Dual Lancaster premiership coach Tom Davies is on the move.

The utility star who led from the front to help steer the Kyabram District League Wombats to memorable flag wins in the 2022 and 2023 seasons will play with Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley Football League in 2027.

Davies has played with the Wombats since returning from Darwin in 2019.

He won the league’s McNamara Medal in 2021.

As well as leading the club to two flags he has also been a member of two runner-up Lancaster sides, including this year when it lost the grand final to Nagambie.

He formerly played with the Wombats before a stint with Goulburn Valley League club Shepparton Swans and in the AFL Darwin competition.

Davies said he harboured a willingness to coach again when he returned to the Goulburn Valley after his time at Pyramid Hill.

‘‘That’s the intention at the moment anyway,’’ Davies said.

Lancaster has recruited Mitch Gugliotti from Kyabram for the 2027 season and has reappointed Nick Ryan as senior coach.

Demons adding talent

GVL clubs are certainly loading up for the 2027 season.

While Kyabram has got its share of talented newcomers, Shepparton United is also bolstering its ranks with quality players.

The Demons have already added a former junior star at the club and five-time Heidelberg premiership player Zane Barzen along with Collingwood VFL player Zavier Maher to its ranks.

Now this season’s VFL premiership skipper Stu Horner is heading to Demonland next year after 129 games at senior level with Box Hill.

Robin recruitment a steal

Kyabram District League club Shepparton East has been active on the recruiting front with a trio of well-credentialed players lining up with the club next season.

They include former Richmond and North Melbourne forward Robin Nahas who has played 117 AFL games, Seymour premiership player Jake Anderson and Eastern League midfielder Damian Murray, who finished runner-up for the Sir Gilbert Chandler Medal this year.

Shepparton Swans haven’t been idle in the recruiting stakes either signing on Victorian Amateur Football Association representative Sam Tucker from the St Kevin’s club for next season.

Test talent coming to Cohuna

Former Australian fast bowler James Pattinson will an make an appearance in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s T20 competition this season.

Pattinson at this stage will play a one-off game with Nondies Cohuna Cricket Club at Cohuna on December 10.

One of Pattison’s rivals in that game will be the skipper Regis Chakabva, a former Zimbabwean representative player who captains Bamawm Lockington United these days.

Nondies-Cohuna is hoping Pattinson may also continue in the T20 competition, if it enjoys some initial success, and even play some 50-over games.

Leagues to clash

A much-anticipated cricket clash will be staged later this month.

It will be an interleague clash between the Goulburn Murray Cricket and Cricket Shepparton competitions and will be played at the Echuca South oval.

Cricket Shepparton has got on the front foot and named its squad for the clash which includes Kyabram players Kyle and Cade Mueller, Jackson, Billy and Charlie McLay and Sam Langley.

Cade Mueller has made a brilliant start to the season with scores totalling 306 runs in the first four games.

Steele’s road bypasses Congupna

Murray league premier Congupna has had a pleasing response re-signing members of this year’s premiership side, but it has missed out on the recruit of the year.

Collingwood legend Steele Sidebottom has answered one of football’s most tantalising questions by announcing he is playing with Wonthaggi in West Gippsland Football League in season 2027.

Congupna was hoping the just-retired and two times 35-year-old Collingwood premiership player would return to where it all started for him, Congupna, but family and mateship — he is close to Collingwood’s 2010 premiership teammate Jarryd Blair and a connection with Wonthaggi’s junior development program since 2014 — have been factors in Sidebottom’s much-anticipated decision.

And while most of this year’s Congupna flag winning line-up has committed to go around with the club again in 2027 two recruits of note who will also play with The Road next season.

Benalla’s David Mennen and former Kyabram District Team of the Year member Jordan Gattuso from Shepparton East have joined the Road machine.

Dynamic pair to lead Mowers

Moama Football Netball Club’s two best netballers in season 2026 will have more important roles with the club next year.

Eesha Clarke and Chelsea Wright, best-and-fairest winner and runner-up respectively in this year’s club award have been appointed joint coaches of the Murray league Magpies for the 2027 season.

The midcourters are replacing Carri Cartrer, who led the side to an elimination final this year.

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Saturday, 10th April 2027

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