THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW

There have been rumours all summer about who was training at which club, but until the players are registered to play, everything remains unofficial. 
Friday February 1 was the first day of registrations for the VAFA. 
As the player names register their paperwork and transfer requests we will keep you informed but here is what we know so far. 
Premier
Beaumaris
Have signed over 10 names from the South Metro Junior Football League in a good sign for the newly promoted club but have lost about five players, although none from their Premier B Grand Final side of last year. 
Collegians
No big ins yet, but the paperwork has gone through for the midfield /forward dynamo and last year’s VAFA Rising Star Lachlan Ferguson to join Collingwood’s VFL team. 
De La Salle
Have recruited a few names from South Metro Junior Football league but the big name is Trent Croad. 
The big fish: Trent Croad – Played 222 AFL games with Hawthorn and Fremantle, played in Hawthorn’s 2008 Premiership before injuring his foot in the Grand Final. His return to football to play with his old school De La Salle in 2013 will be his first competitive games since that game against Geelong. 
Old Carey
Rumours abound about their signings from the EFL but we are yet top see any paperwork yet. The big losses though are Julien Rowe who joins Port Melbourne in the VFL and former captain Tom Evans heads overseas. Paul Fiorenza departs back to the EFL and the Yze brothers will not be Panthers in 2013.
Old Scotch
A number of significant signings strengthen the Cardinals after such a promising 2012 season. The ins include: Andrew Murray (Coburg – VFL), Richard Porter (Canterbury – EFL), Jock McKinnon (Violet Town – Kyabram District Football League), Daley Mackenzie (Waverley Blues – EFL), William Lewis (Uni of Technology – Sydney AFL), Scott Wilcox (Rowville – EFL), Andrew Jelbart (Tarwin – Alberton Football League). So far five players have transferred out of the club. 
Old Xaverians
Little to no movement from last year’s Premier Runners Up. Holding their cards close to their chest? 
St Bedes / Mentone Tigers
Much like Old Xaverians there is little to report. Jack Hellier again looks set to spend another year at VFL level playing for Collingwood. 
St Bernard’s
Have been busy in the trade period with a number of players transferring from neighboring EDFL and WRFL. Biggest name is Adam Bentick but other names so far include: Daniel Carey (West Coburg – EDFL), Adam Mulkearns (Aberfelfie – EDFL), Tim Harvey (Strathmore – EDFL), Matt Buchanan (Eaton Boomers – SWFL in WA), Aiden Pratt (Golden Square – Bendigo Football League), and Simon Clarke (Sunbury – Ballarat Football League)
The big fish: Adam Bentick – Played 68 AFL games with Carlton between 2004 and 2009. Adam was a rising star nominee in 2005. At the end of 2009 he continued playing for Carlton’s VFL affiliate Northern Bullants before moving to Port Melbourne. His return to football in 2013 will be for his old school St Bernard’s.
University Blacks
With the student population not back for another few weeks its all quiet in the Black half of University Oval. 
University Blues
Some high profile recruiting for the Blues in the preseason, but it looks like retired Western Bulldog Lindsay Gilbee will not be a VAFA player having fallen through the clutches of the Blues in recent weeks. Nevertheless, some good players will be joining the Blue half of University for 2013. They ins include: Ryan O’Leary (Clarence – Tasmanian State League), Bernie Chomley and Hugo Steinfort (Newtown& Chilwell – Football Geelong), Nick Smith (Balwyn – EFL).
Premier B
AJAX
Just the one big name at AJAX so far to come in and they welcome Ezra Poyas. The former Tiger and Demon’s nine game AFL career was cut short in 2003. Poyas then joined Sandringham Dragons in the VFL where he was apart of their three peat premierships from 2006- 2009. In 2012 he played for Broadbeach where he finished runner up in the league best and fairest. Ezra joins the Jackas for season 2013.  
Caulfield
No new names have come through yet, but have lost Dean Sheetz to Apollo Bay. 
Fitzroy
No major ins other than a group of juniors from new senior club Northern Blues. 
Old Brighton
No news in or out.
Old Haileybury
Have quite a few names with pending transfer requests to move to the Casey Cardinia League but club still hopeful of talking their players around. 
Old Melburnians
No news from the OM’s. 
Old Trinity
Have lost a couple of players who played senior football last year, and have no new names as yet from other clubs joining the green and gold in 2013.
Parkdale Vultures
Matt Boland remains with Collingwood’s VFL side and at this stage have no ins from other clubs. 
St Kevin’s
The SKOBS have made the biggest move of the section with the transfer papers through today for former Port Adelaide midfielder Steven Salopek joining the club. With rumours of more big names to come the SKOBS are on the set for an enviable lineup in 2013. 
The big fish: Steven Salopek played 121 games for Port Adelaide including the 2007 Grand Final side. The Victorian was the number 6 pick in the 2002 national draft and at 27 still has a huge amount of good football left in him. 
Werribee
Not much to report at the Tigers. 
Premier C
Banyule
Looking like the Bears will secure a couple of players from the Northern Football League but just waiting on final approvals. 
Marcellin
It seems the Eagles have been busy with a few pending transfer announcements
Mazenod
Just the one big in so far with Heath Black joining. Black played 192 AFL games with Fremantle and St Kilda between 1997 and 2008. Black returns to his old school Mazenod to play in the VAFA in 2013, combined with a leadership and development program role.
Big fish is no doubt Heath Black who will be a big in for the side.
Monash Blues
No news to report.
NOBS / St Pat’s
No movement at this stage
Oakleigh
Have trumpeted the arrival of Aaron Lord but the paperwork is not through yet. No other moments yet. 
Old Camberwell
VAFA representative player Jackson Eade is the biggest departure to Box Hill Hawks in the VFL. There are a couple of other names that are moving to EFL clubs too. No new ins at this stage. 
Old Ivanhoe
Reports are that numbers have been excellent on the track – however no new names have come through in transfers to date. 
PEGS
Have a couple of pending transfers but nothing new in yet. 
Peninsula
Have lost a couple of players to Sydney AFl but no new ins at this stage. 
Other big signings: 
Prahran Assumption
Matt Wall has signed for the Two Blues from VFL side Port Melbourne. 
Monash Gryphons
Russell Robertson – The former Demon played 228 games kicking almost 430 goals in more than a decade of playing at the top level. He led the Demons goalkicking in 3 separate seasons and is set to set alight the Gryphons forward line after training with the club this summer.