Paul Amy’s 61 notable VFL player signings for 2023

 Cameron Anderson, Werribee: A cousin of new Magpie Bobby Hill, Anderson was a WA Under 18 representative in 2019 and played seven senior games for Claremont. Has speed to spend and a willingness to attack from defence.

Kobe Annand, Werribee: A 200cm, 21-year-old ruck hope from the Geelong Football League, where he was runner-up in the North Shore best and fairest last year.

Sam Azzi, Werribee: The Ovens and Murray has been fertile recruiting territory for the Bees in the past decade or so, and Azzi is their latest signing from the respected league. The 196cm defender was second in North Albury’s best and fairest last year.

Charlie Beasley, Coburg: After stints at Port Melbourne and Box Hill Hawks, the key defender should receive more senior opportunities this year as the Burgers recast their line-up. Beasley played four games for the Hawks last year and will probably get a crack at replacing WAFL-bound Jack Maibaum.

Harley Bennell, Port Melbourne: Played 88 games in a stop-start AFL career that was derailed by off-field indiscretions and injuries. The former Sun, Docker and Demon has been playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League.

Chayce Black, Frankston: The son of former AFL dasher Heath is a good footballer in his own right. Black had a stop at Box Hill Hawks before dropping back to local ranks with Wandin last year, getting 13 mentions in the best.

Jack Boyd, Werribee: Often recalled for the soaring high mark he took under lights at Frankston in 2021, Boyd was a mainstay of the North Bullants team for the past two seasons. With the likes of Tommy Gribble, Matt Hanson and Shaun Mannagh in front of him, the 196cm forward should see more of the ball this year. Kicked 24 goals for the Ants last season.

Cal Brown, Box Hill Hawks: from the black and white to the brown and gold for Brown, 24, who left Collingwood after 70 AFL games. He was exceptional in the VFL last year, averaging more than 26 possessions.

Louis Butler, North Melbourne: The former Sandy Dragon joined the VFL Roos after playing four AFL matches with the Western Bulldogs from 2020-22. Performed consistently across 14 games for the Footscray Bulldogs last year, collecting 20 possessions or more on nine occasions.

Finn Emile-Brennan, Casey Demons: He’s as slim as a sapling, but Emile-Brennan was a standout for the Dandenong Stingrays last year with his kicking out of defence. He was also in Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy, which explains his move to the VFL Demons. Emile-Brennan has to get stronger but there’s no doubting his ability.

Dylan Clarke, Port Melbourne: A few VFL clubs sought the signature of the former AFL Bomber and the Borough were understandably chuffed when they snaffled it. Clarke was at Woodville-West Torrens last year, averaging 23.6 possessions from his 18 matches. The left-footer made 24 AFL appearances for the Dons from 2017 to 2021 and in between was a dominant VFL midfielder.

Matt Conroy, Southport: The 199cm forward and ruckman joined a long list of ex-Gold Coast players to find a new football home with the Sharks. From North Queensland, Conroy had three years with the Suns and played 20 VFL games last year.

Mitch Cox, Williamstown: The midfielder/forward joins the Towners after spending 2022 with the Brisbane Lions as a pick-up during the pre-season supplemental selection period. Cox had signed with Willy before making the move to the Lions, where he did well in the VFL but failed to play an AFL game. A bolting start to 2023 could get clubs thinking about him as a mid-season draft prospect.

Ben Davis, North Melbourne: The ex-Adelaide Crow has relocated to Melbourne to play under his former AFL teammate Tom Lynch. Originally from NSW, Davis spent six years with the Crows and had 11 AFL games from 2019-2022.

Connor Downie, North Melbourne: The 20-year-old left-footer is keen to gain a second AFL opportunity after a two-year stint at Hawthorn brought him two AFL games in 2021.

Kyle Dunkley, Brisbane: The five-game former AFL Demon has followed his brother Josh to the Lions lair. Dunkley was with the Northern Bullants last year.

Nick Ebinger, Williamstown: A return from local football for the clever forward, who made his name with his dazzling marking in the 2019 finals series, including the decider against Richmond.

Jackson Edwards, Southport: The son of Crows great Tyson, Edwards was a rookie with Adelaide in 2018 and later played with Glenelg and West Adelaide in the SANFL.

Mutaz El Nour, Richmond: With his ability to nonchalantly pick off marks across halfback, El Nour came to notice with the Bullants last year. He’s made the switch from a stand-alone to an AFL club in the hope of progressing his career.

Corey Ellison, Williamstown: The 194cm Ellison figured in Casey’s VFL flag last year and was selected for 20 games, but was keen to test his fortune at a stand-alone club. Can kick goals but flip to the other end of the ground and stop them too, versatility that will be valued at Point Gellibrand.

