Grand final pair Chris Prockter and Rex Hickman have both left the Swans’ nest and will take their football outside of the Ballarat Football League next year.

Prockter has signed with Donald in the North Central Football League, where he will be an assistant coach underneath reigning Central Highlands Football League best and fairest winner Luke Fisher.

Also on the way out for Ballarat is Jackson Hogan, who will also play at Donald.

Prockter, a key forward who spent the last five years playing senior football for the Swans, booted 120 goals in 51 games and mostly played at full forward this year.

His teammate, Hickman, signed with Riddell District Football League club Melton Centrals this week.

A strong-bodied defender, Hickman also spent time in the ruck this year and will leave a big hole in Ballarat’s defence.

He had only spent one year at Alfredton Oval and had previously also played at Melton South.

Ballarat president Shane Manley said the club had its eye on a number of recruits to help fill the void, but was yet to put pen to paper with any of them.

Meanwhile, East Point has welcomed Jesse Murphy to the club from the North Ballarat Roosters.

Murphy is expected to remain on the Roosters’ list but has chosen East Point as his home club.

An injury-riddled 2014 kept him out of the senior side, playing six games at Warrack Eagles, although he did play four senior VFL games in 2013 and came through the North Ballarat Rebels program.

East Point coach Glenn Wilkins said the Roos were far further advanced than this time last year, when he was still trying to find his feet as senior coach.

“Jesse’s a half-forward type that would really help some of our guys out up forward, although he could play anywhere,” Wilkins said.

“He might find himself at the Roosters but we hope to have him with us throughout the year.”

Wilkins also hinted towards further recruits to Eastern Oval in the coming weeks.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au