EFL 2019: A look at the Eastern Football League clubs hoping to benefit from competition restructure
The Eastern Football League restructure is set to give greater opportunity for more clubs to play finals in 2019. Here’s a look at some clubs hoping to end long finals droughts.
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The Eastern Football League’s move to a five-tier competition is set to give greater opportunity for more clubs to play finals in 2019.
Twenty-two of the league’s 45 clubs will play finals, with some hoping to feature in finals for the first time in more than a decade.
Five teams will advance to September in the top two divisions, while four sides from Divisions 2, 3 and 4 will qualify for finals.
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Here’s a look at some of the clubs hoping to end finals droughts in 2019.
East Ringwood has farewelled many of its VFL players following last year’s relegation from the top-flight.
But that didn’t stop Roos coach Marcus Buzaglo from making a clear statement on the club’s plans for this season.
East Ringwood’s most recent finals appearance was 2008 and its last win in a final was 2007.
“I’ll be honest with you, we haven’t been able to do this for a while, but we’ll be going in this year really working as hard as we can to try and play finals,” Buzaglo said in January.
“A lot of these guys haven’t played a senior final and the club hasn’t played one for 10 years.
“I’m not going to shy away from that, that’s what we’re going to be aiming to do.”
This year marks five years since North Ringwood’s Division 2 premiership win, finishing between eighth and 11th since rising into the Eastern Football League’s top tier for the first time since 2002.
It’s also been 28 years since the Saints last played finals in the top flight.
If North Ringwood is to make inroads against the top five sides, it will need to improve its record against the top bracket of sides under new coach Paris Harvie.
Outside of two narrow losses to eventual premiers Vermont, North Ringwood’s average losing margin against finalists South Croydon, Blackburn, Doncaster and Rowville was 61 points last year.
President Lee Robinson said in January this season would be a “moving year”.
“Paris wants to play some good consistent football and he has definitely got the feeling we can climb up the ladder and take some big steps in 2019,” Robinson said.
“We’ve been in Division 1 for four years … from my perspective, 2019 is a moving year.”
Mulgrave has endured a difficult time since its last finals appearance in 2014, winning just 25 of its past 72 games.
The Lions have only won three finals this decade, but wiggle room in their player points cap has allowed the Division 2 outfit to add to its playing stocks over the summer.
Mulgrave coach Anthony Goodwin said last month he expected the Lions to be more competitive in 2019.
“We just weren’t quite good enough but four out of our last six games were excellent and hopefully that gives us a little bit of momentum,” Goodwin said.
“I’m looking forward to having a few wins and our goal is to play finals, there is no doubt about that.”
Waverley Blues have suffered consecutive relegations over the past two years, and were one of the six clubs demoted from Division 3 last season as part of the competition restructure.
Waverley has not won a final since the 2008 grand final and coach Bryce McGain revealed last month the club’s bid to end an 11-year finals drought would hinge on the development of the club’s young talent.
“There are really positive signs for growth in the club and I’m sure that will translate into winning more games of senior football,” McGain said.
“We’ll have greater depth in our development team and our under-19s so numbers aren’t an issue … they’re all good signs your senior team can kick on and put in the foundations for sustainable success in years to come.”
The heat is on South Belgrave to crack its first finals appearance since 2014.
The Saints have landed an impressive list of recruits, including Upper Ferntree Gully stars Mike Smith and Tim Riseley, Heathmont forward Leigh Odermatt, the Knox pair of Declan Forbes and Adam Stein and triple Narre Warren premiership forward Brody Connelly.
Incoming South Belgrave coach Luke Galliott said in January he was determined to turn around the club’s recent record.
“The club will be disappointed if we don’t play finals. I’d be filthy. I’ll say something’s gone wrong for us not to play finals footy. Hopefully it will put that sort of pressure on, I don’t think that’s unfair, but we think the club’s better than what it has been doing,” Galliott said.
“We think the club is far more capable than Division 3.”
Chirnside Park boosted its chances of playing finals for the first time since the 2009 premiership after landing a package of players from neighbouring Mooroolbark.
The Panthers endured a winless season in 2018 and suffered eight triple-figure beltings in a torrid campaign.
Midfielder Ben Slattery and experienced ruckman Grattan Stephens were the headline additions, while Josh Clavant, Ben Higgins and Jonathon Egan have also crossed from Heights Reserve.
“Where they finished last year I don’t think reflects what we can bring to the table for this year,” new coach Dave Newlands said in November.
“I think it will be a challenge but it’s a challenge the whole club is ready to take together.”
Fairpark has featured in finals just three times over the past 20 years but the Lions expect to push for a top four position in the EFL’s Division 4 this season.
A swag of players have arrived at Fairpark Reserve from Southern league club Mount Waverley, which recently went into recess for the year. A total of 11 players have lodged a clearance from the Mountain Lions to Fairpark.
“As a club, we all acknowledge we’ve probably underachieved for a number of years now and this will be my third year at the club,” coach Sean Stanton said.
“There is enough upside, from what I have seen so far, to tell me we’re going to be competitive and we’re going to be in the mix to play finals.”
Silvan’s hasn’t played finals since the 2014 flag and the Cats have won just 17 games in the past four years.
But a long list of recruits, headlined by Mooroolbark defender Trent Georgiou, has coach Trent Martin optimistic he has a list that can crack a top-four berth.
Kyabram premiership player Ryan Emmett (Stanhope), Lachlan Hampton (Croydon), Leigh Kimpton (Croydon), Harry Stevens (Lilydale) and Joel Treeby (Mooroolbark) are also on the list of recruits.
“I definitely think we’ve got a list to play finals, it’s just a matter of how quickly we can gel together,” Martin said earlier this month.
“Silvan being such a small town of 200, 300 people, we’ve got to get everyone up there and tell them all to become mates really quickly and try have the passion to play for each other.”
Surrey Park hasn’t played finals for 13 years and, at one stage, lost 67 consecutive games, including winless seasons from 2009 to 2012.
You have to go back 4586 days since Surrey Park played a final but the Panthers expect to rise up the ladder in 2019 after a 6-12 record last season.
Mathew Dompietro (Emerald), Damian Frisina (Chirnside Park) and George Haynes (Wodonga Bulldogs) have arrived at the club over the summer.
Coach Scott Hamill said he expected the league restructure would benefit his side.
“It’s actually time for Surrey Park to step up and reward the hard work that’s been done over the few years I’ve been there,” he said.
“The club has definitely grown and developed in our list with our results and it’s probably time to take the next step.”
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