Hampden 2027 player tracker: one season has just ended, attention turns to next

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Port Fairy recruit Josh Dwyer and Cobden's Tim Auckland are returning to their respective clubs. Pictures supplied, file

The Hampden league season has just come to a close but recruiting news never stops.

As of October 3 - less than two weeks after Koroit was crowned 2026 premier - there have been more than 20 changes across the 10 football sides.

Please keep referring to this article as clubs make coaching and player announcements ahead of the 2027 season.

COACH: Six-time Hampden league premiership-winning coach Adam Dowie has signed on in a major coup for the Magpies. He replaces Clinton Thomas after two years in the role.

OUT: Bailey Thompson (Ocean Grove)

NETBALL: Peta Henderson, a former player, has taken on the open coaching role, replacing Jill Leader after two years at the helm.

COACH: Premiership player Andrew Foster has jumped on board and will join forces with playing coach Brody Mahoney, who will retain the role for a fourth season.

IN: Tim Auckland (travel), Tarj Anderson (Panmure)

NETBALL: Sophie Hinkley and Nadine McNamara will team up as open coaches again in 2027. They have both coached individually in the past too.

Hamilton Kangaroos have appointed ruckman Levi Dare as its senior coach. Picture by Eddie Guerrero

COACH: Ruckman Levi Dare has taken on the coaching role, replacing Brad Thomas following his three-year stint.

OUT: Jordy Anthony (Cavendish), Harry McGinley (Cavendish)

NETBALL: Nicole Hyland has returned home to Hamilton after 23 years living in Melbourne and Queensland. She has taken on the coaching gig from Amanda Hicks.

COACH: Sam Dobson will retain the solo coaching role for a second season. It will be his third overall, having started as a co-coach with Chris McLaren.

NETBALL: Danielle McInerney will lead again after taking the side to back-to-back grand finals.

COACH: Nathan Vardy will enter a fourth season as coach, including his third in a solo capacity.

IN: Darcy Keast (Carrara), Felix Jones (Bell Post Hill)

NETBALL: Elisha Sobey, who returned to the club as a player in 2026, will coach the team, replacing Maddison Vardy.

Port Fairy will welcome Josh Dwyer back to the club in 2027. Picture supplied

COACH: Tyrone Ross is back for a second season as playing coach.

IN: Josh Dwyer (Geelong West Giants), Heath Brennan (Carrara), Harry Kerr (Carrara)

OUT: Matt Sully (Merrivale), Mitch Ryan (Penshurst), Josh Dyson (South Rovers), Hamish Gleeson (Hawkesdale-Macarthur), Colin Harwood (Hawkesdale-Macarthur)

COACH: Lochie Huppatz has signed on as playing coach for a fourth season.

NETBALL: Leah Sullivan has committed for a second campaign as open netball coach.

Sam Carter has joined South Warrnambool from crosstown rival Warrnambool. Picture supplied

COACH: Dan Nicholson will lead the club for a second season.

IN: Lochie Chadderton (Russells Creek), Sam Carter (Warrnambool)

NETBALL: Multiple premiership-winning coach Will Jamison is back for his sixth season at the helm.

COACH: Playing coach Lewis Taylor has re-signed for a fourth year, third as solo coach. One of the major re-signings was that of ex-AFL forward Jackson Paine, who has recommitted for a second season.

NETBALL: Aimee Moloney will return as open coach for a second season.

Warrnambool has appointed Clinton Thomas as its new coach. Picture by Eddie Guerrero

COACH: Clinton Thomas has crossed from Camperdown and will lead the Blues, replacing Dan O'Keefe following his four-year stint. A positive result was the re-signing of former AFL star Ben Cunnington after his initial three-year deal ended.

IN: Mitchell Bidmade (Kapunda)

OUT: Fletcher Timms (South Rovers), Jack Dowd (South Rovers), Toby Bolden (South Rovers), Sam Morgan (Warrnambool), Logan Lilley (South Rovers), Sam Carter (South Warrnambool), Otto Opperman (Merrivale), Angus Lowe (Merrivale)

NETBALL: Kate Lindsey has recommitted for a fourth year as open coach.

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