EFNL 2024: 30 recruits lighting up the Eastern league
Ex-AFL and state league talents, comp medallists and more – there’s no shortage of new and returning stars producing eye-catching performances so far. Here are some of the best.
Eastern
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Straight out of the AFL, from interstate or down the road, recruits are firing in all five divisions of the Eastern league.
Here are some of the best so far, listed in alphabetical order ...
Adam Amin (Scoresby)
The former Koo Wee Rup spearhead has fired off 31 goals in five matches.
His most recent fortnight alone has yielded hauls of seven (Whitehorse Pioneers) and nine (Kilsyth).
Mackay Bateson (Beaconsfield)
Beacy coach Mick Fogarty couldn’t speak higher of the ex-Monbulk talent.
He’s played six matches and kicked seven goals this season.
“He’s just been a revelation since coming across ... he’s added some real toughness and pressure in our forward half,” Fogarty said.
Jamie Bennell (East Ringwood)
Currently sits equal-first on the Premier Division goalkicking chart after joining the ‘Roos from Norwood in the off-season. The ex-AFL man has bagged 17 majors from five games among a multi-pronged East Ringwood attack, finishing in the best against South Croydon and Blackburn. He booted three goals in each of his opening three games, and six against Noble Park in his most recent outing.
But he’s not the only Bennell impressing ...
Traye Bennell (East Ringwood)
There have been plenty of pats on the back for the late pre-season signing, who joined the club following more than 100 matches for WAFL outfit Peel Thunder.
His versatility, clean skills and vision have impressed coach Ben Osborne.
“He was playing across half-back for us, we’ve had a look at him on the wing and we know we can throw him on-ball,” Osborne said after Round 1.
“He’s just a guy with a whole heap of time and talent.”
Harley Burmeister-Lyons (The Basin)
An inside midfielder and defender with more than 200 games’ experience, he’s been one of the Bears’ best amid a lean start to the season after returning to the league from Koondrook Barham.
Trent Castledine (Chirnside Park)
The key position talent was part of a Panthers recruiting drive addressing firepower, and he’s certainly delivered so far. Kicking 14 goals with no less than three in his past four showings, he’s combined nicely with fellow recruit and ex-Croydon and Silvan livewire Justin Ficorilli, who’s snared 15 majors for the season.
“They’re happy to share it around – everyone has a bite of the pie … that’s what we’re trying to do every week,” Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands said.
Brock Castree (Coldstream)
The ex-SANFL midfielder has been one of Coldstream’s key men in its hot start to the season under new coach Jarrod Bayliss.
Castree won a flag under Bayliss at Powelltown last season following a stint at The Basin – and a premiership with North Adelaide during his time in the South Australian state league.
“He’s a high-quality player and finds the footy … a smart player who’s played at a really high level, and the expectations on him are obviously high and they’re high on himself,” Bayliss said of Castree.
“He always finds a way to get the job done for me.”
Russell Cowan (Upper Ferntree Gully)
Has brought leadership and grunt in spades, joining the club following back-to-back flags with Powelltown in the Outer East league where he won two comp medals.
“He just cares ... he just buys in and works his backside off – he’s 35 and he’s still fit,” Upper Ferntree Gully coach Mark Fisher said of the midfielder.
“He can’t help himself but attack the ball … it’s been a huge plus for us.”
Kyle Eliott (Doncaster)
A big inclusion for the Sharks in their move into Division 1 following relegation from the top-flight, he’s comfortably assumed the No. 1 ruck spot.
“He’s fitted in really well – he’s a big fella, a strong fella and a bit intimidating as well,” Annakis said after the Sharks’ win over Wantirna South.
“He’s nice and physical and gives us plenty of drive in the ruck giving us first use and gives us that presence around the ground which is something a lot of our young kids can feed off.”
Michael Fowkes (Silvan)
It’s been a sound return to the Eastern league for the former Park Orchards key forward after two flags with Powelltown. Hitting the scoreboard for 11 goals so far, the Cats’ playing-assistant has been among the best on three occasions.
Josh Fox (East Ringwood)
The former Cheltenham spearhead arrived at the ‘Roos with a big reputation fresh off 77 goals and a Southern league flag – and he hasn’t disappointed.
He’s kicked 13 goals from his first five matches – including six in a 130-point mauling of Doncaster East – but senior coach Ben Osborne says he provides more than just a scoring option.
“The great thing about Fox is he doesn’t get out-marked,” Osborne said.
“But when the ball comes to ground, I think we get the benefits of that from some of our smalls and our midfielders kicking goals.”
Jake Hammond (Blackburn)
The high-flyer has made a comfortable return to the Eastern Premier Division, booting three majors in each of his three matches and finishing among the best against East Ringwood in Round 4.
Hammond returned to the club in the off-season after a stint with Cohuna Kangas in the Central Murray league – resuming a career at Morton Park which took in almost 400 goals across more than 130 games from 2014-21.
His practice match form sparked excitement this year – and that hasn’t wavered.
“It (pre-season) was a pretty good reminder of what Jake can do … he’s going to make a huge difference for us,” Blackburn football director Dan Richards said earlier this season.
Kane Henden (Surrey Park)
The midfielder has had no worries slotting back into the Panthers’ line-up after a few years away, which included a best and fairest at Doncaster in the league’s top-flight.
He amassed 43 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 marks and a goal in his side’s Round 4 victory over Ferntree Gully in Division 3 this season, after serving in an assistant-coaching capacity late last year.
Chris Jones (South Croydon)
The key defender missed a beat in his return to the club, featuring in the best players in four of five matches.
He landed back at the Kennel fresh off a 50-game stint with WAFL club Swan Districts from 2021-2023, after last playing at South Croydon in 2019.
