A family connection has helped South Barwon land talented Geelong Falcons graduate Tom Teague.
Teague, who finished runner-up in the Falcons’ best-and-fairest, is a nephew of Swans coach Mark Neeld.
In addition to playing 14 matches at Talent League level, the 178cm defender made two senior appearances for Bellarine club Ocean Grove.
Teague’s signing is the second of the week for this year’s runner-up, with Hamish Cook arriving from Hampden League club Hamilton Kangaroos.
The 190cm Cook, who trained with South throughout the year, kicked 117 goals from 77 senior matches with the Roos.
The Swans have been one of the busiest clubs less than a month into the off-season, having already added Jack Henderson from Barwon Heads and welcomed back James Syddall and Luke Davis from the Bellarine Seagulls and Pat Cunningham from South Rovers.
Departures include 2024 Mathieson medallist Doyle Madigan, who has returned to junior club Torquay, while Jonty Broughton and Kelly O’Neil have headed further down the Great Ocean Road to Anglesea.
After one season at McDonald Reserve, Rory Phillips is returning to Ocean Grove.
Meanwhile, Neeld has added a pair of former coaches from the region to his staff for 2027.
Ex-Winchelsea coach Christian Shaw and recently departed Barwon Heads mentor Sam Schaller will both take a seat in the box.
A champion local player, Shaw spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at home club Bannockburn.
Schaller had four seasons in charge of the Seagulls.
They will replace Damien McMahon and Alex Tortora. McMahon has been appointed coach of Ocean Grove, and Tortora has joined the Grubbers as head of development.
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