Former Kangaroo Charlie Lazzaro has signed with standalone VFL club Port Melbourne for 2025, following his delisting from North Melbourne in October.
Drafted at Pick 36 in the 2020 National Draft, Lazzaro amassed 39 games in his four-year career, playing through the midfield and forward regions. The 22-year-old played 24 games across his first two seasons but struggled to find a spot in the team in 2023 onwards, biding his time in the VFL.
Despite his inconsistent inclusions in the AFL side, Lazzaro was a force in the state league, averaging 26.8 disposals across 10 matches in 2024. His best VFL performance came against Coburg in Round 11, recording 36 disposals in a six-point win. However, Lazzaro failed to reach those heights in the AFL, with a 16-disposal, one-goal display against Carlton his best.
Following another tumultuous season for North Melbourne, Lazzaro was cut alongside Blake Drury as the Roos aim to reshape its young core of talent.
Lazzaro joins recently retired Bomber Dyson Heppell as another ex-AFL signing to the Borough, bolstering an improving Port Melbourne list. Former Tiger Will Martyn and Bomber Tex Wanganeen are additional 2025 signings at Port Melbourne who have played AFL, albeit briefly.
Port Melbourne will be aiming to improve on their 2024 season, winning just six games from 18 matches, finishing 16th on the VFL ladder. The addition of Lazzaro will add midfield depth and attacking flair to a side that scored the seventh-least points on average last season.
With Lazzaro's delisting, North Melbourne have acquired a fresh crop of talent through the trade period and draft nights, with Luke Parker or Finn O'Sullivan likely to slot into Lazzaro's prior positioning on the field.