EFNL 2021: East Burwood to field new-look side in 2021

East Burwood is set to inject a raft of new names into its team this Eastern league season as it takes on a new division following a grand final berth in 2019.

East Burwood's Matt Mariani hunts the ball in the 2019 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

East Burwood will field a new-look line-up this season as it takes on a new division following a grand final berth in 2019.

The Rams played off in the Division 4 decider in 2019 but fell to Fairpark. East Burwood was subsequently promoted to the Division 3 competition for 2020 following league approval for its request.

But up to half of the players that took the field for the Rams in their last outing have either retired or moved on.

Dejected East Burwood players after losing the Division 4 final to Fairpark. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Leading goalkicker Adrian Gileno has retired alongside Steve Perri, while Scott Davis has crossed to the Glen Waverley Hawks. Also among the key changes are a raft of players that had returned to Knox with Brett Kay, Troy McGown, Ryan Lepore and Nathan Canning among the key names landing back at the Falcons.

East Burwood senior coach Stuart Wynd said the 2019 grand final loss wouldn’t serve a motivational purpose for his side taking on a new division due to the long lay-off between seasons and the vast change in personnel.

“That (grand final loss) was two seasons ago now,” Wynd said.

“We’ve probably got half of that side that won’t be playing come Round 1. I think out of the 22 that played there might only be 10 or 11 players that will be playing in the Round 1 side.

“That’s a pretty big turnover of players – we had a lot of retirements and we’re going to be a lot younger this year and hopefully a fair bit more exciting.”

The Rams brought in a swag of players from Premier powerhouse Balwyn ahead of 2020 headlined by two-time premiership defender Ed McCutchan, while James McCutchan, James Baren, Jacob Pylka signed on where they’ll look to establish themselves in the senior side.

They’ve also added 2016 Balwyn premiership player Shaun MacDonald who will bolster the midfield.

Ed McCutchan evades Blackburn’s Jake Hammond. Picture: Richard Serong

Meanwhile, fellow Balwyn recruit Matt North has since moved on while young forward Hannin Mundy has linked with Division 1 outfit East Ringwood.

“We think we recruited pretty well for last season – we picked up four players from Balwyn and a few others that we think are going to replace those guys and hopefully fill their shoes,” Wynd said.

“Those players (that retired) were 30-plus age whereas the players we’ve picked up are around that 25-year-old mark.

“All our young players that played in that grand final were 22 years old, and they’re 24 now, and we’re hoping they’re coming into their best footy.”

2019 Division 4 competition best and fairest Matt Mariani is also set to go around again, but he’ll be among a refreshed midfield group according to Wynd, as his side takes on Division 3.

“Our midfield’s certainly going to look a lot different this year – I don’t think anyone that played through our midfield in that grand final team will be going through there except Matt Mariani,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of going up (to Division 3), it’s not going to be easy but I think we’re going to competitive.”

East Burwood opens its season at home against the Whitehorse Pioneers in a night match on April 10.