Everything you need to know about the 2024 season

The Essendon District Football League Division 2 season looks set to be one of the most competitive in years. Here’s everything from the ins and outs of every club to our verdict.

The 2024 Essendon District Football League division two looks set to be one of the most competitive in years.

On the eve of the season, we’ve broken down all the key information for all nine clubs.

Here’s everything you need to know.

BURNSIDE HEIGHTS

Burnside has brought in plenty of experience. Photo: Hamish Blair

Coach: Cole Harvey

In: Owen Pawsey, Lachlan Evans, Daniel Hovey, Nicholas Cugliari, Brock Goldsworthy, Ryhan Thomas, Andrej Krunic, Brandon Brunalli, Simon Maiolo, Riley McLaughlin, Joshua Stiles, Nicholas Gregson, Zak Zafirovski, Jalen Asani Davis, Edwin Hayden, Jaydon Stiles, Daniel Norman, Michael Shailer, Fabian Beazley.

Out: Brandon Yankovski, Habib Hosni, Liam Mercieca, Sam Beckinsale, Gabe Cristiano.

We say: The Bears have been busy this off-season as they eye a place in the top-four. Hovey’s arrival brings plenty of goalkicking power while Evans will quickly establish himself as one of the competition’s premier big men. With such a young group at his disposal last season, another year of strong development could have Burnside Heights eyeing off a finals place later in the season.

COBURG DISTRICTS

Coburg Districts enter a new era. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coach: Charlie Denaro

In: Aythen Kyriazis, Robert Maiorana, Declan Doherty, Will Ryan, Andrew Vaiano, Conor Doherty, Rusi Komaitai, Jack Gusman, Guy Clark, Pasquale Curcio, Lewis Johnson, Harrison Harbrow, Tom Carland, Frank Agresta, Patrick Logan, Gianni McKenzie, Angus O’Meara, Jack McNamara, Michael Bidois.

Out: Liam Bianco, Oliver Aitken, Tom Gleeson, John Delacoe, Tom Lay, Bayley Overend, Lucas Leeds, Benjamin Cass.

We say: There has been a changing of the guard at the Lions in the off-season with a new coach and several first choice senior players pursuing new challenges. Importantly, Denaro has been able to bring a host of fresh faces into the playing group which should keep Districts in the hunt for finals footy. Komaitai crossing from Hillside along with the senior mentor is a nice boost for the big man department.

EAST SUNBURY

East Sunbury hope to keep building. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Coach: Travis Bishop

In: Ryan Fletcher, David Morrice, Brandon Yankovski, Brandon Brancatisano, Sean Egan, Jack Barnes, Zac Watkins, Claudio Campos, Dayne Tannenberg, Jai Pettman, Jack Bruce, Jesse Smillie, Jacob Cannon, Daniel Yankovski.

Out: Aaron Kite, Brad Kite, Jaymee Guy.

We say: The Thunder will have a new man in charge as they prepare for their second season out of recess. Bishop continues to build a list which will be more competitive than last season and there’s hope East can get a win on the board. The departure of the Kite brothers might hurt the structure on the ground but it creates opportunities for others. It’s all about continuing to build this season for the Thunder.

GLENROY

Glenroy is hoping for a better 2024. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Coach: Dean Young

In: Michael Adams, Zain Yassine, Kenny Lam, Lachlan Woodham, Joseph Moio, Dominick Lo Presti, Ali Samie, Joseph Sophia, Joel McDonald, Daniel Takle, Brad Kite, Aaron Kite, Omar Taleb, Nasir Kodi, Tochi Oparaocha, Omar El-Ladekani, Torey Crosta, Michael Miller, Abdul Shire, Aboud Taleb, Jacob Albazi, Mohammed Ali, Adrian Sabatino, Ibrahim Hammoud.

Out: John Mona, Julian Mosarevski, Lucas Kyriazis, Samuel Gewargis, Paul Pascu, Joshua Ksiazek.

