NFNL Div 1 2026

[Spyforce]

More about being upfront with members, sponsors & key stakeholders of the club not forgetting Nth have no home deck next season so assuming income will be light on.

If an EDFL club wants to sign a $40k player who is north of 30 who will be around for 5 minutes don't stand in their way. Also a matter of assessing where your list REALLY is if not in the window of T3/4 on the proviso you are not going down.

Doggies have done a good job with this.

 

[NorthernBastard]

Seems they've taken the smart strategy of not overspending whilst there is a team down the road dominating the league.

 

[HighQualityH20]

Seems they've taken the smart strategy of not overspending whilst there is a team down the road dominating the league.

Probably in the best interest of most clubs in D1 to follow suit

 

[10571z]

Probably in the best interest of most clubs in D1 to follow suit

You gotta be in it to win it. Plenty of boil overs against teams in GFs

 

[FootyNuff123]

You gotta be in it to win it. Plenty of boil overs against teams in GFs

Yes, but even Hurstbridge has seemingly put a gap on the rest.
As long as you are safe from a relegation battle it's probably best to hold onto some pennies.

 

[lovelocalfooty11]

More about being upfront with members, sponsors & key stakeholders of the club not forgetting Nth have no home deck next season so assuming income will be light on.

If an EDFL club wants to sign a $40k player who is north of 30 who will be around for 5 minutes don't stand in their way. Also a matter of assessing where your list REALLY is if not in the window of T3/4 on the proviso you are not going down.

Doggies have done a good job with this.

Couldn’t agree more. Some of the offers are absurd, good on them for being transparent.

 

[10571z]

Yes, but even Hurstbridge has seemingly put a gap on the rest.
As long as you are safe from a relegation battle it's probably best to hold onto some pennies.

They finished 5th at the end of the home and away season calm down.

 

[TigerTime123]

Yes, but even Hurstbridge has seemingly put a gap on the rest.
As long as you are safe from a relegation battle it's probably best to hold onto some pennies.

What it does do is give the bottom clubs, Eltham & Bundy the chance to make finals. They are both spending coin on new players so no excuses for them to not climb the ladder rapidly whilst clubs like North drop. Good year for Diamo to hit Div 1 also as they have kept virtually all their players from last year. Bergs bridges and Monty then a gap by the looks but remaining top 5 positions up for grabs & maybe some big clubs fighting out relegation

 

[Harryo1956]

Agree it was a unique way of handling things externally, but also maybe it's also a way of just being FULLY transparent with your members, sponsors, other players, etc. IF it is the case that the money being offered to some players or some players are asking for is THAT crazy, then could this be considered just a way of getting on the front foot?

TBH - I'm not really sure what is the right way, but at some stage the piggy bank can only go so far or keeping the majority of the list happy becomes your priority over a few. Who knows, but you may even see more of this from clubs who say 'enough is enough' and we are ok if players walk if the only/key consideration is money.

Getting the balance right of having a core group that want to play together with mates, proud to represent the club, try for success together AND having a couple of well paid top-ups is something that I am sure is a challenge for every club. But, if it's ONLY about the cash ...... then walk on, is my view...... and invest in the juniors/those that want to be there for other elements that drive their motivations to play footy.

 

[Harryo1956]

North have handled it well. No way they can match some rumoured offers. Some blokes leaving are guns for hire. Good luck to them and an opportunity for the Doggies to develop young guns who are committed to the club.

 

[Champ or Chump]

Agree it was a unique way of handling things externally, but maybe it's also a way of just being FULLY transparent with your members, sponsors, other players, etc. IF it is the case that the money being offered to some players / some players are asking for is THAT crazy, then could this be considered just a way of getting on the front foot?

TBH - I'm not really sure what is the right way, but at some stage the piggy bank can only go so far or keeping the majority of the list happy becomes your priority over a few. Who knows, but you may even see more of this from clubs who say 'enough is enough' and we are ok if players walk if the only/key consideration is money.

