EFNL: Latest Eastern league coaching moves ahead of 2023

There’s been plenty of movement in and out of Eastern clubs across all five divisions ahead of 2023. SEE THE FULL LIST

Robbie Nahas (North Ringwood) is among the coaches to recommit for next season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Pre-season has arrived and clubs have locked in their coaches for 2023.

We recap all the moves and reappointments across all five divisions.

PREMIER DIVISION

BALWYN has replaced one ex-AFL coach with another.

The Premier Division club has unveiled former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson as its new mentor, following Rodney Eade’s departure.

MORE: Ex-AFL coach lands in Eastern league

BERWICK

Clint Evans has recommitted to the Wickers and will lead the club for a fourth season in 2023.

Evans took over in 2020 and coached the club in its inaugural Eastern league season in 2021.

It posted a 4-13-1 record this year.

DONCASTER EAST

The Lions have locked away coach Ryan James for next season.

James succeeded dual Lions premiership coach Steve Buckle in the role at the end of 2021.

They competed in a maiden finals campaign in the top-flight this year.

But it had been a testing campaign for James’ club, which had been dealt a number of key names sidelined.

Premiership spearhead Jake Summers stepped away from football in February, while boom recruit Chris Deluca returned to Port Melbourne Colts in March. Key name Jack Martin stopped playing after Round 1 while James Locke and Dylan Heath had limited appearances.

Ex-AFL names Simon White and Josh Deluca also missed a handful of matches.

President Peter Sowersby lauded James’ efforts in improving the list.

“He’s definitely coaching an exciting brand of footy,” Sowersby said of James.

“He’s very structured with opposition analysis and our game-plan … he’s drummed it into the guys how we want to play.

“Every bloke I think on the list has improved, nobody’s gone backwards which is a huge credit to him.”

DONCASTER

Optimism surrounds Schramms Reserve following the reappointment of club champion Chris Annakis as senior coach for a second season.

The three-time league medallist told Leader he was bullish about the direction of the club.

“I’m pretty comfortable and excited about what group we have at the moment and I think we can easily add to it through some strong recruitment that’ll complement what we already have,” he said.

“The core playing group in my opinion is very good and exciting, and when we look to add to that, it looks pretty positive for us next year.”

EAST RINGWOOD

The ‘Roos secured Ben Osborne for a further two seasons in 2021, taking his tenure to the end of 2023.

They’ll contest the league’s top division next season, earning promotion after winning their first senior flag since 2002 this year.

East Ringwood coach Ben Osborne.

NOBLE PARK

Steve Hughes is set to go again at Pat Wright Senior Oval after leading the club to the premiership in 2022.

Hughes took on the coaching job following the 2019 season.

The Bulls finished the home-and-away season with a 14-4 record.

NORWOOD

Former AFL player Marty Pask will continue to lead the Norsemen, re-signing for next season.

Pask has coached the club for the past three years, after his appointment in September 2018.

The Norsemen finished this season two games outside the finals, with a 7-10-1 result.

ROWVILLE

Ben Wise has committed to two more years at the Hawks.

He took over in the role in 2020 and led the Hawks to their first-ever top division grand final this season and the minor premiership.

“In his time as senior coach Ben has displayed a terrific aptitude for the game, outstanding leadership and a burning desire for sustained success,” the club said in a statement.

Rowville coach Ben Wise. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SOUTH CROYDON

The Bulldogs have cast an eye to the future locking in existing mentor Marcus Buzaglo for 2023.

Buzaglo has steered the club since early 2021, with it contesting a fourth-consecutive finals appearance in the top-flight this year.

“He provides excellent leadership across the board and after a couple years of Covid interruptions, followed by our redevelopment challenges, we feel Marcus fully deserves an uninterrupted run,” South Croydon president Steve Duke said following Buzaglo’s contract extension.

“An early decision on extending his tenure allows us to finish the season strongly, as well as looking forward to the future needs of the group.”

DIVISION 1

BAYSWATER

Eastern league great Marc Hardy will coach Bayswater next season, with the 430-gamer returning to the Division 1 club he led to a premiership as playing-coach in 2005.