We say: After back-to-back relegations, it’s hard to predict just where the Roys will sit in a competitive division this season. Given they’ve retained a large number of players from last season and topped up with some impressive talent, Young’s side will be quietly confident of pushing for finals footy. Early results would give us a better indication of what might lay ahead. The return of Aaron Kite is the club’s best piece of business.

HADFIELD

Coach: Ange Lamanna

In: Sam Godden, Jake Polizzi, Daniel Moro, Christian Pisano, Gerald Lynch, Brayden May, Stephen Siale, Zach Greenwood, Declan Drummond, Zac Gillard (assistant coach), Ayden Woodward, Mitch Sciberras, Asher Claney, Sam Skinner, Kyle Desira, Ardon Bektash, Jake Wheeldon, Talat Moustafa, Chris Inkson.

Out: Tom McIntosh, Ethan Hope, Andrew Trende.

We say: There’s a renewed sense of optimism at the Hawks after a busy summer welcoming numerous fresh faces to the club. Under new coach Lamanna, they’ll be aiming to bounce back from a 2023 where they were ravaged by injuries. With so many new players coming into the senior side, the key is going to be how quickly Hadfield can build chemistry.

NORTHERN SAINTS

Tamer Abdallah, the playing coach of Northern Saints. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coach: Tamer Abdallah

In: Riley Houston, Abdullah El-Rafei, Ben Tenace, Issac Kako, Oliver Klemm, Fabian Pennelli, Musa Hussain.

Out: Nil.

We say: The Saints enjoyed an impressive 2023 season as they made the finals before being knocked out at the hands of Sunbury Kangaroos. Importantly, they’ve managed to bolster their list which will give them another shot at finishing in the top-four. In a season where the competition looks extremely tight, they’ll need to start well to avoid having to make up ground.

SUNBURY KANGAROOS

Sunbury Kangaroos are among the flag favourites. Picture: George Sal

Coach: Shanon Carroll

In: Trent Cranwell, Riley Eales, Thomas Eiszele, Brandon Smith, Rocco Tripodi, Ben Cannon, Andrew Siekai, Mitch Collins, Cooper Anson, Timothy Walsh, Nicholas Agnello, Ethan McDonald, Jake Olivieri, Riley Hardiman, Tyler Morton.

Out: Rhys Magin, Brody Watts.

We say: The Roos went on a fairytale to the grand final last season and on paper have bolstered their list for another deep finals run. The departures of Magin and Watts sees goalkicking power go out the door but enough good players have come in to help fill the void. In pre-season, along with Taylors Lakes they’ve been many people’s tip to win the flag. Start well and they’ll give themselves the best opportunity to earn a double chance.

TAYLORS LAKES

Coach: Steve Burns

In: Lachlan McMullin, Ben Spargo, Brandon Raad, Yanni Apostolidis, Connor Roach, Declan Wakefield, Ben Weightman, Vincent Schiavello, Shaun Ujcich, Matt Brown, Joel Sposato, Nathanael Smith, Michael Di Pietro, Dylan Birdo, Lockie Rayner.

Out: Reece Sidebottom

We say: Ask many competition onlookers and they’ll say Burns’ men are the team to beat. Rayner’s last minute acquisition has only helped strengthen the premiership favourite tag while Weightman could easily be the competition’s best forward. Burns’ team went on what many considered to be a shock run to the preliminary final last season and they’re only going to be better for the experience.

WESTMEADOWS

Coach: Ash Flavel

In: Jakob Hanlon, Jordan Taglieri-Sclocchi, Connor Michielin, Corey McCawley, Kayne Councillor, Jake Watson, Sean Andrews.

Out: Finbar Delbridge, James Duell, Dayne Tannenberg, Michael Portelli, Alexander Aleksovski, Shaun Knott.

We say: It’s tough to get a read on where the Tigers will sit considering their relegation back to the third tier. Like some of the other sides in this division, they’ve got a young list so there’s probably going to be some ups and downs along the way. A key for Flavel in the off-season was being able to retain the core of last year’s senior side.