Every in, out, key player and more for every EDFL Premier Division club

There’s plenty of reasons to be excited for the EDFL Premier Division season. Check out every club’s ins and outs, star player and what to expect.

A thrilling season of Essendon District league Premier Division footy awaits.

Here’s everything you need to know about every club.

ABERFELDIE

Last season: Runner-up

Coach: Adam Marcon

Ins: Karl Brown (Essendon Doutta Stars), Josh Kemp (Gisborne), Josh Hotchkin (Greenvale), Ryan Martin (Merrigum), Jack Mapleson (North Heidelberg).

Aberfeldie’s Lucas Rocci. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Outs: Joe Townsend-Booth

Key player: Sam Cattapan

Snapshot: After going down in one of the great EDFL grand finals last season, Abers again looked prime to challenge for a premiership in Adam Marcon’s second year in charge. Expect some young guys to make the step up in grade and become senior regulars. The new recruits only add depth and means Marcon’s side is arguably the premiership favourite again.

AIRPORT WEST

Last season: Division 1 premiers

Coach: Trent Rogers

Ins: Billy Drake (Deer Park), Zachary Hickey (Pascoe Vale), Lachlan Moore (East Keilor), Jamie Morey (Moonee Valley), Ryan McDonald (Lalor), Joshua Buchanan (Coolamon Rovers), Charlie Di Stefano (Shepparton United), Bior Malual (Seymour), Stuart Hobjin-Allen (Shepparton), Anthony Liberatore (Tullamarine), Christian Mazza (Pascoe Vale), Ben Bozinovski (Keilor), Musa Hussain (Northern Saints) and Jacob Martin (Merrigum).

Airport West players celebrate after winning the grand final. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Outs: Fabian Brancatisano, Ibrahim Taha

Key player: Ned Gentile

Snapshot: The Eagles have built a nice list after winning last season’s Division 1 premiership and now the main goal is clear, survival. Some of the new arrivals will make an immediate impression on the senior side and create pressure on spots. Early wins are going to be key if they are to survive. Tyson Young is likely to play more footy at VFL level than local in a blow to Airport West.

AVONDALE HEIGHTS

Last season: Eighth

Coach: Richard Little

Ins: Ethan Guy, Tom Hird, Lachlan Jones, Aidyn Johnson, Marcus Misiano, David Simpson, Anthony Tiricola.

Outs: Alexander Byrne, Donnacadh Cleary, Ruairi Cleary, Aaron Gundry, Dylan Murnane, Hamish Murphy, William Shem, Jack Watkins.

Key player: Jackson Robb

Snapshot: With a number of key players departing Heights during the off-season, there’s a fantastic opportunity for the young guys to step up and make their mark at senior level. Aidyn Johnson is a handy in and will provide valuable experience. New coach Richard Little has an interesting job on his hands this season.

Heath Shaw. Picture: Andy Brownbill

EAST KEILOR

Last season: Fifth

Coach: Rocky Iannello

Ins: Ben Silvagni (Old Xaverians), Thomas Rowland (Altona), Matthew Dennis (Southern Districts), Marc Coscarella (Bundoora), Cooper Bond (Caroline Springs), Jack Cackett (Caroline Springs), Jack Evans (Craigieburn), Jacob Brown (East Point), Jackson Pellegrino (Echuca), Quinton Narkle (Geelong), Joseph Langford (Heathcote), Carlo Riccardi (Hillside), Daniel McNaughton (Hillside), Austin Harris (Maribyrnong Park), Vinnie Sudano (St Bernards), Lachlan Papley (St Bernards), Gabriel Loukomitis (St Bernards), Michael Commisso (St Bernards), Nicholas Kerr (St Bernards), Anthony Tashevski-Beckwith (St Kilda City), Matthew Scarpino (Taylors Lakes), Caleb Smith (Tongala), Marwan Abdul-Wahad (Westmeadows) & George Nabbout (Westmeadows).

Outs: Lachlan Rayner, Dale Marshall, Tim Bongetti, Josh Grabowski, Victor Micallef, Marc Lock

Key player: Dion Hill

Snapshot: It’s been an off-season of change for the Cougars headlined by Rocky Iannello’s appointment as senior coach, replacing Tim Bongetti. After an impressive fifth place finish in its return to the top tier, East Keilor will be desperate to make ground on the top four. It will be interesting how quickly the new signings can gel and hit the ground running.

ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS

Last season: Ninth

Coach: Barry Prendergast

Ins: Tom Barker, Jordan Davis, Maison Goodman, Ethan Sivijs, Blake Taylor, Tom Wallis

Outs: Kurtis Barnard, Karl Brown, Sam Heaton, Thomas Jackson, Ayden Kesici, Brodie Meyers, Lachlan Meyers, Riley O’Meara, John Roumeliotis.

