EDFL local footy: Nick Meese headlines star recruits for 2021 season
We take a look at the big names set to run out for Essendon District Football League clubs in 2021 ahead of the transfer window re-opening next month.
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Essendon District Football League clubs have been busy locking in some big-name recruits since the end of the 2019 season.
Ahead of the transfer window re-opening on November 1, we take a look at some of the star signings across the competition as clubs prepare for 2021.
Damandeep Aujla (Pascoe Vale)
The classy former VFL player earned selection in the Premier Division Team of the Year in 2019, bagging 35 goals from 18 games for Airport West. He made the decision to switch to Pascoe Vale after the Eagles were relegated and has re-signed for next season. Capable of playing in the forward line or midfield, he is a significant inclusion for the Panthers.
Daniel Archer (West Coburg)
The former St Kilda-listed forward returned to West Coburg before the 2020 season was canned. Archer kicked 20 goals from 16 games for the Burgers in Premier Division in 2018 before following coach Digby Morrell to Pascoe Vale, where he bagged 26 majors from 19 matches in 2019. A big presence in the forward line or ruck, he is set to be a key player for West Coburg in Division 1.
Tim Bongetti (East Keilor)
The key forward and former VFL player is one of a long list of star signings at East Keilor. Bongetti joined the Cougars from MPNFL outfit Pines, where he has booted 58 goals from 32 games in the past two years. Has been a standout in the attacking half for several seasons.
Andrew Browne (Keilor)
The ex-AFL big man is a decorated figure in the EDFL, rated among the competition’s best players in the past decade. Browne has returned to the reigning premier after a stint as playing coach at his junior club Mansfield. Browne collected the Reynolds Medal for the EDFL’s best-and-fairest player in 2013, is a two-time winner of the Blues’ top individual award, grabbed the Reg Rose Medal for best on ground in the 2016 grand final and has earned four Premier Division Team of the Year nods.
Luke Cartelli (Keilor)
Cartelli was in contention for selection in the EDFL’s Team of the Decade, underlining his ability. The 2016 premiership player is back at the Blues after a two-year stint at Ocean Grove, where he crowned his former club’s best-and-fairest winner in 2018. The former Coburg and Williamstown VFL player is a key addition to Keilor’s star-studded midfield.
Peter Faulks (Aberfeldie)
Aberfeldie is yet to announce the signing of the 2020 recruit for 2021, but its prospects of atoning for last season’s grand final loss will be boosted if Faulks signs on. The defender made three senior appearances at AFL level before establishing himself as a star performer with Williamstown in the VFL, featuring in the club’s 2015 premiership and earning Team-of-the-Year honours in the same season. He played 112 games for Casey and the Seagulls at state league level and spent 2019 with Echuca, named in the best 11 times from 21 games.
Sam Godden (Pascoe Vale)
The Panthers have high hopes for the midfielder, who put pen to paper in the lead up to the 2020 season that never was. Godden has had stint at the NT Thunder and Glenelg and is set to add plenty of class and leadership for Pascoe Vale as a tough in-and-under player in the middle of the ground.
Hisham Kerbatieh (Hillside)
A massive plus for Hillside’s finals chances in what is shaping as a hotly-contested Division 1 season in 2021. The ex-VFL player has called time on his state league career following stints with Coburg, Northern Blues and Williamstown. The classy forward/midfielder was an aligned player at Avondale Heights last year, where he managed 18 goals from 14 games in the top flight, and is set to take on a coaching role at Hillside. Watch for Kerbatieh’s speed and goalkicking ability.
Kirk Lang (Tullamarine)
The attacking defender will be vital in Tullamarine’s bid to earn promotion to the top grade. The former Werribee VFL-listed player has spent the past three seasons at Oak Park and was set to take the field for Hay this year. The 30-year-old was crowned Oak Park’s best-and-fairest and named in the Division 1 Team of the Year in 2018.
Dean Limbach (Airport West)
Another familiar face to EDFL watchers, Limbach will cause myriad headaches for Division 1 defenders if he can rediscover the form he showed in 2018, when he booted 84 goals from 18 games for Craigieburn. Limbach had a disjointed 2019 because of personal issues, playing two games for Craigieburn before crossing to Diamond Creek, where he made three appearances. The former Richmond-listed forward has been a noted goalkicker for several years.
Marc Lock (East Keilor)
Lock will give the Cougars enormous flexibility and is capable of having an impact in all three areas of the ground. He made one AFL appearance for Gold Coast in 2011 and brings valuable experience to his new club. Lock has spent the past three seasons with VAFA side Old Carey Grammarians and had five seasons with Box Hill in the VFL.
Nick Meese (Aberfeldie)
Probably the man ardent EDFL supporters are looking forward to watching the most. Meese made a habit of taking down AFL-listed ruckmen in a decorated VFL career, during which he played 162 games for Northern Blues and Williamstown. He made the Team of the Year in the last six seasons of his state league career, was a member of the Seagulls’ 2015 flag and claimed their best-and-fairest in 2017. Aberfeldie has signed him up for 2021, leaving opposition big men with plenty of work do in coming months.
Rowan Nayna (Greenvale)
The former Western Bulldogs rookie had rediscovered his love for footy before returning to Greenvale ahead of the 2020 campaign, with the club excited to regain a man who was rated among the EDFL’s elite midfielders during his prime. Nayna was best afield in the Jets’ 2012 grand final triumph and finished second in the Reynolds Medal in the same year. He made just seven appearances in the last two seasons of his first stint at Greenvale before departing in 2017 but played 13 games for Powelltown in 2019.
Patrick Rose (Taylors Lakes)
Rose could cause endless nightmares for Division 1 defenders as he looks to help Taylors Lakes climb the ladder in Division 1. The goalkicking machine enjoyed a decorated career with VFL club Port Melbourne and Premier Division side Avondale Heights before spending the past two seasons with Altona in the WRFL, where he booted 135 majors, including 81 in 2018. He also booted 106 goals for Avondale Heights in a memorable 2013 campaign.
Chris Stewart (East Keilor)
Stewart has feature in a remarkable 10 senior premierships at local level – seven at Deer Park, two at Maribyrnong Park and one at North Heidelberg. The big man is rated among the best players in suburban football, booting 236 goals from 143 games for the Lions in the past seven years, claiming three best-and-fairest awards, four Team of the Year nods and adjudged best afield in the 2018 WRFL grand final. The inspirational leader is capable of dominating the centre circle, the attacking half or excelling as a defender.
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