EFNL: The must-watch Eastern league matches of the 2023 season
Clear your diaries, local footy fans – here are the biggest matches of the 2023 Eastern league season across all five divisions.
Eastern
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The season is fast-approaching and the Eastern league fixtures across all five divisions have been released.
Here are some of the biggest match-ups to look forward to.
PREMIER DIVISION
Good Friday: Balwyn v Blackburn – Premier Division, Round 1, April 7
The marquee fixture returns for another year in a stand-alone Premier Division clash to kick off the season. The pair have met three times on the day with Blackburn winning twice, before Balwyn claimed a resounding victory last season.
Grand final rematch: Noble Park v Rowville – Premier Division, Round 1, April 15
The pair renew acquaintances in Round 1 following their wet-weather bout at Bayswater Oval in the 2022 decider, with the Bulls upsetting the minor premier to take their first flag in more than a decade. With a swag of new recruits on show and stars on every line, this is a clash not to be missed.
Doncaster East v Park Orchards – Premier Division, Round 1, April 15
A string of ex-AFL and state league names will take the park against one-another in this opening-round clash.
Doncaster East will unveil former Carlton and Brisbane midfielder Tom Bell, ex-Fremantle defender Taylin Duman and Port Melbourne premiership pair Lachie Waddell and Luke Tynan, while the Sharks, led by former Carlton name Dennis Armfield, are set to debut former Geelong Cat James Parsons alongside ex-QAFL forward Riley Winter. The two clubs met twice last season with the Sharks winning both encounters.
Anzac Day: South Croydon v Blackburn – Round 2, April 25
The Bulldogs and Panthers return for their annual Anzac Day game with the pair set to lock horns at Cheong Park. South Croydon took the honours over Blackburn in three encounters last season, winning by 30 points in the 2022 Anzac Day clash after a tight first half.
King’s Birthday weekend: Balwyn v Noble Park – Round 9, June 10
The stand-alone match returns for another year with the Tigers and Bulls taking centre stage on the Saturday of the long weekend. The pair share a long and storied history as two of the Eastern league’s powerhouse clubs this century, and this fixture has been known to throw up some topsy-turvy results.
DIVISION 1
Wantirna South v Montrose – Round 5, May 6
Just 11 points separated them in last season’s elimination final, Montrose’s way, continuing a theme of nail-biting encounters. Their opening-round bout was decided by a point last year with Montrose prevailing, before Wantirna South turned the tables by 21 points in Round 11. Evenly matched, the Demons and Devils pose a mouth-watering match-up.
Mooroolbark v Mitcham – Round 8, May 27
The pair met twice last finals series, splitting the ledger 1-1 and could again be heavy hitters at the business end of the 2023 season. Could this be an early finals preview?
DIVISION 2
Heathmont v Ringwood – Round 3, April 21 (night)
A Friday night blockbuster awaits the Jets and Redbacks as the old rivals battle it out for the Parker Family Cup. And if history is anything to go by, fans can expect a treat with the annual fixture known for producing upsets and close finishes.
Boronia v East Burwood – Round 4, April 29
There’ll be plenty of feeling in this clash after they played out a thrilling semi-final in 2022, with East Burwood winning by a point. They met three times last season with the Rams edging ahead 2-1.
DIVISION 3
Warrandyte v Donvale – Round 1, April 1
The preliminary finalist hosts the runner-up in what looks set to be a cracking contest to open the season. Donvale took the honours by 10 points in the prelim in the pair’s third clash of the 2022 season, with the ‘Vales winning two of the three. A combined total of just 19 points separated the clubs across the three meetings.
Coldstream v Silvan – Round 5, May 6
The local rivals cross paths again following Silvan’s promotion. Coldstream impressed with a finals berth in its first season up in Division 3 after making the jump at the end of 2021, while Silvan was the pacesetter in Division 4 last year as it won the flag.
DIVISION 4
Kilsyth v Forest Hill – Round 2, April 15
Two of the three matches were decided by a combined total of 16 points last season, before the Cougars comfortably won the last bout in Round 16. They’re two sides expected to push for the finals, with Kilsyth making it for the first time in seven years in 2022, while the Zebras missed out by a game.
Surrey Park v Chirnside Park – Round 3, April 22
The finalists played out three close games in the 2022 home-and-away season, before Surrey Park romped to a prelim victory. But the two clubs look set to be among those challenging for a spot in the finals again in 2023, and their matches against one-another could provide us with plenty to look forward to at the business end of the year.
‘Step up’: Ayres’ call to cover ex-AFL forward
Montrose coach Gary Ayres discusses his plan to rejig the Dees’ attack following the exit of one of the club’s biggest stars, while there’s also been a package of key signings.
‘Something needs to be done’: Fed-up sporting club’s plea after ‘suspicious’ fire
A suburban sporting club in Melbourne’s outer east says enough is enough after it was hit with a “suspicious” blaze less than a month out from finals.