VFL 2024 club-by-club preview: Paul Amy’s guide to how every team is shaping up for this season

In its 150th year, Port Melbourne is expected to be the big improver after a rich recruting drive.

Fellow Victorian standlaone clubs Williamstown and 2023 grand finalist Werribee are also expected to see in September.

Here is a club-by-club guide to what’s ahead for the 21 teams.

BOX HILL HAWKS

Coach: Zane Littlejohn (second season)

Last year: 14-4, preliminary final

State of play: There’s a lot to like about the Hawks. There is every season. Since 2000, they’ve missed the finals only four times, getting to six grand finals and winning three premierships. Under first-year coach Zane Littlejohn, they went deep into September last year, pushing eventual premiers Gold Coast Suns in every minute of the preliminary final, finally falling by 15 points. Everything points to them having another successful season. They’ve retained top-liners Callum Brown and Cal Porter, and they’ve regained from knee injuries Ben Cavarra, James Parsons and Ben De Bolfo. The recruits include former Magpie Tyler Brown, who joins brother Callum at the City Oval after a stint with Adelaide, and a bunch of Coates Talent League graduates headed by Nathan Philactides from Oakleigh Chargers, Lane Ward and Seb Amoroso from Gippsland Power and Josh Tovey from Eastern Ranges. Daniel Wood, a prominent goalkicker at amateur club Whitefriars (he booted 73 goals from 17 matches last year), is another to watch for this year. Littlejohn will be in for a busy start to the season: he’s been appointed coach of the VFL representative team to meet the SANFL during Gather Round.

BRISBANE

Coach: Ben Hudson (second season)

Last year: 13-4-1, preliminary final

State of play: Brisbane has made the past two preliminary finals and its 2023 was also highlighted by Jarryd Lyons’ victory in the JJ Liston Trophy. From the side that made the final four last season and lost to Werribee, the Lions will feel the absence of Wylie Buzza, who has joined Southport. But they’ve brought in some recognisable names. Onballer Will Martyn, who played three AFL games for Richmond, has come across from Wilston Grange after a dominant season in the QAFL; utility Ewan Macpherson has made the move from Footscray Bulldogs; and midfielder Jake Lohmann has joined his brother, AFL-lister Kai, at the club, transferring from Sandringham. Other newcomers include Jamison Shea, who played five games at Southport last year; Maroochydore onballer/forward Ben Thomas; and Bailey Reeves from Finley, who had 12 mentions in the best for his Murray league club last year. Billy Richardson, a Brisbane Academy player who made his VFL debut for the Lions last year, is also on the Brissy books.

CARLTON

Coach: Luke Power (second season)

Last year: 10-8

State of play: The Blues “twos’’ are out to improve on a 10-8 finish that wasn’t quite good enough to put them into the inaugural wildcard round. An extra rung or two may come from the recruitment of former AFL pair Lachie Young and Tom Phillips and experienced VFL duo Bailey Lambert and Luke Nelson. The development of young players like Archie Stevens and Heath Ramshaw will help too. Lambert (Frankston) and Nelson (Coburg) had both stepped away from the VFL to play full-time at Noble Park, only to answer Carlton’s call to return to the state league. Defender Young, the new captain, comes from North Melbourne and wingman Phillips from Essendon VFL. Kristian Ferronato (Northern Knights) and Tyson Sruk (Eastern Ranges) are excellent signings out of the Coates Talent League. Former basketballer Ferronato averaged 28.3 disposals and 5.8 tackles last year, placing fifth in the Morrish Medal and being described as an “excitement machine’’ by AFL talent guru Kevin Sheehan. Sruk had 37 possessions in the grand final against Sandringham Dragons. As with all the AFL teams in the VFL, injuries will have a big say in Carlton’s campaign.

