EFNL 2022: All the key signings from November through January
Pens have been hitting paper en masse across all five divisions of the Eastern league in recent months. We recap all the key signings.
Eastern
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There’s been plenty of movement among Eastern league clubs in recent months.
With transfers opening again on February 1, we’ve picked out all the key recruits across all five divisions since the start of November through ‘til the end of January.
Check out our last recruiting wrap from the end of October for more Eastern league inclusions, or our wrap of the 100 best recruits in local footy.
PREMIER DIVISION
Reigning premier Vermont may have farewelled a raft of star flag names over the past few months, but it’s confident its latest acquisitions can keep it contending in 2022.
Headlining the Eagles’ haul is former Richmond midfielder Matt Arnot, after finishing up with Port Melbourne in the VFL after five seasons.
The 28-year-old spent three seasons in the AFL ranks from 2013-15, playing eight matches, after stints with Coburg and the Oakleigh Chargers.
Arnot is joined by Upwey-Tecoma 2021 best and fairest Bailey Oates, alongside fellow midfielder Haydyn Stanley.
Frankston star Josh Begley and young gun Mason Hawkins (Box Hill) align with the club and will be major inclusions when available, with Hawkins touted to slot into the ruck/forward division.
Norwood’s 2021 resurgence is set to be followed by the return of premiership star Lochie Dickson committing full-time, coming back from VFL level. The defender won two best and fairests with Coburg and featured in the Norsemen’s 2014 top division flag. He’ll be a nice inclusion for a Norwood outfit which looked on track to break a six-year finals drought in 2021 before the season came to an abrupt end.
But he’s not the only premiership name returning to the league’s top division, with gun midfielder Matt Jones landing back at South Croydon. The ex-Melbourne name spent last season with Ovens and Murray league club, Wangaratta Rovers. The Bulldog favourite has featured in three senior premierships at the club, including the 2017 top division triumph, and will be a big lifter through the midfield.
The Bulldogs have also secured the signature of ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek, with the Coburg VFL name aligning with the club. The key tall is no stranger to the Eastern league – Swierzbiolek links up with current ‘Dogs coach Marcus Buzaglo, who he played under at East Ringwood, after a stint at the Waverley Blues.
At Domeney Reserve, division newcomer Park Orchards has secured key tall Steven Kapahnke, crossing from Emerald. He’ll be 22 by the time the season rolls around, bringing experience from the Eastern Ranges program and time spent in the Box Hill Hawks’ ranks. He’s a nice pick-up at around 198cm and should be a boost to the Sharks’ ruck and forward division as they look to make a mark in their maiden year in the top-flight.
Noble Park’s ruck stocks have also been boosted by the inclusion of Knox premiership tall Jack Beech, while they’ve also added to their attack with Chelsea power forward Jack Francis. Francis kicked 32 goals from 11 matches in 2021, including bags of five and six against Karingal and Hastings. The Bulls finished second on the ladder at the end of last season.
And defenders in the top division can expect a tough time against North Ringwood, with centre half-forward Jordan Treloar linking with the Saints. Treloar, known widely for his appearance as a finalist on the television show ‘The Recruit’, played in Heidelberg’s 2016 Division 1 flag, and has had stops at Frankston and Werribee in the VFL. Standing at six-foot-four, look out.
DIVISION 1
Star veteran Steve Dinnell has linked with East Ringwood, after stepping away from Premier Division football with South Croydon.
He enjoyed a successful state league career which took in two premierships with North Ballarat after a stint with Box Hill, and featured in a TAC Cup flag with the Eastern Ranges as best afield in 2002. He’ll serve as a forwards coach at the ‘Roos this season, where he joins great mate and East Ringwood coach, Ben Osborne.
The ‘Roos will also benefit from young gun Corey Preston when he’s available, having aligned with the club after joining VFL outfit Williamstown. Fresh out of the Eastern Ranges program, Preston comes from Ferntree Gully where he kicked 11 goals last season from three matches, playing predominantly as a forward, also running through the midfield. His season at NAB League level was capped off with selection in the team of the year.
