The final part of the Smithy's VFL off-season update looks at the on and off-field changes at the Sydney Swans, Werribee and Williamstown.
Long-term Sydney Swans coach Jeremy Laidler has crossed the divide to join the GWS GIANTS as an AFL assistant to new head coach Adam Kingsley. Laidler, 33, played four years at the Swans before moving straight into the NEAFL coaching role after his retirement at the end of 2017. He has played a key role the club’s rebuild back into an AFL force.
*****
When Damian Truslove left the VFL coaching job at the GWS GIANTS at the end of the season, it was reported he was heading home to Melbourne. But his landing place is a little closer to the Showgrounds, with Truslove being announced as Sydney’s VFL coach. Truslove led the Giants to 13th spot in season 2023, with an 8-9-1 record.
*****
Code Sports has linked surprise delistee Ben Ronke to Carlton’s VFL team if he doesn’t earn an AFL lifeline. Ronke, 24, played 14 VFL games for the Swans last year and kicked 30 goals. He finished up with the Swans with 44 AFL and 46 State league games for 39 and 64 goals respectively.
*****
Truslove has hit the ground running at the Swans and has been boosted by the retention of four important VFL-listed players. 2019 NEAFL MVP and former captain Jake Bartholomaeus, tall forward Harry Morrison, goalsneak Will Collis and midfielder Nick Shipley will again be in red and white in 2023. Bartholomaeus played 16 matches last year (State league total 65), averaging 13.4 disposals. Morrison kicked 21 goals in 19 games, Collis averaged 11.6 disposals in 16 matches, while Shipley played 16 matches in his first season since crossing from GWS, averaging 15.7 disposals and 4.1 marks.
*****
Lewis Taylor dominated the VFL in the past two years for the Swans and he can be expected to do the same in the Hampden league after returning home to Terang-Mortlake following his Sydney delisting, according to Leader Local Footy. Taylor won the Swans’ VFL best-and-fairest last season but couldn’t break into the powerful AFL midfield.
*****
The biggest signing of the VFL off-season – in height anyway – has been announced. Luckless Sydney Swans big man Sam Naismith has arrived at Port Melbourne after his delisting by the Swans. Naismith, 30, has been hobbled by knee injuries since his breakout AFL season in 2016 and didn’t play last year. However, he looks ready to go and arrives at the Borough with 49 NEAFL/VFL games under his belt.
*****
Midfielder James Bell will play in the SANFL for Glenelg this season after losing his spot on the Swans’ list. The Academy graduate, 23, played 15 VFL matches last year, averaging 24.8 disposals. He finishes with 53 NEAFL/VFL games for Sydney.
*****
A pair of Swans Academy graduates will also ply their trade in the SANFL, with Angus Anderson joining Sturt and Kye Pfrengle signing with North Adelaide. Anderson, 19, from Sawtell-Toormina, played seven of his eight VFL matches last year. Pfrengle, 20, from St George, played three matches. Meanwhile, untried Swans Academy graduates Liam Puncher and Luke Giacometti have also decided to try their luck in South Australia. The North Shore pair, both 19, will play for Sturt.
*****
The Swans have locked away seven more members of their VFL list for 2023. Max Geddes, Toby Alker and Christian Webster have been retained, while Ethan Grace, Jake Veale, Hamish Morrison and Monty Velthuis have been added to the Swans' VFL list.
Geddes played eight matches last year for a total of 20. Alker lined up four times in his debut season, while Webster, who has been dubbed the "Road Runner" also earned four matches in 2022. Of the new additions, Grace is a Giants Academy graduate who has followed coach Damian Truslove across town. Veale returns to the Swans after playing 20 NEAFL games for them in 2015-16. He played 13 SANFL matches for Sturt in 2017-18 and has played for Sydney University and North Shore in recent years. Morrison played all four NAB League games for the Swans Academy last year, averaging 11 disposals. Meanwhile, Velthuis earns his first chance at State league level, having forced his way into the Sydney University Premier League team late last season.
