With the recruiting and big signings finally beginning to slow in the Gippsland and East Gippsland Football Netball League, it’s now the time of Omeo District Football Netball League clubs to unveil their latest additions.
Buchan ended speculation that Lucknow forward John Gooch would join their roster in 2026.
For the past two seasons Gooch has been a quality performer at the Magpies, where he has been in the top five league goalkickers, despite spending extended periods of time in the midfield.
With family ties to the town and club, Gooch is keen to give back and help the Cavemen rise in 2026, where he has his experience as a proven senior footballer at Gippsland League level with Sale (2012 premiership) and Bairnsdale.
Swifts Creek has welcomed back 2023 premiership players Dylan Hack, Nathan Hayes and Jamie Barton.
Hack played sparingly this season at reserves level at Lucknow, after playing 2024 at Bruthen following some good years at the Demons.
Barton and Hayes played at Bruthen in 2025 after some outstanding seasons at
Swifts Creek.
All three are proven big game performers at Omeo level, among the best players on grand final day in 2023, and loom as key parts in new Demons coach Paul Capes’ quest for premiership glory in 2026.
