EFNL 2023: Every Eastern league coaching appointment for 2024
New faces, returning names and past greats galore. Every senior men’s club is locked and loaded for 2024, with a full deck of coaches confirmed. See who is coaching where.
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New faces, returning names and past greats galore.
Every senior men’s Eastern league club is locked and loaded for 2024, with a full deck of coaches confirmed.
See who is coaching where in our club-by-club guide ...
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PREMIER DIVISION
NEW
BLACKBURN
Former Blackburn captain Anthony Fagan will coach the Eastern league top-division club in 2024.
The 34-year-old replaces Brendan Allen at the helm, who exited the role in September after six years.
Fagan carved out more than 100 senior appearances for the Burners across a decade, tying for the best and fairest in 2012 after landing at the club from Geelong Amateur in 2011.
MORE: Ex-captain wins Blackburn coaching race
RELATED: Blackburn, Allen split
NORWOOD
Two-time premiership mentor Brett Moyle is back in the Eastern league’s top-flight – this time as senior coach of Norwood.
The Premier Division outfit recently confirmed the 43-year-old’s appointment, succeeding Marty Pask who stood down from his post of five years at the end of the season.
Moyle coached Wantirna South in 2023.
MORE: Norwood secures dual premiership coach
PARK ORCHARDS
Dual Eastern league premiership coach Paris Harvie is back – this time as Park Orchards’ leading man.
Succeeding Dennis Armfield in the role, Harvie brings senior coaching experience across multiple clubs including Doncaster East, Mooroolbark and most recently North Ringwood.
But it was his stint at South Croydon during the 2000s which took the club to the top division with flags in 2006 (Division 3) and 2009 (Division 2), alongside a grand final appearance in ‘07.
Park Orchards will compete in the league’s second tier in 2024 after suffering relegation from the top division.
SOUTH CROYDON
Former Blackburn coach Brendan Allen will steer the Bulldogs in 2024.
MORE: How South Croydon lured local footy’s most-wanted coach
The ex-Sandringham VFL assistant exited Morton Park in September after six years in charge.
The Bulldogs were led by interim coach Damien Franken for the remaining six matches of their campaign after Marcus Buzaglo stepped down from the role in July.
South Croydon president Stephen Quon said Allen stood out in a lengthy selection process.
“After taking our time to explore many avenues we determined that Brendan was the most exceptional candidate meeting every single criteria we were searching for,” he said.
“We are putting no limits on what we can achieve in the future under Brendan.”
RETURNING
BALWYN
Former Adelaide Crows mentor Brenton Sanderson will continue at the Tigers’ helm for a second season. He succeeded Rodney Eade in the role at the end of 2022.
BERWICK
Clint Evans has been re-signed as coach of the Wickers, taking him to a fifth year in charge. The club finished the season in ninth spot with a 6-12 record.
EAST RINGWOOD
Ben Osborne has been locked in until the end of 2025.
The ‘Roos’ mentor led the club to its first senior premiership in two decades in 2022 – earning promotion from the second tier into the league’s top division, with the club featuring in finals this year.
Osborne landed the role in September 2019, with the extension to send the South Croydon premiership hero into six years at the helm.
DONCASTER
Eastern league legend Chris Annakis has signed on for 2024, marking a third season at the helm.
The Sharks will compete in Division 1 next season after finishing at the foot of the table in the top-flight this year.
DONCASTER EAST
Ryan James is in for a further two years, taking the Lions’ mentor through until the end of 2025.
James coached the club into a second-consecutive Premier Division finals series this season, after a semi-final berth in 2022.
The club said it had been “blown away” by James’ “professionalism on and off-field”.
NOBLE PARK
Steve Hughes will call the shots again at Pat Wright Snr Oval in a fifth year in charge. He coached the Bulls to a flag in 2022.
ROWVILLE
Ben Wise has another year to go on a two-year extension he signed last season, bringing him to the end of 2024.
He took over in the role in 2020 and led the Hawks into yet another grand final this season, with the club winning its first top-flight flag.
VERMONT
Adam Parker is secured for 2024 after taking the club to a grand final in ‘23.
Vermont president Danny Ross said he was thrilled with the reappointment.
Parker coached the club to a top-of-the-table finish this season after missing the finals in 2022.
“We’re really happy that we have Adam locked away for next season,” Ross said.
“Our continued improvement on the field, after a bit of a slow start to the season, was clearly one important factor in our decision to re-sign Adam.
“’Parks’ also has outstanding relationship skills and he has built a great rapport with our younger playing group over the past two seasons.”
DIVISION 1
NEW
CROYDON
Croydon has turned to a Norwood premiership hero as its next senior coach.
Rhett Jordon will lead the Blues in 2024, after calling time at the Norsemen where he won a premiership in the league’s top division in 2014.
Jordon, who captained Norwood in a career spanning a decade and some 150 games at the club, takes over from outgoing coach Morris D’Alessandro, who stood down after six years in charge.
