Ex-AFL players return to local football in Victoria

There will be an abundance of talent on display in Victorian leagues in 2022, as numerous ex-AFL players are returning to local football.

Clubs in both metropolitan and WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country have enjoyed successful off-season recruitment campaigns, with former players returning to support in both playing and coaching capacities.

Whether returning to their former clubs or starting afresh, the amount of talent on display across the state is sure to provide a boost for community football, as it continues to bounce back in the wake on the pandemic.

Scroll down to find out which ex-AFL stars will be joining your local league for the 2022 season.

Ballarat Football League

• Jackson Merrett (East Point)
• Brett Bewley (Darley - former club)

Bellarine Football League

• Aaron Black (Modewarre)
• Sam Darley (Geelong Amateur)
• Tom Ruggles (Drysdale FNC - junior club; coaching role)
  
  

Colac & District Football League

• Max Rooke (Otway Districts)
  
  

Eastern Football League

• Cameron Cloke (Templestowe)
• Matt Arnot (Vermont)
• Josh Deluca (Doncaster East)
  
  

Essendon District Football League

• Paul Ahern (Pascoe Vale)
• Shaun McKernan (Tullamarine)
• Jake Carlisle (Craigieburn - mentoring role)
  
  

Geelong Football League

• Darcy Lang (Colac - player/coach)
  

Darcy Lang returns to Colac in a player/coaching capacity

Gippsland Football League

• Logan Austin (Bairnsdale)
• Brett Eddy (Traralgon)
• Nick Graham (Warragul)
• Jed Lamb (Warragul)
• Jack Leslie (Sale)
  
  

Goulburn Valley League

• Shaun Atley (Rochester)
• Jack Hutchins (Mansfield)
• Sam J. Reid (Echuca)
• Michael Hartley (Seymour)
  
  

Hampden Football League

• Nathan Vardy (North Warrnambool
  
  

Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League

• Dylan Roberton (Frankston YCW)
• Shane Savage (Pines)
• Brandon White (Devon Meadows)
• Ryan Bastinac (Pearcedale)
  
  

Murray Football League

• Brock McLean (Tongala)
• Kyle Dunkley (Barooga FNC)
  
  

Northern Football League

• Daniel Gorringe (Greensborough)
• Mitch Honeychurch (Montmorency)
• Lin Jong (Montmorency)
• Jordan Schroder (Northcote Park)
• Jarrad Waite (Whittlesea)
• Brayden Sier (Heidelberg)
• David Zaharakis (Bundoora)
  
  

Ovens and Murray Football League

• Tim Broomhead (North Albury)
• Michael Gibbons (Yarrawonga)
  
  

Southern Football League

• Liam Sumner (St Paul’s)
• Tyrone Vickery (Springvale Districts)
  
  

Victorian Amateur Football Association

• Scott Selwood (Ivanhoe)
• Aaron vandenBerg (Old Xaverians)
  
  

West Gippsland Football League

• Brent Macaffer (Tooradin Dalmore)
  
  

Western Region Football League

• Aaron Edwards (Deer Park)
• Levi Greenwood (Deer Park)
• Connor Menadue (Altona)
  
  

Wimmera Mallee

• Tanner Smith (Minyip Murtoa)