Former Bomber Luamon Lual has signed with the Casey Demons for 2026. The 181cm wingman was drafted by Essendon at Pick 39 of the 2023 AFL draft, and made his debut in Round 13 last season, kicking a goal with his first kick in his team’s eight-point loss to Carlton. He was delisted at the end of the season, having played 12 matches.

Delisted Bombers winger joins Victorian club for 2026

I believe he might be related to Casey defender Wardell Lual who impressed with some good games late last season.

On 22/12/2025 at 11:57, picket fence said:

In other news Casey kicks of the season with a bye ( one of many) then follows a Home game in Ballarat, then another BYE , then an away game in Tasmania, followed by another away game at Werribee, then another 2 BYES in a row, followed by a rare Home game at Casey, at 9.30 a.m, then a curtain raiser to the main games of gather round in Adelaide, then yep you guessed it another BYE, then Away to Gold Coast before another Bye, then another "Rare" game at Casey Sunday night under lights, then away to Sydney, Geelong, Another Bye,( But we are arranging a scratch match vs Bullants) then another Rare home game at Slthera City, But no public access as the Casey Council are doing a Dinosaur Excavation, near the ground, then a Curtain Raiser at Manangatang for Country Women's auxiliary working supporters group, before ........ before, .................................... ANOTHER BYE to conclude the season... Good luck to finding form at Casey this year in the SMITHIES' BASKET CASE DRAW.

Apparently the Real Draw could be much WORSE than this scenario!

Edited January 10Jan 10 by picket fence

Thanks @Demonland

Ex AFL recruits: Miller Bergman (Kangas) Luamon Lual (Bombers)

Coates League under18s recruits - Stingrays: Toby Sinnema, Tairon Ah-Mu, Louis Hodder and Jasper Russell.

From local leagues: Braedyn Bowden, Tahj De La Rue, Joel Scholtes and Nate Pipicelli

Resigned : Riley Bonner, Paddy Cross, Tyson Sruk, Brayden La Planche, Wardell Lual, Jesse Craven, Lachie Bryce, Olly Green, Patrick Ireland, and Jarrod Gatt .

Paul Amy is the Code Sports VFL expert. Here are some pen pictures from him of the new faces at the Casey Demons for 2026:

Miller Bergman

The comeback trail starts at Casey Fields for Bergman, who played 16 games in his four seasons at North Melbourne before an ACL

injury sidelined him for all of 2025. The 38th pick in the 2021 national draft, Bergman made his debut in his first year in 2022. The former Dandenong Stingray has named Berwick as his local club.

Luis D'Angelo

The Demons lost a tough midfielder from Gippsland when Riley Baldi switched to the SANFL, but they have gained a similarly rugged player by signing D'Angelo from Traralgon. The runner-up in Gippsland Power's 2021 best and fairest, D'Angelo had a run at Box Hill Hawks in 2022 and has been a leading player for the Gippsland league's Maroons, figuring in the 2024 flag and teams of the year. "He's been awesome for Traralgon," former coach Troy Hamilton said.

"He's a heart-and-soul midfielder, very creative by hand and gutsy."

Luamon Lual

The dashing Lual probably thought his AFL career was just getting going after playing 12 games with Essendon last season. But at the end of it he was lopped from the list, leaving him to look to the state league for a new home and a springboard for a second AFL club. Pick No. 39 in the 2023 national draft, Lual ran pen over paper not only at Casey, but local club South Warrnambool as a returning player.

Joel Scholtes

Like fellow Demons newcomer Luis D'Angelo, Scholtes went through Gippy Power under Rhett McLennan and for the past few seasons has been a tremendous Gippsland league player with Traralgon. "Left-footer, a bit of an intercepting half-back and very fit," was the word from former Traralgon coach Troy Hamilton.

Jonah Walker

The tall utility was prepared to go the distance for a Casey listing, making the trip from Nicholson, past Bairnsdale, to Cranbourne three times a week. New Casey coach Rhett McLennan coached Walker at Gippsland Power last year and watched him grow on and off the field. Thrown into the ruck in a final against Geelong Falcons, he was outstanding.

And it’s great to see that after all the kerfuffle, Tairon Ah Mu gets his chance to wear the red and blue, albeit only as a Casey Demon. Here’s his Rookie Me Central profile from last year:

Tairon Ah Mu Height 198cm DOB 06.06.2007

SNAPSHOT: “A beast of a prospect whose sheer size and physicality make him a difficult matchup up forward or in the ruck.” – Michael Alvaro

It’s hard to miss Tairon Ah-Mu when he’s playing football at his best. The hulking key position prospect is a man mountain capable of monstering his opponents, which he has done frequently over the years. He represented Vic Country at Under 16, 17, and 18 level, while making his debut for Dandenong Stingrays back in 2023. That year, he also helped Haileybury College take out the APS First XVIII flag.