Jordon also brings previous experience as a player with Northern league power West Preston-Lakeside and VFL club Coburg.
MORE: Norwood great’s plan for Croydon
RELATED: Croydon coach calls time
SOUTH BELGRAVE
Former Fremantle and St Kilda man Heath Black will coach the Saints next season, replacing dual premiership coach Luke Galliott who stepped down at the end of this year’s campaign.
MORE: Dual Saints flag coach calls it a day
MORE: Ex-AFL Docker, Saint to steer South Belgrave
WANTIRNA SOUTH
A returning favourite son will steer Wantirna South in its bid to climb the Eastern league Division 1 ladder next season.
Jason Heffernan will coach the club in 2024 after calling time on his seven-season stint at the helm of Southern league outfit St Paul’s McKinnon.
He replaces Brett Moyle as coach.
MORE: Wantirna South looks to club great
RELATED: Wantirna South, Moyle part ways
RETURNING
BAYSWATER
Premiership coach Marc Hardy will call the shots at Baysie again in 2024, re-signing after returning to the club ahead of the 2023 campaign.
BEACONSFIELD
Two-time Eastern league premiership coach Mick Fogarty will steer Division 1 outfit Beaconsfield again in 2024.
The club marked its first-ever EFNL finals series this year after finishing the regular season in fourth position with a 10-8 record.
LILYDALE
Luke McCormick will be back for a third year at the Falcons, with the club to take on Division 2 next season following relegation.
“Whilst it hasn’t been the year we have wanted regarding results on the field from a senior point of view, the whole club is very connected, loving our footy and in a great space to move forward,” McCormick said in a statement.
MITCHAM
Neil Winterton will see a 10th consecutive year in charge after the club confirmed his extension into 2024 on July 16.
He took the Tigers to a third premiership this season, winning the Division 1 flag.
MONTROSE
VFL/AFL great Gary Ayres is set for a third season in charge following back-to-back finals campaigns with the Dees. He took over at the end of the 2021 season.
MOOROOLBARK
Will again be led by Bret Lavars.
Lavars took the Mustangs to the Division 1 grand final in 2022, and will embark on a sixth year at the helm in 2024.
“Bret has proven himself to be an exceptional leader, guiding our club to last year’s grand final and nurturing our talented young players along the way,” the club said in a statement.
“We firmly believe he is the perfect choice to lead us into a bright future.”
NORTH RINGWOOD
The Saints have reappointed Robbie Nahas for 2024.
Announcing the news on July 13, the club said the playing group was “rapt with the decision”, with the former AFL Tiger and ‘Roo set to take on a fifth year in charge.
The Saints were relegated from the Eastern league’s Premier Division at the end of 2022 – but bounced back in Division 1 this year, featuring in finals.
DIVISION 2
NEW
EAST BURWOOD
East Burwood has welcomed back a dual premiership player as its next senior coach.
Justin Whitcher will lead the Rams in 2024, returning to the club where he won top-division premierships in 1999 and 2000.
He makes the move back to the Eastern league after serving the past two seasons as coach of Old Paradians in the VAFA’s Division 2, among a host of assistant roles in the Northern league in the years prior.
Whitcher succeeds David Jensen in the role, who exited the club during the 2023 season.
MORE: East Burwood locks in two-time flag hero
RELATED: East Burwood splits with coach
TEMPLESTOWE
Nick Batsanis has won the full-time coaching role at Templestowe for 2024.
The Dockers parted ways with senior coach Anthony McGregor just weeks out from the Division 2 finals this year, with midfielder Batsanis immediately stepping into a playing-coaching role on an interim basis.
Batsanis took the club to a prelim final this season.
WAVERLEY BLUES
The Waverley Blues have looked to a great as their next senior coach following the exit of the club’s flag-winning mentor.
Dual Blues premiership player Scott Savage will steer the Division 2 club in 2024 after premiership coach Tom Langford stepped down from his post of four years.
MORE: ‘Big coup’: Blues look to club great
RETURNING
BORONIA
Matt Clark is locked in to coach the Hawks again next season, the club announced on August 30.
It will mark Clark’s seventh season in charge – just one shy of equalling Darren Linkins as the club’s longest-serving senior coach.
The former Wantirna South mentor has led the Hawks to two premierships – 2018 and 2023.
HEATHMONT
Scott Hamill follows on from a first season in charge which took the Jets to a grand final. He previously coached Surrey Park.
KNOX
Triple Eastern league premiership coach Steve Buckle will guide the Falcons again next season following his first season in charge.
While the young Falcons bagged just three wins for the season and suffered relegation, the club is confident Buckle has his charges on the right track.
“Under Bucks’ guidance and expertise as a coach, our players have undergone remarkable improvement and growth as a team throughout this year,” the club said in a statement.
MULGRAVE
Matt Richards will head-up the Lions again in 2024 following his first season in charge.
Mulgrave contested its first finals series since 2014 this year.
“’Richo’ has shown great leadership in the role during his first 12 months in the job, growing in confidence every week,” Mulgrave general manager of football David Rowland said.
