And while there weren’t many over the holiday break, the quality of the players making moves should not be understated.
A rising star of the Goulburn Valley League has shifted to the Murray League, with Shepparton Bears young gun Oscar Lambourn signing with Numurkah.
The talented 18-year-old Shepparton junior leaves Deakin Reserve after 28 senior games with the Bears, including their 2024 grand final against Echuca.
Lambourn was one of the Bears' best players in their dominant under-18 grand final victory, and appears set to play a key role for Numurkah as they aim to improve on their elimination final exit.
The acquisition of the GVL talent comes after two-time Numurkah best-and-fairest Kade O’Dwyer made the switch from the Blues to the Bears’ den.
Meanwhile, GVL grand finalist Rochester could see a familiar name back among its football ranks.
Tom Sparks, son of 1999 premiership winner and “loved larrikin” Brad, has joined the Tigers from AFL Queensland club Noosa Tigers, further bolstering the defensive stocks with his 6’1 frame.
Sparks is the latest in a recruiting haul that includes VFL hopeful Ryley Ferguson, Mount Pleasant’s Fletcher White, and former AFL man Marty Hore as Rochester looks to go one better in 2026.
Further up the Northern Highway, however, change is afoot.
Echuca has bid farewell to three-time premiership player Riley Smith, who has elected to move to Tongala after 108 games and four interleague appearances.
The left-foot winger was a consistent performer in the Murray Bomber’s golden era, and joins teammate Joe Guiney out at Tongala Reserve.
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