He replaces outgoing mentor Tom Roach, who had steered the club since 2019.

MORE: Eastern league great returns to Bayswater

NORTH RINGWOOD

Ex-AFL Tiger and ‘Roo Robbie Nahas will again steer the Saints.

He landed the gig following 2019, after 117 matches across Richmond and North Melbourne from 2009-16 and a stint as an assistant under Gary Ayres at VFL club Port Melbourne.

The club won two matches this season, banking wins over Vermont and Doncaster, and was relegated to Division 1 for 2023.

WANTIRNA SOUTH

The Devils have signed dual North Ringwood premiership coach Brett Moyle, who replaces outgoing mentor Steve Cochrane.

Moyle, 42, led the Saints to premierships in 2012 and 2014, coaching the club into the top division.

He also headed up the Eastern senior interleague program.

The returning senior coach carved out 48 games for St Kilda from 2000 to 2004, before featuring in Balwyn’s 2005 and 2008 premiership sides.

Wantirna South competed in its first finals series since 2016 this season.

MORE: New Wantirna South coach reveals plans

BEACONSFIELD

Mick Fogarty’s contract has been extended into next season. Fogarty has overseen the Eagles into the Eastern league this season, where he made his name as a dual premiership coach with Noble Park in the top-flight across 2010-11. Beaconsfield finished the season in seventh with a 6-12 record.

MOOROOLBARK

Bret Lavars is set to lead the club for another season. The Mustangs lost just two matches during the home-and-away campaign before playing off in this year’s Division 1 decider.

MITCHAM

Mitcham has locked away dual premiership mentor Neil Winterton. The club contested another finals series this season, reaching a preliminary final.

Winterton is the club’s longest-serving coach, having held the post for some nine years, in a stint taking in the 2015 and 2019 flags and two best-and-fairests.

Tigers president Matt McCubbin said the club was “over the moon” to have Winterton continuing.

“From the first day he walked through the doors he has always been extremely passionate and extremely professional and we couldn’t be happier with the person we have in charge of our young and exciting list,” he said.

SOUTH BELGRAVE

Dual Saints premiership coach Luke Galliott will remain at the helm next season as the club takes on Division 1.

Galliott led the club to a second flag this season with a 39-point win over Ringwood in the Division 2 decider, after guiding it to a perfect campaign in 2019 in Divsion 3.

South Belgrave has enjoyed a rise equalled by few in the past decade, with the club competing in Division 4 in 2013.

It’s won three flags in nine years, and three in the past seven seasons played with 2020 and ‘21 wiped due to Covid.

DIVISION 2

TEMPLESTOWE

Anthony McGregor has re-committed to the Dockers, who have recently welcomed a package of gun recruits in their bid to climb the ladder in 2023.

HEATHMONT

Former Surrey Park mentor Scott Hamill will steer the Jets in 2023 following two years out of senior coaching.

Hamill led the Division 4 Panthers to their first finals campaign in 13 years in 2019 during a four-year stint, before serving as an assistant coach to Brendan Whitecross at Knox across 2021 and ‘22.

His playing career took in flags with Warburton and Chirnside Park.

MORE: Why Heathmont can close gap on rivals according to Hamill

EAST BURWOOD

East Burwood has unveiled its new mentor, with a familiar name returning to the senior coaching ranks.

Former Surrey Park coach David Jensen will lead the Eastern league Division 2 club next season, replacing outgoing coach Stuart Wynd who stood down at the end of the 2022 campaign.

Jensen joins the Rams via Division 2 rival Ringwood where he served as senior assistant in the second half of this season, after parting ways with Surrey Park in June.

MORE: East Burwood unveils new coach

BORONIA

The Hawks have secured Matt Clark for 2023, taking the dual premiership coach into a sixth year at the helm at the Division 2 outfit.

Clark, who has coached the Hawks since 2018, led the club to its first flag in 18 years in his first season in charge, following premiership success with Wantirna South in 2014.

He led the Hawks to a third-consecutive finals series this year.

MULGRAVE

Lions mentor of the past three years Ryan Webster has called time on his stint – handing over the reins to club great Matt Richards.

