Rees has left the Burras after a standout 2018 season which saw him finish with 14 votes in the Geoff Taylor Medal count.

His successful time with Hepburn has netted three senior premierships.

After flags in 2010 and 2013, Rees left the club for the Horsham Saints, with his three-year stint in the Wimmera returning a grand final defeat and back-to-back flags.

He returned to Hepburn in 2017 and lifted the cup under senior coach Jason Olver.

Rees was part of a Burras side that was beaten in an elimination final this year.

Hepburn has also lost the versatile Joe Clarke, who has had his clearance request to Geelong league powerhouse South Barwon approved.

Clarke, who lives in Geelong, played in a senior premiership with the Burras in 2017.

The departures are a blow for a Hepburn outfit that will be coached by Clive Raak and Segifili Asa Leausa next year.

The Burras will open their 2019 campaign with a round one clash against arch-rivals Daylesford.

Meanwhile, Dunnstown has continued the raid on Buninyong with Josh Renga the latest Bomber to lodge a clearance away from the club.

Renga follows in the footsteps of Buninyong teammates Daniel Westblade, Matt Chapman and Josh Mann, who have all been approved their transfers to Dunnstown.

All four played in Buninyong’s reserves premiership this season.

Renga played 14 senior games for the Bombers throughout the most recent campaign.

The Towners’ senior side is again being coached by Justin Abrams, who finally returned the club to finals in 2018.

Dunnstown has been scheduled to take on Waubra in the opening round of the 2019 season on March 30.