Everything you need to know about the EDFL Division 1 2025 season
The EDFL Division 1 season is days away and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes. See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.
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The EDFL Division 1 season is days away and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes.
See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Last season: Relegated from Division 1
In: Makuei Andrew, Corey Griffin, Mark Polycarpou, Scott Polycarpou, and Majok Puok.
Out: Danko Bzenic (Elmore), Tom Gleeson (East Keilor), Jalen Gill (East Keilor), Luca Papsis (Moonee Valley), Zayas Leonedas (Moonee Valley), Liam Bianco (Elmore), Lachlan O’Hara (University Blacks), Connor Byrne (University Blacks), Ben Hempel (Bentleigh), Harvey Gleeson (Bonbeach), Ned Timms (Watsonia), Myles Gollant (Sunbury), Joshua Browne (Greenvale, Collingwood VFL)
Players to watch: Jackson Robb, Justin Morris, Tom Russell
Verdict: It’s difficult to get a read on where Heights will sit this season after their relegation from the competition’s top tier. New senior coach Andrew Kahofer has a big task on his hands with so many key players from last season departing the club. It will be interesting to see how quickly the new faces can adjust to the level. They should be around the top-five for most of the season.
CRAIGIEBURN
Last season: 6th
In: Tighe O’Brien, Nathan Stewart, Dayne Middleton, Jai Robinson, Dom Micallef, Cody Ball, Josh Collins, Luke Collins, Bailey Collins, Jordy Laurie-Rhodes.
Out:
Players to watch: Luke Collins, Harry Albon, Riley Gaylard
Verdict: Shane Jacobs’ Eagles have been one of the key talking points of the off-season after a major recruiting drive. Craigieburn will have a number of young guns stepping out of the under-18s program to challenge for places in the senior side. An eight-game losing run in the back half of last season hampered last year’s finals hopes. If a number of the kids can take a step and combine well with the experienced recruits, the Eagles could soar into the top-five.
HILLSIDE
Last season: 3rd
In: Gabe Cristiano, Khalil Kaakour, Milad El Matrah, James McNaughton.
Out: Zain Yamak (Greenvale), Michael Portelli (Westmeadows), Jake Gatto (Coburg Districts).
Players to watch: Josh Covelli, Lucas Failli, Tristan Rudic
Verdict: The Sharks were around the mark again last season and you would expect the same again after keeping most of their list together from the 2024 season. New coach Mo Kaakour will be hoping to take this side one step further but competition for places at the top of the ladder is going to be closer than ever. Star man Josh Covelli once again looms as a key factor. If he kicks the ton like he did last season, the Sharks are likely to be playing in the last few games of the season.
MOONEE VALLEY
Last season: 8th
In: Michael Bourke, Tom Clark, James Kefalas, Zayas Leonedas, Josh Toy, Callum Clinnick, Alessi Leggieri, Ahmed Saad, Ahmed Dabdoub, Ryan Wait.
Out: Charles Aitken (Talbot), Harrison Fry (Talbot), Scott Polycarpou (Avondale Heights), Ben Ryan (Cobram)
Players to watch: Luke Denny, Bevan Newell, Costa Detsikas
Verdict: After winning five games last season, new Fog coach Andrew Horne will be determined to lead the club forward potentially eyeing a push for the top-five. The club has managed to get the right mix with its youth and experience in the off-season which suggests they are already better placed than last season. Getting early wins on the board is going to go a long way to determining where they finish.
OAK PARK
Last season: 5th
In: Jedd Clothier, Michael Dalrymple, Adam Del Busso, Finn Dolan, Josh Hotchkin, Lachlan Stredwick.
Out: Hirsi Twomey (Lalor)
Players to watch: Lachlan Stredwick, Kane O’Halloran, Max Gleeson
Verdict: The Roos made a major impression last season after making finals straight after promotion. Todd Clark’s side has only gone and become stronger over the off-season with a series of impressive additions. Lachlan Stredwick’s arrival from Pascoe Vale immediately makes him one of the premier defenders in the competition while Del Busso is a major addition to the forward line. After finishing fifth last season, Oak Park should be eyeing off a place in the top-three with the quality of its list.