Webster landed the gig following the 2019 season, leading the club through the 2020 non-season before a 2-10 result in 2021’s shortened campaign.

The club’s record improved to 7-11 this season.

MORE: Mulgrave coach hands reins to club great

THE BASIN

An Eastern league great Jason Wade will steer The Basin next season – and he says he’s inheriting an exciting prospect.

The Donvale champion clocked up more than 400 games across a decorated career which included two senior flags, three senior best-and-fairests, multiple appearances at representative level and the club captaincy.

He takes over from outgoing Bears coach Justin Stanton.

MORE: Eastern league great lands at The Basin

KNOX

Triple Eastern league premiership mentor Steve Buckle has returned to coaching.

The former Heathmont and Doncaster East coach will lead Division 2 club Knox in 2023, taking over from ex-AFL Hawk Brendan Whitecross who steered the Falcons across the 2021 and ‘22 seasons.

Buckle coached Heathmont to a Division 4 flag in 2011 before an eight-year tenure with Doncaster East.

His stint at Doncaster East took in five finals series, four grand finals, two premierships – and promotion to the Eastern league’s top division for the first time in club history – after the 2018 and ‘19 flags in the second tier.

The 2014-2021 run with the Lions finished with a win-loss record of 84-42 from 126 matches – a winning percentage of 66.6.

RELATED: Buckle opens up on Doncaster East exit, coaching future

Buckle takes over a Knox outfit which finished ninth of Division 2’s 10 teams, with a 4-13-1 record this season.

A number of local clubs enquired about the premiership coach’s services for next season – but Knox stood out, described as the “best fit” by Buckle.

MORE: ‘Exciting prospect’: How Knox landed triple premiership coach

RINGWOOD

It was announced on the eve of the finals Brett Rowe would continue in the senior coaching role next season.

He’s led the Redbacks into finals in each of his seasons at the helm (the club won the minor premiership in 2021 when there were no finals played), currently contesting a third consecutive finals series under Rowe’s reign.

Rowe led the Redbacks to grand finals across 2018 and ‘19, with the club in hot pursuit of its first flag since 2005 this year.

UPPER FERNTREE GULLY

A former state and NAB League assistant will steer the Kings next season as they embark on a new division.

Mark Fisher will lead the club in 2023, replacing outgoing coach Luke Tynan who stepped down at the end of the season.

Fisher led Outer East club Mount Evelyn from 2018 to 2022, stepping aside ahead of this season. He led the club to finals in Division 1 in 2019, with it placed second in 2021 when the campaign was wiped due to Covid.

He spent close to a decade at the Eastern Ranges as an assistant and also served as midfield coach for Essendon’s VFL side, among a host of other roles.

MORE: Upper Ferntree Gully unveils new coach

DIVISION 3

OAKLEIGH DISTRICT will be led by VFL premiership player Blake Pearson next season, with the club recently unveiling the 27-year-old as its new coach.

The midfielder, who replaces Paul Howroyd as coach, will link up with brother Ryan who plays at the club.

A passion for coaching along with the family connection helped Pearson across the line, who has spent the past two seasons full-time at Premier outfit Norwood.

“Ever since I was 18 or so I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to go into coaching and it’s probably a little earlier than expected but the opportunity came up with Oakleigh District and I thought now’s a good time to jump into it,” Pearson said.

MORE: VFL premiership midfielder to lead Oakleigh District

Oakleigh District went winless from 18 starts this season in its inaugural Eastern league campaign and has been relegated to Division 3 for next year.

DONVALE

Club stalwart Kevin Collins has recommitted to the ‘Vales after falling agoninsingly short of another flag with the club this season.

Donvale fell two points short of a second premiership in five years, narrowly going down to the Waverley Blues after finishing third.

Collins, no stranger to premiership success at Donvale, coached the club to the 1994 second-tier flag and three top-flight grand finals between 1995 and 1998, including the 1996 premiership.

FAIRPARK

Premiership mentor Sean Stanton will head up the Lions again next season.

Stanton is the club’s longest-serving senior coach having held the post since 2017. He led the club to its first flag since 1995 in 2019 in Division 4, and was this year named as the Eastern league Division 3 Coach of the Year.