Patrick Fairlie, Northern Bullants: The Ants had a good in when it came to recruiting onballer Fairlie: he’s the cousin of club top-liner Liam Mackie. He comes from the SANFL, where he gave West Adelaide stout service last year.

Noah Gown, Sandringham: On Essendon’s list in 2019-20, the tall forward arrives at the Zebras via Williamstown. Booted 17 goals from 15 matches for the Seagulls last year but he’s capable of better.

Josh Green, Port Melbourne: Tom Green was a fine AFL player for GWS last year and his younger brother Josh was more than useful for the Giants in the VFL. The tall onballer averaged 18.5 touches in 14 games, finishing runner-up in the best and fairest. Should come under notice quickly at the Borough.

Brayden Ham, Geelong: Has returned to the region from where he emerged to be drafted by Essendon and play 45 AFL games from 2019-2022. The ex-Falcon should be among new coach Mark Corrigan’s most influential players.

Sam Hayes, Northern Bullants: Might be a player who can come through as an attacking defender. Linked with the Ants from Southern league club Cheltenham, where he was a team of the year selection in Division 1. Hayes had been on Frankston’s books as an Academy player.

Marty Hore, Williamstown: The creative and classy defender is a key signing for Willy, who brought him across from North Melbourne VFL. Hore played 14 AFL games for Melbourne in 2019 but struck injury problems in the following two seasons.

Ben Jolley, Williamstown: Jolley, soon to 37, returns to the club where he played the bulk of his 290 VFL games but was jettisoned at the end of 2018. He joined Essendon’s VFL program last year as a playing assistant coach but, to his great frustration, he played only three games. Willy believe their former premiership captain still has a lot to offer, on and off the ground. With a little luck, he’ll join Bill Swan and Fred Cook as 300-game players in the VFA/VFL.

Harry Jones, Williamstown: The one-game AFL Hawk was among Willy’s first signings as they got busy bolstering their list after a thin 2022. Jones was the North Melbourne VFL best and fairest in 2021 and its captain last season.

Jordan Lane, Port Melbourne: The Borough signed the 201cm forward from Kingborough Tigers, where last year he booted 43 goals and was awarded the Matthew Richardson Medal as the best Under 23 player in the Tasmanian State League.

Jedd Longmire, Collingwood: The nephew of Swans coach John signed with the Pies after playing handily for the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB league last year. The onballer also made senior appearances for Corowa Rutherglen in the strong Ovens and Murray league and captained the Assumption College First XVIII.

Jarrod Lienert, North Melbourne: Part of a package of former AFL players heading to Arden St, the ex-Port Adelaide and St Kilda defender has a playing and coaching role with the Roos, supporting coach Tom Lynch.

Sam Lowson, North Melbourne: The clever small forward left Coburg to join North, where former Burgers senior coach Leigh Adams is on Alastair Clarkson’s coaching panel. Lowson was a handy performer for Coburg last year but gained attention for his deeds in local football: he kicked 15 goals in a game and played in East Ringwood’s premiership team in the Eastern league.

Oscar McDonald, Williamstown: At 26, the former Demon and Blue brings the experience of 86 AFL games and key-position versatility to the Seagulls. McDonald was contacted by many clubs as he came off Carlton’s list but his association with Williamstown coach Justin Plapp at Melbourne took him west.

Garrett McDonagh, Richmond: The halfback with the penetrating kick is back with the VFL Tigers after a 12-month stop with Essendon, which selected him in the 2021 national draft.

Hugo McGlashan, Coburg: New Lions coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara brought the midfielder across from Old Trinity in the VAFA, where he finished second in the best and fairest last year.

Matt McGuinness, Southport: The tall defender from Tasmania heads to another state after three years on North Melbourne’s list. Last year he played 17 matches in the VFL, averaging 17 disposals and six marks.

Liam McMahon, Carlton: Collingwood’s 2020 national draft selection switched to the Blues after being discarded by the Pies. New Carlton coach Luke Power says McMahon showed a lot of potential in his two years at Collingwood and will continue to develop.

Nick Minchin, Frankston: With Liam Reidy drafted to Fremantle, the Dolphins needed a new ruckman and they found one in the 200cm Minchin, who is back in Victoria after a two-year tilt with Glenelg in the SANFL.

Toby Murray, Essendon: The 199cm brother of Sam and Nick popped up at Collingwood VFL last year and also played regularly for the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League as a 19-year-old.

Patrick Naish, Box Hill Hawks: One of the best VFL recruits of the off-season, for certain. Naish played nine AFL games with Richmond and 11 with West Coast Eagles last year after being signed shortly before the season.