*****
AN IMPRESSIVE signing for GWS with Sydney’s former Irishman Barry O’Connor heading across town after being let go by the Swans. County Wexford’s O’Connor, 24, played 18 matches for Sydney last year for a total of 26, averaging 10.7 possessions.
*****
KAELAN Bradtke had a wonderful season for Corowa-Rutherglen in the Ovens and Murray league last year, earning two VFL matches for the Swans. And he showed enough in those two games to first be invited to do a pre-season at Richmond and then be added to the Tigers’ AFL list in the Supplementary Selection Period.
*****
THE Swans have awarded a contract to lively Eastern league small forward Charlie Haley, according to Code Sports. Haley, 25, booted 53 goals in 15 matches for Balwyn in 2022 after 60 in 2019 under the guidance of former Sydney coach Rodney Eade. Code also reports they have signed Joel Crocker and Tom Howard from rival VFL clubs. Crocker, 22, the son of North Melbourne premiership player Darren, was at Southport last year. Howard, 19, played five matches last year for North Melbourne in his debut season.
Four crucial pillars of Werribee’s premiership hopes will be in the Big W again, with Kye Declase, Shaun Mannagh, Hudson Garoni and Jack Henderson re-signing. Declase, 26, had a terrific season on the wing, playing every game, averaging 22.3 disposals, kicking goals and making the VFL Team of the Year. Mannagh, 25, also made the Team of the Year after a career-high 18 games, averaging 19.6 disposals and kicking 27 goals off the other wing, bringing up his 50th VFL match in the process. Full-forward Garoni, 22, kicked 32.17 in 17 matches and now has 50 goals in 28 appearances. Henderson, 23, also played every game to move to 65 overal.
*****
Werribee looks set to lose the smooth-moving Ollie Hanrahan, who has returned to his first love of cricket. Hanrahan, 24, played 29 AFL games for Hawthorn and has featured in 62 VFL matches for Box Hill and Werribee, including 16 last year for a return of 17 goals. But he is playing Victorian Premier Cricket for Kingston-Hawthorn and told Code Sports guru Paul Amy he intends travelling to the UK this year, possibly for more cricket.
*****
Werribee moved early to lock away its key position stocks, with centre half-forward Nick Hayes, full-back Nathan Cooper, key forward-ruck Josh Porter and rebounding defender Bior Malual sticking fat to the Tigers’ chase for glory. Hayes is now the second most experienced State league player in the VFL with 173 matches (113 SANFL, 35 NEAFL, 25 VFL). Cooper played 12 matches last year either side of a serious hamstring injury, giving him 66 at State league level. Porter kicked only nine goals in 16 games last year, but spent a large percentage of his time in the ruck. Malual, 26, also lined up 16 times, giving him 44 matches for the Tigers.
*****
Three of Werribee’s most impressive young talents will remain at Avalon Airport Oval, with Sam Conway, Jay Dahlhaus and Jesse Clark re-signing. 204cm ruckman Conway, 23, arrived last year after three games with Williamstown, playing 15 times and averaging 21.1 hitouts. Dahlhaus, the cousin of former AFL player Luke, played 15 of his 16 games last year, averaged 12.7 disposals and booted 18 goals. Clark played four games, averaging 9.3 touches. Charlie Ham originally committed to joining them but has since decided to play for Bellarine league club Torquay.
*****
Dual Liston medallist Tom Gribble and fellow co-captain Dom Brew will remain with Werribee in 2023. Gribble, 28, won his second-straight Liston by eight votes after averaging a career-high 33.2 disposals and will now bring 120 VFL matches of experience to the engine room. Tackling-machine Brew averaged a stunning 9.9 tackles in 17 matches and has now run out 62 times for the Tigers. In more good news for the Tigers, experienced former captain Michael Sodomaco will be back at Avalon Airport Oval for a 13th season to chase that elusive premiership. The club's longest-serving active player, Sodomaco, 31, added 14 games to his tally last year for a total of 118.
