Having secured a couple of names already, Mansfield has signed off on a major coup — with hints of more to come.
The side set to be co-coached by another top flight alum in Jack Hutchins alongside Mitch Wareham has secured the services of ex-Collingwood player Callum Brown, who notched 70 games between 2017 and 2022 in the black and white.
Brown had been plying his trade in traditional Magpie country at Montmorency in Northern Football Netball League alongside time spent at VFL outfit Box Hill during the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old is certainly familiar with the high country, Eagles football director Bo Christopher said.
“He’s grown up in the Mansfield area on holidays with his family,” Christopher said.
“He reached out to us. It all happened very quickly and he’s very keen to play in a major league with good footy.
“Brett Mahoney’s won five best-and-fairests with us and so this move helps give him a bit of a chop out as Callum’s an inside mid.
“The leadership he can give to the young guys helps, because we played 11 under-18s this year with having a few injuries and 15 of our starting 22 was injured.
“On and off-field, he’s the loveliest guy and he’s keen to really help where he can.”
Across the league, a pair of clubs have made more moves of their own as Kyabram continues its recent signature spree.
Yet another addition to their rapidly transforming list is Jack Sheldon, back in the red and black after winning the 2019 premiership with the club before moving to Moama and trying his hand in Murray Football League competition for the past two years.
Following a week where the likes of Coby McCarthy and Zac Cerrone came home to roost, Kyabram followed up by poaching another Murray Magpie with confirmation on Thursday that Tom Holman will call Wilf Cox home again after a year up north.
Holman has been a handy contributor up forward for the Bombers, having contributed 60 goals across the 2022 and 2023 seasons before his excursion over the border and sharing in the 2019 flag alongside Sheldon.
Down the bottom end of the 2024 table, though, Tatura is seeking a new start and the first domino has fallen in its off-season recruiting drive.
Utility Adam Enever, 23, arrives at the Kennel from North Wangaratta in the Ovens and King Football League, where he won the Hawks’ best-and-fairest in 2023.
Boasting state-level junior high jump competition on his athletic resume, Enever placed fourth in the league’s best-and-fairest after a strong 2024 campaign when he was named among North Wangaratta’s best players on 12 out of 18 occasions.
There was encouraging news for undefeated Kyabram District League powerhouse Murchison-Toolamba as well, with confirmation premiership coach Brett Foley will remain at the helm for 2025 after a scintillating season in charge of the rampant green and gold outfit.
