Clunes signs young core for football rebuild, 90% of recruits under 22
Clunes rebuilds with young signings, planning to keep them for five to ten years.
Clunes lost many players this off-season and is now rebuilding. The club is signing juniors from the Ballarat Football Netball League for their first senior game.
Bryce Smith, Jadyn Quarrell, and Seth Talbot have also joined from North Shore. Tyler Davis joined as a playing assistant.
Shaun Finlayson believes about 90 percent of signings are under 22, all keen to play together and build something lasting. Finlayson wants young players to stay at the club for five to ten years as 100-plus-game players.
Early recruitment has covered roughly half the departures.
- about 90 percent
- Signings under 22
- 5 to 10 years
- Target player tenure
- Tyler Davis from Lake Wendouree
- Playing assistant
- Ballarat Football Netball League
- Primary recruit source
Why it mattersThe signings show how regional clubs rebuild with youth and community ties instead of chasing established players. This model can help struggling clubs stay strong.
AustraliaA Ballarat-region Aussie rules club's strategic shift toward youth investment signals how community footy clubs adapt to player turnover and aim for long-term stability.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 42 min ago