Much of Ah-Mu’s tutelage has come under Essendon great Matthew Lloyd at Haileybury. Together, they helped put together another undefeated season to take out the 2025 title, and Ah-Mu has made great strides in refining his craft. He has also been part of the Melbourne Next Generation Academy, but the AFL’s current eligibility criteria means the Dees won’t have priority access to him come draft time.

Ah-Mu has also been a central figure for Dandenong between his school and representative commitments. He booted 22 goals in 11 games as a bottom-ager last year, before going on to kick 15 in eight appearances this year. Not once was Ah-Mu kept goalless as a top-ager in the Coates Talent League. He translated that form to the National Championships to slot seven majors in the Big V guernsey. That came after a six-goal trial match which ended up being one of the forward’s best games all season.

The state of play as far as I can gather * -

STAYING: Casey Demons: Riley Bonner, Lachie Bryce, Jesse Craven, Paddy Cross, Jarrod Gatt, Olliver Green, Patrick Ireland, Brayden La Planche, Wardell Lual, Tyson Sruk 

Melbourne: Jed Adams, Jake Bowey, Tom Campbell, Kade Chandler, Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Blake Howes, Matthew Jefferson, Aidan Johnson, Ed Langdon, Harvey Langford, Bailey Laurie, Jake Lever, Xavier Lindsay, Tom McDonald, Shane McAdam, Steven May, Jake Melksham, Harrison Petty, Kysaiah Kropinyeri Pickett, Trent Rivers, Christian Salem, Harry Sharp, Tom Sparrow, Koltyn Tholstrup, Daniel Turner, Jacob van Rooyen, Jack Viney, Caleb Windsor

ARRIVING: Casey Demons: Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Miller Bergman (North Melbourne), Braedyn Bowden (Berwick), Luke Cheffers (Moe), Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon), Tahj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide), Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays), Sam Hoghton (Officer), Luamon Lual (Essendon), Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon), Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon), Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays), Jobe Scapin (Inverloch-Kongwak), Joel Scholtes (Traralgon), Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Harry Tatterson (Heyfield), Jonah Walker (Gippsland Falcons)

Melbourne: Oscar Berry (Category B rookie), Max Heath (St Kilda), Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn), Thomas Matthews (Gippsland Power VIC), Brody Mihocek (Collingwood), Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers VIC), Latrelle Pickett (Glenelg SA), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges VIC), Kalani White (Gold Coast Suns Academy QLD)

DEPARTING: Casey Demons: Riley Baldi (South Adelaide), Jack Behnk (St Kilda), Roy George (Port Melbourne), Mitch Hardie (Wangaratta Rovers), Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham), Caleb Lewis (Gold Coast Suns), Max Roney (Tassie Devils), Deakyn Smith (TBA), Noah Yze (Sandringham)

Melbourne: Jack Billings (delisted - Footscray VFL), Kynan Brown (delisted - Sandringham VFL), Tom Fullarton (delisted - Williamstown VFL), Marty Hore (delisted), Judd McVee (Fremantle), Clayton Oliver (GWS Giants), Christian Petracca (Gold Coast Suns), Oliver Sestan (delisted - Port Melbourne VFL), Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne), Will Verrall (delisted - South Adelaide), Taj Woewodin (delisted - Collingwood VFL)

TO BE CONFIRMED: Chance Doultree, Tyler Edwards, Jack Ferraro, Tom Freeman, Jenson Graham, Andrew Green, Max Gregory, Charlie Peters, Kobe Shipp, Kai Windsor

* updated

It's a pity five of Melbourne's delistings have chosen to go to rival VFL clubs. Woulda been nice if at least some of them had stuck with casey!

Cheers Kasey, a comprehensive ‘state of play’. Quite a turnover of players on the Casey AFL and VFL lists. Pleased to read many of those moving on from Casey Fields will continue to play. Appears birds of a feather stick together. Kynan joins Noah and Mitch K-S bayside at Trevor Barker Oval. Will Verrall back home at the Sth Adelaide Panthers to be joined there by Deakyn Smith. Taj Woewodin reprises Dad moving to Collingwood VFL.

Rhett McLennan’s connections with Gippsland junior footy appear to have influenced recruiting to the Casey VFL list. Am l correct in assuming Tom Freedman having acquired an additional “d” is now entering his post Casey playing days?

Interesting future watch, to see if any of those listed including Toby Sinnema and Tairon Ah-Mu get a second 'bite of the cherry' by being listed on an AFL list. Riley Bonner would have to be odds-on for captain.

Edited Thursday at 00:333 days by Tarax Club

20 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Cheers Kasey, a comprehensive ‘state of play’. Quite a turnover of players on the Casey AFL and VFL lists. Pleased to read many of those moving on from Casey Fields will continue to play. Appears birds of a feather stick together. Kynan joins Noah and Mitch K-S bayside at Trevor Barker Oval. Will Verrall back home at the Sth Adelaide Panthers to be joined there by Deakyn Smith. Taj Woewodin reprises Dad moving to Collingwood VFL.