Rhett Jordon (Croydon)
Unveiled as the new playing-coach of the Blues at the end of last season, the former Norwood star has led an on-field resurgence at the Division 2 club, helping it to five wins from the opening six matches. He’s kicked 10 goals so far.
Brayden Laplanche (Rowville)
Also listed with VFL outfit Casey, the versatile, pacy defender and former Eastern Ranges co-captain has fired across half-back for the Hawks when he’s been available to play, turning out in wins against Norwood and Vermont.
Ben McLean (Norwood)
The former Sandringham Dragon has boosted the Norwood back six after arriving from Bonbeach where he finished runner-up for the best and fairest in 2022. Named in the best on three occasions this season.
Andrew Murray (Nunawading)
Has brought versatility, clean skills and firepower to the Division 4 club after arriving from Wonthaggi in the off-season, booting 15 goals from five games – including two bags of five.
“He’s come with a big rep and the acid was put on him,” Nunawading coach Frank Salanitri said.
“He’s a part-time on-baller, probably best suited to a half-forward flank, but he’s got fantastic skills on both sides.”
Jack Palmer (Warrandyte)
A versatile talent, Palmer joined the Bloods from Northern Territory league Division 2 club Southern Districts and hasn’t looked out of place, named in the best in four of six matches.
He’s played mainly midfield among small stints forward and back.
Gavin Pears (Knox)
Has slotted in seamlessly on return to the club after playing at Karingal last year. In fact, the half-forward flanker has been named in the Falcons’ best in each of his five outings.
Joel Perry (The Basin)
Coming off back-to-back flags with Powelltown, the big forward has hit the scoreboard in five of six matches on return to the Eastern league, kicking 11 majors so far – including a bag of five against 2023 preliminary finalist, Templestowe.
He was instilled as coach of the Bears after Round 4.
Blake Simondson (South Belgrave)
The young gun undertook pre-season with North Melbourne’s VFL program this year, and has added much-needed leg-speed to the South Belgrave line-up after arriving from Berwick Springs.
The midfielder couldn’t have made a better first impression at the Saints, starring in a best-afield display in the Division 1 grand final rematch against Mitcham.
“He’s come in and had a massive impact straight away,” South Belgrave coach Heath Black said following Round 1.
“I would think Blake in his mind still wants to be drafted … I said after the game, he’s like a semi-professional footballer – he just does everything to get himself up and about.”
Mark Stevens (Oakleigh District)
Stevens crossed from Heatherton in the off-season as the club sought to replace departing leading goalkicker Zak Bozanich.
The new focal point in attack hasn’t let the Oaks down, firing off a competition-equalling 24 majors in Division 3 – including an 11-goal haul against Silvan.
Lachie Summers (Surrey Park)
Back to where it all began after two seasons with Old Carey, Summers has 15 goals for the season including four against Coldstream and Silvan recently. He won several best-and-fairest awards as a Surrey Park junior – including a league crown in 2014 – with the former Oakleigh Charger representing Vic Metro in 2016.
He’s kicked goals in each of his five matches this season.
“He’s a really versatile player, multiple best and fairest winner and we’re rapt to have him back,” Surrey Park president Rohan Sutherland said.
Kayne Turner (Balwyn)
The ex-Kangaroo has been among his side’s best in three of five matches – including a best-afield showing against Vermont in Round 2. Balwyn skipper Charlie Haley could only marvel at the midfielder’s handiwork.
“Mate, he’s just an absolute bull,” Haley said of Turner after the Round 2 match.
“A defend-first midfielder, but still has 25-odd (possessions), eight or nine tackles and plenty of clearances – he’s elite with the ball as well, so he’s been a massive inclusion.”
Tristan Tweedie (East Ringwood)
The multiple Team of the Year defender looks to have resumed his post seamlessly in his return to the club after five years at Norwood. He’s posted three mentions in the best, forming an integral part of a back six which has conceded the third-least points against in Premier Division.
Tristan Van Driel (Doncaster)
The key forward has tipped in 14 goals for the Sharks this season upon crossing from Balwyn, ranked equal-fourth in Division 1.
Liam Whelan (Boronia)
Boronia senior coach Matt Clark had the 194cm talent picked as a “critical asset” in the forward line ahead of the Division 2 season.
He wasn’t wrong, with the former North Melbourne and Coburg VFL man since hitting the scoreboard in each of his four matches for 13 goals.
“He’s six-foot-four and a really mobile forward who’s played at a higher level … he’s super fit and really covers the ground well, almost like a midfielder,” Clark said.
Shane Woolley (Ferntree Gully)
The midfielder-forward was best afield for the Eagles in a breakthrough win against Silvan, with the former Narre South man among the best in three of his five outings in Eastern’s Division 3 so far.
He kicked four goals in the Silvan bout.
“There’s not much of him,” Ferntree Gully coach Brent Kiker said of Woolley after the match.
“But he’s one of those guys who can’t get any fitter – he does all the extras and we have been struggling to kick goals, so for him to work the way he does and to finish with four was fantastic.”
Toby Wooller (Blackburn)
Former Brisbane Lions mid-forward spent last season with Goulburn Valley outfit Kyabram and Essendon’s VFL side – but the move to full-time local footy in Eastern’s top-flight hasn’t worried him.
Hit the scoreboard with two majors in his opening three outings and has eight for the season.
Darcy Yule (Croydon)
Crossing from Premier Division club Norwood, the young ruckman hasn’t missed a beat for the Blues in Division 2, whose season has netted three nods in the best from six starts.
He made an immediate impression in the opening-round win over East Burwood.
“I knew he was always a talented kid,” Croydon coach Rhett Jordon said.
“I was stoked with the way he played – I put it on him pre-game for a big one.”
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