Ex-Mooroopna forward Chris Nield is reuniting with Travis Waters at Dookie United.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
No sooner has the 2025 football-netball campaign finished than clubs have flipped the switch on the off-season.
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Dookie United is one such club, luring ex-Mooroopna spearhead Chris Nield in a significant addition to the Thunder forward line.
Nield has switched Picola League allegiances from Berrigan to Dookie after booting 36 goals from seven Saints appearances en route to a semi-final, with his connection to former Cats assistant and Thunder coach Travis Waters proving the impetus.
It’s a timely inclusion with Dookie forward Kyle Tapscott going down with an ACL injury late in the season.
With 90 per cent of the senior squad recommitted, however, and a promising thirds and fourths group coming through, Waters is confident of a positive outlook.
“I've known Chris since I was an assistant coach at Mooroopna for five years,” Waters said.
“Kyle Tapscott unfortunately has done his ACL, so he'll miss all next season.
“Obviously, we need that forward target as well, and I think just having that experience up forward gives us a good chance to teach some of our young fellas as well.”
Meanwhile, Seymour has led the Goulburn Valley League charge, announcing the retention of star spearhead Riley Mason after a seventh-place finish in the Goulburn Valley League.
The Lions missed finals by one game but have called on two Whittlesea guns to take them up a step, with one of them a former teenaged debutant.
Xavier Dimasi makes his return to Kings Park 12 years since making his first senior appearance, capping off a Northern Football League stint that included two club champion awards, a premiership, and a league best-and-fairest.
Dimasi’s 2025 was cut short after a serious facial injury sustained early in the season but will be raring to go in a big addition to the Seymour engine room.
The former Box Hill player isn’t the only Eagle becoming a Lion.
His Whittlesea teammate Jaron Murphy, a four-time NFL Team of the Year representative, has also signed on, threatening to form a dangerous alliance with Mason down forward after booting 200-plus goals for the Eagles.
In the Kyabram District League, Avenel has welcomed 2023 McNamara Medallist Braydon Avola back to the Swans after a year at Whittlesea.
Braydon Avola is calling Avenel home once again.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Last year’s KDL Team of the Year captain is a big get for the Swans, but they’ll also receive a boost in their key stocks with the addition of current Louisiana punter Nathan Torney.
From Kyabram, Torney has spent the past four years in the states competing in NCAA football for the Ragin’ Cajuns, and the former KDL interleague representative, Lancaster and Tongala player will bring a unique edge to Avenel’s defensive approach.
The coaching wheel is also beginning to turn.
Strathmerton coaches Zack Betson and Tim Looby have taken a step back but will be replaced by similarly experienced premiership pedigree.
The Doggies have opted for a rare three-pronged approach, with former flag captain and coach Matt Shannon returning to the role, joined by 2025 best-and-fairest and two-time premiership player Adrian Crestani.
Seven-time grand final mentor Tim Bramich rounds out the trio in a serious statement of intent out of Strathmerton Recreation Reserve.
While Waaia’s modern-day dominance may have been halted momentarily after an upset grand final defeat to Katamatite, the Bombers are already looking ahead.
Succeeding three-time flag coach Mitch Cleeland are two men with Waaia in their blood, led by playing assistant Jesse Trower stepping up to the top job and joined by former coach Matt Brown, who is trading the club presidency for the clipboard in 2026.
Out at Nagambie, the Lakers have settled on their replacement for Harley Taylor-Lloyd, with club legend Anthony Haysom taking the reins for next year.
In the netball, Tongala has recruited star goaler Chicky Vick, while Kyabram has appointed Emma Quinn as its A-grade coach for next season.