*****
20-year-olds Noah Gribble, Mat Keast and Flynn Young have earned second seasons on Werribee’s senior list after promising campaigns in 2022. Gribble, the younger brother of Tom, added 11 games to his 2021 debut as a top-up, averaging 17.9 touches and 5.1 marks. Former Geelong Falcon Keast played nine games (13.9 disposals, 4.2 marks) after filling in twice for Sydney in 2021 and Grovedale’s Young made his debut against Northern Bullants in Round 22, kicking two goals. They will be joined by another Geelong product in Gennaro Bove, who signed for last year but missed the campaign with a shoulder injury.
*****
Four-time best-and-fairest winner Matt Hanson will go around again. Hanson, 27, who is set to play his 100th game for the Tigers early this year, lined up in 13 games during a 2022 campaign interrupted by injury. He still yielded 25.2 disposals, 5.8 marks, 4.8 clearances and 4.1 tackles per game. Also re-committing were key defender Nick Coughlan and halfbacks Louis Pinnuck and Keegan Gray, 23, who have played 66 and 37 games for Werribee respectively.
*****
Four more up-and-coming Werribee players continue with the club, with Lucas Rocci, Darcy Cassar, Sam Clohesy and Emmanuel Ajang staying put. 2019 Morrish Medal winner Rocci played six games last year. Cassar played three times after not winning a debut at Footscray. Suns Academy graduate Clohesy added five games to the two he played as a top-up for Sydney in 2021 and Ajang, 21, made his VFL debut in the Round 22 win over the Northern Bullants.
*****
Talented GWS mid-forward Harry Grintell has signed with Werribee for the 2023 season. Grintell, 20, from the country NSW town of Narrandera, played 17 VFL matches for the Giants last year and booted goals. He joins the Tigers with 21 VFL games and 13 goals in total.
*****
Youngster Harry Stubbings has switched to Port Melbourne in search of more game time. Stubbings managed only four games for Werribee last year for a total of 10. Meanwhile, it has been reported that young midfielder Ethan Jackson has crossed to Preston City Oval, although that is still to be confirmed. Jackson played one VFL match for Werribee last year having graduated from the Tassie Devils pathway in 2019.
*****
Tall forwards Sam Paea and Aidan Johnson have recommitted to Avalon Airport Oval. Paea played eight of his nine games last year, averaging 8.9 disposals and kicking eight goals. Johnson didn’t manage a game in 2022 after making his debut in 2021. Meanwhile rookie key position player Cam McLeod has switched from Essendon to Werribee. McLeod, 20, from Albury, played two games for the Bombers last year to add to his one for GWS in 2021 while part of the Giants Academy.
*****
Michael Barlow has added some experience to his coaching staff, with former Western Region star Chris O’Keefe coming on board as an assistant, according to Code Sports. O’Keefe coached Southern league club Caulfield to the Division 2 preliminary final last year with a 13-6 record.
*****
High-flying Northern Bullants key forward Jack Boyd has signed for Werribee. Boyd, who famously took the “Hanger in Franga” for the Ants against Frankston in 2021, played all 18 games and kicked 24 goals. Meanwhile, Richmond' Bailey Henderson has switched to Werribee. Henderson played 14 matches for Richmond last year, averaging 13.6 disposals and kicking seven goals.
*****
Southport Sharks mid-forward Michael Selsby has headed to Victoria and linked with Werribee. Selsby, 21, has played 30 NEAFL/VFL games for the Gold Coast SUNS and Southport, including 13 last year. Werribee has also nailed the signature of a young Williamstown player Noah Lever. The North Shore and Geelong Falcons product played 10 games for Williamstown in his debut year, averaging 13 disposals and 4.9 tackles.
*****
Werribee has awarded contracts to several youngsters. They include Geelong league ruckman Kobe Annand after he dominated for North Shore, North Albury's Sam Azzi who played all 18 games for the Hoppers last year and Ballarat league Team of the Year forward Jack Riding, who booted 37 goals in 16 matches for North Ballarat and won the Roosters’ best-and-fairest award.
*****
Annand has taken former GWS Academy big man Jack Driscoll’s spot on the Tigers’ list, with the NSW ruckman to play full-time for Ovens and Murray league club Lavington. Driscoll, 20, only managed four games for Werribee, averaging 6.8 disposals and 16.5 hitouts.
