Sport
9 April, 2026
Strong recruitment drive from the Swans
AN impressive off-season of recruiting sees Caramut looking to build on its improved showing in last season’s Mininera and District Football League competition.
Scott Judd returns as senior coach for a third season.
Russells Creek ruckman Dylan Burns, twice named in the Warrnambool and District team of the year, was the first major recruit announced by the Swans.
Midfielder Phil Chatfield and utility Matty Rook also made the move from Russells Creek, with defender Dylan Scoble joining from Merrivale.
Hamish Pierson, a former Geelong Falcons captain and was a Werribee VFL listed player in 2025, adds depth to the midfield, as does Sebastian Alvarez De Toledo, who won the best and fairest last year for the Goondiwindi Hawks.
Tall midfielder/forward Aubrey Watson joins from Spotswood, with Koroit premiership player and former Footscray VFL captain Joey Chatfield also on board, having links to Caramut with his father and two uncles previously representing the Swans.
Ruckman Jarvis Bermingham is the major departure, having joined Allansford.
The Swans have had a strong pre-season, the highlight being a practice match day at the Caramut Recreation Reserve, featuring Caramut, Glenthompson-Dunkeld, Branxholme-Wallacedale, Timboon and South Rovers.
Caramut made it through to the final, only to go down narrowly to Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
Harley Kelp has been retained as reserves coach for a second season, with Joe Douglas coming on board as his assistant.
New A grade netball coach Katrina Rook brings extensive experience to the role.
Involved as a player and umpire for over 40 years, Rook has played and coached at Warrnambool, Dennington and Russells Creek, and competed in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Zoe Wagstaff will coach the B grade netballers, while the C grade Swans will be coached by Adam Lehmann.
Cloe and Larissa Folkes are joint coaches of the 17 and under netballers, Michelle Lehmann will coach the 15 and under team, with April Edwards to coach the 13 and under team.
Caramut’s first assignment for the 2026 season on Saturday is against Hawkesdale/Macarthur at the Caramut Recreation Reserve.