CASEY DEMONS

Coach: Taylor Whitford (second season)

Last year: 11-7, wildcard round, elimination final

The state of play: No team finished last season more disappointingly than Casey, which went into the elimination final against Footscary at Box Hill with a depleted line-up after Melbourne made a string of players unavailable. That the reigning premier suffered a 79-point drubbing was no surprise. Not even VFL champion James “Moose’’ Munro could lift the undermanned and overwhelmed Demons. The three-time best and fairest and 150-game player left the club a few weeks later, to coach Cora Lynn in country football. The Dees also lost the experienced Matt Buntine and George Grey in the off-season. But they made some key signings in clean-kicking former Saint Leo Connolly, Footscray tall Caleb Lewis, Frankston onballer Mitch Szybkowski and Box Hill Hawk Kai Windsor, as well as Kobe Shipp (Dandenong Stingrays), Brayden La Planche (Eastern Ranges) and Riak Andrew (Dandenong Stingrays) out of the Under 18s. Late February brought an outstanding addition in Collingwood VFL co-captain Campbell Hustwaite, who trained with the Magpies for an SSP listing. Oscar Van Dam, who made his senior debut for North Launceston at the age of 15 in 2021, is another signing for the Demons. Put the recruits with returnees Mitch White, Tom Freeman, Roan Steele, Ryan Valentine and Harvey Neocleous, and there’s more than enough talent to blend with the Melbourne contingent and reach the finals again.

COBURG

Coach: Jamie Cassidy-McNamara

Last year: 0-18

State of play: Winless last season, the Burgers go into this year optimistic they can kick clear of the bottom of the ladder, despite the departure of the top-three placegetters in their 2023 best and fairest, Ben Jepson, Aaron Clarke and Luke Nelson. They’ve brought in from other VFL clubs a bunch of players eager for more senior showings – Charlie Bowes and Jack Briskey from Port Melbourne, Joel Trudgeon and Liam Serong from Box Hill Hawks, Hugo Bromell from Footscray and Sam Grant from Carlton - and some promising types from local ranks. They include Deacon Kalpakis, a tall defender from South Morang; Henry Brown, a pressure-bearing forward from Old Scotch in the amateurs; Donovan Toohey, a well-built and well-performed player also from the VAFA; and Caleb Ernst, 195cm athletic forward from Strathfieldsaye. Look for Serong and Galvin to quickly establish themselves in a team that has 98-game player and captain Jesse Corigliano, Flynn Gentile, Mitch Podhajski, Harry Nolan and Lachie Walker as the starting point for the selectors. It’s too much to expect the Lions to take a decent stride forward this year. But expect them to take some steadying steps in the right direction.

COLLINGWOOD

Coach: Josh Fraser (third year)

Last year: 11-7, wildcard round, elimination final

State of play: There have been some exciting additions to the Pies’ list, but some notable subtractions too. Last year’s co-captains Lachie Tardrew and Campbell Hustwaite have moved on, as has the handy Viv Blackmore-Moore. But former Maggie Ben Crocker has returned after a stint at Carlton VFL, delisted Hawk Ned Long is out to reboot his career at Collingwood and Sam Sofronidis makes the move from Collegians in the VAFA, where his performances last season lifted him into draft contention. The tall defender trained for a Collingwood SSP listing and chose to play for the VFL Pies when he missed out. Watch for Wonthaggi pair Ryan Sparkes, an onballer, and Jack Hutchinson, a forward with springs in his boots, to come through too. A former AFL player involved in the Gippsland league said two weeks ago that Hutchinson, 21, could quickly develop into a draft prospect. Ruckman Boston Dowling (Oakleigh Chargers), Matt O’Brien (St Paul’s in the Southern league), Harrison Kennedy (Northern Bullants) and Cooper Macdonald (Casey Demons) are also new to the Pies, who should again be around the finals mark under astute coach Josh Fraser.

ESSENDON

Coach: Blake Caracella (first season)

Last year: 5-13

State of play: A new coach and a new-look list for the Dons, with Blake Caracella succeeding Leigh Tudor and overseeing a string of signings. Xavier O’Neill, who played 29 AFL games for West Coast, is chief among the recruits and will serve as skipper, with former GWS and Adelaide onballer Jackson Hately the vice-captain. Jack Peris, from St Kilda, is the other new Don with AFL experience. Jared Eckersley, a 192cm midfielder who played in the Gold Coast Suns’ VFL premiership last year, Geelong league hopeful Kane Loftus, well-regarded Golden Square pair Tom Toma and Ricky Monti, and Ayui Makieng from Melbourne University Blacks are among the other pick-ups. The Bombers needed to be busy after saying their farewells to young captain Billy Cootee, Joel Fitzgerald, John Jorgensen, Tom Phillips, Callum McCarty, Jack Brown and Austin Harris. The list looks stronger and Essendon’s results should get better.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS

