EFNL 2024: 30 Division 2 names to watch this season
The talent runs deep in the Eastern league’s Division 2. We’ve listed 30 names to keep an eye on this season.
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The talent runs deep in the Eastern league’s Division 2.
Just four points separated the fifth and last finals spot from seventh on the ladder last season, a testament to the even spread of gun names across the division.
From experience, youth, new faces and more, we’ve listed 30 names to keep an eye on this season.
Josh Begley (Boronia)
Through the midfield and in attack, the ex-AFL Bomber tore it up in his maiden season with the Hawks, booting 50 goals – including three in the grand final as side raised the cup. Nine times in the best among 19 matches, the former VFL Frankston gun earned a spot on the half-forward flank in the Team of the Year.
Adam Booth (Mulgrave)
One of the greatest to have pulled on a Mulgrave jumper, the evergreen Lion is not only one of Division 2’s standouts, but one of local footy’s top elder statesmen. Last season he bagged 52 goals to finish a close second for the goalkicking prize on the way to Team of the Year selection at full-forward – no mean feat considering the names vying for the same spot. Playing in Mulgrave’s last senior flag in 2010, his experience proved invaluable to the current crop as the Lions toasted their first finals appearance in a decade.
Max Brasher (Boronia)
The hard-running, young midfielder slotted in seamlessly at the Hawks last season, capping off 19 matches with a premiership medal after crossing from Upper Gully. It’s no surprise after he previously finished top-four in the Kings’ best-and-fairest in just his first full year of senior footy. Also enjoyed a decorated junior career, taking home two league medals.
Alex Brown (Templestowe)
One of the division’s top defenders, Brown’s refusal to be beaten at the contest alongside sound ability to read the ball and execution by foot are among the traits that set him apart. Playing 19 matches (including eight in the best), Brown’s season earned selection as captain of the Team of the Year, listed in the back pocket, as the Dockers made the finals.
Riley Clausen (Lilydale)
A standout for the Falcons in a lean Division 1 season, the midfielder won a Team of the Year honour after averaging 28 disposals and eight clearances a match – ending his campaign with a string of 30-possession showings. In a lower division this season after the Falcons’ relegation, he could again put his hand up as one of the better players in the comp.
Chris Duck (Waverley Blues)
A gun recruit to the Blues ahead of last season after multiple best and fairests at Rand-Walbundrie-Walla, the midfielder’s tireless running and workrate stood out as he powered his way into the Team of the Year on the wing. Playing 17 matches for eight mentions in the best, Duck’s spark was evident as he turned out a best-afield showing on debut against Mulgrave.
Damon Fairchild (Boronia)
His efforts through the middle won him the best-on-ground medal in last year’s premiership, while hitting the scoreboard with two goals. Coach Matt Clark says he’s at the “peak age” of his career. “He’s a big body, six-one, six-two around the footy, but he’s really got strength into his game, tackles and hits the bodies really hard, but also his run (is impressive),” Clark told Leader after the grand final.
Michael Fogarty (Templestowe)
The Dockers’ hard-at-it midfielder followed on from a best-and-fairest-winning 2022 season with a Team of the Year gong last year, figuring in his side’s best on 11 occasions from 19 matches – four of those as best afield. An ex-Footscray VFL vice-captain, Fogarty remains one of Templestowe’s most integral players.
Carl Giovannini (Templestowe)
The midfielder’s first season with the Dockers couldn’t have been scripted any better, winning the club best and fairest, a Team of the Year gong as well as topping the Dockers’ goalkicking with 21 majors. Averaging 26 disposals, seven clearances and five inside-50s a match, his season was highlighted by a 40-possession haul against Knox late in the piece.
Tyson Hale (Waverley Blues)
The inside-midfielder’s best-and-fairest-winning 2022 campaign was followed up with playing all 20 matches last year (12 of those in the best), while kicking 18 goals to earn a spot in the Team of the Year.
Josh Hannon (Boronia)
A best and fairest in a premiership year is about as prestigious as individual honours get in footy, which the ruckman achieved after averaging 38 hit-outs a match among 20 appearances, with 11 of those in the best. Rarely beaten at the contest, some would argue the two-time premiership Hawk was stiff to miss out on the Team of the Year.
Luke Hannon (Boronia)
The utility remained one of the Hawks’ most consistent and reliable through another premiership-winning campaign, proving handy through the midfield and in attack. Of his 18 matches, the former Eastern Ranges captain was named seven times in the best. His experience also proved crucial across two finals, kicking three majors in the semi before a couple in the decider. A two-time Hawks best and fairest.
Mitch Jackson (Ringwood)
He’s coming off a season yielding a top-five finish in the comp medal, the Redbacks’ best and fairest and a Team of the Year nod. The midfielder played every match last season, earning nine mentions in the best while kicking 16 majors. He’ll serve as the Redbacks’ co-captain again this year.
Tim Jones (Ringwood)
Fresh off consecutive Team of the Year honours despite missing chunks of each campaign, the classy defender is set to play the full season this year. His intercept marking and rebounding make him a dangerous prospect for opposition sides, setting up attacks across half-back.
Lin Jong (Mulgrave)
A neck injury restricted the former AFL Bulldog to just seven matches on return to his junior club in 2023 – but the homecoming hero is said to be fit and firing ahead of this season. The onballer’s output of five mentions in the best says he was more than comfortable at the level in his move back east. Coach Matt Richards says there’s “no pressure” on the two-time VFL flag star.
