EFNL 2024: All the latest Eastern league key signings ahead of 2025

Ex-AFL talent, state league names, homecoming heroes and more – there’s been no shortage of key player signings across all five Eastern league divisions ...

Liam Buxton is a big signing for Vermont. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Eastern league clubs have been busily recruiting for 2025 – and there’s been no shortage of key player signings landing across all five tiers.

See all the latest inclusions in our division-by-division guide ...

PREMIER DIVISION

BALWYN

The reigning premier hit the off-season with the signing of former Carlton VFL co-captain Lachie Young, who stepped away from the state league. The defender will take up a playing-assistant role at the Tigers.

Meanwhile, Sturt premiership wingman Steven Slimming has crossed from the SANFL where he played 150 matches, and ex-Port Adelaide and St Kilda defender Jarrod Lienert has aligned with the club as he continues at North Melbourne VFL.

Balwyn has also secured East Burwood best and fairest, Jaymie Kempson.

BERWICK

Almost 500 goals has landed at Berwick, with club favourite Jordy Andrews returning after a three-year stint with Dromana in the MPFNL.

Andrews won a Division 1 flag in his time away while also earning a Team of the Year gong.

BLACKBURN

Key forward Liam Malone has transferred from Division 2 club Heathmont. The 196cm talent and strong-marking high-flyer spent time at the Eastern Ranges and is set to undertake a pre-season with Casey in the VFL.

Crafty small forward Jackson Carmody has also crossed from South Barwon in the Geelong FL, splitting his time across the seniors and reserves last season for 22 matches and 31 goals.

DONCASTER EAST

Ex-AFL forward Josh Schache has signed at the Lions for next season after his 76-game career in the big-time came to a close.

The former No. 2 draft pick played at three AFL clubs, beginning at Brisbane before stops at the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

He links with former Bulldogs teammate Tim O’Brien at Zerbes Reserve.

Box Hill VFL premiership-winning midfielder Tom Maloney has signed, and returns to the league after a stop at country club Seymour. He spent 2018-2023 on Norwood’s books, winning two best and fairests.

The Lions have also secured one of the league’s most exciting young talents, Jay Rankin, from Division 3 outfit Fairpark. The ruck-forward won a spot on Dandenong Stingrays’ list in 2023 after a rapid rise into the senior ranks, playing three matches for the Coates league outfit that season. He’s kicked 53 goals across the past two seasons as a teenager in the seniors.

MITCHAM

The newly-promoted Tigers have added two-time Bentleigh best and fairest Liam Hewish, who brings more than 150 games’ experience from the Southern league and an ability to play both ends of the ground.

He’s joined by fellow dual Bentleigh best and fairest Michael Rogers, an intercepting, running half-back. The former Sandringham Dragon was named captain of Bentleigh at just 20 years of age in 2019.

Meanwhile, brothers Ezi and Emi Aleixo have crossed from Division 2 club Croydon.   

Ezi, a high-pressure forward, featured in two senior finals for Croydon this season, while Emi, a pacy midfielder, returns to the league’s top-flight after a stint at Vermont where he played 16 senior games in 2022. He was also on Frankston’s VFL books in 2023 before a knee injury put paid to his time in the state league. 

Medium-sized forward Jack Kritopoulos (Blackburn, Premier Division) has also signed.

MORE: How Mitcham is shaping for top-flight return

SOUTH CROYDON

Three-time AFL premiership star Liam Shiels will don the red, white and blue next season following his retirement from the big-time in August.

The former Hawk and Kangaroo, who played 288 games across a 15-year career, had no shortage of offers from local clubs far and wide – but he reunites with close friends in the Eastern league, returning to where it all began.

Meanwhile, VFL-listed tall Jett Latchford has signed on from Division 2 club Ringwood.

He’s the son of South Croydon great, Scott Latchford.

Playing most of the year in Eastern’s Division 2, Jett was in Ringwood’s best more often than not – and cracked two state league matches with the Hawks.

Young midfielder Baylin Spencer, a former vice-captain at Eastern Ranges, has joined the Bulldogs from Woori Yallock where he’s been playing senior football since the age of 16.

VERMONT

It hasn’t taken former Demon and Bomber Sam Weideman long to decide on his next move after his 76-game AFL career came to an end less than a fortnight ago.

Recently delisted AFL forward Sam Weideman has returned to where it all began, signing at Eastern league powerhouse Vermont — his junior club — for the next two seasons.