“With the playing list firmly behind him, we expect a bright future for both him and the club.”
RINGWOOD
Two-time Coach of the Year Brett Rowe will be back again to lead the Redbacks next season. Rowe has coached the club to three grand finals in his six years in charge.
THE BASIN
Donvale legend Jason Wade has recommitted to the Bears for a second season at the helm.
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY
Mark Fisher will lead the Kings again, with the club to compete in Division 3 next year after relegation.
DIVISION 3
NEW
COLDSTREAM
The club has locked in Jarrod Bayliss as its new coach.
Bayliss is fresh off coaching back-to-back flags with Outer East club Powelltown, also leading Park Orchards to a Division 3 crown in 2017.
He succeeds Chad Rogers, a flag coach with Upper Gully in 2016 who led the Cougars to three of a possible four finals series, helping them into Division 3 following an undefeated campaign in 2021.
MORE: Triple flag coach to lead Coldstream
RELATED: Why Coldstream coach called time
SILVAN
Silvan has locked in a former long-serving club president as its new coach.
Ex-Park Orchards president Jeremy Thomas will steer the Cats in 2024, succeeding flag mentor Trent Martin, who stepped down at the end of the season.
MORE: Silvan coach calls time
Thomas’ nine-year tenure as Sharks boss oversaw the club’s first-ever Eastern league flag in 2017, helping the club in its climb into the league’s top-flight.
“Jeremy comes to us with a rich and unique background in coaching people, both in the community and with professionals in his day to day business,” Silvan FC said in a statement.
“For the past two and a half decades, Jeremy has served in, mentored, coached and advised leaders in business, sport, education and training, all around Australia as a business owner, strategist, teacher, and coach.
“His football experience spans over four clubs as a player and coach, and his natural teaching background has held him in good stead, partnering great people who have created success together.”
Thomas will be flanked by power forward Michael Fowkes as senior playing-assistant, a premiership player with Park Orchards in 2017 who arrives from Powelltown where he won back-to-back flags across the past two seasons.
RETURNING
DONVALE
Kevin Collins is in again after winning a third crown as Donvale coach in 2023. He also led the club to the 1994 second-tier flag before a top-flight premiership in 1996 in a previous coaching stint.
FAIRPARK
Sean Stanton will coach for an eighth season and is the club’s longest-serving mentor. He led the Lions into Division 3 with their first flag since 1995 in 2019.
FERNTREE GULLY
Brent Kiker is in for 2024.
Kiker led the club to a grand final berth this season after finishing second on the ladder and has coached the Eagles since 2020.
OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
Two-time Chandler medallist Blake Pearson is set for a second season at the helm, after leading the Oaks to their first finals win since 2016.
WARRANDYTE
Paul Donahoo has re-signed as coach, taking the former Noble Park player into a fourth season at the helm.
The Bloods finished seventh this season after falling 10 points short of a grand final berth in 2022.
WHITEHORSE PIONEERS
Andrew Haining will coach a second season, with the club to compete in Division 4 after finishing at the foot of the table this year. Haining won the league’s Chandler Medal in 2014.
DIVISION 4
NEW
FOREST HILL
Forest Hill great Brad Tuite will coach the Division 4 club in 2024.
The former club captain etched almost 300 senior games for the Zebras in a playing career taking in a best and fairest in 1996. He was twice named in Forest Hill’s Team of the Decade (1987-1996 and 1997-2006, the latter as vice-captain), playing in a reserve-grade premiership in 2005.
He also coached the under-18s and reserves to premierships in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
Tuite also played for Springvale in the VFL and Eastern club Heathmont, where he won a premiership in 2004.
He takes over from outgoing Forest Hill coach Justin Scicluna.
MORE: Scicluna makes call on future
RETURNING
CHIRNSIDE PARK
The Panthers have secured Dave Newlands for 2024.
Newlands took over in 2019 and has led the club to the past two finals series in Division 4. The 2022 finals campaign marked Chirnside Park’s first since 2009.
CROYDON NORTH-MLOC
First-year mentor Ben Oakes signed on for another season in late July, ahead of the club breaking through for its first senior victory in a year. Oakes took over from long-serving coach Mark Holly ahead of the 2023 season.
KILSYTH
Simon Caldwell has re-signed as Cougars coach after taking the club to its first grand final since 2015 this season.
NUNAWADING
Frank Salanitri will steer the Lions after returning for a second stint at the helm at the end of 2022. He previously coached the club from 2012 to 2013, overseeing its last finals appearance.
SCORESBY
It will be a second campaign at the helm for Craig McKenzie after coaching the Magpies to the finals in 2023. The ‘Pies finished fourth at the end of the home-and-away season.
SURREY PARK
James Kenworthy will see a second full season in charge at Surrey Park, putting pen to paper in the wake of the club’s breakthrough Division 4 premiership this year.
The playing-coach took over at the Panthers midway through the 2022 season, and the club will compete in Division 3 after winning the flag.
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