EFNL 2025: 25 Eastern league Division 1 players to watch in ‘25
Bursting with talent from rising stars, dynamic midfielders, ex-AFL names and more, we’ve listed 25 Eastern league Division 1 players to keep an eye on this season. See who made the cut.
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It was arguably the Eastern league’s most even and exciting division last season.
Bursting with talent from rising stars, dynamic midfielders, ex-AFL names and more, we’ve listed 25 players, in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on in Division 1 this season.
Jake Aarts (Beaconsfield)
One of the most sought-after signatures of the off-season, the ex-Richmond midfielder and small forward returns to his junior club. And he’s fresh off two years with MPFNL power Dromana, winning a league best and fairest and Division 1 flag in 2023 before featuring in another grand final last year.
Josh Begley (Boronia)
The ex-Frankston star topped the Division 2 goalkicking last season with 54, earning selection in the Team of the Year at full forward. But perhaps the biggest feather in his cap was a four-goal, best-afield display in the grand final as the Hawks earned long-awaited promotion. His haul included two miraculous snaps in the final term – in one instance, he broke the shackles of two would-be Croydon tacklers to find the big sticks; in another, he threaded the eye of a needle from the boundary. Through the midfield or up forward, followers of Division 1 can expect plenty of game-breaking performances this season.
Aiden Begg (North Ringwood)
Straight from Collingwood where he spent three-and-a-half years, the exciting young tall has returned to Quambee Reserve where it all began.
The 200cm talent played three AFL matches as well as 34 in the state league before a knee injury spelt the end of his time at the top level. Expect him to cause plenty of opposition headaches this season.
Cal Daraio (South Belgrave)
A big signing for the Saints, crossing from Vermont where he was one of the Premier Division power’s most consistent midfielders in recent seasons, while he also spent time on North Melbourne’s VFL list. The step down from Eastern’s premier grade shouldn’t worry the 25-year-old, as he injects even more experience into South’s engine room.
Aaron Fenton (North Ringwood)
The skipper is set to go again for the Saints following Team of the Year selection (forward pocket) and the club best and fairest after hauling in an average of more than 24 disposals a match to go with some eight tackles and 16 contested possessions each time he took the park.
Taylor Garner (South Belgrave)
Restricted to just eight matches last season, the prospect of coaching the former AFL Kangaroo excites incoming South Belgrave coach Kristan Height, who touts the forward for a big year.
“We’re expecting Taylor to have a really big season,” Height said.
“He’s been really positive with everything he’s done so far and we know he’s a very good player, so he’ll get his body right and if he’s 100 per cent right, then good luck to anyone who’s playing on him.”
Jett Hartman (Mooroolbark)
Last season, then-Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars declared the steely defender had “possibly become our most important player”, highlighting his knack for intercept marking. Fresh off a breakout year which netted a Team of the Year honour at half-back, Hartman also carved out five VFL matches for Collingwood. A tough match-up, and one of the league’s brightest young talents.
Kane Keppel (Park Orchards)
The Sharks’ co-captain and former VFL Blue earned Team of the Year selection at half-forward after tipping in 40 goals from 21 matches to spearhead his side to the top of the ladder and a grand final berth. While last season ended in the form of a drubbing to Mitcham, Keppel has declared: “It’s a redemption year for us.”
Greg Lord (Montrose)
Opposition clubs in Division 1 know they’re in for a tough task combatting the creative Demons defender each Saturday.
“They tend to put a bit of work into Greg which probably says a bit about what the opposition clubs think about his creativity and what he does, decision-making-wise,” Montrose coach Gary Ayres said.
And in 2024, he saluted with a Team of the Year nod in the back pocket.
Mitch Mellis (Boronia)
Fresh off back-to-back league medals in Division 2, the contested beast averaged some 31 possessions a match last season. Having played at a higher level in the VFL, the challenge of Division 1 is one the 23-year-old midfielder is certainly primed for.
Charlie Muley (Beaconsfield)
The reigning Beacy leading goalkicker put away 34 majors from 20 games to lift the club into a prelim final, after joining from Premier outfit Berwick. Named in the Team of the Year last season.