Coach: Stewart Edge (fourth season)

Last season: 12-6, semi-final

State of play: After dropping down the ladder in 2022, the Bulldogs’ rallied last year to be back in the finals, familiar ground for them in the past decade. They also produced another AFL draftee in their captain Lachie Sullivan, a Collingwood SSP listing last month. The Dogs have brought in Trent Bianco from Collingwood, Rhett Montgomery from Essendon, Phoenix Spicer from North Melbourne and Cameron Owens from Sydney to try to offset the loss of Sullivan, the talented Luke Goater, Jay Rantall, Caleb Lewis, Ewan Macpherson and Jamieson Ballantyne. Tom McRae, crossing from Casey Demons, Chan Hargraves, stepping up from Port Melbourne Colts in the Southern league, Charlie Naish, the son of former Tiger Chris and a graduate of the Northern Knights, and Diesel Moloney, last year’s Western Jets co-captain, are other new Bulldogs. Is there another potential AFL draftee at the Dogs? It might be Josh Chatfield, 191cm, versatile and talented.

FRANKSTON

Coach: Jackson Kornberg (first season)

Last season: 4-14

State of play: In the months following the departure of coach Danny Ryan and the Dolphins’ down-the-ladder finish, players came and went like traffic on Nepean Hwy. Unfortunately the Dolphins were unable to hold on to top-liners Will Fordham, Ryley Stoddart, Kai Owens and Bailey Lambert, as well as the promising Mitch Szybkowski. On the positive side, they regained ex-AFL player Tom Murphy from local football, recruited class act George Grey from Casey Demons, got signatures out of Sandringham trio Noah Gown, Tyson Milne and Tomo Owens, and opened another door for Nick Burke, who fell out of favour at Port Melbourne. Ollie Moran, a strong wingman who was among the best-afield in Cheltenham’s Southern league premiership last year, should make his mark. There’s a bit to work with for new coach Jackson Kornberg, who can build around captain Trent Mynott, former Saint Jack Newnes, Jackson Voss, Seb Quirk, Max Williams, Taine Barlow, Colby Nayna, Joe Lloyd, Connor and Lachie Riley, and 2023 surprise-package forward Matt Johnson. It’s probably a year of consolidation for the Dolphins, but they’ll compete well and claim a few scalps along the way.

GEELONG

Coach: Mark Corrigan

Last season: 8-9-1

State of play: It was a relatively quite off-season for the Cats, making news mainly for the signing of Richmond discard Kaelen Bradtke, who kicked 24 goals for the VFL Tigers last season only to be let go in the same year he had been recruited as an SSP rookie. The Cats also picked up Camperdown’s Hamish Sinnott, who at 19 won last year’s Hampden league best and fairest, wingman Jamieson Ballantyne from Footscray Bulldogs, Osca Riccardi from the Geelong AFL squad and Ajang Kuol mun, a 205cm ruckman from Anakie who’s already had a couple of AFL recruiters making enquiries. Kuol mun – who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and arrived in Australia in 2007 - began playing football only last season. Two-time Koroit premiership player Todd White and Colac’s Tobyn Murray are other aspirants from the local region. The Cats have also locked in onballer and Geelong Falcons graduate Patrick Hughes, who with Colby McKercher shared the Morrish Medal as best and fairest in the Coates Talent League last year. On the minus side, dual best and fairest Jye Chalcraft has headed to the west, joining Swan Districts, and the handy Ben Lloyd has dropped back to local ranks.