Key player: Noah Smallacombe

Snapshot: The summer months represented a changing of the guard at Nipper Jordan Oval. Some big names have departed the stars as Barry Prendergast prepares to lead a side that was able to fight off relegation fears last season. Tom Wallis’ return is smassive for the club while several new young faces are exciting prospects.

GREENVALE

Last season: Seventh

Coach: Darren Bewick

Ins: Corey Baker, Jarryd Bonello, Matt Bonello, Judd Brewster, Jason Kenneth, Nathan Kenneth, Jett Ladewig, Mitch Mills, Josh Porter, Bobby Saric, Ben Speight, Nick Stuhldreier, Trent Warren,

Outs: Michael Baccari, Patrick Baccari, Josh Hotchkin, Liam Rocca, Jacob Thompson.

Key player: Christopher Farchione

Snapshot: There has been a strong homecoming theme at the Jets throughout the off-season. With the players they’ve recruited, there’s no reason to suggest Darren Bewick’s side can’t win more games than last season. One of the biggest challenges will be filling the goal scoring hole left by Jacob Thompson’s departure.

KEILOR

Last season: Elimination final

Coach: Mick McGuan

Ins: Damien Cavka (Keilor Park), Lachlan Barr (Maribyrnong Park), Nathan Colenso (Morningside), Toby Triffett (Morningside), Jonathan Marsh (Old Carey Grammarians), Harrison Kennedy (St Bernards), Lachlan Peplow (Strathmore).

Outs: Ben Bozinovski, Jamie Papalia, Jesse Wallin, Todd Stevenson, Clayton Bonello, Dean Galea, David Gourdis.

Key player: Nick O’Kearney

Snapshot: It would be an understatement to say the Blues were disappointed with their finish to the season in 2022. In order to remain near the top of the ladder, Mick McGuane’s side has welcomed a series of exciting talents to the club which should keep them around the mark.

Nic O'Kearney. Picture: Andy Brownbill

MARIBYRNONG PARK

Last season: Sixth

Coach: Brad Swain

Ins: Kyle Harman (Burnie Dockers), Joseph Stapleton (York), Lachlan Swaney (Uni Blues), Edenn Bradford (Sydney University), Ethan Jackson (Sunshine), Cruise Petruccelli (St Bernards), Lucas Edmonds (St Bernards), Angus Hug (St Bernards), Jack Hammerling (Riddell), O’Neill Moncrief (Morningside), Jamaica Ilsley (Fitzroy).

Outs: Josh Cripps, Sebastian Greene, Caleb Harward, Jonah Horo, Chris Prowse, Nicholas Prowse, Oliver Sanders

Key player: Darcy Griffin

Snapshot: Despite losing some key pieces over the summer, the Lions are confident they’ve filled the gaps that have been left. Brad Swain’s side will face a difficult start to the season on paper but at the same time it will be the perfect indicator of what they sit in the finals race. Expect Maribyrnong Park to surprise a few this season.

PASCOE VALE

Last season: Preliminary final

Coach: Digby Morrell

Ins: Jayden Ranno (Westmeadows), Dylan Arnold (White Hills), Luca Villella (Preston Bullants), Adam Del Busso (Glenroy), Jonah Evans (Keilor), Joshua Iacobaccio (West Preston-Lakeside), Jackson Smith (Keilor), Mitch Heywood (Tongala), Joshua Hyde (North Sunshine), Rhys Ritchie (Wodonga), Arthur Armstrong (North London).

Pascoe Vale’s Michael Ross. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Outs: Jesse Boyd, Christian Mazza, Liam Ogden, Jack Raines, Sam Godden.

Key player: Lachlan Stredwick

Snapshot: After the disappointment of falling one game short of last season’s grand final, Pascoe Vale looks set to be back with a vengeance. The Panthers have enjoyed a busy off-season and loom as a much watch team once again. Some key players have departed so it will be up to the younger brigade to take their game to the next level.

STRATHMORE

Last season: Premiers

Coach: Marty Allison

Ins: Harry Jones (Wodonga), Nathan Marcola (West Coburg), Reece Billane (West Augusta), James Sala (Tyntynder), Cody Rodwell (Sunbury Lions), James Hall (Sunbury), Isaac Brill (Seaton Ramblers), Isaak Warburton (PEGS), Luke Malone (PEGS), James O’Meara (Oak Park), Wil Oosterhof (Oak Park), Jye Harry (Kerang), Max Cirigliano (Irymple), Tom Condon (Glenelg), David Tyquin (Diggers Rest), Cooper Keogh (Coburg Districts), Liam Cavanagh (Ararat).

Outs: Dean O’Brien, Nick O’Brien, Sam O’Loughlin, Matthew Knight

Key player: Will Jury

Snapshot: The reigning premier will certainly be an interesting watch this season. After key members of the premiership team departed, the Mores were able to bring in some exciting talent of their own. No one stands out more than Tom Condon who returns after time away in the SANFL. Despite losing to Keilor on Good Friday, there’s no need to hit the panic button.