Meanwhile, Mooroolbark may have lost significant ruck power since the end of last season, but it certainly moved quickly to fill the void with the signing of Ryley Monkhorst. The Woori Yallock premiership ruckman returns to the Eastern league following a stint with Balwyn in 2019.
Lilydale has welcomed the return of midfielder Jayden Depace, after time away. Depace last played for the Falcons in 2019 where he won the best and fairest, and was part of the club’s rise into a grand final in 2018. A past junior of the club, Depace made his senior debut in 2015 and has played 89 senior matches.
And it’s been a busy off-season of recruiting for Mitcham, with the additions of midfielders Jack Kimber and Harry Veitch alongside versatile key position player James May, all crossing from Balwyn. The trio complement the earlier signing of Upper Gully leading goalkicker Tom Lovell, who is set to form a potent duo with key forward Jake Parente.
DIVISION 2
South Belgrave has added former North Melbourne Kangaroo Taylor Garner to its already potent line-up, as he joins brothers Mitch and Damian at the club. The 28-year-old forward/midfielder played 49 games for the ‘Roos from 2013 to 2021, after his selection at pick No. 15 in the 2012 national draft.
It’s no secret Templestowe has been one of the league’s most active recruiters this off-season, luring a host of star names. Damaging half-back Toby Ryan is the latest big fish, joining the likes of Cameron Cloke, Nick Batsanis, Max Otten and more. Ryan brings a wealth of experience from Premier level having played at Balwyn and Doncaster, where he featured in the league’s team of the year in 2017. He’s also played for the Wangaratta Rovers where he won the Ovens and Murray league’s rising star award years ago, and earned a spot on Williamstown’s list in 2011.
Meanwhile, Knox has signed Rowville trio Jackson McDonald, Jackson Anderson and Jarryd Hall in its bid to improve its on-field fortunes in 2022.
McDonald brings the experience of a VFL stint with Casey, before tying for Rowville’s best and fairest in 2018 and representing the Eastern league and Vic Metro the same year. Anderson too spent time at Casey, while Hall brings a hard edge to the midfield brigade.
DIVISION 3 & DIVISION 4
The Whitehorse Pioneers have added a host of names, including Blackburn under-19 product and midfielder Jake Harkins, who brings Premier level senior exposure, while strong defender Harry Prout crosses from Mitcham where he played 11 matches in 2021 and featured in the best on five occasions.
In a huge coup for Nunawading, the Division 4 outfit has welcomed back former captain Jordan Winter, following a season with Division 4 rival, Surrey Park. The midfielder played all 11 matches for the Panthers last season, and earned a Division 4 team of the year nod in 2019. He’ll serve as a playing-assistant this year.
At Kimberley Reserve, a resurgent Chirnside Park swooped on a stack of Mooroolbark names, which senior coach Dave Newlands believes should boost the club’s fortunes in its bid for a finals berth.
Midfielder/forwards Austin Sutherland, Kallum Harper and Lachie McGee have signed on from the Mustangs, alongside half-back Blake Daniell. And the Panthers have also added young ruckman Aaron Puckering from Croydon, who’ll work in tandem with veteran Grattan Stephens.
“They’ll make us harder and quicker – just straight-line stuff,” Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands said of the recruits in December.
Close by at Croydon North-MLOC, ex-East Ringwood Roo Daniel Butera should straighten things up in defence as a key backman – and he can swing forward if need be. His experience with the ‘Roos, particularly playing in the league’s top division a number of years ago, should be invaluable.
Meanwhile, Forest Hill looks to have strengthened its list with a number of new names, headlined by Daniel Evans from Yea. The defender served as playing-coach of Yea last season, where he made the Division 2 team of the year, and is known for his class with the ball and leadership. He’s joined by midfielder Patrick Evans who played more than 100 matches for Yea (the majority as captain), experienced mid Cam Evans and versatile midfielder/defender Ash Walsh, a previous playing-coach of Yea. Emerging ruckman Darcy Pell has also joined from Yea.
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