Sport

Rumba welcomes top-grade experience, Daniels back in Blues’ top job

By Josh Huntly

Sep 1, 2026

Jamason Daniels has been appointed Numurkah's senior coach. Photo by Aidan Briggs

While finals action hasn’t befallen these clubs, the wheels of action for the next campaign are already in motion.

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Benalla in particular has moved quickly to secure its 2027 senior list, re-signing several of its key players after a 4-14 Goulburn Valley League campaign.

Star ruckman Mark Marriott has established himself as one of the league’s premier big men, and the Saints will see more of his services next time around after signing him on.

The back-to-back Benalla best-and-fairest winner ranked third in the GVL for hitouts and made his presence felt across the ground, averaging 16 disposals and six clearances per game — numbers that speak clearly to his importance at Benalla Showgrounds.

The Saints have also re-signed leading goalkicker Michael Mummery, whose first season in the GVL since crossing from Rumbalara yielded 38 goals.

The experienced Kevin Maroney has also been a rock for Benalla, while young guns Tyler McGregor, Ryley Ely, and Cooper Gracie are also returning in a positive step for the future of the club.

In coaching circles, Euroa has recommitted coach Brad Gleeson, while Rochester will head into next year under former AFL man Marty Hore after Ash Watson’s departure from the role.

In the Murray league, Rumbalara has made an early splash in the recruiting stakes and bolstered its forward stocks in a big way.

Rumbalara has lured former Dandenong Stingray and St Kilda Category B rookie Josiah Kyle to Mercury Drive, while talented former VFL player Jaylon Thorpe will also return, continuing a proud family connection with the club.

Thorpe, who played five games for Rumbalara back in the 2016 season for 20 goals, played for Williamstown, Box Hill, and the Northern Blues, and crosses over from West Preston-Lakeside where he played six games in 2026.

Meanwhile, there’s been positive news for Numurkah despite bowing out of the Murray league premiership race at the weekend.

The Blues have appointed Jamason Daniels as its senior coach, returning after a stint coaching Numurkah in 2023 and 2024.

Daniels played eight games for the Blues this season and will be joined on the coaching by Zach McKeown, Ben Smyth, and Brad Dobson in place of co-coaches Chris O’Dwyer, Jordan O’Dwyer and Tim Arnel.