A former AFL player headlines for the signings for Hillside as it prepares for life in the Essendon District Football League premier division.
The Sharks will play in the top flight for the first time next season after winning the division 1 premiership this year.
The club announced last week that Atu Bosenavulagi will join the side next season.
“Atu’s sporting prowess saw him represent Australia as a junior representative in rugby sevens as well as playing AFL,” the Sharks said on social media.
“Atu played under-18s football for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup.
“Atu joined the Collingwood Next Generation Academy before getting selected as pick 77 by Collingwood in the 2018 draft.
“Atu later moved to North Melbourne where he finished with a total of 20 AFL games.”
Bosenavulagi is no stranger to the EDFL having played against the Sharks the past couple of seasons.
He signed with St Albans in 2023 but didn’t play a game after spending the year focusing on rugby.
Bosenavulagi finally played with the Saints in 2024 playing 16 games including a couple of finals.
He played 16 games again this season, where he was named in the best six times.
The Sharks have also announced the signings for Adeola Akintola, Joshua Petrie, Riley Allan and Connor Leeflang.
Akintola spent last season at PEGS, but is no stranger to the EDFL having spent many years at St Albans.
“Ade’s background has helped shape his mobility, timing and ability to read the play, making him a strong presence around the ground and a reliable option both in the ruck and up forward,” the Sharks said.
Petrie will step into senior football for the first time as he crosses from Aberfeldie.
He has been part of two junior academies at Essendon and Carlton.
Allan joins the Sharks from PEGS in the Victorian Amateur Football Association having played his junior football in the Northern league, making his senior debut at 17.
Leeflang, who is from Tasmania, has played with Airport West and Preston Bullants in recent years with the Sharks saying he is one of the rising stars of the EDFL.
The Sharks also announced that veteran Robbie Castello had signed on for a third season.
“On field Robbie lets his footy do the talking but it’s his off-field presence that has been a game changer for the Sharks,” the Sharks said on social media.
“He leads by example, has a tremendous passion for developing young footballers and sets standards that are second to none.”
Fort Caruso has also re-signed for next season.
The signings are handy for the Sharks that have lost a number of players who have signed elsewhere.
Premiership captain Zak Wunhym and star full forward Josh Covelli headline the outs having signed with Tullamarine.
