Wangaratta Magpies have been dealt a brutal blow in the off-season, with star midfielder and reigning best and fairest winner Alex Federico confirming his time at Norm Minns Oval was at an end.

On Thursday, October 2, Ivanhoe Football Club announced on Facebook they’d secured Federico’s signature for the 2026 NFNL season, confirming his return to his junior club.

“Since playing nearly 150 junior games at the club, Alex has gone on to build an immense football resume across elite programs, the NFNL and most recently with Wangaratta Magpies in the OMFNFL that includes: 2x NFNL Division 1 Premiership Player at West Preston, Best and Fairest Winner at Northern Knights, West Preston and Wangaratta Magpies, 1x Team of the Year NFNL Division 1, and 1x Team of the Year OMFNL,” the post read.

“Alex brings quality and leadership to our group and is a brilliant person to have around.

“We are over the moon to have him at the football club.”

Since coming to the Magpies ahead of the 2024 season, Federico has been a standout at the club and across the league.

Federico was named in the 2025 O&M Team of the Year as a rover, and notched up 26 disposals and a goal in the Magpies’ grand final loss.

He averaged 25.4 touches, 6.5 tackles, and 7.7 clearances a game across the 2025 season.

Wangaratta Magpies was contacted for comment.