*****
He was a Tiger in the WAFL and now Cameron Anderson will be a Tiger in the VFL after joining Werribee from Claremont. The 21-year-old has played seven league, 33 reserves and 15 colts games in the west.
*****
FORMER AFL-listed backman Reuben William has moved on from Werribee, returning home to Queensland and QAFL team Redland-Victoria Point. William, 25, has played a total of 95 NEAFL/VFL matches for the Brisbane Lions, Footscray and the Tigers, including 12 last year.
*****
WERRIBEE has locked in its full assistant coaching panel for 2023, and it is largely a new-look group under Michael Barlow. Former Richmond and Sydney player Nick Daffy is the only assistant coach returning from last year as senior assistant and forwards coach. Former North Ballarat VFL player Chris O’Keefe has crossed from Southern league club Caulfield to take charge of the midfield. Simon Riddoch was a development coach under John Lamont in 2015-16 and returns to lead the Tigers’ defence.
*****
THE Tigers have locked away a couple of their emerging talents, with Wardell Lual and Sam Witherden signing on for another season.
*****
ONE of Werribee’s prized recruits will now not pull on the Big W after deciding to step away from VFL football, according to KRock Football. David Handley, 23, who joined the Tigers from Carlton in the off-season, has decided to play full-time for Geelong West Giants.
*****
WERRIBEE has a new captain, with key defender Nick Coughlan taking the reins. Coughlan, who has played 80 VFL matches, takes over from dual Liston medallist Tom Gribble and his fellow midfielder Dom Brew.
Williamstown has launched a stunning raid on North Melbourne, with four important players set to call Hobsons Bay home this year. Team of the Year defender Marty Hore, Kangaroos 2022 leading goalkicker Mat Walker, 2021 best-and-fairest winner Harry Jones and halfback Jack Lipscombe will all be Seagulls in 2023.
*****
Cam Polson will be hoping for a much more successful second season as Williamstown captain. The former Carlton player manage just seven matches last year due to at least two serious hamstring injuries. He will virtually be a recruit for the Seagulls in 2023.
*****
The Seagulls once again boasted one of the best ruckmen in the competition and he will be there again. Best-and-fairest winner and VFL Team of the Year member Tom Downie will put his 203cm frame in the centre circle again. The 29-year-old played his 100th State league match last year and will be looking to back up his output from 2022, where he averaged 16.5 disposals, five marks and 33.9 hitouts.
*****
Improving youngsters Daly Andrews and Noah Gadsby will continue their careers at Williamstown after re-signing with the club straight after the season. Andrews played 16 matches last year for a total of 29, averaging 14.7 touches. Gadsby arrived at Point Gellibrand last year from South Barwon having debuted as a Covid top-up for the Gold Coast Suns in 2021 and quickly established himself with 17 senior appearances for 12.2 possessions and nine goals.
*****
It’s almost a straight trade between Williamstown and East Perth, with the Seagulls picking up talented utility Jack Cooley from the WAFL club but losing important key defender Harry Macreadie in the opposite direction. Cooley, 21, played 28 games for the Royals over the past two seasons, averaging 19.4 disposals in 16 appearances in 2022. Former GWS and Carlton player Macreadie will be missed though after playing 14 matches for Williamstown last year.
*****
Star half-back Jake Greiser will again wear the blue and gold in 2023. The elite ball user, 27, played 17 matches last season and averaging 18.5 disposals, 4.9 marks and 6.2 rebounds. He will enter 2023 in sight of a major milestone with 97 games to his name as a one-club player.
*****
One of Williamstown’s first signings in what has become an active off-season is that of Strathmore star Will Jury, 22, who heads to Hobsons Bay on the back of winning the EDFL Division 1 best-and-fairest award, the Rising Star and a premiership medal. He polled 26 votes to win the league medal by eight votes. Jury previously played 11 matches for Calder Cannons in 2017-18.
*****
High-flying half-forward Nick Ebinger is back at Point Gellibrand. The owner of one of the biggest leaps in the VFL, Ebinger surprised all when he decided to stay at Williamstown CYMS full-time last year, but he has returned to add to his 34 goals from 24 games and excite VFL crowds once again.
