BFNL clubs unveil plenty of fresh faces in ’25

IT’S been another busy pre-season on the recruiting front for Ballarat Football Netball League clubs – some more than others.

The player gains are headlined by a sprinkling of former AFL players, including Geelong 2022 premiership defender Zach Tuohy, who has made his way to Bacchus March, where he will play under his former Carlton teammate Dennis Armfield.

Tuohy, who retired at the end of 2024 following 288 senior games (120 with Carlton and 168 with Geelong) is expected to play with the Cobras on a restricted schedule.

Darley’s bid to go two steps better in 2025 has been aided by the signing of versatile former Essendon and St Kilda player Nick Hinds, who has returned to his home region, after 95 games across six seasons.

At Ballarat Swans, former North Melbourne and Richmond key position player Bigoa ‘Biggie’ Nyuon has been a breath of fresh air and the cause of much excitement.

No stranger either to Ballarat, Nyuon spent his formative years living in the city and still has family living here.

At reigning premiers Melton, it’s pretty much ‘steady as they go’ with the quality inclusions of Footscray VFL affiliated player Billy Crofts and former Melton juniors Mitch Caddy and Ben McMahon, and only one departure of note.

Here’s a look at the ins and outs:

BACCHUS MARSH

Player ins: Z. Tuohy (Geelong AFL),

N. Dunshea (SANFL), J. Fulton

(Pint, Bell Park) J. Wheeler (Melton), J. Goble (Point Cook), C. Lear (Western Suns), L. Braszell.

Player outs: A. Everitt (retired),

D. Armfield (retired), B. Kearny (Melton South).

VFL affiliated players: Rye Penny (Werribee), Isaac Nixon (Werribee).

BALLARAT SWANS

Player ins: B. Nyuon (North Melbourne AFL), T. Mitchell (Geelong West).

Player outs: R. Perry (Sebastopol), L. Dalgleish (Drysdale), K. Mellington (Horsham), W. Liston (WA – work placement).

VFL affiliated players: Tristan Maple (Footscray), Paddy Simpson (train-on Carlton).

DARLEY

Player ins: N. Hind (Essendon AFL), M. Edwards (Banyule).

Player outs: M. Ward (Ocean Grove), M. Denham (retired).

VFL affiliated players: M. Cousins (Werribee), B. Wright (Werribee),

J. Cadman (Werribee), L. Impey (Williamstown).

EAST POINT

Player ins: J. Romeril (Skipton), S. Romeril (Skipton), M. Romeril (Skipton).

Player outs: J. Taylor (Qld), S. Robinson (Port Fairy), T. Conlan (VAFA).

VFL affiliated players: NA.

LAKE WENDOUREE

Player ins: L. Hepworth (Cairns), L. Koliba (Rebels), J. Lohmann (Morningside QAFL), J. Knight (Waubra), J. Millen (SA).

Player outs: M. Foster (retired),

B. Hayes (retired).

VFL affiliated players: Jake Lohmann (Werribee).

MELTON

Player ins:B. McMahon (Diggers Rest), M. Caddy (Melton South), B. Crofts (Caroline Springs/Footscray VFL).

Player outs: B. McIntrye (travel).

VFL affiliated players: K. Borg (Port Melbourne), J. Watkins (Port Adelaide SANFL), B. Crofts (Footscray).

NORTH BALLARAT

Player ins: J. Morris (Box Hill),

L. Simpson (former junior returning from layoff), T. Madigan (Colts), T. Bates (Maryborough), T. Ford (Waubra), S. Economou (South Africa – development player), D. Kenny (former junior returning from South Barwon), R. Luke (Beaufort).

Player outs: S. Glover (West Preston), R. Hobbs (retired), J. Symonds (retired).

VFL affiliated players: J. Sparkman (Port Melbourne), R. Polkinghorne (Port Melbourne), M. White (Port Melbourne), H. Trigg (Port Melbourne), J. Riding (Werribee). REDAN

Player ins: Brody Pope (Horsham Demons – 2024 Wimmera Rookie of the Year), Jordan Grant (Hepburn), Jordie Keyte (Horsham Saints), Harry Knight (Trentham), Dean Chester (Carisbrook), Zach Lang (overseas).

Player outs: Marty Boyer (‘Wagga way’), Nick Kelson (Albury), Riley Collins (Beaumaris), Lincoln Barnes (Queensland).

VFL affiliated players: Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray), Lachie Bond (Port Melbourne train on), Rory Gunsser (Essendon train on), Khy Jess (Essendon train on).

SEBASTOPOL

Player ins: H. Papst (Horsham), G. Hommelhoff (Wycheproof, former Eaglehawk best and fairest), R. Perry (Ballarat), T. Severino (Talbot), T. Raven (Carngham Linton), C. Jeffrey (Rokewood).

Player outs: J. Dahlhaus (Leopold), J. Clark (St Joeys), G. Snowden (Rokewood), L. Latch (retired).

VFL affiliated players: J. Medwell (Footscray), R. O’Keefe (Port Melbourne train-on).

SUNBURY

Player ins: D. Johnston (Mooroopna GVFL).

Player outs: M. Lewis (Mansfield), T. Werner (Gisborne), L. Urbon (Bundoora), B. Walker (Wallan), J. Bygate (Airport West), A. Goodsen (Melton South), C. Lever (Riddells Creek), J. Lee (Gisborne Giants).

VFL affiliated players: J. Sutton (Essendon train on), B. Cameron (Coburg), H. Minton-Connell (Williamstown), D. Johnston (Coburg).