MORE: Local footy homecoming a ‘no-brainer’ for delisted Don

Liam Buxton’s return to Premier Division outfit Vermont was the first major signing under incoming coach Matt Adolph, following stops at Montmorency and Sorrento.

Widely regarded as one of local footy’s top ruckmen, Buxton finished runner-up for the Northern league’s Division 1 best and fairest in 2023 and made the Team of the Year.

He played 18 games for Sorrento in the MPFNL’s top-flight this year, also featured in Vermont’s 2018 premiership and represented the Eastern league on multiple occasions.

DIVISION 1

BAYSWATER

Former junior Jamie Battersby has returned to the Waters from The Basin, with the tough, versatile talent bringing a wealth of experience.

This season he split his time between the seniors and reserves at the Division 2 club. He’s joined by under-19 premiership defender Jack Watt, and inside mid and under-19 Bears captain of the past two years, Marcus Arfi.

BEACONSFIELD

Former AFL Tiger Jake Aarts has landed back where it all began, reuniting with junior club Beaconsfield for its Eastern league Division 1 campaign next season.

The midfielder and small forward arrives fresh off two years with MPFNL power Dromana, winning a league medal and Division 1 flag in 2023 before featuring in another grand final this year.

Ali Zijai (Rowville), Cooper Brown (Longwarry) and Travis Stewart (Crib Point) have also signed.

BORONIA

Fresh off their Division 2 flag, the Hawks have snared recently-crowned Ferntree Gully best and fairest Jordan Church – with the young defender following in the footsteps of father Russell, who played at Boronia and won a club champion award.

This year Jordan averaged some 21 disposals, 9.4 contested possessions, eight intercept possessions and five marks a game from half-back.

Church is joined by Ferntree Gully teammate Brayden Wright, with the ruckman returning to the Hawks after two seasons away. He won two reserves flags in the brown and gold and has played 90 senior matches for the club.

Fellow Eagle Tom Gasparroni has too become a Hawk, as he eyes a return from a long layoff with injury. The young gun has made his name in a high half-forward role exhibiting a great leap, mark and exceptional pace.

Mitcham premiership defender Daniel Houeix has also signed, while the Hawks have welcomed back Jake Godwin following a three-year stint in Queensland. Godwin helped Morningside to a QAFL premiership this season with three goals in the grand final. A proven talent forward or back, he also brings experience from the Eastern Ranges and the Box Hill Hawks.

DONCASTER

South Australian state league tall Hugo Munn has landed at Schramms Reserve, crossing from Central Districts where he played more than 50 games.

A nice size at 197cm, he’s touted as a contested marking forward who can ruck.

MONTROSE

The Dees have snared one of the league’s most exciting young prospects, with former Eastern Ranges and VFL-listed talent Hayden Smith crossing from Division 2 club The Basin.

He exhibits great versatility on the wing, on-ball and up forward and put up a whopping 11 mentions in the Bears’ best from 15 games in 2024.

They’ve also added experienced Drouin defender Ryan Quirk, and Bailey Bateman from Lilydale, who can play midfield or defence.

MOOROOLBARK

The Mustangs have shored up their stocks with a swag of higher-division recruits.

Former Eastern Ranges prospect Jak Ryan headlines the arrivals after a stint with Outer East top club Woori Yallock where he played 23 senior matches – including the 2022 grand final. Touted as a dangerous small forward, he’s quick, evasive, and smart with the footy in hand. He played 16 Ranges matches this year and won a Vic Metro guernsey.

Blackburn tall talent Ethan Wright arrives following three premierships across the under-19s and reserves – one as best on ground – alongside stints at the Oakleigh Chargers and Frankston’s VFL development list. He’s played 12 senior matches and looks set to add to that at his new club.

He’s joined by former Oakleigh Charger and Blackburn under-19 talent Connor Riley, whose versatility is one of many strings to his bow. He’s yet to debut in the senior ranks – but opportunity awaits for the high-pressure livewire at the Division 1 club.

Josh Neal crosses from Woori Yallock where the forward kicked more than 100 goals across the past three seasons – including 29 in 17 matches this year.

“(Josh) is an exciting forward, takes a great mark and good on the ground – a really hard match-up and he hits the scoreboard pretty heavily,” Mooroolbark coach Ben Wheat said.

“At 27 years old he’s ideal for us – we felt we needed to bring a couple of those in to complement our young guys.”