Getting the balance right of having a core group that want to play together with mates, proud to represent the club, try for success together AND having a couple of well paid top-ups is something that I am sure is a challenge for every club. But, if it's ONLY about the cash ...... then walk on, is my view...... and invest in the juniors/those that want to be there for other elements that drive their motivations to play footy.

Also, side note to my previous post.....

I also understand that some players might be in a position where the money offered is just too good to refuse. People have different financial needs at different times in their life and if you can make a good earn OR get a good job out of it, then why not consider it.

We had a Div 1 club come very hard for one of our guys - thankfully his family is filthy rich and he does not play for the coin.

What I am saying is - once that is all added up, as a club you have to know what you can or cant do - you have to be comfortable to walk away, no matter who it is AND be ok with that. Maybe the Nth H committee got to that stage after doing all their internal considerations......especially as it is unlikely that you have a chance of winning the thing at the moment. I'd be happy with that if I was a Nth H member, sponsor or a player who plays there beyond the cash.

 

[10571z]

North have handled it well. No way they can match some rumoured offers. Some blokes leaving are guns for hire. Good luck to them and an opportunity for the Doggies to develop young guns who are committed to the club.

They aren’t the first club to have players poached by high paying clubs…

 

[Frank Green]

North have handled it well. No way they can match some rumoured offers. Some blokes leaving are guns for hire. Good luck to them and an opportunity for the Doggies to develop young guns who are committed to the club.

These players be leaving if Heatley still in charge? Me think not..

 

[10571z]

Lachy Wilson signs at Port Melbourne VFL.

 

[barrelsomers]

Lachy Wilson signs at Port Melbourne VFL.

What was the go with him leaving Richmond? 2 BNF's in a row, I thought he would have been a sniff to get a rookie spot

 

[localfootylegend23]

What was the go with him leaving Richmond? 2 BNF's in a row, I thought he would have been a sniff to get a rookie spot

Port have probably paid him a signing bonus and paying him more per game

 

[localfootylegend23]

No idea, but as above could be money?

Your job as a vfl listed player (for a afl affiliated club) is give the afl listed players the ball. probably got sick of the politics.

Not saying this is the same, but a friend of mine once played all year in box hills team, didn't miss a game and was a very solid player, he got dropped for the grand final out of nowhere, so BH could play cyril for a half in time for Hawthorns afl granny. Dunno who would wanna be apart of a system like that, much better off at a independent VFL Club.

 

[NorthernBastard]

If you're still not getting picked up after 2 years and 2 BnF's, moving to a standalone club is going to be a much better experience than being essentially a top up player.

Is Dattoli still doing work with Port?

 

[CobberRodgers]

No idea, but as above could be money?

If it was about money he’d be full time at Heidelberg…….

 

[Punt Road Feral]

What was the go with him leaving Richmond? 2 BNF's in a row, I thought he would have been a sniff to get a rookie spot

He’s constantly been our best midfielder at VFL level but there’s a strong chance we’ll be drafting mids and develop players like Kellaway who’d be pushing out Wilson of his best position despite being a superior player in 2026.

Could win the league medal at Port and maybe a mid season spot on an AFL list

 

[L0Gan]

how many flags has he won?? more than Monty in their history??

 

[FootyNuff123]

Another leaves North, this time Whitnall to Greenvale.

 

[10571z]

Another leaves North, this time Whitnall to Greenvale.

Shocker of an off season for north.

 

[roosterslife]

Port have probably paid him a signing bonus and paying him more per game

Nothing to do with money apparently. Richmond said they won’t put him on their AFL list. His last chance at trying to get picked up was another club. I’d say he plays another year or 2 and if nothing eventuates then he goes back to playing local full time and will demand a huge pay cheque.

 

[10571z]

Nothing to do with money apparently. Richmond said they won’t put him on their AFL list. His last chance at trying to get picked up was another club. I’d say he plays another year or 2 and if nothing eventuates then he goes back to playing local full time and will demand a huge pay cheque.

He would be 26-27 yeah?