Sport

Former Roo KDL-bound as Goulburn Valley League clubs attract star talent

By Josh Huntly

Oct 27, 2026

Former North Melbourne forward Robin Nahas is headed to Central Park. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Shepparton East has made an early splash in the Kyabram District League off-season recruiting with a trio of experienced heads making their way to Central Park.

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Headlining the inclusions is former 117-game AFL forward Robin Nahas, the former Richmond and North Melbourne player making the move across after one season with North Central Football League club Sea Lake Nandaly.

Nahas was enticed to the Eagles as a connection of high-flying Seymour premiership forward Jake Anderson, who has also committed to donning the blue and gold.

The loss of experienced Shepparton East talisman Jordan Gattuso has also been offset by the arrival of Eastern league midfielder and league runner-up Damian Murray, with incoming Eagles’ co-coach Nick Iorianni pleased with the amount of experience that’s walked through the door.

“Nahas has come to us through Jake Anderson,” Iorianni said.

“We’re delighted to have both on board to add a lot of experience and leadership to our group.

“(Damian) is an inside midfielder as well so that obviously a target (for us) to add depth to the midfield.

“We feel like we’re going to have a very strong midfield and forward group this year.”

Elsewhere, three Goulburn Valley League clubs have made further headway in bolstering their senior lists.

Kyabram has added 194cm SANFL midfielder Leyton Chisholm to a list of ins that includes premiership forward Tom Holman, his recently retired AFL sibling Nick, and hard-running midfielder Archie Watt after a season playing in the WAFL.

Shepparton United’s 2027 prospects have also been dramatically increased.

Box Hill skipper Stu Horner has drawn the curtain down on his 129-game VFL career after leading the Hawks to the 2026 flag, but the brown and gold’s loss will be the Demons’ gain after committing to Shepparton United as a playing assistant coach.

This comes after five-time Heidelberg flag winner Zane Barzen and Collingwood VFL midfielder Zavier Maher also decided to make a full time homecoming to Deakin Reserve.

Meanwhile, Shepparton Swans have brought in some top-line talent of their own.

VAFA representative Sam Tucker will line up for the Swans in 2027 after booting 31 goals for premier division club St Kevins, spurring them to the highly rated competition’s top grade preliminary final.