He’s joined by brother and ex-Mooroolbark junior Jacob, touted as a running midfielder.

NORTH RINGWOOD

Straight from Collingwood where he spent three-and-a-half years, exciting young tall Aiden Begg has returned to Quambee Reserve.

Ruckman and forward Taylor Davidson has reunited with former Dromana coach and incoming Saints mentor Matt Price. Davidson was a key member of Dromana’s 2023 premiership side in MPFNL’s Division 1 before helping the club to another grand final in 2024.

Connor O’Brien is also on board following a top-division reserves premiership with East Ringwood in 2024.

NORWOOD

Cooper Winter headlines the Norsemen’s haul, bringing a resume which includes Team of the Year honours and a best and fairest after a stint at Nunawading. Joining him from the Division 4 club are key defenders Matt Hutchinson and James Lever.

Midfielder Kieran West returns to the club where he won an under-19 best and fairest in 2018, while goalkicking midfielder and former Northern Territory under-18 representative Antwan Huddleston has signed from Trinity Grammar.

PARK ORCHARDS

Former Northern Bullants captain Tom Wilson has crossed from North Ringwood where he was aligned. Wilson, who won five best and fairests and played more than 150 matches at Northern, switched to Collingwood in 2023.

Meanwhile, ex-AFL Cat James Parsons is set to inject experience into the Sharks’ midfield and attack, putting pen to paper for the 2025 season. Parsons played 35 games for Geelong from 2017 to ’19 before state league stints with the Box Hill Hawks and Carlton.

DIVISION 2

EAST BURWOOD

Premier Division wing and half-forward Liam Patterson links up with his former Blackburn teammate - and new East Burwood coach - Kyle Dove. Patterson has played 169 senior matches in the top grade, also spending time at Oakleigh Chargers and on Port Melbourne’s VFL list.

HEATHMONT

The Jets have secured one of the signings of the Eastern league off-season, luring Premier Division captain James Appleby from Doncaster East.

He featured in the Lions’ 2018 and ’19 Division 1 premierships amid its rise to the league’s top-flight for the first time in their history and has also taken in a swag of Team of the Year honours.

Heathmont has also welcomed back a line of names, including stalwart Lachie Sverns, dashing half-back and past best and fairest winner Wade Van Leeuwen, former captain Tom Rourke (Noosa Tigers) and key forward Jed Hansen (Blackburn).

And some more: swingman Cody Bowman (Crib Point), key defender Jack Troake (The Basin) and former Oakleigh Chargers and VFL Port Melbourne-listed midfielder Jono Aujard (Newbridge, Loddon Valley).

MULGRAVE

Hulking ruckman and defender Lloyd Butcher is a big signing at the Lions, standing at some 200cm, crossing from Castlemaine in the Bendigo league.

RINGWOOD

Riley Hillman arrives from Outer East club Berwick Springs where he made two teams of the year as a centre half-back – and he also has a knack for kicking goals. Meanwhile, Cade Bell is set to bolster the midfield after arriving from Premier club East Ringwood.

SURREY PARK

The Panthers have hit the ground running with a package of recruits as they prepare to take on Division 2 following back-to-back premierships.

Blackburn trio Sam Harte, Sam Rogers and Hayden Telford are set to bolster the Surrey midfield and attack after crossing from the top division.

Harte, formerly of the Oakleigh Chargers and Northern Blues, has made a name as a wingman in recent seasons and an ever-reliable user of the ball.

Telford topped the Premier Division reserves goalkicking this season, with the athletic forward kicking 47 majors, and Rogers is set to provide the Panthers more grunt as a versatile, big-bodied inside midfielder.

And former VFL Port Melbourne and Oakleigh Chargers ruckman Jacob Woodfull has returned after a year off.

TEMPLESTOWE

Eastern league legend Matt Mariani is back at Porter St.

Mariani, who won a third senior league best and fairest in 2019 to earn legend status, crosses from Division 2 rival East Burwood. Two of his league gongs came at the Dockers (2014, ’16) where he last played in 2017.

The nuggety inside midfielder has played more than 250 senior matches across Templestowe, Whitehorse and East Burwood.

He joins a Templestowe outfit which finished its season with an elimination final loss.

The Dockers have injected some pace with the signing of wingman Connor Walsh, who has crossed from Elmore in the Heathcote District league following a three-year stop at Banyule in Northern’s Division 1. Meanwhile, Stefan Papahronis, Giorgio Papahronis and Ryan Tommasoni have signed from Premier Division club Doncaster East.

