EFNL 2025: How ex-AFL guns are faring out east

The ex-AFL talent flooded into the Eastern league over the off-season. Here’s a look at how they’ve fared across the opening month or so in their new colours …

EFNL 2025: Sam Weideman has already proven a dangerous prospect playing for Vermont. Picture: Field of View Photography

The ex-AFL talent flooded into the Eastern league over the off-season.

Here’s a look at how they’ve fared across the opening month or so …

Jake Aarts (Beaconsfield)

He didn’t arrive straight from the AFL, but he was one of the most sought-after signatures of the off-season, coming from Dromana. And the ex-Richmond man hasn’t missed a beat at Beacy, hauling in the possessions including 39 against Montrose last Saturday. It followed strong performances against Boronia (26 disposals), South Belgrave (22 and two goals) and North Ringwood (25 disposals).

Matthew Bate (Norwood)

The ex-Demons midfielder and 2014 Norwood premiership hero returned to the Eastern club in the pre-season. He’s featured twice so far across Round 4 and 6 among a young side looking for its first win of the season in Division 1 after relegation at the end of last year.

Aiden Begg (North Ringwood)

The 200cm talent and ex-Collingwood man has managed to hit the scoreboard early in the piece, booting six majors from four matches with collections of two (Boronia) and four (Norwood), to go with a best-afield showing against South Belgrave in Round 4 where he enjoyed 25 hit-outs, five clearances and four inside-50s.

Former Magpie Aiden Begg is back at North Ringwood. Picture: Collingwood FC

James Parsons (Park Orchards)

The ex-Cat endured a torrid run with injuries in recent seasons – but his long-awaited debut came in Round 3 against Bayswater. He hasn’t looked back, injecting experience into the Sharks’ midfield and attack while playing every game since, helping the Division 1 club to 5-1 record for second spot.

Josh Schache (Doncaster East)

The former No. 2 draft pick currently leads the goalkicking in Premier Division with 22 majors following a seven-goal haul on Saturday. It’s been a big three weeks for the ex-AFL forward, also bagging five and six goals against East Ringwood and South Croydon respectively.

Liam Shiels (South Croydon)

Juggling commitments with his talent ID role with North Melbourne, the triple AFL premiership Hawk has played twice – Round 1 against East Ringwood in a 103-point loss, and Anzac Day in a narrow defeat to Blackburn where he was among the best with 29 disposals (17 contested) and seven clearances. With the Bulldogs winless at the foot of the Premier Division table, the 34-year-old will be key to the club turning its season around.

Of the step down to local level fresh out of the AFL, coach Brendan Allen earlier said of Shiels: “He’s picked it up seamlessly.”

“It’s interesting, though – he still says it’s hard work, the skills aren’t AFL level but some of the drills and training, he’s quipped a few times that it’s a pretty good standard.”

Liam Shiels retired from the AFL at the end of last season. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Jaidyn Stephenson (Ferntree Gully)

The ex-Magpie and Kangaroo has featured in all six matches for the Gully since returning to his junior club – featuring in the best on four occasions. The zippy forward and midfielder collected a whopping 54 disposals, eight clearances and 10 marks in his side’s 56-point win over cross-town rival Upper Ferntree Gully in Round 2 before a four-goal display against The Basin last weekend.

Jaidyn Stephenson drives the ball down the ground. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Clay Tucker (South Belgrave)

Among the best in three of his five matches so far – including a best-afield against Boronia – the once-Hawthorn-listed, 204cm ruckman and forward has been one of South’s most consistent this season. Notable performances include 18 hit-outs and seven contested possessions against flag rival Park Orchards, 20 disposals and nine marks against Norwood and 37 hit-outs against Beaconsfield.

Sam Weideman (Vermont)

Started the season with a bang, turning out a matchwinning performance against Mitcham with a bag of seven.

“It (Round 1) was one of the greatest days I’ve had on the footy field in terms of enjoyment,” Weideman said at the time.

“I think now coming back to my local club and just wanting to enjoy my footy, I think that really helped me perform on the weekend and helped me have fun.”

But the return was short-lived, as the former Demon and Bomber succumbed to a shoulder injury in Round 3 against Rowville. First feared to be a season-ending ailment, the good news is he’s on the mend and could be back in six weeks according to coach Matt Adolph.

Lachie Young (Balwyn)

The former Western Bulldog and Kangaroo arrived fresh off a season as captain of Carlton’s VFL side, and has played four of Balwyn’s five matches. His best performance came against flag rival Rowville, hauling in 29 disposals, 12 rebound-50s and seven marks.