Thomson has made a promising start to the Clay Smith era, with premiership player Charley Donohue to return to Godfrey Street.
Donohue was a key component as the Tigers became the first club to win a GDFNL flag from an elimination in 2024.
He departed for Nirranda at the end of that year, featuring in a premiership with the Warrnambool and District club in 2025.
Donohue spent this year with Bellarine outfit Barwon Heads.
“After spending two years away from the club, Charley returns to the Tigers having gained valuable experience and achieved some fantastic success,” a statement on Facebook said.
“We’re absolutely rapt to have Charley back where he belongs and can’t wait to see what he brings to our club in 2027, both on and off the field.”
Donohue’s return follows the re-signings of captain and Team of the Year member Jordan Camm, Caleb Eden, Alex Anticev, Max Deller and Zac Rochow-O’Toole.
Thomson also confirmed that premiership player Mitch Hodgson had taken charge of the club’s reserves team.
Meanwhile, 2021 Whitley medallist Dyl Witney is on the move from Bell Post Hill again.
The veteran midfielder will join Nick Costello at Horsham and District club CKS Swifts.
Witney and Costello played at Great Western in 2024 before returning to Myers Reserve for the past seasons, helping the Panthers to the 2025 preliminary final.
Costello kicked 53 goals from 18 matches this year, bringing his Bell Post Hill tally to 448 goals from 155 games.
Factoring in his appearances for Anakie and Belmont Lions, he has kicked 554 goals from 226 games.
In the Bellarine, Anglesea’s fruitful off-season continues.
The Roos have announced the arrival of Billy Iles from SANFL club Central District.
Iles made 83 league appearances for the Bulldogs.
A product of the Western Jets, Iles was a teammate of Roos coach Jordan Keras at VFL club Werribee.
During his time at the Tigers, he played 18 senior games and 61 in the now-defunct development league (reserves).
Iles’ signing follows that of brothers Jay and Wil Rantall, South Barwon duo Jonty Broughton and Kelly O’Neil, returning pair Simon Umbers and Dyl Pettingill, and Rylee Smith from Calder United.
X: @krockfootball