ROXBURGH PARK
Last season: 9th
In: Dan Watson, Angus Bartolo, Kaden Hamilton, Anthony Omogrosso, Steve Golding, Dylan Exposto, Gavesh Siriwardana, Brad Coulson, James ‘Tazz’ Tasiyan, Lucas Repic, Luke Smith.
Out: Harley Short
Players to watch: Dan Watson, Brad Coulson, Jack Elliott
Verdict: Ross Terranova’s Magpies managed to avoid the drop by half-a-game last season and will be determined for more improvement on the back of an impressive recruiting drive. Without having seen Roxy play a game yet, we’re going to go out on a limb and say they’ll win more than four-and-a-half games this season. A key element of their performance could be determined by how quickly the new faces are able to gel.
ST ALBANS
Last season: 4th
In: Nathan Carroll, Tom Eckel, Brock Heathcote, Patrick Taban, Mua Tavo, Tobe Watson.
Out: Adeola Akintola (PEGS), Victor Micallef (Wallan), Tyler Bell (Port Melbourne Colts), Brodie Lyons-Jones (Parkside)
Players to watch: Tobe Watson, Nathan Carroll, Jack Sims
Verdict: There was a major breakthrough for St Albans last year, winning the club’s first final since 2008. Now Zammy Muhtari’s side should be in the mix for a top-three finish this season after securing some impressive recruits throughout the off-season. Nathan Carroll kicked 100 goals for Sunshine last year while Tom Eckel is a country footy star. The arrival of ex-Fremantle utility Tobe Watson is a major boost — he’ll be available when he’s not selected in Port Melbourne’s VFL side. Don’t be surprised if his side makes a strong run in September.
TAYLORS LAKES
Last season: Division 2 premier
In: Marc Lock, Jack Gusman, Danny Younan, Jake Hobbs, Damien Petrone.
Out: Shaun Ujcich (North Footscray), Raafat Rachrache (Sunshine), Ben Weightman (Tullamarine)
Players to watch: Danny Younan, Lachie Rayner, Chris Vulic
Verdict: Stepping up into the second tier, the first goal for the Lions will be proving they belong in the competition by performing consistently. They’ve managed to keep most of last year’s list and added some returning players who will bring class to the line up. We can see the Lions picking up six to eight wins in their first season back up.
TULLAMARINE
Last season: 7th
In: Declan Edwards, Adam Figliola, Anthony Zanti, Fintan Brazil, Nicholas Owens, Ben Weightman, Jamie Trifonos, Alexi Mamalos, Nick Brazil, Ivan Pavlovic, Shaun McKernan, Declan Harvey, Anthony Liberatore.
Out: Dominic Micallef (Craigieburn), Phil Smith (Elmore), Matthew O’Dwyer (Elmore), Tom Jackson (Lancefield), Stephen McCallum (Laurimar), Kirk Lang (Talbot), Michael Sikora (Talbot), Tom Filipovic, Jake Long (Anakie)
Players to watch: Ben Weightman, Joquin Bugeja, Daniel Devine
Verdict: There has been a changing of the guard at the Demons in the off-season with a large number of players coming into the club and a high figure departing. Zack Carey is the club’s new coach, coming across from Strathmore in the competition’s top tier. His major goal will be to lift the Demons from five wins last season and well clear of the relegation zone. Tulla has some impressive young guns who will be determined to break into the senior side throughout the year.
WEST COBURG
Last season: Runner-up
In: Marwan Abdulwahed
Out: Tom McCrostie (Coburg Districts), Omar Saad (Newport), Muhammad Saad (Newport), Blake Ross (Thomastown), Ibrahim Taha (Pascoe Vale)
Players to watch: Donnacadh Cleary, Tom Baravi, Emilio Rinaudo
Verdict: Mark Micklethwait has a big job in front of him to help guide the Burgers to a fourth straight grand final. Everyone is well aware of the quality this side possesses and they should be right at the pointy end of the ladder again this season. West will need to find a new way to goal this season after the club lost its three leading goalkickers last season. Making their home ground a fortress is a must again.
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