Beaten Bellarine grand finalist Geelong Amateur has given its midfield an impressive boost, with former junior James Hickey returning to Queens Park.
Hickey has spent the past 15 seasons at Drew Oval, making his senior debut as a 16-year-old in 2013 and going on to play 145 games, including consecutive premierships in 2017-18.
He also made seven Talent League appearances for the Geelong Falcons in 2014.
After overcoming a mid-season ankle injury, Hickey returned to help Joeys to this year’s grand final, battling hard with 25 disposals (16 contested) in the loss to St Mary’s.
Hickey is the fourth member of St Joseph’s grand final team to depart the club, joining Luke Webb (Bungaree), Joey Chaplin (Western Australia) and Felix Henderson (Sebastopol).
Jack Leonard is also on the move, returning to Bellarine club Queenscliff.
Elsewhere, for the second time in as many years, St Mary’s has recruited a talent from GFNL rival Lara.
The Saints have added Werribee-listed former Geelong Falcon Josh Sanders, who is understood to have also been on the radar of St Joseph’s.
Last year, Bayley Cockerill left the Snakepit for Anthony Costa Oval and featured in St Mary’s premiership win.
Grovedale has welcomed 206cm ruck Caiden Gardiner from Cairns-based club Centrals Trinity Beach.
Gardiner, who was named in the AFL Cairns Team of the Year, has been invited to pre-season training with VFL club Werribee.
The 22-year-old finished runner-up in his club’s best-and-fairest, and last year represented an Indigenous and South Pacific All-Star team.
GDFNL club Thomson has farewelled midfielder Ben Kamaric.
The Tasmanian, who spent a year with the Tigers after two seasons at St Joseph’s, has joined Murrabit.
Murrabit previously played in the now-defunct Golden Rivers league and will begin life in the Central Murray competition in 2026, where they will be coached by former Hawthorn player Rick Ladson.
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