Kane Noonan (Mooroolbark)
The ex-VFL gun topped the division last year for average disposals per match on the way to clinching the Mustangs’ best and fairest, while he also won a spot in the Team of the Year on the wing. His contested and clearance work is matched by few in the division.
James Parsons (Park Orchards)
The ex-AFL Cat is set to inject experience into the Sharks’ midfield and attack, committing full-time for the 2025 season. Played 35 games for Geelong from 2017 to ’19 before state league stints with the Box Hill Hawks and Carlton amid a torrid run with injury. Could be a crucial cog in a Sharks outfit looking to go one better this year following grand final heartbreak.
Jye Peacock (Mooroolbark)
Edged to the bench in last year’s Team of the Year, the young gun also made his VFL debut last season for Box Hill where he’ll be listed again in 2025. Starred in the midfield for the Mustangs in 2024.
Michael Prosenak (Park Orchards)
The reigning Kenneth Wright medallist was a comfortable winner of Division 1’s top individual honour last season, averaging more than 20 disposals and two goals a match. His influence helped the Sharks to the grand final with 32 majors from 18 games.
Ben Robertson (Boronia)
The spearhead was among the top few in the Division 2 goalkicking last season, booting 43 majors on the way to helping his Hawks to another flag – including a bag of five in the grand final. Many would argue he was stiff to miss out on a Team of the Year nod, but let’s not forget last season’s effort followed returns of 50 and 57 goals across 2023 and ’22, making ‘Robbo’ one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.
Devon Smith (Beaconsfield)
The reigning Beacy best and fairest got his hands dirty through the midfield to help the club deep into the finals, averaging more than 18 disposals and nine contested possessions a match. He beat out some stiff competition for the Eagles’ top gong, too, playing every game.
Tim Smith (South Belgrave)
The former Melbourne Demon enjoyed another strong season, again named at centre half-forward in the Team of the Year following 46 goals from 19 matches. As influential as any in Division 1.
Mclaren Spiteri (Park Orchards)
The 21-year-old recently won a spot at North Melbourne VFL following a year lighting it up through the midfield, half-back and up forward. Finishing third for the Sharks’ best and fairest with the club topping the ladder in the home-and-away season ahead of a grand final, Spiteri’s influence makes him one of the league’s leading young talents.
Clay Tucker (South Belgrave)
The former Hawthorn tall is back in the local ranks after his delisting at the end of 2024, and at a towering 204cm and 99kg, he’s set to slot in up forward or in the ruck for the Saints this year according to South Belgrave coach Kristan Height. Look out.
Brad Watson (Montrose)
The inside bull was regularly in Montrose’s best last season, with coach Gary Ayres remarking the young gun was “growing more and more with the responsibility of being involved in stoppages (and) contests.” One of his biggest showings took in 31 disposals, 23 contested possessions, nine clearances and two goals against eventual grand finalist, Park Orchards. Team of the Year in the centre.
Ben White (Bayswater)
The tough, gritty midfielder may not be the biggest bloke running around in Division 1 – but he could certainly stake a claim for having the biggest heart. Bleeds for the green and gold, never shirks a contest and is a sound user of the ball; White took another Baysie best and fairest last season after averaging almost 30 disposals a game. Named in the Team of the Year on the wing.
Tom Wilson (Park Orchards)
The five-time VFL club best and fairest crosses to the Sharks from North Ringwood and could well see more time at local level this season. A big boost to the 2024 runner-up through the midfield, the former Northern Bullant/Blue and current Magpie has even been named among the best to play in the VFL in the past 25 years.
Brandon White (Beaconsfield)
Centre half-back in the Team of the Year in 2024, the former St Kilda man featured in Beacy’s best most weeks as a key pillar in the Eagles’ charge to their first-ever Eastern finals win – and a preliminary final. Averaged 25 disposals, 3.9 intercept marks and 7.3 rebound 50s per game last season.
Cooper Winter (Norwood)
One of the headline signings at Norwood this off-season, the versatile midfielder brings a resume which includes Team of the Year honours and a best and fairest after a stint at Nunawading, serving two years as captain. The test of Division 1 football awaits.
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