Ultimate guide to 2023 EDFL Division 1 season

With two new teams there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the EDFL Division 1 season. Check out every club’s ins and outs, star player and what to expect.

It’s a very different looking Essendon District league Division 1 competition in 2023.

Twelve teams, up from the normal 10, will compete for premiership glory after Deer Park and St Albans joined the competition from the Western Region league.

Here’s what you need to know about every club.

CRAIGIEBURN

Last season: Ninth

Coach: Shane Jacobs

Ins: Aiden Fyfe (Southport), Travis Williams (Bundoora), Riley Gaylard (Bundoora), Jack Carlyon (Bundoora), Joshua McNamara (Bundoora), Travis Keating (Bundoora), Jagveer Panesar (Campbelltown Junior), Kyle Lamprey (Epping), Nathan Kramer (Glenroy), Richard Ahmad (Hadfield), Joshua Gough (Jacana), Adam Cruickshank (Jacana), Corey Morrison (Keilor Park), Tannous Kabalan (Lalor), Daniel Ray (Lalor), Damien Quadara (Laurimar), John Symeoy (Laurimar), Hugh Hart (Macedon), Corey O‘Connor (Maribyrnong Park), Jordan Middleton (Maribyrnong Park), Andrew Matheas (Maribyrnong Park), Matthew Osgood (Palmerston Magpies), Daniel Habchi (Preston Bullants), Andrew Shortis (Reservoir), Bailey Jensen (Reservoir), Jack Lane (Roxburgh Park), Alex Powell (Roxburgh Park), Samuel Laffan (Tullamarine).

Craigieburn’s Stephen Tsonas. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Outs: Alex Lamanna (Roxburgh Park), Kyle Jackson (Tocumwal), Kyle Sutton (Roxburgh Park), James Orchard (Roxburgh Park), Seamus Lyons (Therry Penola), Matthew Lancaster (Greenvale), Antoine Lieutier (Narre South Saints), Gavin Cathie (Romsey), Ayden Bordon (Olinda Ferny Creek), Craig Poynter (Mernda), Matthew Siciliano (Mernda), Cody Ball (Avenel), Dane Whitnall (North Heidelberg), Robbie Barnard (Roxburgh Park), Joseph Mansoor (Northern Saints), Jack Evans (East Keilor), Joshua Young (Mernda), Billy Morrison (Mernda), Nathan Perrone (Eltham), Corey Middleton (Eltham), Damien Bugeja (Greenvale), Amos Farrell (Moulamein), Lucas Giacchi (Lalor), Mitchell Ford (Taylors Lakes), Brodie White (North Heidelberg).

Snapshot: The off-season has brought plenty of change for the Eagles and the signs are more than promising after an impressive win over Roxburgh Park on Good Friday. It already appears as if the core group has gelled well together and there’s no reason Craigieburn can’t surprise a few under new coach Shane Jacobs this year.

DEER PARK

Last season: WRFL Division 1

Coach: Heath Scotland

Ins: Jackson Barling, Kobe Brown, Jack Dorgan, Jack Grogan, Nah Holmes, Kevin Johnson, Jeremy Mills, Tom Mundy, Craig Plant,

Outs: Aaron Britten, Levi Greenwood, Shane Jones, Tyson Wills.

Snapshot: The Lions are embarking on a new adventure after crossing from the Western Region league, where they were a powerhouse of the last decade. In many people’s eyes, they’re already the flag favourites after an impressive recruiting haul. There were a number of VFL talents in those moves and the availability of those players could be interesting. Expect them to be right there at the pointy end.

Deer Park are flag fancies. Picture: Andy Brownbill

GLENROY

Last season: Relegated from Premier Division

Coach: Dean Young

Ins: Tim Garisto, Cody Wight, Josh Zakhour, Francis Berewa, Nicola Polimene, Amin Musa,

Outs: Milad Alamatrah, Jack Bradford, Judd Brewster, Hayden Clarke, Adam Del Busso, Maclayn Hallows, Austin Hogan, Aaron Kite, Mitchell Mills.

Snapshot: After its relegation, the Roys have hit the reset button and new faces have come in droves. There were concerns late in 2022 about where the club stood but they’re going to surprise a few sides along the way this season. We’re interested to see how their season plays out.

Zak Wunhym of Hillside celebrates a goal.Picture: George Salpigtidis

HILLSIDE

Last season: Sixth

Coach: Charlie Denaro

Ins: Nathan Ranno (Westmeadows), Jack Tarr (Caroline Springs), Ryan Lojko (Tullamarine), Daniel Scerri (Caroline Springs), Nicholas Cugliari (Caroline Springs), Alex Spiropoulos (Caroline Springs), Noah Cavanagh (Caroline Springs), Joel Bonnici (East Malvern), Andrew Salvatico (Keilor Park), Mark Salvatico (Keilor Park), Julian DiPasquale (Keilor Park), Jordan Brown (Sunbury), Alessio Gobbo (Tullamarine), Anthony Prestia (Tullamarine) & Lachlan Rzanovski (Werribee Districts).

