Our look at the 2024 EDFL season
The 2024 EDFL season is upon us and there’s plenty of talking points. Here’s why this year will be one of the most exciting, five players to watch and the bold predictions.
Essendon
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The big question on the eve of the Essendon District Football League season is, can Keilor be stopped?
Led by coach Mick McGuane, the Blues completed a unbeaten Premier Division season in 2023 and are clearly the team to beat again this year.
Having retained most of its premiership list, McGuane has only bolstered the options at his disposal, headlined by the return of former junior Josh Honey, straight out of the AFL, and ex-Essendon tall Cody Brand.
Last season’s runner-up, Strathmore, appears to be one of the sides most likely to challenge Keilor after an off-season of change with Nick Ash promoted into the top job.
While some players have headed for the exit door, Strathmore’s list of ins is quite impressive and includes Shaun McKernan who won the Division 1 league best and fairest in 2022 with Tullamarine.
He’ll be joined by former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide midfielder Trent Dumont.
“All 10 teams this season are going to have a lot of quality. It’s going to take some really good footy to make the top four,” Ash said of the competition’s level this season.
One of the more talked about Premier Division clubs in pre-season has been Pascoe Vale which has turned to Leigh Tudor as its new coach.
After sitting around the top of the ladder in recent seasons, the Panthers have gone on a heavy recruiting drive to end its premiership drought.
Winning the flag is going to take something special but even the race for the top four looks set to be one of the most exciting in the league’s history.
East Keilor played finals footy in 2023 but being there again at the pointy end of the season will be a big challenge.
Aberfeldie will be desperate to bounce back after a horror 2023 when injuries wreaked havoc while Greenvale will look to build on a promising campaign.
But you also can’t discount improvement from the likes of Airport West and Essendon Doutta Stars.
Deer Park might just be the league’s most intriguing side as it prepares for its maiden campaign in the league’s top flight.
In Division 1, Maribyrnong Park will be looking to bounce back quickly from its relegation under the guidance of returning coach Brodie Holland.
They’ll be among the premiership favourites alongside West Coburg who will be desperate to go one step better having lost the past two grand finals.
“There’s no guarantee you’ll bounce back quickly but we’ve got something to really build off,” Holland said after his appointment.
Hillside will hope to build off an impressive off-season on the recruiting front and will be eyeing a place in the top-three in a bid to earn the double chance.
New coach Chris Daley has the Sharks humming with a high-paced game style based on their clean foot skills with new faces including Robbie Castello, Fort Caruso, Nat Caruso and Damien Cavka set to pay huge dividends.
St Albans also looms as a finals shaper after its encouraging start to life in the competition after making the move from the Western Region league.
A lot of question marks remain over other sides in the division meaning early wins will be crucial in the race for finals footy.
Meanwhile in Division 2, the early indications are Sunbury Kangaroos will be the team to beat after a remarkable run to the grand final last season.
The Roos have gone on a major recruiting drive and look set to contend once again.
Taylors Lakes will be among the challengers but on paper it looks set to be one of the most competitive divisions in all of local footy.
Northern Saints played finals last year and should be in the mix again while Coburg Districts, Burnside Heights and Hadfield all look to have improved in the off-season.
Across the competition, season 2024 is shaping as a cracker.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ben Ronke (Aberfeldie)
Shaun McKernan (Strathmore)
Josh Honey (Keilor)
Brodie Romensky (Maribyrnong Park)
Tom Baravi (West Coburg)
THE BIG CALLS
Keilor goes undefeated, again
A team relegated in 2023 wins a flag this season
Lachie Plowman wins the Division 1 league medal
Aberfeldie bounces back into the top four
Ben Weightman wins the Division 2 goalkicking
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