Serious list boosting has occurred by Picola District Football Netball League outfits over the off-season

The Tigers have added Ovens and Murray League quality with the inclusions of Jack Gerrish and Ben Bray, the latter having previously worn the yellow and black in 2022.

Midfield dynamo Bray spent five years at O&M powerhouse Wangaratta and joins the 2024 PDFL minor premier from Ovens and King League side King Valley United.

Meanwhile, pacey wingman Gerrish was a part of Wangaratta Rovers’ senior premiership in 2024, also playing in the O&M’s hair-raising victory over the Goulburn Valley League last year.

Returning Katamatite coach James Hazelman was rapt to pull off such a stunning coup following a season where his Tigers were centimetres from a grand final berth.

“Oh look, it’s huge — I think it’s good for our group, firstly that we’ve been able to retain 95 per cent of our list if not more, so that’s a massive positive moving going forward,” he said.

“I don’t think we were too far away from where we needed to be anyway and I think the group realised that.

“I suppose (you have) to go out there now and target exactly what you need and add a class player like Jack into our line-up, who’ll add incredible pace and that skill level we need to hopefully break games open.

“Benny Bray is in a similar category; he’s played at Katty before and they speak very highly of him there, so I’m rapt to have them both back.

“They’re both only 23-24 and probably starting to hit their peak, so to have them playing with us is very exciting.”

Hazelman circled Bray as an out-and-out mid who will add grunt and silk to the Tigers.

Gerrish arrives as an outside speedster — his role at the Rovers — who he’ll hope to coax into the midfield core and even start on-ball alongside his old Wangaratta College chum.

According to Hazelman, there is even scope to try Gerrish across half-back with his game-breaking qualities identified as a mystery option when the time strikes.

“I think it’s exciting to have those options, but I think for both of them, it’ll be through the midfield for sure,” Hazelman said.

The double signing isn’t the only big news at Katamatite.

Former Katunga coach Damian Kennedy will co-coach alongside Hazelman next season, returning to his home town club after taking 2024 off.

Kennedy is a premiership-winning coach and player at Katamatite, last mentoring the Tigers in 2013, which led to stints as an assistant at Barooga before eventually landing at Katunga, where he stayed for five years.

The Swans recently announced the reappointment of Nick Flanagan and Brad Crowther, while a slate of other PDFL clubs have been busy on the recruiting front.

Strathmerton has beamed in two-time GVL premiership player Thomas Campbell from Shepparton East.

The big-bodied key defender spent three seasons at the Eagles and, prior to his stint at Central Park, won flags with Shepparton Swans in 2014 and Shepparton United in 2010.

Strathmerton has also plucked ruckman Tarrynt Neville from Cobram for assistance around the stoppage.

Further east, Tungamah will have the services of key position player Ned McKeown for 2025, with the former Northern Football League staple and Northern Knights graduate slotting into the Bears’ side.

Last but not least, reigning premier Waaia has supplemented its already blue chip-worthy stocks by pulling in Barooga 200-gamer Callum Leighton-Daly and prodigal son Jayden Clarke.

Grand final best-on-ground medallist Jesse Trower was also named as assistant coach for the Bombers next season.