Jarrod Lake (Boronia)
One of the Hawks’ most important players, the full-back helped his side to the premiership, also earning a Team of the Year guernsey in the key post. Forwards know they’re in for a tough day when pitted against Lake, who led a back six which conceded a measly 825 points in a season where the Hawks dropped just one match.
Jett Latchford (Ringwood)
Made the Redbacks’ ruck position his own last season at just 21, after making his senior debut in Round 1 of 2022. He played a further 13 games last year for a whopping 11 mentions in the best – including a best-afield showing against eventual grand finalist Heathmont.
Matt Mariani (East Burwood)
An Eastern league legend in official terms having won three senior comp best and fairests, the nuggety midfielder last season posted a top-three finish for the Division 2 medal. Of his 17 matches, he finished in the best nine times.
Matt McKenzie (Croydon)
The midfielder averaged 26 disposals, six marks and five clearances a match in Division 1 last year, and will be central to the Blues’ fortunes as they take on a new division this season. He finished in the Team of the Year, alongside defender Fraser Smith (averaging 20 disposals, seven rebound-50s) and forward Riley Costantino (31 goals).
Mitch Mellis (Boronia)
The midfielder’s collection of medals grew last season, winning the Division 2 best and fairest at just 22, and was a key part of a Boronia outfit which lost just one match on the way to the flag. Enjoyed a decorated junior career which took in three league best and fairest awards and three at the Hawks, before one with the Eastern Ranges in ’18. Previously listed with Williamstown VFL.
Beau Mitchener (Templestowe)
Widely considered Division 2’s top ruckman, Mitchener was first picked for the ruck spot in the Team of the Year, in the former Lilydale big man’s seventh career nod. With a big frame and mobility in spades, he again proved a matchwinner in his first season with the Dockers.
Nathan Mullenger-McHugh (Heathmont)
A knee injury may have put paid to his 2022 season, but the former Western Bulldog returned with resounding success last year, running equal-second for the comp medal. The 197cm talent was named at centre half-forward in the Team of the Year following 19 matches for seven mentions in the best.
Christian Poe (The Basin)
One of the league’s most exciting young talents, the small forward played all 18 matches for the Bears last season and was among the best in 12 of those, kicking three snags in a best afield showing against finalist Templestowe. Formerly listed with the Eastern Ranges.
Ethan Power (The Basin)
The young ruckman was one of the Bears’ most consistent last season and is developing nicely. Named in the best 12 times from 17 matches (four of those as best-afield), the son of former Eastern league champion Todd has become a key member of The Basin’s engine room.
Fletcher Roberts (Mulgrave)
The former Western Bulldog relished life at local level last season, kicking 44 goals from 14 matches to be named in the Team of the Year. Kicking bags of six or more on four occasions, the 2016 AFL premiership player helped Mulgrave to its first finals appearance in a decade.
Ben Robertson (Boronia)
The Hawks’ spearhead starred among the comp’s top forwards last season with 50 goals, ranked equal-third, on the way to a Team of the Year honour. His four majors in his side’s grand final win proved vital amid the tight contest.
Dimitrios Roufos (Waverley Blues)
Saluted a best and fairest with the Blues last season as the club contested the finals following promotion to Division 2. His defensive pressure is a strong suit, cracking in with an average of six tackles a game alongside three clearances and 17 disposals.
Toby Ryan (Templestowe)
Lighting it up across half-back, the in-and-under defender was one of the Dockers’ most important last season, helping the club to third spot. Combining with the likes of Alex Brown, opposition sides found it tough to score against the Dockers, which conceded the second-least points of the division. Named on the half-back flank in the Team of the Year.
Hayden Smith (The Basin)
The young gun played 17 of 18 matches at local level last season while listed with North Melbourne’s VFL program, exhibiting great versatility on the wing, on-ball and up forward for 17 goals. Eight times among the Bears’ best, the former Eastern Ranges name was best-on-ground in four of those.
Bailey Stevens (Heathmont)
He only played a handful of matches in 2022, but the small forward fired on return last season with 50 goals from 20 matches to earn a Team of the Year spot on the half-forward flank. Arguably his best performance came against fellow finalist Waverley Blues, starring with five goals as the Jets pinched the win at the death. A key part of the Jets’ grand final push.
Connor Tilyard (Mulgrave)
The tireless, hard-running Lion has made the Division 2 Team of the Year on the wing the last two seasons, with his work both ways and relentless pursuit of the contest key features to his game. Agile and smooth-moving, Tilyard’s season netted all 19 matches, 27 goals and 15 mentions in the best, playing a leading role in the Lions’ first finals campaign since 2014.
Doug Wootten (Templestowe)
Among a package of gun recruits at the Dockers last season, the defender fired across 18 matches (eight of those in the best), helping the club into the finals. An integral part of a Dockers back six which conceded the second-least points against (1019) on the way to a third-placed finish and prelim final, Wootten earned a Team of the Year guernsey in the back pocket.
Josh Williamson (Waverley Blues)
The move up a flight following the Blues’ Division 3 flag in 2022 didn’t faze the sharpshooter, topping the Division 2 goalkicking with 54 majors to help his side into the finals. Backing up a 57-goal ‘22 season, the former Tasmanian state leaguer won a second consecutive goalkicking trophy in as many years in the Eastern league in ’23, as well as another Team of the Year gong.
Marcus Young (East Burwood)
Winner of the Rams’ best and fairest in 2022 kicking 43 goals, the forward put up 26 goals from 18 games last season and featured in the best on 12 occasions.
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