Sport

Movement as sides look to start of 2026 season

By Gus Underwood

Feb 4, 2026

Michael Barlow is returning to Shepparton United. Photo by Megan Fisher

There’s plenty of movement in the local football leagues at the moment as the countdown to the 2026 season begins.

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Shepparton United has capped a big season of recruiting with former star club player Michael Barlow committed to returning to the club this season.

He won’t be regular due to AFL commitments with North Melbourne, but will actually pull on the boots for a few games, even though he is 38 years of age.

He is a product of the GVL Demons and played 141 games at AFL level with 126 games at Fremantle and 15 with the Gold Coast Suns between 2010 and 2018.

He has coached VFL side Werribee to a drought-breaking premiership win in 2024 before joining North Melbourne as its development officer. He also had a stint last year with the flag-winning North Warrnambool side in the Hampden league.

He will have to juggle his appearances with Shepparton United with his role as a midfield coach at North Melbourne.

In another significant move, Shepparton Swans are losing promising young player Mitch Grumley to North Melbourne.

The 19-year-old played a key role in bringing down eventual premier Kyabram last season with a four-goal performance and was also chased by Greater Western Sydney and St Kilda.

He also played games last season as an overaged player with the Murray Bushrangers.

In the Murray Football League, Cobram will be without one of its premiership stars from last season.

Fergus Pinnuck is on the move, joining South Croydon in Melbourne’s Eastern Football League.

In another significant Murray league shift, Mulwala goal-kicker Charley McKenna is heading south over the bridge to join Ovens and Murray League club Yarrawonga.

McKenna finished fifth on last season's goal-kicking list with 42. He has spent the past five seasons with Mulwala.

Last season’s Picola District league medallist, Berrigan’s Lochie Conboy, also has itchy feet and will play with Albury in the Ovens and Murray League this year.

Picola United’s Matt Jorgensen, who won the Picola league’s Rising Star award last season, is also on the move, joining his brother Blake at another Ovens and Murray League club, Wodonga.