Rhett McLennan’s connections with Gippsland junior footy appear to have influenced recruiting to the Casey VFL list. Am l correct in assuming Tom Freedman having acquired an additional “d” is now entering his post Casey playing days?

Interesting future watch, to see if any of those listed including Toby Sinnema and Tairon Ah-Mu get a second 'bite of the cherry' by being listed on an AFL list. Riley Bonner would have to be odds-on for captain.

Actually, given that the coach comes directly from Gippsland Power which made last year’s Preliminary Final, we have yet to see a great influx of players from the 2025 team (only Walker so far).

I also was in touch with a South Adelaide person during the week and he couldn’t confirm that Deakyn Smith was playing with them this season.

Obviously, the lists are to be finalized but we can expect a very different looking Casey Demons this year with a number of regulars going elsewhere.

PS Tom Freeman typo fixed.

55 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Actually, given that the coach comes directly from Gippsland Power which made last year’s Preliminary Final, we have yet to see a great influx of players from the 2025 team (only Walker so far).

I also was in touch with a South Adelaide person during the week and he couldn’t confirm that Deakyn Smith was playing with them this season.

Obviously, the lists are to be finalized but we can expect a very different looking Casey Demons this year with a number of regulars going elsewhere.

PS Tom Freeman typo fixed.

...though there's a bit of a Gippslandy trend across the Club generally? Nice to have a(nother?) heartland, rightly associated with our Casey gamble.

Warms this Gippy heart, anyway!😊

22 hours ago, Vagg said:

It's a pity five of Melbourne's delistings have chosen to go to rival VFL clubs. Woulda been nice if at least some of them had stuck with casey!

Why would they? Guys like Brown and Woewodin worked their guts out at Casey each week for no reward, whilst the likes of Sharp and Sparrow were repeatedly gifted AFL games. In their position, I'd be certainly trying my luck elsewhere.

Apparently the VFL fixture will be released in February "at the earliest". Last year's fixture was released on 24 February.

3 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Actually, given that the coach comes directly from Gippsland Power which made last year’s Preliminary Final, we have yet to see a great influx of players from the 2025 team (only Walker so far).

I also was in touch with a South Adelaide person during the week and he couldn’t confirm that Deakyn Smith was playing with them this season.

Obviously, the lists are to be finalized but we can expect a very different looking Casey Demons this year with a number of regulars going elsewhere.

PS Tom Freeman typo fixed.

WJ you appear to have more than one inkwell at your Demonland desk! I did open the Panthers webpage and took brief notice of welcome to club of this season's new recruits. Deakyn Smith was not listed. Agree lists are yet to be finalised. Some very good footballers have emerged from the Gippsland region. As the hawks would attest to. Be nice if a champ or two came our way directly via the draft or more circuitously via the Casey connection.

Edited Friday at 00:232 days by Tarax Club

On 22/01/2026 at 00:24, KC from Casey said:

Jonah Walker

The tall utility was prepared to go the distance for a Casey listing, making the trip from Nicholson, past Bairnsdale, to Cranbourne three times a week. New Casey coach Rhett McLennan coached Walker at Gippsland Power last year and watched him grow on and off the field. Thrown into the ruck in a final against Geelong Falcons, he was outstanding.

Walker is not that tall and I wouldn't expect him to play ruck at VFL level. He wouldn't even be considered a tall key position player as he's around 192cm.

I must have been a touch psychic this morning because the great story below from Paul Amy has appeared on the Leader Newspapers site. We already knew about some of them - Amy names ten Gippslanders joining him at Casey along with a cousin of a Melbourne AFL lister:-

Gippsland players to power Casey Demons in VFL by Paul Amy (Leader Newspapers)

New Casey Demons coach Rhett McLennan has a good handle on the VFL club's recruits for 2026. He coached most of them at Gippsland Power in the Talent League.

The Casey Demons lost a rugged midfielder from Gippsland when Riley Baldi switched to the SANFL after last season.

But in Traralgon's Luis D'Angelo the Demons are expected to gain a similarly robust player from the same league.

D'Angelo, 23, is yet to apply pen to paper but will be offered a contract and will be happy to sign it.

The runner-up in Gippsland Power's 2021 best and fairest, D'Angelo played for Box Hill Hawks in 2022 and was on their list the following year, but did not manage a game.

For the past three years he has been a leading player for the Gippsland league Maroons, figuring in their 2024 flag.

He has also been named in the past two Gippy league teams of the year.

"He's been awesome for Traralgon," former senior coach Troy Hamilton told CODE Sports.

"He's a heart-and-soul midfielder, very creative by hand and gutsy."