Outs: Carlo Riccardi (East Keilor), Corey Wright (Burleigh), Joshua Trembearth (Hadfield), Nathan McConnell (Burnside Heights), Bryson Scales (St Albans), Zac Dicianni (North Brunswick), Flynn Harvey (Therry Penola), Riley McLaughlin (Kilmore), Hayden Da Cruz (Burnside Heights), Benjamin Ryan (Burnside Heights), Dylan Payne (Sunshine), Luke Bonello (Burnside Heights), Joshua Neralic (Burnside Heights), Marcus D‘Angelo (Burnside Heights), Antonio Vitalone (Burnside Heights), James Elarmaly (Burnside Heights), Rhys Bradley (Taylors Lakes).

Snapshot: The Sharks looked for a push towards the top-four this season after an up and down 2022. The players they’ve brought in will compliment what was already on the list. They started their campaign with a big win over Keilor Park but the biggest tests will come against the other sides who appear to be in the finals mix.

Moonee Valley’s Jack Newman. Picture: Andy Brownbill

MOONEE VALLEY

Last season: Eighth

Coach: Ian Denny

Ins: Fraser Considine (UNSW Eastern Suburbs), James Scheriani (Coburg Districts), Beau Clarke (Mulwala), Ben Ryan (Cobram), Bailey Turnbull (Aberfeldie).

Outs: Justin Cluney (Craigieburn), Christopher Tanti (Greenvale), Jamie Morey (Airport West), Patrick O‘Donoghue (King Valley United), Antony Pasqua (Laverton Magpies), Jason Kelly (Nagambie), Luke Agius (PEGS), Kallan Carruthers (Preston Bullants), Joshua Mullen (South Barwon), Xavier Brooks (South West Sydney), Jack Vivian (Sunbury Kangaroos).

Snapshot: It hasn’t been a major off-season at change for the Fog. Instead they will be hoping to see more development out of the younger brigade who showed exciting glimpses throughout last season.

ROXBURGH PARK

Last season: Seventh

Coach: Micheal Farrelly

Ins: Nathan Mander (St Kilda City), Ahmed Hamdan (Westmeadows), Jamie Bellam (Sunbury Kangaroos), Cooper McPharlane (Sunbury Kangaroos), Jake Watson (Glenroy), Seamus Mulcahy (Northern Saints), Robbie Barnard (Craigieburn), Nathan Carroll (Sunbury Kangaroos).

Outs: Raafat Rachrache (Taylors Lakes), Joshua Zakhour (Glenroy), George Mihalas (Eley Park), Jake Busuttil-Poskitt (Coburg Districts), Jason Harvey (Avenel).

Snapshot: Roxburgh Park haven’t been afraid to claim its desperate to move up the ladder this season, as shown by its recruiting spree in the off-season. After the way last season ended, Roxy will be desperate to find more consistency across the season. They’ve still got plenty of scoring power and boast one of the most impressive midfields in the division.

Brock Landt of Rupertswood. Photo: Hamish Blair

RUPERTSWOOD

Last season: Fifth

Coach: Arron Bray

Ins: Jake Hobden (East Sunbury), Lachlan Shore (Gisborne), Dean Galea (Keilor), Matthew McDonald (Gisborne), Clayton Bonello (Keilor).

Outs: Patrick Farrelly (Western Rams), Bryce Caldone (Sunbury), Julian Belfrage (South Yarra), Joel Scherer (East Sunbury), Jordan Davis (East Sunbury), Darby Davis (East Sunbury), Aiden Nemeth (East Sunbury), Jordan Weightman (East Sunbury).

Snapshot: After naorrwly missing the finals last year, the Sharks will be hungry to go at least one step further this year. Rupertswood boasts one of the most exciting young lists in the competition and many of the club’s younger brigade are already among their first picked in the senior side. If they continue their upward trajectory, there’s no reason they can’t surprise even themselves and finish towards the pointy end of the ladder.

ST ALBANS

Last season: WRFL Division 1

Coach: Zammy Muhtari

Ins: Victor Micallef (East Keilor), Atu Bosenavulagi (North Melbourne), Jayden O’Loughlin (Melton South), Adeola Akintola (Sunshine), Andre Srour (Essendon Doutta Stars), Josh Kacanski (Keilor), Angus Baxter (Eynesbury Eagles), Bryson Scales (Hillside), Bailee Revell (Gisborne), Trent Reilly (Taylors Lakes), Zach McCasker (Sunbury Kangaroos), Derick Yuga (Sherwood Districts), Brayden Brodie (Keilor).