*****
One in attack, one in defence. The Seagulls have retained key forward Joel Ottavi after his impressive season, while breakout defender Max Philpot will also remain in the gold sash. 200cm Ottavi was a huge presence in attack, with his finishing (29.30) the only thing that let him down across his 17 games. Philpot, 24, had a breakout season, playing 16 matches to lock down a spot in the Seagulls’ back six.
*****
Dual QAFL Team of the Year member Nathan Colenso will call Williamstown home this year. The 21-year-old medium forward spent last season on Southport’s list and the previous year with the Brisbane Lions without managing a senior game. Colenso was also a QAFL Rookie of the Year at Morningside. The Seagulls have also lured Brisbane Lions VFL player Toby Triffett to the nest. A Lions Academy graduate, Triffett played 17 matches for the preliminary finalists last year, averaging 15 disposals and kicking nine goals.
*****
Corey Rich, 25, will play for VAFA club Old Haileybury in 2023. The 2018 VFL Team of the Year member played 12 matches last year and leaves the competition with 63 matches and 92 goals for Sandringham, Frankston and Williamstown. Midfielder Nick Mellington is another to pull the pin within sight of 100 VFL matches. The 26-year-old has returned to his home club Benalla Saints in the Goulburn Valley league. He played 11 matches in an injury-hit 2022 and finishes with 93 games and 28 goals for Richmond, Coburg and Williamstown.
*****
He hasn’t played in the VFL since 2019 and in fact hasn’t played footy in Australia since then, but popular wingman Jason Pongracic will be back at Williamstown in 2023. Pongracic, 28, played seven social matches for Sussex Swans in AFL London last year, sparking his competitive fire again. He has 90 VFL matches for Frankston and the Seagulls under his belt and will bring much-needed experience to DSV Stadium.
*****
Corey Preston will continue his development as a Seagull. Preston, 19, joined Williamstown with just two matches for Footscray under his belt but lined up in all 18 matches last year and recorded a top three finish in the club’s best-and-fairest. Small forward Michael Ktona will also be back at Point Gellibrand. Ktona played 11 matches and kicked seven goals in his debut season, with his pace and gut running being a feature.
*****
The Seagulls have been left with a huge long-sleeved hole in the last line of defence with VFL Team of the Year member Teia Miles signing with WAFL club Claremont. Miles, 26, brought up his 100th VFL match last season on his way to 17 appearances that yielded averages of 23.8 disposals, 6.5 marks and 6.2 rebounds. He has played 107 VFL games overall for Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks.
*****
Former Adelaide forward Jordan Gallucci is the third Seagull to cross the Nullarbor – all to different clubs – after signing for South Fremantle. Gallucci, 24, played 15 matches for Williamstown last year, kicking 17 goals.
*****
A massive day for Williamstown when they officially announced the signings of two ex-AFL players who will be star defenders in the VFL. Former Melbourne and Carlton player Oscar McDonald and ex-Demon Marty Hore will both slot well into the backline at the Seagulls. McDonald, 26, had an injury-riddled two years at the Blues after leaving Melbourne. He arrives at Willy after 86 AFL and 25 VFL games for Casey and Carlton, while Hore, 26, dominated in defence last year for North Melbourne VFL, averaging 26.3 disposals, 7.6 marks and a ridiculous 10.6 rebounds. He brings 64 VFL = games’ experience from the Kangaroos, Casey, Collingwood and Essendon.
*****
Possibly the biggest feelgood story of the VFL off-season is the return home of Williamstown games record holder Ben Jolley. The competition’s fourth most experienced player of all time, Jolley, 36, has played 290 VFL matches for Bendigo Bombers, Williamstown, Port Melbourne and Essendon, including a record 218 for the Seagulls. He was regularly overlooked at the Bombers last year, being selected only three times, but needs just 13 games to break the long-standing VFL record of Port and Williamstown legend Billy Swan. It will be one of the biggest stories in football if he can get there.
*****
Williamstown has landed the biggest sponsorship deal in club history, inking an agreement for its historic home ground to be named DSV Stadium.