D'Angelo, a physiotherapist, was runner-up in the Traralgon best and fairest in 2023, '24 and again last year.

He said he was enjoyed training with Casey and was up for the challenge of resuming in the VFL.

His Traralgon teammate Joel Scholtes is also headed for the Demons.

Like D'Angelo, Scholtes went through Gippy Power under new Casey coach Rhett McLennan and is a prominent Gippsland league player.

"Left-footer, a bit of an intercepting half-back and very fit," was the word from Hamilton.

The Demons are also going with two players from West Gippsland league premier Nar Nar Goon.

Top tall Nate Pipicelli and Clancy Pope will step up to the VFL after featuring in their club's 2024 and '25 grand final wins.

Flanker Pope, who turned 19 this week, first played senior football with the Goon at age 15.

Pipicelli, 195cm left-footer, has played as a key forward and in the ruck since graduating from Gippsland Power in 2022.

Last year he ran second in the best and fairest to club champion Trent Armour.

The Demons will have a strong Gippsland connection this year, with recruits Harry Tatterson (Heyfield), Jonah Walker (Bairnsdale), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Jobe Scapin (Inverloch-Kongwak), Luke Cheffers (Moe) and Sam Hoghton (Officer) all having gone through the Power.

"We'd like to represent the area as best we can," McLennan, who coached the Power for six years, said.

"There are plenty of football clubs around - I think I counted 78 in Gippsland and the outer east."

But Xavier Hampton is far from local: a cousin of Melbourne-lister Ricky Mentha, he's joined Casey from West Adelaide in the SANFL.

Traralgon star Luis D'Angelo is heading to Casey in the VFL.

D'Angelo claims Leongatha star Dyson Heppell, more recently known for his performance on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

29 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I must have been a touch psychic this morning because the great story below from Paul Amy has appeared on the Leader Newspapers site. We already knew about some of them - Amy names ten Gippslanders joining him at Casey along with a cousin of a Melbourne AFL lister:-

Gippsland players to power Casey Demons in VFL by Paul Amy (Leader Newspapers)

New Casey Demons coach Rhett McLennan has a good handle on the VFL club's recruits for 2026. He coached most of them at Gippsland Power in the Talent League.

The Casey Demons lost a rugged midfielder from Gippsland when Riley Baldi switched to the SANFL after last season.

But in Traralgon's Luis D'Angelo the Demons are expected to gain a similarly robust player from the same league.

D'Angelo, 23, is yet to apply pen to paper but will be offered a contract and will be happy to sign it.

The runner-up in Gippsland Power's 2021 best and fairest, D'Angelo played for Box Hill Hawks in 2022 and was on their list the following year, but did not manage a game.

For the past three years he has been a leading player for the Gippsland league Maroons, figuring in their 2024 flag.

He has also been named in the past two Gippy league teams of the year.

"He's been awesome for Traralgon," former senior coach Troy Hamilton told CODE Sports.

"He's a heart-and-soul midfielder, very creative by hand and gutsy."

D'Angelo, a physiotherapist, was runner-up in the Traralgon best and fairest in 2023, '24 and again last year.

He said he was enjoyed training with Casey and was up for the challenge of resuming in the VFL.

His Traralgon teammate Joel Scholtes is also headed for the Demons.

Like D'Angelo, Scholtes went through Gippy Power under new Casey coach Rhett McLennan and is a prominent Gippsland league player.

"Left-footer, a bit of an intercepting half-back and very fit," was the word from Hamilton.

The Demons are also going with two players from West Gippsland league premier Nar Nar Goon.

Top tall Nate Pipicelli and Clancy Pope will step up to the VFL after featuring in their club's 2024 and '25 grand final wins.

Flanker Pope, who turned 19 this week, first played senior football with the Goon at age 15.

Pipicelli, 195cm left-footer, has played as a key forward and in the ruck since graduating from Gippsland Power in 2022.

Last year he ran second in the best and fairest to club champion Trent Armour.

The Demons will have a strong Gippsland connection this year, with recruits Harry Tatterson (Heyfield), Jonah Walker (Bairnsdale), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Jobe Scapin (Inverloch-Kongwak), Luke Cheffers (Moe) and Sam Hoghton (Officer) all having gone through the Power.

"We'd like to represent the area as best we can," McLennan, who coached the Power for six years, said.

"There are plenty of football clubs around - I think I counted 78 in Gippsland and the outer east."

But Xavier Hampton is far from local: a cousin of Melbourne-lister Ricky Mentha, he's joined Casey from West Adelaide in the SANFL.

Traralgon star Luis D'Angelo is heading to Casey in the VFL.

D'Angelo claims Leongatha star Dyson Heppell, more recently known for his performance on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

I wonder whether D’Angelo has the same follicular impairment as Baldi has because it would otherwise not be the same.