Sam Naismith, Port Melbourne: At 206cm, it will be hard to miss Naismith at North Port Oval this year. The 30-year-old was whacked with knee problems at the Sydney Swans but managed to get in 30 AFL games. With Paul Hunter re-signing, Port will have the best and biggest ruck pairing in the competition.

Tom Phillips, Essendon: His supporters think that at age 26 and with 115 AFL games behind him, Phillips should be on an AFL list. But the ex-Magpie and Hawk will start 2023 with Essendon’s VFL squad, an outstanding recruit for returning Bombers coach Leigh Tudor and potentially a mid-season slot-in for the AFL Dons.

Liam Podhajski, Coburg: The 202cm ruckman from the Northern Bullants has joined his brother Mitch at the City Oval; a hit for the Ants, a lifter for the Lions.

Jason Pongracic, Williamstown: A member of Willy’s 2019 grand final team, the strong midfielder has returned to the club after a spell overseas.

Caleb Poulter, Footscray Bulldogs: A snappy signing for the VFL Dogs is the delisted Magpie, who played 11 games in his first season at Collingwood but only one last year. A few Pies supporters thought he might have been unlucky to be delisted.

Jay Rantall, Footscray Bulldogs: the former Collingwood midfielder joined Norwood in the SANFL last year and collected 25 disposals in its grand final victory over North Adelaide. Having averaged 22.7 possessions from his 21 matches for the Redlegs, the 21-year-old can be expected to be a leading player in the VFL this year.

Lockie Rayner, Brisbane: Another Rayner for the Lions in 197cm Lockie, the brother of AFL ace Cam. Was on Essendon’s VFL list last year and played locally in the Essendon District league.

Mitch Riordan, Port Melbourne: A transfer to a stand-alone club for the former Gold Coast-listed midfielder, who had been at Sandringham since 2021.

Jack Riding, Werribee: The left-footer is coming off a best and fairest season at North Ballarat. The 22-year-old slotted 37 goals from 16 games and was in the Ballarat league team of the year.

Ben Rigoni, Coburg: The onballer is looking to take the sizeable step from country ranks to the VFL after winning the league best and fairest in the strong Goulburn Valley league last year.

Ben Ronke, Carlton: The slippery small forward has landed at the VFL Blues after a 44-game career at the Swans, highlighted by a bag of seven goals against Hawthorn in 2018.

Fraser Rosman, Port Melbourne: The left-foot defender will fortify the Borough defence with his gobble-up-ground kicking and height. The former Sandringham Dragon was somewhat surprisingly let go after two years with Melbourne.

Brandon Ryan, Northern Bullants: The 200cm forward booted 38 goals for Maribyrnong Park in the Premier Division of the Essendon District league last year, suggesting he’ll be a useful addition to the Bullants. Was on North Melbourne’s VFL books in 2018.

Tynan Smith, Northern Bullants: Underrated forward who battled hard for the Ants last year to kick 15 goals in a one-win season. Should enjoy more scoring opportunities as a Cat.

Nick Stevens, North Melbourne: Former AFL player Troy Selwood gave Stevens some lift-off on social media after the Roos locked in the former Cat. He said he hoped AFL list-management teams would track the 192cm Stevens, who spent two years with Geelong. “Versatile and athletic player, his best footy is ahead of him and has a first-class attitude,’’ Selwood said.

Joel Trudgeon, Box Hill Hawks: the onballer gave Carlton stout service last year and the Blues were understandably disappointed when the 2021 Northern Knights captain set his compass east for 2023. Trudgeon might have another level in him, and he’s a good get for the Hawks.

Mathew Walker, Williamstown: The former Hawthorn-listed forward was one of four VFL Kangaroos to cross to the Seagulls, who think he can be a consistent scoring source. Booted 20 goals from 11 outings last season.

Bailey Van De Heuvel, Geelong: The Cats have brought in aerial power in the form of Van De Heuvel, who showed in his time at Footscray Bulldogs that he is one of the best marks in state league football. He took 11 grabs against Essendon and 10 against Geelong last year, giving the Cats a show of his ability in the air.

Tom Wilson, Collingwood: what a blow it was for the Northern Bullants to lose their inspirational captain Tom Wilson. What a boost it was for Collingwood to gain him. After 140 matches and five best and fairests with the Ants, he felt he needed to recharge at another club. Wilson trained at Frankston, which offered him a playing and coaching role, but in the end he chose to join his former Bullants coach Josh Fraser at the Magpies.

Tyson Young, Northern Bullants: the 25-year-old, a leading local player with Airport West in the Essendon District league, is having another dash at the VFL after an earlier stint with Williamstown.