EDFL: All the big signings in the lead up to season 2022
Essendon District league clubs have been busy locking away their playing lists for 2022 across all three divisions. Here are all the big moves.
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The reopening of player transfers has again sparked a flurry of movement across the Essendon District league.
We’ve picked out the recruits who will play a key role in helping shape their club’s destiny across all three divisions in 2022.
PREMIER DIVISION
Newcomers East Keilor are preparing for life in the top flight with an influx of new faces.
Three recruits have been poached from the Western Region competition including Caroline Springs pair Zen Christofi and Frank Campisi with Rodney Van Reit from Deer Park also joining the club.
Other new faces include Andrew Tashewski-Beckwith (Old Melburnians), James McNaughton (Hillside), Dale Marshall (Rosebud) and Damien Petrone (Pascoe Vale).
Nick Grabowski has requested to return to the club having played for Banyule in 2021.
Forward Michael Graham, who is set to move from Brisbane is one of Essendon Doutta Stars’ bigoff-season recruits. He joins after spending time with Morningside in the QAFL.
He will be joined by Darryl Anderson from WAFL club South Fremantle as well as local young gun Giacomo Thomas who has spent time in West Coburg and Craigeburn’s footy programs.
Former Bundoora tall Joel Grace has landed at Glenroy for 2022 and will bring NAB League experience to the club having played for the Northern Knights.
George Abdallah (Pascoe Vale) is another player to have requested a move to the club.
Greenvale has been able to cap off a string of re-signings in the off-season with the capture of former VFL player Cameron Tudor. His 2021 season saw him finish with 32 goals for St Joseph’s in the Geelong league.
Maribyrnong Park recently unveiled its latest recruit in Tasmanian midfielder Ollie Sanders who will spend time with the Lions when not playing for Carlton’s VFL side.
Sanders followed in the footsteps of Sean Hetherington, 26, who signed from VAFA club Old Melburnians.
Former state league talents Sam Godden and Ozgur Uysal headline the new talent at Pascoe Vale in 2022. Godden had signed for the Panthers in 2021 but injured his knee surfing. Both players will add midfield depth.
Avondale Heights pair Jibril Yamak and Zain Yamak also have pending clearances to the Panthers.
Avondale Height’s movements have been highlighted by the arrival of Lachlan Jowett from St. Bernard’s in the VAFA. The 192cm utility was announced in December.
He is joined by Aaron Clarke who will pull on the club’s colours when VFL commitments with Coburg allow.
DIVISION ONE
Premiership contender Airport West has been one of the busiest clubs in the competition with several senior players requesting moves to Hansen Reserve. Former Brisbane Lion Reuben William (Spotswood) and Fabian Brancatisano (East Keilor) headline the recruits.
Two of the EDFL’s most exciting young guns in Luke Sultana (Rupertswood) and Ibrahim Taha (West Coburg) have previously been announced as signings.
Connor Frantti-Glen (Rupertswood), Kevin Klix (Melton), James Paraskevopoulos (Keilor) and Aaron Di Matteo (Taylors Lakes) have also requested to join the club.
Tullamarine’s dream of a premiership received a big boost when it was announced Shaun McKernan would return to his junior club after his AFL career was ended.
But he’s among a host of new faces also including Brandon Marlow (Greenvale), Salvatore Melilli (Taylors Lakes), Matthew O‘Dwyer (Koondrook Barham), James Vistarini, Nick Bruno, Peter Dispenzeri and Nathan Sciberras.
Craigeburn is preparing to bounce back in a big way after relegation from the top division headlined by the arrivals of former AFL players Justin Sherman, who will be the playing coach, and Jake Carlisle.
Also among the new arrivals are Sam Rexhepi who crosses from Lalor where he kicked 25 goals from 12 games in 2021 in a side which won just a single game.
New faces at the club also include Christian Pisano (Thomastown), Lochie Phillips (Dimboola), Jordan Crowhurst (Reservoir), Amos Farrell (AFL Sydney), Connor Gills (Sunbury Lions), Will Jasiewicz (Dimboola) and Logan Power (Dimboola).
A series of returning faces has made for an exciting off-season at Roxburgh Park.
Among those back in white are James Margariti, Anthony Omogrosso, Jarrio Guterres, Brock McLarty, Sammy Saad and Ferras Merhi.
Cooper McPharlene is the Sunbury Kangaroos’ major off-season signing after kicking 44 goals from 10 games for East Sunbury.
He will be joined by the exciting Fitzroy Greenwool who arrives from the Goulburn Valley league.
Hillside has welcomed several new players across the off-season headlined by Lucas Failli who is on Williamstown’s VFL list.
Cassius White, Paris Grampsas and ruckman Bailey Kirkman will also call Shark Park home in 2022.
Rupertswood has several new recruits on its playing list including former NEAFL talent Zac Saad, Ben Said, Shaun Stewart and Brock Landt.
DIVISION TWO
Keilor Park has enjoyed one of the most productive off seasons across all three divisions following the return of Robbie Castello and arrival of Damien Cavka from Deer Park.
Angus Price (Airport West), Lindsay Todaro (Keilor), Julian Depasquile (Hillside), Josh Debono (Taylors Lakes), Nathanial Smith (Burnside Heights), Cameron Harris (Avondale Heights) and Andrew Casmi (Taylors Lakes) have joined the club.
Hadfield’s off-season recruiting has had a strong homecoming factor to it headlined by the return of Rhys Gleisner from Macleod.
He will be joined by 2015 premiership players Matthew Gray and Harry Walker.
Cousins Josh Marino (Girgarre) and Shane Lindsay (East Sunbury) have also joined the club.
The Northern Saints declared the “prodigal son” had returned when Michael Simioni signed on for the 2022 season. He has not played since 2018 but boasts a footballing resume which includes three EDFL Team of the Year selections.
One of his new teammates will be 210cm ruckman Tom Eimerman.
Oak Park have been quieter than some this off-season but their move for Anthony Ricupero from the Northern Saints has been completed.
Mitchell Robinson has also requested to return to the club having been cleared to Aberfeldie for the start of the season.
Taylors Lakes have welcomed a large number of new players after it was relegated from division one.
Among the new faces are Sammy D’Andrea (Old Mentonians), Luke Nappi (Keilor), George Kotevski (Sunshine Heights) and Brad Nolen (East Keilor).
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.
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