North Heidelberg has recruited former North Melbourne AFL player Brent Harvey as a Player Development and Leadership mentor for 2027, the Northern Football Netball League said in its off-season update published on its website on September 29.
The appointment comes as North Heidelberg overhauls its football department, naming Nathan Skudutis as senior coach in succession to Kasey Duncan, Ahmed Kanjou as senior assistant and Gavin Langborne as the club's new Director of Coaching.
Coaching changes
Six NFNL clubs have confirmed new senior coaches for next season. Diamond Creek has appointed Ben Shelton, who played in three Bundoora premierships in 2011, 2013 and 2017 and most recently coached in Richmond's VFL program, replacing Andrew Tranquilli.
Hurstbridge has turned to Jacob Smith to succeed Joel Cordwell, with Damian Cattuso also joining the club as Head of Strategy and List Management. Macleod has appointed Owen Blizzard in place of Nick Lynch, and Blizzard is bringing Ari Sciacca from Old Paradians to serve as Head of Development.
Macleod president Mick Lovett said the pair had "a proven track record of player development and a whole-of-club approach to getting the best out of every player."
Lalor has appointed JJ Cristaudo, formerly the reserves coach at Glenroy, after Lance Whitnall's departure, while Epping has recruited Nathan Storer from his assistant coaching role at Eltham.
Bundoora is searching for a new senior coach after Heath Scotland left the club following three seasons, during which he guided the Bulls to a fourth-place finish and a finals appearance in 2026.
Ivanhoe's Wayne Schultz has stepped down after leading the club to the Division 3 premiership and promotion to Division 2, with a successor yet to be named. Schultz said he was "incredibly grateful for everything the club, the players, coaches, volunteers and families have given me and my family," and planned to focus on his studies and spend more time with family.
Fitzroy Stars have re-signed Neville Jetta for 2027 after he led the club into finals contention in Division 2, and West Preston-Lakeside have retained Darren Bewick ahead of the club's first season in Division 2. North Heidelberg's women's team will be coached by Shannon Bevis, who returns after leading the club to a flag in 2025 and taking last season off.
Retirements
Three of the competition's most experienced players have retired. Hurstbridge's Mitch Dale finishes with 270 games for the club, while Lower Plenty and Macleod forward Darcy Barden retires with 228 games and 475 goals after being the 2026 Division 2 leading goalkicker and Team of the Year full forward.
Heidelberg has farewelled five-time premiership player Dylan Clarke, who departs after 77 games as part of the club's run of five consecutive flags. Bundoora's Peter McEvoy has also retired, having kicked 114 goals since joining the club in 2023 following a VFL career with Box Hill and Coburg.
Elsewhere, Eltham's Division 1 women's side has re-signed co-captains Mary Robinson and Michaela Molenberg, Division 1's leading goalkicker last season, with Darren Cardamone continuing as coach. Old Paradians will move up to Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 in 2027 after winning two premierships in three seasons, though the club is yet to confirm which players from its premiership squad will remain. Wallan's women's team will leave the NFNL to align with the Riddell District Football League from next season.
The league's off-season list covers clubs across Melbourne's northern suburbs, from Banyule and Diamond Creek to Whittlesea and Wallan.