Newport has signed Altona midfielder Tate Ferguson for next year's Western Football League division 1 season. Ferguson played 13 senior games for Altona this season and three games for the Western Jets in the Talent League. The Panthers describe him as a fit, dynamic midfielder who uses the ball well. His father, Joe, was a senior coach of Newport in 1997 and 1998 and won the club's best and fairest award. The club has also re-signed Jackson Fullerton, Malek El-Hassan, Fawzi Eldanawi, Khaled Jawad, Jawad Jawad, Mustafa Mesto and Bill Chehade.
Sydney Thunder have signed South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk on a one-year deal for WBBL|12, with full availability including finals. The 26-year-old has played 33 Big Bash games for Brisbane Heat since 2020. Thunder general manager Trent Copeland called her one of the best allrounders in world cricket. De Klerk is set to reunite with former Heat teammate Nicola Hancock, who also joined the Thunder. The Thunder take on Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval in the first game of the new season on Thursday.
Jackson Bury has signed with Deer Park for next season in the Essendon District Football League premier division. The Maroochydore vice-captain, who earned an Anzac Day medal in the Queensland state league, is described as an attacking half back with polished skills by hand and foot. Deer Park says he will add to a defence already rich in talent. The club also highlighted that his cousins, club champions Trent and Jake McKenzie, play there, and that he is the second new recruit after Liam Podhajski.
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Premiership forward Aidan Johnson will return to Werribee for next year's Victorian Football League season. The Tigers' first new signing for next year spent the past two seasons on Melbourne's AFL list, playing six AFL matches. Johnson said he wanted to return to his home club and reconnect with its players and staff. Football manager Kyle Hartigan said his experience will help the club's younger forwards. Lachie Charleson has also signed on for next season.
Mathew Serafin, one of the leading goalkickers in Western Football League division 2, has joined Albanvale from North Footscray. The Cobras say he kicked 88 goals in 2025 and a further 80 in 2026, helping North Footscray reach consecutive grand finals and a senior premiership this season. Serafin has more than 800 career goals and has earned multiple team of the year selections. The club has also signed Antonio Vitalone from Burnside Heights, while Aidan O'Neil has returned and Stephen Mihelakos-James has joined from Hadfield.
Sydney Thunder have signed New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult on a one-year deal with full availability, including finals, for the BBL|16 season. The 37-year-old will join fellow New Zealander Lockie Ferguson in the pace attack. Boult said he was excited to play in the Big Bash again. Former England captain Andrew Flintoff, the club's new head coach, said the pair could take early wickets with the new ball. Boult has taken 601 wickets across Test, one-day and T20 internationals.
Sydney Sixers have signed Western Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli on a one-year deal for the Big Bash League. The 29-year-old, who last played in the tournament in 2023, will replace Todd Murphy, who joined Melbourne Stars after five seasons with the Sixers. Rocchiccioli said he was keen to contribute to a team chasing silverware. Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes described him as one of the standout spinners in domestic cricket. He joins Joel Davies as the club's only other regular spin-bowling option on the men's roster.
Druids have set their sights on a return to Victorian Turf Cricket Association finals after signing former captain-coach Michael Hay. Hay, a Paxino medallist who spent eight years at the club, returns from stints with Footscray and Northcote. Coach Jared Andrews said the club does not want to rely on its two standout batsmen and expects more from the middle order. Druids lost their season opener to Williamstown CYMS by 92 runs and face Sunshine away this weekend.
