Everything you need to know about the EDFL Premier Division 2025 season
The EDFL Premier Division season is here 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.
Essendon
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The EDFL Premier Division 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.
Aberfeldie
In: Jack Arceri, Jhett Gaskett, Jack Mapleson, Jackson McDonald, Callum Moore, Sam Paea, Logan Prout, Lachlan Riley, Liam Spear, Jean-Luc Velissaris
Out: Heath Ollington (Albion), Joshua Hotchkin (Oak Park), Darby Scott (Southport)
Players to watch: Ben Ronke, Callum Moore, Sam Paea
Verdict: Abers have recruited well for year two under co-coaches Clay Illman and Ben Ronke. After finishing fourth last season, the club is quietly confident they’ll be able to push up into the top-three and earn themselves a double chance. If Moore can thrive off the service he’ll receive, he will be an impressive recruit. They’ve put together a quality list and now it’s about putting it altogether.
Airport West
In: Jacob Bygate, Hayden Clarke, Nathan Clarke, Ned Hawkins, Musa Hussain, Hamish Morrison, Max Rider
Out: John Roumeliotis (Doutta Stars), Aaron Dimatteo (Glenroy), Jed Brereton (Strathfieldsaye)
Players to watch: Matthew Hanson, Tyson Young, Ned Gentile
Verdict: The Eagles finished last season with a record of 7-10-1 — the most memorable result was a win over Keilor. Airport West has managed to add some nice pieces over the off-season and they should be eyeing off at least 10 wins this year.
Deer Park
In: Mitchell Antonello, Zen Christofi, Nicholas Ebinger, Mark Galea, Hayden Gill, Dion Hill, Lin Jong, Jacob Langborne, Tim Quick, Massimo Raso, Lachlan Smart, Trent McKenzie
Out: Scott Greenhough (Portarlington), Jack Dorgan (Portarlington)
Players to watch: Lachlan Smart, Lin Jong, Kier Bol
Verdict: The Lions won seven games in their maiden season of top flight EDFL footy last season and will be determined to improve again this year. Based on the players they’ve managed to bring in throughout the off-season, we’re expecting they’ll be in the finals race but still a step behind the top sides.
East Keilor
In: Jalen Gill, Joe Langford, CJ Grampsas, Ali Khalil, Zak Malkoun, Harrison Minett, Nathan Perrone, Callan Thongvilu, Majok Aneet, Jackson Griffiths, Joel Galea
Out: Tristan Mancuso (Bundoora), Carlo Riccardi (Caroline Springs), Malik Elfakahani (Caroline Springs), Cooper Bond (Caroline Springs), Frank Campisi (Caroline Springs), Ben Caluzzi (Caroline Springs), Lachlan Smart (Deer Park), Tim Quick (Deer Park), Dion Hill (Deer Park), Zen Christofi (Deer Park), Gabriel Loukomitis (St Bernard’s)
Players to watch: Ben Nicholl, Harrison Minett, Arnold Kirby
Verdict: It’s been a major off-season of change at the Cougars in the off-season and many are expecting them to struggle this season. Given the quality they have lost, they’ll probably be in a relegation fight for most of the season. But here’s hoping they can prove a few people wrong.
Essendon Doutta Stars
In: Lachie Hall, Tom Legudi, Oliver Nockles, Ben Mazziol, John Roumeliotis, Ben Thomson
Out: George Romios (Ballan), Noah Smallacombe (Lancefield)
Players to watch: Julian Callegari, Michael Kiraly, Dylan Laurie
Verdict: Barry Prendergast’s side won five games last season and we’re expecting them to comfortably beat the figure this season. Prendergast has consistently preached patience with this group and with the young players continuing to develop, anything might be possible. They’ll surprise the top sides if they’re on their game.
Greenvale
In: Patrick Baccari, Jack Bytel, Kieran Gallagher, Riley Leedham, Will Martyn, Reuben Rode, Zain Yamak
Out: Judd Brewster (Albion), Ben Bath (North Heidelberg)
Players to watch: Josh Porter, Daniel Micevski, Ryan Townsend
Verdict: The Jets climbed into the top-five last season and should be in the mix once again this year. Darren Bewick’s playing list has a number of players who are aligned to VFL clubs which means they could field a much stronger side than expected if all are available. The Jets have young stars who should be ready to take the next steps in their development meaning another finals fight is on the cards.
Keilor
In: Damon Hallow, Liam Hude, Nathan Jensen, Jamie Papalia
Out: Will McKenzie (Noosa), Darcy Cassar (Newport)
Players to watch: Cody Brand, Christos Kosmas, Kyle O’Connor
Verdict: After a rollercoaster off-season, where the Blues were stripped of their 2023 premiership for salary cap breaches, the Blues will be determined to let their footy do the talking this season. Mick McGuane’s side is as classy as ever and at full strength is going to take some serious stopping. Rightfully the premiership favourites again.
Maribyrnong Park
In: Kyle Baker, Jaye Bowden, Jack Colegrave, Jai Davies, Logan Geddes, Jack Geradi, Jack Nicholls, Sam Green, Lochlainn Simpson, Blade Sulzberger, Harry Summers, Jayden Whitehead
Out: James Kayrooz (Banyule), Darcy Griffin (Barwon Heads), Bronte Campbell (Horsham), Matt Gaul (Noosa), Lucas Edmonds (Port Fairy)
Players to watch: Lachie Plowman, Brodie Romensky, Max Griffin
Verdict: After promotion to the top tier, the Lions have seen some serious changes to their line-up which means they’ll need time to build chemistry. They’ll be good enough to avoid relegation this season but how many games they win will be the biggest question mark. Beating sides around them will be key to maintaining their Premier status.
Pascoe Vale
In: Matthew Dennis, Caleb Ernst, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Ibrahim Taha
Out: Julian Hemala (Glenroy), Lachlan Stedwick (Oak Park), Dylan Exposto (Roxburgh Park), Matt Watson (St Bernard’s), Adam Figliola (Tullamarine), Joshua Iacobaccio (West Preston-Lakeside)
Players to watch: Matt Stillman, Ahmed Saad, Sunny Brazier
Verdict: Well and truly outclassed on grand final day last season, the Panthers still have another gear to go to if they’re going to win a maiden premiership at this level. Coach Leigh Tudor is excited by the prospect of the young guns continuing to come through the ranks and mixed in with the experience they’ve added, Paco should mix it with the very best again.
Strathmore
In: Corey Grindlay, Sam Hayes, Jesse Horton, Mitchell McLean, Owen Mulady, Thomas Schwarzenberg, Haidyn Shade, Matthew Allison, Jack Brooks
Out: Matt Foley (St Bernard’s), Callum Clinnick (Moonee Valley), Brendan Butler (Woodend-Hesket), Carlos Egan (Boort)
Players to watch: Athan Tsialtas, Trent Dumont, Liam Cavanagh
Verdict: The Mores reached a preliminary final last season during Nick Ash’s first season in charge. They’ve welcomed some new faces in this season and they’ll give them another shot of pushing for a flag. But like Aberfeldie and Pascoe Vale, many think they’re a class behind Keilor at the moment. The Mores would love nothing more than proving everyone wrong.
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