Graceful midfielder Braydon Avola has departed the Swannery to head back to his home club Whittlesea in Northern Football Netball League.
It closes the chapter on a novel six years at Avenel for Avola, who finished runner-up in the 2022 McNamara Medal count before going one better in 2023, claiming the league best-and-fairest by 20 votes.
Avola kicked 31 goals in the 2024 season and featured in the best on 12 occasions from 16 games this season.
He leaves alongside brother Corey, who despite only playing two years at the Swans compared to his sibling’s six, was a valued member in a rebuilding Avenel side.
The brothers fantastic aren’t the only ones on their way out, either.
Matt Huy took the coaching reins over from Kasey Duncan in 2023 and, despite Avenel missing finals for the first time since 2013, he soon whipped the Swans back into the perennial September contender many know them as today.
A fourth placed finish in 2024 had Avenel head into an elimination final bout against Nagambie, but the five-goal loss spelt another crushing bow-out in the Swans’ quest to snap a 30-year premiership drought.
Huy has since stepped down from his coaching post.
Meanwhile, Stanhope recently announced a three-pronged coaching trident to spear the Lions forward in 2025.
Alec Young and Tom Hepburn have come aboard as senior co-coaches with Jack Donnell to serve as assistant coach, taking over from Adam Lovison.
Stanhope missed out on finals in 2024 on percentage alone, with the fresh appointment a sign of intent for the Lions to go one step further in next season’s campaign.
And in other news, Girgarre unveiled its new coach with John Wilson stepping up to take the senior reins from Brendan Baumann.
Wilson is no stranger to the Kangaroos having served as assistant coach for the past three seasons.