Outs: Cody Abela-Rogers (Albanvale), Mar Gattek (Altona), Jackson Emery (Braybrook), David Said (Braybrook), Ryan Buckley (Braybrook), Joel Taylor (Braybrook), Carter Delgadillo (Burnside Heights), Cooper Pepi (Caroline Springs), Nash Holmes (Deer Park), Jamie Fisher (East Sunbury), Arian Mehmeti (Lancefield), Aiden Cseledy (North Sunshine), Majok Aneet (St Paul’s McKinnon), Tim Jenkins (Werribee Districts), Chevy Clements (Taylors Lakes), Josh Carter (Tiwi Bombers).

Snapshot: In a new competition, it’s hard to see just how St Albans is going to stack up. One thing that is for sure, the Saints are going to have a very different looking side after some key pieces departed. Early season form will give us an indication of where they side.

TULLAMARINE

Last season: Preliminary finals

Coach: Ben Tankard

Ins: Dean Bartrop, Jacob McNicol, Tom Jackson, Austin Warden, Steve McCallum, Tom Filipovic, Fletcher Smith.

Outs: Bradley Allen, Shannon Bennett, Nicholas Bruno, Buckley Chapman, Anthony Liberatore, Ryan Lojko, Shaun McKernan, Jordan Port, Anthony Prestia, Nathan Sciberras.

Snapshot: After falling short of the decider last year, the Demons have lost some key players who played a major role in that run. But with their departures comes opportunities for some of the club’s younger brigade.

West Coburg coach Dale May.Photo: Hamish Blair

WEST COBURG

Last season: Runner-up

Coach: Dale May

Ins: Dinny Cleary (Avondale Heights), Tom Baravi and Jonah Horo (Maribyrnong Park), Ibrahim Taha (Airport West), Omar Saad and Ben Drummond (Westmeadows), Liam Rocca, Jake Rocca, Ibrahim Taha, Omar Saad.

Outs: Daniel Archer, Lynden Dunn.

Snapshot: The Burgers will be right in the mix once again this season. A strong recruiting haul during the off-season has the men from Shore Reserve primed for another shot at the premiership. But this season, they’re likely not to do it the hard way and they should be right in double chance contention.

WESTMEADOWS

Last season: Elimination final

Coach: Ash Flavel

Ins: Finbar Delbridge (Newcastle City), Kent Beaumont (Wallan), James Duell (Broadford), Aaron Tomkinson (Glenroy), Isaac Young (East Malvern), Dayne Tannenberg (Coburg Districts), Michael Mayne (Strathmore), Ethan Councillor (South Hedland Swans), Rex Hickman (Bacchus Marsh), James Taglieri (Eltham), Shaun Knott (Eaglehawk).

Outs: Mohammed Yassine (West Preston-Lakeside), Mohammed Ayache (West Coburg), Omar Saad (West Coburg), Benjamin Drummond (West Coburg), Chris Rallis (Tullamarine), Austin Warden (Tullamarine), Patrick Taylor (Tullamarine), Mitchell Cook (Tullamarine), Bill Samie (Thomastown), Aaron Vendramini (Taylors Lakes), Ahmed Hamdan (Roxburgh Park), Jayden Ranno (Pascoe Vale), Dale Potter (Oak Park), Corey Field (Oak Park), Jacob Houston (Lalor), Hunter Petch (Keilor Park), Louis Alexopoulos (Keilor Park), Nathan Ranno (Hillside), Jason Kenneth (Greenvale), Daniel Gallagher (Glenroy), Cody Wight (Glenroy), Thomas Paterson (Fitzroy Stars), Daniel O‘Kearney (Epping), Bradley Hollow (Epping), Clayton Campbell (Epping), Jordan Hollow (Epping), Matthew Harrington (Epping), Harley Gleeson (Epping), Kane Jarram (Epping), Francis Keenan (Epping), Mitch Church (East Sunbury), Kane North (East Sunbury), Marwan Abdul-Wahad (East Keilor), George Nabbout (East Keilor), Joshua Flower (Diggers Rest), Ahmed Abdul-Wahed (Coburg Districts), Tyrone Foggiato (Albanvale), David Ranno (Albanvale).

Snapshot: Much of the talk out of the Tigers throughout the off-season has been the number of departures from the club. Now Westmeadows has the opportunity to let its footy do the talking under new coach Ash Flavel. Don’t be surprised if the club with its backs against the wall is able to surprise a few.