And former Doncaster and South Croydon goalsneak Daniel Cooper has also put pen to paper.

WANTIRNA SOUTH

The Devils have landed one of Division 3’s leading midfielders, with Ethan Kiker crossing from Ferntree Gully – and he’s set to follow a strong family legacy at the club.

Dad, Brent, won a premiership with the Devils in 1996 and was named in the Devils’ team of the half-century (1952-2000) and grandfather Colin carved out an indelible legacy as president.

In 2023 Ethan finished runner-up for the Ferntree Gully best and fairest and was named in the Division 3 Team of the Year.

WAVERLEY BLUES

Forest Hill young gun Sonny Doherty has joined the Blues after bursting onto the senior footy scene across the past two seasons. The rebounding and intercepting half-back would often double-up on matches last year, toiling away in the under-19s and the seniors.Touted for a great set of hands, Doherty continued to impress for the Zebras in 2024 and has already clocked up more than 30 games at senior level.

Meanwhile, small forward Kyle Viccars has stepped back from VFL with Port Melbourne and will be full-time with the Blues in 2025. Viccars also brings top-division experience from Doncaster.

DIVISION 3 & DIVISION 4

CHIRNSIDE PARK

Inside grunt was identified as a key area for improvement following a straight-sets exit from the finals – and the Panthers have addressed just that, with the signing of decorated Mooroolbark midfielder James McManus.

McManus brings more than 200 games’ experience from the Mustangs where he won a premiership and a best and fairest.

CROYDON NORTH-MLOC

The Kanga-Rams have welcomed Nunawading full forward Konrad Bendrups, who made Eastern’s Division 4 Team of the Year in 2023. Bendrups previously played for VAFA club Manningham Cobras, and has kicked 43 goals across the past two seasons at Nunawading – including 30 in ’23 before a move into the midfield in ’24.

FAIRPARK

A handful of additions at the Lions across the ground, with gritty midfielder and defender Keagan Mitchell (Upper FTG) and Doncaster trio in tall utility Ryan Smith, winger/half-back Nathan Rose and lockdown defender Ben Randall signing. Randall won the Sharks’ reserves best and fairest in 2023.

FERNTREE GULLY

Just weeks after a shock AFL retirement, Jaidyn Stephenson has revealed his next career move.

The former Magpie and Kangaroo has landed back where it all began, returning to junior club Ferntree Gully in the Eastern league.

He’ll serve as a playing assistant coach at the Division 3 outfit in 2025.

MORE: Retired AFL Roo bounds home

KILSYTH

Jackson Drake is sure to lift the Cougars’ attack, signing on after a recent stint with Premier club Berwick and The Basin prior where he topped the goalkicking in 2021.

The former Eastern Ranges talent is the son of former Kilsyth player Jarrett.

He’s joined by Liam Walter from The Basin, a centre half-forward who can swing back.

And the Cougars have also been injected with the experience of newly-appointed playing-coach, Damian Murray.

OAKLEIGH DISTRICT

The Oaks have landed former VFL Frankston captain Luke Potts from Outer East club Healesville where he featured in a premiership this year. The midfielder won a best and fairest while at Frankston and also ran second for a league honour during a stint with MPFNL club Pines – winning a flag in 2018 before three seasons with St Kilda City.

He’s set to combine with fellow inside midfielder Cam Hansen, who has crossed from Dingley where he won a best and fairest and a league medal.

Nunawading pair Harry Miller (defender) and Paul Tyler (wing/half-back) have also signed.

SCORESBY

The Magpies have secured Premier Division midfielder Matt Traynor from Rowville ahead of their return to Division 3.

Traynor won Rowville’s best and fairest in 2018 and brings more than 100 senior games’ experience, among a stop at the Box Hill Hawks. He played most of this season in Rowville’s reserves – but managed six senior matches of his 18.

WARRANDYTE

A Lancefield pair headlines the Bloods’ signing haul.

Key defender Luke Fellows is set to straighten the spine, while midfielder and half-forward Alex Simpson joins the club after topping the goalkicking across the past two seasons. The Assumption College product also had stops at Seymour and Prahran.

Tall defender Caleb Rudd has also put pen to paper, arriving from Southern outfit Chadstone alongside crafty small forward Ben Ogilvie, while versatile talent Jasper Young has signed from Cheltenham.