CDFC chat

[CENTURION]

Very late to have 6 recruits coming.

A few have already signed but haven't been announced yet.

How many newbies will be announced?

Not sure.

[CENTURION]

Could be as many as 6 coming,
a couple will be announced tomorrow.

[Jim05]

Could be as many as 6 coming,
a couple will be announced tomorrow.

Tomorrow never comes?

[wenchbarwer]

Could be as many as 6 coming,
a couple will be announced tomorrow.

Tomorrow never comes?

Ask Booney

[Brodlach]

Booney coping it in every thread

[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.

[TDJ44]

Could be as many as 6 coming,
a couple will be announced tomorrow.

When will the others be announced if they coming.

[CENTURION]

Could be as many as 6 coming,
a couple will be announced tomorrow.

When will the others be announced if they coming.

POSSIBLY 4 next week.

[UK Fan]

The Central District Football Club is pleased welcome three more signings for season 2026, with Murray Bastick, Ben Gerring & Mitchell Cornolo joining our senior squad.

Bastick originally from the Kingsborough FC in Tasmania is a medium defender with incredible football smarts and likes to play on the edge. Murray played predominantly at the Sailsbury North FC throughout the 2025 season however, he did don the red, white & blue for one Reserves game mid-season. Bastick decided not to begin his quest for senior SANFL football until he had well and truly settled into Adelaide and at 22 years of age, the hardnosed defender has impressed everyone at the Ponderosa.

Ben a 204cm Ruckman from the Dromana FC on the Mornington Peninsula has ventured over to the Dogs with his good friend Josh Smith who we had signed prior to Christmas. Gerring is athletic with excellent ruck craft and covers the ground well. He can go forward as a tall option which is an important asset in the modern game.

Cornolo 19, is a 193cm Forward from Mt Gambier. Mitch is a good mark a thumping kick & has good awareness of where and when to lead. Mitchell missed the entire 2025 season after succumbing to an ACL injury early in the pre-season when training at the West Gambier FC. He had a very good season through-out 2024 and we look forward to him capturing some of his form in the red, white & blue.

Football Manager Mark Ross spoke glowingly of all three boys.

“We were pretty keen to have Bastick at the club last season from the day he arrived but understood his need to settle into a new job & surroundings when he arrived in Adelaid in March”. “Murray is living with his former teammate from Tasmania in Jack Tomkinson and although he didn’t play senior football at the Dogs throughout 2025, he did train with us on a regular basis and fitted in extremely well”.

Ross Said, “Mitchell has the potential to become a very good forward in this competition”. His kicking for goal is incredibly good and his has a very strong work ethic. He was highly recommended via a former colleague of mine who I trust in his ability to understand what it takes to make it at SANFL level”.

Ben has not grown up playing in the conventional U16/U18 competitions in Victoria but has produced some quality football at grass roots level. We will give Ben the necessary time to develop his craft as we believe he can become a very good SANFL League Ruckman.

We welcome all three boys & their families to the Kennel.

[CENTURION]

Let's see what they're like!
Another ruckman is very handy.

[CENTURION]

One more next week.

[northerner]

First trial notes
How good to actually win the ruck. Kobe Annand was dominant and the mids worked well off him. Grant, Presbury McCarty and Monaghan were excellent. Max could be in for a big year. Hard running mid who kicks goals and marks well overhead.
Presbury looked in great nick with 3 quarters on the ball until he was floored in a crude late hit that should cost an eagle player a couple of games. Prez took a long while to gather himself and come off with what looked like a back issue.
McCarty was the pick of our 5 new recruits tonight. Especially in the first half with about 6 or 7 clearances as an in and under ball winner.
Josh Ralph was quiet early but busy and effective as a small fwd in the 2nd half. Creative, quick, and also hard working defensively.
Saunders was busy off a wing but untidy.
Josh Fahey will be fine once he settles.
Josh Smith is a work in progress as a tall fwd.

Wilson Barry, Leyton Chisholm and Anzac L missed tonight but should all play next week. Pudney Tomkinson and Kitschke also missed as did Brinn Little who should be good to go come round one, exactly 12 months on from his acl injury.

[southernbulldog]

Hopefully Hasting got reported and gets 3 matches

[southernbulldog]

Northerner apart from those you mentioned that didnt play
do we know if Hamblin, Fairman & Cornolo our other 3 newbies are still here and will play
next week ..

[northerner]

Northerner apart from those you mentioned that didnt play
do we know if Hamblin, Fairman & Cornolo our other 3 newbies are still here and will play
next week ..

No idea. But Bastick played league (he played one ressie game last year), and Hargreaves & new ruckman Gerring all fronted in the early trial.

[southernbulldog]

Do we know how Prez is after his late hit on Friday

[northerner]

Do we know how Prez is after his late hit on Friday

Very sore. But no major issue. No concussion.

[TDJ44]

Beau Thomas suspended for 2 games,very disappointing.

[southernbulldog]

Very disappointing Thommo will miss the first 2 matches he is to important to us to be missing matches through suspension

[southernbulldog]

Absolutely no point playing Prez this week
Do we know our reserves side for trial against West