EFNL 2025: Josh Schache, Chris Deluca impress in first Doncaster East outing

Two of Doncaster East’s prized recruits turned heads on Saturday – one fresh out of the AFL, another as a last-minute gift from a rival league.

Josh Schache is one of the EFNL’s big recruits this season. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Doncaster East’s last-minute gift delivered in spades – alongside its headline recruit.

The Eastern Premier Division outfit snared former Port Melbourne Colts co-coach Chris Deluca from the Southern league just days out from Round 1 – and the midfielder slotted in seamlessly as the Lions defeated Berwick by 33 points.

Deluca linked with brother and ex-AFL man Josh at Zerbes Reserve as the pair teamed up on Saturday.

Doncaster East senior coach Ryan James said the solidly-built Chris Deluca exceeded expectations on debut – with and without the ball.

“First up we weren’t expecting too much, (with him) not knowing a lot of the boys after two training sessions, but he exceeded our expectations. Him and his brother really got us going through the midfield,” he said.

“Having been a playing-coach at Port Colts for the past few years, his leadership and his coaching of the young boys and care and direction out on the ground.

“He’s the class player we knew he was going to be … the chance to play with his brother popped up and we were able to make it work.”

Chris Deluca celebrates a goal for Subiaco in the 2015 WAFL GF.

Meanwhile, ex-AFL forward Josh Schache also impressed, kicking two goals.

But it wasn’t just his on-field performance earning the praise of the coach.

“He also set up a couple (of goals) and was pretty good – but similar to what I saw on Sunday with (Sam) Weideman (at Vermont) – their engagement with their teammates and the community, I thought both were first-class,” James said.

“Kids running up to them at quarter-time, they’ve got the time for everyone. It’s good to see them coming back from AFL and investing in wherever they are.”

Doncaster East is away to Vermont in Round 2.