How EDFL clubs are shaping up for season 2025

It was a wild ride in the 0ff-season for several EDFL clubs, now is their opportunity to respond. We break down the key storylines throughout the season and reveal some of our big calls.

How Keilor responds to a rollercoaster off-season will be interesting viewing. Picture: Andrew Batsch

The big question heading into the 2025 Essendon District Football League season is — how will Keilor respond?

The Blues were stripped of their 2023 premiership for salary cap breaches during the off-season and with a little added motivation to prove the haters wrong, Mick McGuane’s side will be determined to lift silverware again at the end of the year.

Keilor were far too good for most of last season on their way to another flag under Mighty Mick and they are once again the team to beat again this season.

“We’ve won three of the last four (grand finals). I have always said in footy, when things appear to be going all right, that comfort is an addiction,” McGuane said in an interview with this masthead after penalties for the saga were handed down.

“I can guarantee you that this group won’t get comfortable.”

It’s an ominous warning for a chasing pack who will be so desperate to close the gap this off-season. Runner-up Pascoe Vale has seen some list turnover but there has also been some big arrivals including Caleb Ernst. The Panthers have some exciting kids coming through who should be ready to take their chance.

In its second season under Nick Ash, Strathmore is always expected to be around the mark and this season will be no different. Ex-AFL big man Sam Hayes headlines the signings which the Mores hope can take their side to another level.

Aberfeldie and Deer Park have been two of the busier clubs in the recruiting market as they both look to crack into the Premier Division top-three. Airport West and Greenvale can’t be discounted from giving the top-five a shake. The pointy end of the top flight is really exciting.

Pascoe Vale is looking to go one step better. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Essendon Doutta Stars will be hoping their youthful exuberance can help surprise a few while Maribyrnong Park return to the division with a very different looking side. How East Keilor bounces back after high player turnover will also be interesting.

Division 1 shapes up as arguably the most even of all three of the EDFL’s men’s competitions.

Questions remain over how West Coburg fares. After three straight grand finals and a change in coach over the off-season, combined with some key player departures, do they have what it takes to challenge once again.

Oak Park has been one of the most talked teams in the competition after a stunning recruiting drive headlined by the arrival of gun Pascoe Vale defender Lachlan Stredwick.

The Roos made finals in 2024 at the first time of asking after promotion from Division 1.

“We know we needed to cover some gaps and we’re pretty comfortable with the recruiting we’ve done,” coach Todd Clark said of his side’s recruiting.

Maribyrnong Park won last year’s decider. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Then there’s Craigieburn, another team looking to build off the back of promising signs last year. The Eagles have surrounded their young and exciting list with experienced bodies which many believe can help them challenge for the premiership.

“We want to have success with Craigieburn boys, that’s not going to change,” Jacobs declared earlier in the off-season.

Hillside and St Albans, both who played finals footy in 2024, have somewhat flown under the radar this off-season and should be right in the mix again.

Tullamarine, Moonee Valley and Roxburgh Park have been busy themselves. Taylors Lakes will be looking to arrive back in Division 1 with a bang after a busy off-season of their own.

The bottom tier, Division 2, shapes as an exciting race of its own. Burnside Heights faced their own salary cap issues of their own in the lead up to the new season and have lost key players.

Can Cole Harvey keep his side at the very top of the ladder?

A young Westmeadows were one of the EDFL’s feel good stories of last year and should be right in the mix for a flag again.

Coburg Districts, Hadfield, Northern Saints and Sunbury Kangaroos showed signs of promise last year and will be aiming for greater consistency. Glenroy should comfortably win more than the four games they did last season.

East Sunbury has been bolstered by some big name arrivals including Brendan Fevola and have a great opportunity to end their winless streak.