EFNL 2025: Leigh Odermatt joins Croydon North-MLOC in club’s ‘biggest signing’

An Eastern club is beaming after landing one of the league’s most distinguished names.

Leigh Odermatt has landed at Croydon North-MLOC. Picture: Hamish Blair

“If you had seen the faces of the guys when he came down to training, they were all in awe,” Croydon North-MLOC coach Ben Oakes boisterously declared.

Nobody had to ask who it was.

“It was like we had a league footballer coming down!”

The Division 4 club is beaming following the signing of Eastern league great Leigh Odermatt.

With a football CV bursting with honours – including five premierships and more than 300 games – Oakes said his club’s latest addition was unmatched across its short history.

“He’s probably the biggest signing the club has had,” Oakes said.

“His credentials outweigh anyone’s.”

Odermatt – who joins from cross-town rival Chirnside Park after two seasons – was best-afield in South Belgrave’s Division 4 extra-time flag in 2013 before repeating the feat in the Saints’ unbeaten Division 3 triumph in ’19.

He won another flag with South Belgrave in 2022 in Division 2.

Leigh Odermatt topped the Division 3 goalkicking in 2019 with 67 majors on the way to a flag with South Belgrave. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Claiming a string of senior best and fairests and Team of the Year gongs across a long and storied career, the well-travelled goalkicker has also enjoyed stops at Heathmont (including an extra-time premiership in 2011) and Coldstream.

Oakes said the former Eastern league representative’s influence at the club would stretch beyond the field.

The Kanga-Rams have won just five matches combined across the past two seasons, but have been active recruiters ahead of 2025.

“It’s also more what he brings off the field – the club’s trying to grow and we want to be put on the map, and I think Leigh, even though he hasn’t played a game for us, he’s going to help us do that and make the club relevant,” Oakes said.

“He’s a good individual and I only bring in people that are quality individuals, not just footballers – he does a lot for our club off the field as much as he’s going to do on the field.”

A call prior to Christmas sparked the evergreen veteran’s interest.

“I noticed he wasn’t signed at Chirnside,” Oakes said.

“I thought he wasn’t going to play, so I spoke to him about some part-time stuff at the club.

“A few conversations transpired over January and here we are.

“He wants to have that challenge of coming in and helping the club grow, and helping a group of kids that are relatively inexperienced achieve some success.”

Odermatt is joined by former Chirnside Park teammate and fellow Eastern league 300-game great Grattan Stephens, who has recently signed as the Kanga-Rams’ part-time ruck coach.

Grattan Stephens is the Kanga-Rams’ new ruck coach. Photo: Hamish Blair

Despite hanging up the boots, Oakes said a trademark long-sleeved jumper would be set aside for the man affectionately known as ‘Sticks’.

“He’s pretty retired – I’d love him to play, and don’t get me wrong, every two seconds I’ll keep asking him, but he’s really focused on his kids,” Oakes said.

“If we’re going all right after six games and he says I think I might pull the boots on, I’m not going to say no.

“I think we may just keep a low number spare just in case!”