The 2024 VFL season is right around the corner, with all 21 clubs heading to the drawing board over the recent off-season to better their list in the hope of making a play for the premiership.
Port Melbourne have been one of the busiest clubs since Gold Coast's flag win, signing ten ex-AFL names ahead of their new campaign, while Williamstown have found success in their player pursuits after losing a pair of star defenders to the top flight.
Some affiliate VFL clubs are set to gain a big boost this year with their linked AFL clubs adding top league talent to their list, with the likes of Shaun Mannagh (Geelong), Marty Hore (Casey), Lachie Sullivan (Collingwood) and Sam Clohesy (Gold Coast) all set to feature in the VFL this year with new clubs.
Outside of the AFL-listed additions, we've predicted ten of the top VFL recruits for the 2024 season, with the Seagulls leading the way with three selections in our list.
1. Jackson Hately (Essendon)
The former GWS first-round draft selection has made his move to Victoria after being delisted by Adelaide at the cessation of the 2023 AFL season.
Hately played just the one game at senior level last year at West Lakes, spending most of his season in the SANFL where he amassed a top ten Magarey Medal finish and landed a spot in the competition's Team of the Year.
His arrival at Tullamarine comes as fellow ex-AFL players Jack Peris and Xavier O'Neill also make the switch to Essendon, with Hatley named vice-captain to assist O'Neill this year.
The trio of experienced inclusions come after the Bombers' reserves bid farewell to Tom Phillips, Quinton Narkle, Billy Cootee and Joel Fitzgerald, among others, last year.
