EFNL 2025: ‘Hungry as ever’ Surrey Park bolsters premiership list

A second new division in as many years awaits Surrey Park – with the rapidly rising Eastern outfit busily recruiting ahead of its move. Here’s the coach’s lowdown on all the additions ...

Surrey Park raises the Division 3 cup in 2024. Picture: Davis Harrigan

A SECOND new division in as many years awaits Surrey Park – with the rapidly rising Eastern league outfit busily recruiting ahead of its move.

The Panthers achieved the rare feat of back-to-back flags immediately after promotion last September, and will take on Division 2 this season.

Blackburn trio Blackburn trio Sam Harte, Sam Rogers and Hayden Telford are among the inclusions and 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 ball-user.

Telford topped the Premier Division reserves goalkicking last 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 as he hunts senior opportunities.

EFNL 2025: Sam Harte has joined Surrey Park from Blackburn. Picture: Supplied

“Sam Harte, I had the pleasure of playing with him (at Blackburn) years ago, and moving up the divisions, we look at how we go inside 50 and he’s going to be outstanding for us – he’s an elite ball-user and can play wing and as a crafty small forward,” Surrey Park playing-coach James Kenworthy said.

“Sammy Rogers is an ex-junior and his brother Joe has been in the ‘19s program and played a couple of senior games last year … we’ve been keeping an eye on Sammy and how he was progressing at Blackburn – he had a really good (development) grand final last year.”

Telford is set to fill the void left by triple EFNL premiership spearhead Jake Summers, who has retired.

“We were looking at getting a key forward in (and) Hayden’s got plenty of mates at Surrey Park, so he fits in pretty seamlessly with us,” Kenworthy said.

“Jake told the playing group (of his retirement) in early November … but it was good timing with the flag that he ended up going out on a high.”

EFNL 2024: Surrey Park celebrates the Division 3 flag last season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Meanwhile, former VFL Port Melbourne and Oakleigh Chargers ruckman Jacob Woodfull has returned after a year-and-a-half lay-off due to injury, bringing brother Ben from VAFA Premier outfit Collegians.

They’re set to bolster the ruck division following the departure of Robbie Swan to Mooroolbark.

“Two extremely talented ruckmen … Ben played in Collegians’ flag a couple of seasons ago (2023), so he’s got finals success under his belt at such a young age,” Kenworthy said.

“Also having Chris Allison, who was still eligible for under-19s last year, our ruck brigade is looking pretty healthy.”

Excitement surrounds the inclusion of Jake Van Der Pligt, who crosses from Leongatha.

Kenworthy touted the tall inside midfielder as “one to keep an eye on”.

“He’s 21 and he’s looking like an absolute standout,” he said.

“He trained with us a couple of times last pre-season but decided to stay in Leongatha one more year.

“Leongatha had some ex-AFL players running around and he was part of their starting midfield.”

Coach James Kenworthy will be continuing in a playing capacity this season. Picture: George Sal

He’s joined by speedy, versatile talent Flynn Siassos (Collegians), while there’s also high hopes for Blackburn under-19 duo Dante Cotroneo and Quentin Parry, with the pair featuring in the Burners’ under-19 premiership last season.

“Watching (Cotroneo’s) grand final performance, he’s got a great footy brain, great in tight, but he can also roll forward and kick goals … there’s no limit on where he can play,” Kenworthy said.

“Quentin is a relatively bigger body, and he was playing backline and I believe he was at Oakleigh Chargers for a couple of games, and so was Dante.

“Both of them are first-year senior players.”

Surrey Park competed in Division 4 just three years ago, and Kenworthy declared there was no trepidation about climbing another tier of competition this season.

“We see it as a free hit and we’re ready for the challenge,” he said.

“The playing group is so united in wanting to get the best out of themselves, and especially with the new guys coming in, everyone wants to have a good time, enjoy themselves and push for that success.

“Everyone’s still as hungry as ever.”