Recently departed Essendon defender Kaine Baldwin has linked up with standalone VFL club Port Melbourne ahead of the 2025 season.
Baldwin has made the move to North Port Oval just under a month away from the Borough's opening game of the new campaign, with the 22-year-old having only left the Bombers in mid-February.
The 193cm swingman was cut from Essendon's list at the cessation of the 2024 season but was invited back to Tullamarine to train for another contract via the Supplemental Selection Period.
Competing for one spot against VFL Bomber Will Hoare and WAFL forward Tom Edwards, Baldwin fell short of another chance in the red sash as Essendon handed their last remaining list spot to Edwards.
The Glenelg product has landed at Port Melbourne since his Dons exit, linking up with ex-Essendon teammates Dyson Heppell, Jayden Davey and Tex Wanganeen in making the VFL move.
Baldwin featured in Saturday's come-from-behind win over Frankston at the standalone pre-season carnival in Ballarat, with Davey and fellow top-line recruits Charlie Lazzaro, James Van Es and Dominic Bedendo also named.
A move back to the state league level for Baldwin comes after four seasons in the top flight with Essendon, who recruited the former forward after a promising stint in the SANFL.
Baldwin, who joined the Bombers as an SSP recruit, managed just eight games in the AFL as he dealt with a series of long-term setbacks across his time with the club.
He would not feature in the VFL either last year, keeping his career tally at 23 matches at the level.
Port Melbourne's 2025 season gets underway against Brisbane on Saturday, March 22 in Ipswich, with pre-season games against Box Hill and Geelong to come in the lead-up.
