Social media points to new signings
Summer sports may have only recently completed their second month of competition, but already there has been plenty of player movement between local football and netball clubs.
While clearances have only recently opened, plenty of announcements have been made on club social media pages.
The biggest movement has been at Drouin, who appear set on rebounding from a horror season 2017 in the Gippsland League.
Jordan Kingi takes the reigns as coach, with former Casey Demons VFL player Eddie Morris appointed assistant coach.
The club have recruited heavily from local Ellinbank District Football League club Warragul Industrials.
Corey Nickells has signed, and should add some firepower up forward for the Hawks, while Ben Northover will add strength to the defence. Josh Seri and Jackson Kos have also returned to the Hawks.
Bob McCallum, who coached the club in 2017, will play on with the Hawks.
Rob Ferguson will provide some direction to the senior team from the bench, while Rhys Fairlie will coach the Reserves.
The club has also developed junior programs in exciting times at the club.
Gippsland League neighbour Warragul have begun its pre-season, but perhaps its biggest signing has been on the netball court, with former Buln Buln A grade players Bec O’Halloran and Renee Cook joining the Gulls.
On the football field, senior coach Steven Kidd will be joined by senior assistants Warwick Baum, Brendon Sheehan and Dean Hendrickse who returns to the club following a recent stint as senior coach of Korumburra-Bena.
Star on-baller Nate Paredes and Tom Muir will coach the under 18s, while respected junior coach Dave Carpenter will be at the helm of the under 16 team.
Longwarry have been active in recruiting again as the club aims to take the next step and play finals in the Ellinbank District League.
Kilcunda-Bass premiership player Danny Wells and ruckman Nick Redley, who returns from a stint at Officer, are among the recruits of note at the Crows. Redley will add much-needed height in the ruck department after the Crows were undersized in that area in 2017.
Netballers have also began their pre-season campaign under coach Yvonne Porter.
Joel Morgan has been appointed coach at Warragul Industrials after a short stint leading Garfield.
At Neerim-Neerim South, Nick Humphrey has been appointed as interim coach. The Cats will have to face season 2018 without Chris Urie, who has returned to Korumburra-Bena.
The Cats have engaged AFL boundary umpire Chris Roberts to assist with its pre-season fitness program.
Clubs at the southern end of the league have also been active in the off-season.
Poowong signings have included former NEAFL player Chris Robinson and former Devon Meadows and Cranbourne defender Jayden Sullivan, while Ben Hancock returns to the club following stints in the NEAFL.
Mick Hawken has been re-appointed as the club’s senior coach.
Nyora have been buoyed by key players committing under coach Fia Tootoo, while the Saints are also making a major drive to recruit junior players.
Lang Lang have also recruited well, with new players including Belgrave premiership players Tom Marks, a lively small forward, and Daniel Kitchen. Ryan Kitchin joins the club from Frankston Bombers, while Travis Kitchin has crossed from Catani in search of opportunity.
The Tigers have signed former Cranbourne centre half forward Troy Tharle as playing assistance coach.
West Gippsland clubs Garfield and Bunyip have also announced signings as they aim for improvement in 2018.
The Stars have appointed Hayden Stanton as new coach. With him will come Stanton’s son Tanner from Fairpark and Corie Intveen from Narre Warren. The club have recruited heavily from Berwick, with Jayden Goumas, Hayden McLardy, Tim Vrevc, Nick Macente and Brent Colling all coming across.
Justin McCleary and Nathan Allen have been recent signings for the Bulldogs.
Local Mid Gippsland clubs have also appeared to have recruited well, especially Hill End who have added some significant names to their line up.
Perrenial leading goal kicker Jason Wells and former Warragul player Ambu Uliando healdine the signings at the Grove Rovers, who have also picked up former Newborough players Luke McQueen and Josh Hecker.
The club is also buoyed by the fact that former senior best and fairest player Jack Hudson will be available on a regular basis follwoing a season with Gippsland Power.
Hill End is also tracking well off-field, with Tim Mackenlay tying for volunteer of the year award at the recent Gippsland coach and volunteer awards.
Yarragon have also made announcements on social media, welcoming new players Rhys Gleisner and Andrew Budge to the club.
The Panthers held a successful meet the coaches day on Sunday.