ferronato, Essendon​

Midfielder Ferronato, who won the Northern Knights’ best and fairest in 2023, had 26 disposals and eight tackles for Carlton against Frankston last season, the best of his nine games for the Blues. The Bombers believe he’s ready to take his football to a higher level.

Ty Kitchell, Essendon​

From St Mary’s in the Northern league, Kitchell is trying to take his football to a higher level after team-of-the-year selection and his club’s best and fairest in 2025.

Jace McQuade, Essendon​

The rangy defender was part of Greater Western Sydney’s Albury VFL hub this year and was called up to play three games. McQuade featured in Wangaratta Rovers’ 2024 senior premiership and was named in a back pocket in this year’s Ovens and Murray team of the year.

Charlie Naish, Essendon​

Naish is the son of former top Tiger Chris and was recruited from VAFA club Old Ivanhoe. The forward/onballer captained Ivanhoe Grammar to the 2023 AGSV premiership and spent 2024 with Wangaratta in the strong Ovens and Murray league.

Brandon Newton, Essendon​

A 59-goal, best and fairest-winning season with Branxholme Wallacedale in the South West District league prompted the VFL Dons to nab Newton, who had previously been a stand-out for West Gambier.

Nathan Wright, Essendon​

Queenslander Wright, 22, signed at Goulburn Valley club Benalla in 2025 and was a leading goalkicker, bagging 64 goals from 17 games, including a haul of nine against Mooroopna. The Northern Bullants called him for one VFL game and he kicked two goals against Port Melbourne. Wright had been a Queensland Under 18 representative and part of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.
 
Looks like this is a confirmed list, "rookie" or supplementary list in the second half of the list below


IRST NAMESURNAMEDOBHEIGHT2026 COMMUNITY CLUBCAREER VFL GAMES
64DomanicAKUEI5/12/2002194St Marys65
77WillBELLA1/31/2003196Montmorency42
74JaxonBINNS10/29/2004182Berwick FC45
56ShaneCLOUGH1/04/2005177Gisborne5
58JaredECKERSLEY3/22/2004193Pascoe Vale57
50JacksonHATELY10/21/2000191St Bernards96*
78TysonLEVER25/03/1998187Sunbury FC29
51SolomonMCKAY12/26/2003189Heidelberg33
52JaceMCQUADE4/30/2002193Wangaratta3
65CamNYKO11/25/2005180Montmorency26
55XavierO'NEILL8/03/2000186Blackburn75*
75TylerSELLERS8/09/2002193Old Scotch48
62MahmoudTAHA11/04/2005183Pascoe Vale6
54NathanWRIGHT10/28/2002191Benalla1



60RyanBRODIE5/08/2005182Strathmore15
63MaxCLOHESY2/12/2004180Shepparton7
73BostonDOWLING4/08/2005207Old Trinity4
68ZacECKERSLEY6/23/2007184Pascoe Vale0
53JakeEGAN1/28/2004190Sunbury Lions0
70ConnorEVANS6/02/2006182Eaglehawk FNC0
80KristianFERRONATO1/19/2005184Heidelberg15
69KieranGALLAGHER6/19/2006184Greenvale9
76DanteIACOVONE4/28/2006188Heidelberg4
67TyKITCHELL5/12/2006188St Marys0
61RileyLEEDHAM11/16/2006195Greenvale3
71LachlanMONTEATH6/27/2005198Mooroolbark9
81CharlieNAISH5/04/2005187Old Ivanhoe1
57NoahSCOTT8/23/2006177Kyneton7
59DaytenUERATA10/28/2005185Sandhurst6
79KeithROBINSON10/28/2002196Eltham FC0
66BrandonNEWTON10/20/1999182Pascoe Vale0
 

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Lost toe Port Melbourne today. Final margin was 29 points, but it was pretty close all day. Port kicked 3 goals in the last 5 minutes. We did hit the front at one stage in the last quarter.
Game style. Well, it is try and move the footy as quick as possible. Problem is the skill level is not always up to it. When it works it looks okay but often it did not work. Not a lot they can do as it has to try and align with what the AFL program is looking to achieve.
Not the strongest side today. Only 3 AFL guys. Cox. Jones (1/2). Pekins. Reviews for these guys are in the preseason thread.
No Obrien or Hately.
Have only seen todays with the help of the team sheet so it is limited as far as recognising new players and some were still wearing AFL numbers.

Jared Eckersley was good. Kicked at least 3 goals. If he had a bit more speed, he would be an AFL level player.

Naish was pretty good again this week. Lacks speed for a player his size but has decent skills and footy IQ.

Not sure what has happened to Monteath. Obviously burst onto the VFL scene last year. Last week and this week he has looked like a guy who has never played footy at times. Positioning way off. Skills poor. Last week he had not ruck time. This week the only good thing about his game is he has a decent leap and can win hit outs.

I was watching what Cox and co were doing for a lot of the game so a lot of guys I was simply not looking closely at.

Have to say the KPD stocks in the VFL are a worry. None looked that good. We will miss Will Hoare.
 
www.afl.com.au

Expanded VFL broadcast deal announced

The AFL has announced a new VFL broadcast agreement, which will see Smithy’s VFL matches broadcast by Kayo SPORTS, ABC, the Seven Network and SEN
www.afl.com.au www.afl.com.au

We're on Kayo round 4 (Gold Coast away) and 9 (Richmond day after Dreamtime).
 

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