GOLD COAST SUNS

Coach: Tate Kaeslar (first season)

Last season: premiers

State of play: Sixteen home-and-away wins and three finals victories brought the Suns their first piece of silverware last season, making for superb scenes after the grand final against Werribee at IKON Park in Carlton. In among the celebrating throng was 16-year-old Leonardo Lombard, sipping water as his teammates chugged down beer. Six months on, nine of the premiership players are no longer at the club. Coach Josh Drummond is still there, but in a new role under Damien Hardwick. Tate Kaeslar has returned for a second stint, having made the moves in 2021. He’ll have to find new scoring sources to replace Chris Burgess and Brodie McLaughlin; between them they kicked more than 100 goals last season. With an AFL squad larger than other clubs, the Suns will again top up with Academy players, one of whom was Lombard last year. Charlie Elliott, Finn Hay, Harry Sullivan, Beau Lester-Sutherland, Matthew Evans, Joshua Zanker-Close, Nathan Kady, Ben O’Brien and Nick Francis are listed as the 19-year-old Academy players this year.

GWS

Coach: Wayne Cripps

Last season: 9-9

State of play: Under first-year coach Wayne Cripps, the Giants split their 2023 season with a team as green as the grass it played on. Some new players will be seen in the orange and charcoal jumper this year and Cripps believes the recruits with strengthen the list. GWS’s main signing is Marc Sheather, who was delisted by the Swans after playing three AFL games last year. Harper Montgomery, the son of Giants assistant coach Brett, has made the move from the SANFL, and Nic Quigg, a former Murray Bushrangers co-captain, and Jackson Bowne have switched from Coburg. Ethan Williams, who played under Cripps at Sandringham, was among the Giants’ first recruits. Academy players Logan Smith, Jensen Hargreaves, Oliver Withers and Cooper Bell are also in the squad.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Coach: Tom Lynch (second season)

Last season: 10-8, wildcard round

State of play: The Kangaroos made significant improvement last season, jumping to 10 wins after only four in 2022. It put them in the wildcard round but they were depleted and took a heavy defeat. Retention as much as recruiting was their focus going into this year. They did it well, re-signing impressive skipper Jack Watkins, Sam Lowson, Jarrod Lienert, Connor Downie, Louis Butler, Jamie Hope, Ben Davis, Jamie Hope and Ben Bath, and signing reigning Casey Demons best and fairest Deakyn Smith, and Kade De Larue (Dandenong Stingrays), Cooper Lord (Sandringham Dragons), Nick Newton (Murray Bushrangers) and Charlie Harrop (Sandringham Dragons) out of the Coates Talent League. The Roos also made two eve-of-the-season signings in former Melbourne and Western Bulldogs forward Mitch Hannan and ex-Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes. They won’t see Hannan for a while; he’s recovering from a torn Achilles.

NORTHERN BULLANTS

Coach: Rohan Welsh (first season)

Last season: 2-16

State of play: Change has been the name of the game for the Ants since the end of the last season. The experienced Rohan “Woosher’’ Welsh replaced Brodie Holland as coach and the list bears little resemblance to 2023. But as GM Darren Bassett points out, the Ants kept the players they wanted to, notably Liam Mackie, Jean-Luc Velissaris, Patrick Fairlie, Matthew King, Saad El-Hawli and John Roumeliotis. Of the recruits, a few are from other VFL clubs and the Coates Talent League, a sprinkling is from interstate and most are from local football. Showing pace and an inclination to move the ball quickly, they all come together pretty handily to beat Frankston in the stand-alone carnival, with big Will Elliott (Oakleigh Chargers) and John Jorgensen (Essendon) making a dangerous duo in attack, Jason McCormick and Josh Hamilton (both on North Melbourne’s VFL list last year) looking readymade players and Caleb Franks clearly an accomplished midfielder. They’ll all play Round 1, and diminutive onballer Sam Donehan (St Albans), Bailey Tome (Mt Gravatt), Tyson Pickett (Fitzroy Stars), Wal Wuol (Berwick), Max Johnson (West Preston) and William Wallace (Sandhurst) will also push for first-up starts. The Bullants were on the end of some beltings in the late rounds last season. With a superior list, they should be far more competitive this year.

