Hulking ruckman Mark Kovacevic and ex-AFL star midfielder Nathan Hrovat were crucial to the Swans’ first Goulburn Valley League appearance in nine years during the 2025 campaign.
But neither will call Princess Park home next season.
On Tuesday, the pair were announced as new recruits for Riddell Bombers, which is going for broke in its quest for a three-peat in the Riddell District Football Netball League.
Reigning Swans best-and-fairest Hrovat joined the club with a decorated resume, playing 69 games with North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs between 2013-2019.
He was an immediate hit under Jedd Wright, going on to play 42 games in the red and white, kicking 27 goals and serving as a respected on-field leader for the rebuilding Swans.
Kovacevic’s tenure may have been shorter, but his exit will be just as sorely missed.
The 204cm monster arrived from West Preston-Lakeside ahead of the 2024 GVL campaign and soon made a name for himself as one of the league’s elite rucks, averaging 42.3 hit outs per game to claim the Swans’ best-and-fairest last year.
Kovacevic only improved in 2025, sidling up in third for average ranking points per game and, like Hrovat, secured a top 10 finish in the Morrison Medal count.
He ends his career at Princess Park with 30 games for the Swans, tallying 23 goals.
The duo will supercharge a back-to-back premiership winning Riddell side that recently announced former Essendon VFL star Matthew Darby as coach.
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