Sport

Saints welcome another off-field signing as GVL clubs bolster stocks

By Callum Farquhar

Feb 2, 2026

Benalla is eyeing a rise up the ladder in 2026 as it continues to add some impressive names to its ranks both on and off the field.

Benalla continues to make waves in the Goulburn Valley League recruiting space, this time with another astute off-field pick up, with a former AFL Saint landing at the GVL namesake.

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The Saints have landed Ian Muller, a former V/AFL player for St Kilda and Carlton, where he played 27 games between 1985 and 1991, as their reserves and development coach, as they continue to add to what is quickly becoming an impressive group of mentors.

Muller has amassed more than 30 years of coaching experience following his playing days at V/AFL level, going on to coach VFL side Coburg in the 1990s, before earning a premiership as a playing coach at Moyhu in the early 2000s.

Multiple stints at Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray Football League would follow as a senior assistant coach, before a return to Moyhu as senior coach during the COVID-19 era.

Muller’s appointment comes as the Saints prepare to enter their first season under new senior coach Nick Pearson, while the A-grade netballers will be mentored by Colleen Balfour and the former head coach of Fiji, England and Wales’ international sides and the Melbourne Vixens, Julie Hoornweg, will provide high-performance leadership.

Elsewhere in the GVL, key position players are back in stock as teams continue to fish for recruits deep into pre-season.

Euroa and Rochester announced signings of tall talent last week, although at opposing ends of the field.

The Magpies secured a deal for Lachlan Curran, a 195cm key back who comes from Essendon District Football League’s Avondale Heights, where he played senior football despite being eligible for under-18s.

At the Tigers, Felix Fogaty has signed with the 2025 grand finalists.

A GWV Rebels talent league pathway product, the 198cm key forward also represented Vic Country in 2022, and has since plied his trade at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat Football League.

In other GVL signing news, Mooroopna announced Ryan Grace to join the club from Central Murray Football League’s Tooleybuc Manangatang.

Additionally, across to Picola District Football League, Dookie United has made another splash, signing Jackson Tier.

A young midfielder from the Preston Bullants in Victorian Amateur Football Association, Tier also was a train-on player with the Bullants’ VFL team in 2025.

The quick 183cm footballer is also reliable off half-back, adding further depth to the Thunder side that aims to push higher than its 12th-placed finish last season.