PORT MELBOURNE

Coach: Adam Skrobalak (third season)

Last season: 6-12

State of play: One of Victoria’s most iconic football clubs is in its 150th year and will celebrate with a gala ball in August. All going well the event will set the scene for a finals appearance for the Borough, whose recruiting in the off-season touched on the spectacular. It had to be: proud Port was disappointing last season and the board responded by giving coach Adam Skrobalak a one-year deal. Robbie McComb (Western Bulldogs), Sam Philp (Carlton), Roarke Smith (Western Bulldogs), Tom Highmore (St Kilda), Dan McKenzie (St Kilda), Lachlan Rankin (Sydney) and Kai Turner (Melbourne) are straight off AFL lists, and Tobe Watson and Billy Gowers have AFL experience too. Then there are Jimmy Miller, a big forward from the WAFL, Owen Mulady, a wingman from West Adelaide, Baker Smith, a key defender from the Northern Bullants, and Matt Gahan, a flanker from Southport. All up there are 24 newcomers. Ethan Phillips, Dylan Clarke, Paul Hunter, Jake Gasper and Nash Holmes were among the departures. But the recruiting and the re-signing of Harvey Hooper, Fraser Rosman, Josh Green, Tom Hird, veteran Anthony Anastasio, Angus Curry, Archi Manton, Matt Signorello, Campbell Walker and ruck pair Tom Hofert and Felix Flockart have put Port looking strong in all positions in their milestone year. The revised draw has worked in its favour too: it plays Coburg, Frankston and the Northern Bullants twice.

RICHMOND

Coach: Steve Morris (third season)

Last season: 10-7, wildcard round

State of play: Lachlan Street returns as captain of the Tigers, who made it to the wildcard last season and produced a player for their AFL squad in Tooradin-Dalmore dasher James Tresize. Mykelti Lefau also took the VFL-to-AFL path, as an SSP rookie selection in February. Is there another Tiger with the urge to emerge? They’ve brought in a host of youngsters, but also some experience in the form of former Port Adelaide AFL and Footscray Bulldogs midfielder Joel Garner and ex-WAFL player Chad Harris (returning for a second stint at Punt Rd). Garner - employed at Richmond as an indigenous player development manager – will also serve as a development coach under Morris. Out of the Coates Talent League, Sam Frangalas (Gary), Harry Scott (Allister) and Tom Bower (Nathan) join the Tigers as the sons of former players. Ry Cantwell (Oakleigh Chargers) and Liam George (Eastern Ranges) are also newcomers from the Under 18s. The local-football signings include Heidelberg’s Lachlan Wilson, who won his second Northern league medal last year, Highett best and fairest Tom McCarthy, Mt Eliza full-back Nick Girolami and Maffra utility Sam Davidson. With week-to-week stability through a core senior core of Street, Garner, Harris, Cam Olden, Mutaz El Nour and Austin Johnson, the Tigers should give the top eight a shake.

SANDRINGHAM

Coach: Jake Batchelor (fourth season)

Last year: 5-12-1

State of play: So successful in the 2000s, the Zebras have struggled in the past few seasons, going 8-9 in 2022 and 5-12 last year. But there’s no doubt they’ll enter the new season with their best list for some time. St Kilda’s decision to select a rookie from Sandringham each year prompted a batch of aspiring young players to check in at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval. It’s headed by Will Brown, best-afield in Sandringham Dragons’ premiership last season, and teammate Tarkyn O’Leary. Both were considered unlucky not to be drafted and were chased by other VFL clubs. Billy McGee-Galimberti, who also figured in the Dragons’ flag, is also at Sandy. He probably had no choice: he’s the son of legendary Sandy administrator Dennis Galimberti. A few other former Dragons are also on board: forward Hugo Hall-Kahan (back in Melbourne after a stint in Sydney), Lachie Benton, Logan Young and Mitch Ryan. Misilifi Faimolo has crossed from Richmond and Bayleigh Welsh from Frankston. The Zebras will have co-captains in Anthony Seaton and Darby Hipwell, supported by Hall-Kahan, Oliver Lowe and Vincent Zagari.