*****
Nick Rutley has arrived at DSV Stadium as the new head of development and forwards coach. Rutley has previously held the development role at Casey Scorpions and Box Hill Hawks and was an assistant AFLW coach at Carlton, taking on the interim top job.
*****
Jack McHale is heading to Williamstown from Sandringham, just one game short of his 50 milestone. Meanwhile, key forward Noah Gown is moving the other way, heading to Sandringham. The former Essendon player lined up in 15 matches for Williamstown last year and kicked 17 goals.
*****
Williamstown has landed the signature of NAB League joint Morrish medallist Taj Campbell-Farrell. The Dandenong Stingrays youngster, 18, was overlooked in the NAB AFL Drafts despite averaging 27.3 disposals, 5.5 clearances and 5.1 tackles from 11 matches and will seek a second chance by playing at DSV Stadium.
*****
Casey Demons premiership full-back Corey Ellison has crossed the city to join the Seagulls. Ellison played 20 matches for the Demons last year for a total of 26 and can go forward as well after kicking six goals in a half in 2021.
*****
Williamstown trumpeted the signing of Frankston star Mitch Cox 12 months ago before he was picked up by the Brisbane Lions in the AFL Supplementary Selection Period. But after was surprisingly delisted following just one season in Queensland, he will finally line up for the Seagulls in 2023. Cox, 25, played 17 VFL games for the Lions for a total of 43, averaging 19.5 disposals and 4.9 marks while kicking six goals.
*****
Star midfielder James Cousins, key defender Finbar O’Dwyer, wing-forward Darby Henderson and young ruckman Ben Woodfull will be in blue and gold again. Cousins managed only eight games in an injury interrupted season after crossing from Hawthorn/Box Hill. O’Dwyer overcame a knee reconstruction suffered at Northern Bullants to play 14 games, averaging career-bests in disposals (13.9), marks (7.6) and rebounds (3.2). Henderson played 16 games, averaging 12.6 disposals and kicking seven goals. Woodfull got a taste by playing the first seven games in the ruck, averaging 9.7 disposals and 11 hitouts, before returning to Oakleigh Chargers for six games.
*****
Seagulls stars Liam Hunt, Billy Myers and Brayden Monk are among six players who won’t be at DSV Stadium this year after retiring from VFL football. Hunt played 93 VFL matches and kicked 29 goals for Williamstown, Coburg and Northern Bullants. Myers returns home to Darley after 87 games and 28 goals for the Seagulls. Monk has succumbed to his shoulder issues after 58 matches for Williamstown and is tipped to sign with Gippsland league club Maffra. Also departing are midfielder Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds (Cora Lynn), Charlie Molan (Sturt) and Lachie Stapleton (Rowville).
*****
A FIFTH Kangaroo has crossed the Westgate Bridge, with Connor Weightman landing a contract at Williamstown after training with the club over the pre-season. Weightman, 21, played six matches for North Melbourne last year. He was promptly best-on-ground in the Seagulls’ practice match win over Port Melbourne.
*****
WILLIAMSTOWN has welcomed another former Seagull home, with Josh Pickess joining Ben Jolley, Nick Ebinger and Jason Pongracic in returning to DSV Stadium. Pickess has played 69 VFL games for Frankston and Williamstown, kicking 39 goals, and will add to the experience on the park.
*****
SANDRINGHAM Dragons key defender Ben Andrews will play for Williamstown this year. Andrews played 11 games for the Dragons as an overager, picking up 11.2 possessions, 3.6 marks and pinch hitting for 7.8 hitouts.
*****
THE Seagulls have signed former VFL small forward Yilber Zijai for this season, according to Code Sports. Zijai played 42 matches and kicked 41 goals in his previous stint in the state league, representing Sandringham, Casey Demons and Frankston.
*****
CODE Sports reports a spot on Williamstown’s list has gone to young forward Zac Banch after he kicked three goals in last week’s practice match against Box Hill Hawks. Banch arrives from Albury-Wodonga junior club Yarrawonga via Goulburn Valley league outfit Shepparton Swans. He kicked 21 goals in 17 matches for the Swans last year.