The VFL's off-season of player movement has been one of the busiest in recent memory, with exited AFL names, state league stars and overlooked draft talent all finding new homes for 2025.

With the VFL's season start just over a month away, we've looked at the headline moves and signings across the competition as the premiership race prepares to take shape.

Here we named 11 of the best signings ahead of the 2025 VFL season

4Dyson Heppell (Essendon to Port Melbourne)

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MELBOURNE - APRIL 09: Dyson Heppell of the Bombers celebrates with teammates during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the Essendon Bombers and the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on April 9, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Essendon champion is perhaps the biggest name to sign with a VFL side for the season ahead, with Heppell making the move to North Port Oval along with his ex-coach James Hird.

Heppell has also been joined by former teammate Tex Wanganeen at the Borough, while the club's aggressive off-season planning has seen notable names in Dom Bedendo, Charlie Lazzaro, Will Martyn and James Van Es make the move to Port Melbourne.

The former Essendon captain's leadership, experience and skill as a defensive general will do wonders for new coach Brendan McCartney as the standalone side looks to make a finals return in 2025.

Heppell is coming off a 2024 season in the AFL that saw him average 21.28 disposals and 5.67 marks from 18 games in the red sash.