SOUTHPORT

Coach: Steve Daniel (seventh season)

Last year: 8-10

State of play: Not a week passed in the off-season without the Sharks announcing a new signing. It was always going to be the case: grand finalists in 2022, they tumbled down the ladder last season, settling in unfamiliar territory. There’s a big list of inclusions, the most significant being former AFL forward Wylie Buzza, nabbed from Brisbane after a 40-goal season. Coach Steve Daniel will also put on his board Ben Jepson, Coburg’s best and fairest in 2023; classy mover Will Sexton from the Northern Bullants; returning premiership defender Rhys Clark; tall forward Hugo Dixon, who had AFL experience at the Dockers and Eagles; WAFL speedster Aiden Hall; and 2023 premiership Gold Coast Sun Campbell Lake. Keegan Gray, who was in Werribee’s grand final team last year, will also push into the team. Champion midfielder Jacob Dawson, winner of the past three Southport best and fairests, will lead from the front as co-captain, with big Brayden Crossley at his side. Mackenzie Willis, Zac Foot and Matt Shannon are vice-captains. The Sharks are well equipped for the season. The top-four looks in store.

SYDNEY

Coach: Damian Truslove (second season)

Last year: 4-14

State of play: Last season was a battle for the Swannies, with their four wins put into the shadow by 14 losses. They’ve bolstered their squad and with a regular supply of AFL players there’s no reason they can’t replicate the success they had in 2022. Will Kelly comes straight off Collingwood’s list, onballer Ben Edwards arrives with an excellent reputation from the WAFL, inside midfielder Ben Ashley-Cooper should handle the step-up from the strong Ovens and Murray league, former Academy player Pierce Roseby is back after two seasons at Frankston and Hugo Birks came through as a goalkicker for Drouin last year in the Gippsland league. Wingman Koby Grass, formerly at Gippsland Power, and forward Phil Moimoi, who was on Sandringham’s list last year and was also a prominent goalkicker with Geelong West in the Geelong league, are other new state league Swannies. Moimoi has spun a few heads with his power and poise and could be a player to track this year.

WERRIBEE

Coach: Jimmy Allan

Last season: 16-2, grand final

State of play: The Bees’ stirring run to the grand final under Michael Barlow and their quest for their first premiership in 30 years made for a memorable end to the 2023 season. They gave it everything, and then a bit more, but couldn’t get the better of a Gold Coast side stacked with AFL talent. The defeat was the cue for two-time JJ Liston Trophy champion Tommy Gribble, four-time best and fairest Matt Hanson, former captain Michael Sodomaco and long-serving forward Josh Porter to close their decorated VFL careers. Grand final hero Shaun Mannagh and Sam Clohesy (both drafted), and Noah Lever (Balwyn), Lucas Rocci and Keegan Gray (Southport) are also no longer around. And Barlow, of course, went to North Melbourne as a development coach. Former Bee and SANFL champion Jimmy Allan replaced him and has the task of keeping Werribee in the top rungs. The recruitment of Corey Preston and Daly Andrews from Williamstown, of Cooper Whyte from Geelong AFL, of Riley Bice from Albury, of ex-VFL Blue Stefan Radovanovic from Keilor and of Angus Hicks from Richmond VFL will help, as will the returns of big Darcy Bennett and Reuben William. Put them with the likes of Nick Coughlan, Dom Brew, Kye Declase, Hudson Garoni, Jack Henderson, Nick Hayes, Harry Grintell, Sam Paea, Bior Malual, Louis Pinnuck and Wardell Lual, and it’s a classy combination for the Bees.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Coach: Justin Plapp (fourth season)

Last season: 13-5, semi-final

State of play: If Port Melbourne was the busiest club when it came to recruiting in the off-season, its great rival wasn’t far behind. Port landed a number of former AFL players and so did the Towners, securing Aiden Bonar from North Melbourne, ex-Tiger Riley Collier-Dawkins from Woodville-West Torrens and Luke Parks from Carlton, as well as Blake Coleman from Brisbane and Brodie McLaughlin from Gold Coast. They also lured former AFL pair Will Fordham and Ryley Stoddart from Frankston, Joel Fitzgerald from Essendon VFL, Tasmanian prospect Heath Ollington, tall forward Jovan Petric from Keilor/Western Jets, and Josh Browne from West Coast in the WAFL. The return of former leading goalkicker Corey Rich was a bonus. With intercepting pair Oscar McDonald and Marty Hore being recalled to the AFL, coach Justin Plapp has had to reorganise his defence. Finbar O’Dwyer and young Ben Andrews will fill the key posts, flanked by the likes of Jake Gresier, Cameron Polson, Bonar, Parks and Stoddart. The Seagulls have a strong list. They’re in for a strong season.