VFL outfit Southport have pulled off a significant coup for the 2024 season, signing the captain of a state rival in former Geelong and Port Adelaide-listed forward Wylie Buzza.
Buzza has joined the Sharks for the 2024 season after a strong two-year stint with Brisbane's VFL squad, where he booted 51 goals from 38 appearances to rank among the competition's best goalkickers.
The 27-year-old has spent the past three years in the state league following his departure from the AFL, where he managed nine games for Geelong before earning a lifeline with the Power.
Buzza joined the Cats as the 69th overall pick in the 2015 National Draft and would kick six goals during his time at Kardinia Park, which came to an end after four seasons.
Buzza was then recruited by Port Adelaide ahead of the 2020 season and would be delisted by the South Australian club after one year with no games played at the elite level.
The Queensland native linked up with Werribee for the 2021 season before returning to his home state in a move to the Lions.
The Brisbane captain has been among the premier tall forwards in the VFL over the past two seasons, and will now represent standalone side Southport from 2024.
"Although I know he would love to be still playing AFL, he is a quality footballer, and we believe he still has a lot to offer, especially at this level," Sharks football operations boss Jarrod Field said.
"He is going to be an important cog in the machine for us next year, as we look to climb back up the ladder."
The Sharks finished 14th on the ladder this year in what was a down season compared to their grand final finish of 2021, with the club acting quickly this off-season to retain their key players and add some new faces.
Buzza joins a long list of ex-AFL talent at Southport, led by Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Dawson, Jesse Joyce, Brayden Crossley and Jay Lockhart.
