INS & OUTS 2026

[azza1719]

Centrals have two more coming over from Sandringham in the VFL: a 207cm ruck option and a forward.

Dittmars defection didnt bother/surprise me. He was with us 2 years and has made it clear he is AFL bound and Norwood is his best chance.
Montgomeries move killed me off as an SANFL fan... a player good enough to play State and a long time Doggie. What's the point?

Is this still happening?

Yes it is,
there will be several new players announced next week.
A few AFL academy players.

Next week now, just tying up a few loose ends.

Any risk of these recruits not coming? Any word on positions they play?

[Jim05]

Should we run a wager on here of what comes first, the Centrals recruits or the big Port announcement

[CENTURION]

I don't know any more details yet.

[southernbulldog]

Does the big Port announcement involve a player or players

[TDJ44]

Should we run a wager on here of what comes first, the Centrals recruits or the big Port announcement

I'd put my money on the port announcement.

[CENTURION]

Does the big Port announcement involve a player or players

Hopefully it involves all of them & they're leaving the SANFL!

[CENTURION]

Should we run a wager on here of what comes first, the Centrals recruits or the big Port announcement

I'd put my money on the port announcement.

I wouldn't get too excited, if any of the players are any good they'll get stolen in one of the drafts.

[BoomBabyDagger]

Word going around is that ash johnson will be back at sturt this year.

Stacks up - Reported he walked out on the Eagles WAFL mid pre-season.

[DOC]

He will shave to play for next to nothing being this late. If he harbours an AFL return he probably will.

[wenchbarwer]

He will shave to play for next to nothing being this late. If he harbours an AFL return he probably will.

He's not AFL standard, proved that the last couple of years

[RB]

He will shave to play for next to nothing being this late. If he harbours an AFL return he probably will.

It would be a bald-faced lie to say I was confident he returns to AFL level after he was cut by Collingwood last year.

[am Bays]

He's currently playing for Districts in the NTFL

[Brodlach]

He could potentially have Wests entire salary cap….

[DOC]

He's currently playing for Districts in the NTFL

He was until 9 weeks ago. Since then been in Perth with West Coasts reserves.

[am Bays]

Expected back to play finals

[pmackk]

Ash Johnson officially back at sturt good signing as we needed a forward after the retirement of mcfadyen.

[Booney]

From Collingwood FC :

2023 VFL premiership player Oskar Faulkhead joins the fold, with the former AFL-listed SUN joining the Pies after spending 2025 with North Adelaide in the SANFL.

Faulkhead isn’t the only SANFL player to cross the border in 2026, with Faulkhead’s North Adelaide teammate Zavier Maher joining him at the KGM Centre along with Robert Varcoe (Norwood U18s) and Hamish Collins (North Adelaide U18s).

[UK Fan]

The Central District Football Club is today pleased to welcome the signings of Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong (Riverina FL) midfielder Matthew Hamblin and small forward Jake Fairman.

Both Matt and Jake have represented the GWS Academy at different times. While Matt has been playing regular senior football for GGGM, Jake made his senior debut with the Lions in 2025.

Hamblin, 24, stands at 178cm and has quite an impressive football résumé after dominating the Riverina competition since first making his senior debut as a 16-year-old back in 2019. Incredibly, Matt won the League Best & Fairest Award for being the best player in the competition in season 2020 at the tender age of 17. The name Hamblin will not be lost on too many of our Central faithful, with Uncle Murray playing 49 games for the Dogs between 1999–2002.

Fairman is 18 and stands at 177cm. He played 12 senior games for GGGM in 2025, being named best player on four occasions and kicking nine goals as a small forward, while also playing a little on-ball. Jake also represented the GWS Giants Academy during the 2024/25 seasons and played on three further occasions at U18 level for AFL NSW/ACT. A nicely skilled, well-balanced, and very quick forward, Fairman will fit in nicely with the Bulldog camp.

Football Manager Mark Ross had the following to say about our latest two signings:

“We have been trying to entice Matt to the Ponderosa for a few years now, as have many of the Statewide clubs throughout Australia. A well-balanced, two-sided player, Matt finds a lot of the football and uses it incredibly well. In season 2025, Matt played 20 senior games, kicking 31 goals and was named best afield on 17 occasions.”

Ross said, “Jake has an enormous amount of talent and is one who we believe will develop nicely over the coming season. He will naturally find the footy, is a good decision-maker, and executes well.”

We welcome both boys to the Ponderosa.

[DOC]

Dakota Sterzl has signed with Port. Interesting to note that he has listed South as his club if not playing for Port.

Would have thought it would have been Happy Valley. Must not have eventuated.

[wenchbarwer]

Dakota Sterzl has signed with Port. Interesting to note that he has listed South as his club if not playing for Port.

Would have thought it would have been Happy Valley. Must not have eventuated.

He'd be a 4 pointer at Valleys, maybe they don't have the room?