SCORESBY

The Magpies have unveiled Craig McKenzie as their new senior coach following the resignation of Kristian Bardsley.

McKenzie served as director of coaching with West Gipplsand club Daylston across the past two seasons, alongside development coach (2021) and senior assistant (2009) roles.

He’s also held several posts at Boronia across the past two decades, leading a host of junior sides before coaching in the development ranks at the Eastern Division 2 club.

While under no illusions about the challenge Scoresby poses after the club suffered a fourth relegation in eight years this season, the incoming mentor believes the list he’s inheriting promises plenty.

It will compete in Division 4 next year.

“I’m the sort of guy that won’t apply unless I know I can make a genuine impact,” McKenzie said.

MORE: How incoming coach plans to lift Scoresby

RELATED: Why Bardsley called time at Scoresby

FERNTREE GULLY

Brent Kiker will coach the Eagles again next season, having recently re-signed.

The club ressurected its fortunes in the second half of the campaign, having snagged only a draw started from its first eight matches, before winning seven of its next eight to lift itself out of relegation territory.

It finished fifth at the end of the season.

WHITEHORSE PIONEERS

Former Montrose ruckman Andrew Haining will steer the Pioneers in a playing capacity next season.

He replaces outgoing senior coach Duncan Jones, who split with the club with one home-and-away round remaining this season, in a shock move.

Haining tied for the Eastern league’s highest individual honour, the Chandler Medal, in 2014 as the best and fairest in the top division in a career which has taken in more than 200 matches, three Team of the Year gongs and a premiership in the second tier in 2013.

“Andrew has natural leadership skills and is young and energetic and will create a fun, exciting and professional learning environment where our players can develop into the best possible people and players. He will bring clear and effective communication across all levels at our club,” Whitehorse president Alan Bertacco said in a statement.

COLDSTREAM

Eastern league premiership coach Chad Rogers is secured for 2023.

The Cougars toasted their first season in Division 3 with finals, finishing fourth following promotion from Division 4. Rogers coached Upper Gully to a flag in Division 3 in 2016.

DIVISION 4

NUNAWADING

Frank Salanitri has returned to the Lions’ helm, replacing co-coaches Ryan Dobson and Jeff Gallagher.

Salanitri last led Nunawading across 2012 and ‘13, before spending the past five years at VAFA club Manningham Cobras, leading them to two grand finals and two promotions.

He says he’ll turn his immediate attention to recruiting as he looks to turn the Lions’ fortunes around, after a winless 2022 season.

MORE: How returning coach hopes to revive Nunawading.

CROYDON NORTH-MLOC has unveiled Ben Oakes as its new mentor, replacing Mark Holly who stepped away at the end of the season.

Oakes served as senior assistant at the club this season and had previously led Mount Lilydale Old Collegians.

He nosed out a strong field of candidates, Croydon North-MLOC president Graham Hewitt said.

“He brings along a strong background of knowing our club, but also helping develop the list this year,” Hewitt said.

“He’s got the relationships with the players.

“Ben stood out in the second half of the interview process, he did nothing wrong this year, and we thought why upheave the playing list?

“For stability it was the right thing to do.”

CHIRNSIDE PARK

The Panthers have locked in Dave Newlands for next season after the club posted its first finals win since 2009.

FOREST HILL

Coach of four years Justin Scicluna was set to step down at season’s end - but a surprise backflip has him locked in for next season.

Scicluna, who has led the club since 2019, believed the “timing was right” to “take a step back” from a coaching career spanning 18 years across juniors and seniors. A change of heart followed with the backing of the Zebras’ committee, citing “My time wasn’t done yet.”

GLEN WAVERLEY

The Hawks have locked in Dean Warren as their coach, with the incoming mentor returning to the post he held in 2005.

Warren has held senior roles with Hampton Park and the Doveton Eagles, reserves roles with Noble Park and Morwell and also featured on the coaching staff across VFL outfits Box Hill Hawks, Frankston and Coburg.

Dean Warren. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

He replaces outgoing coach Brett Gatehouse, who has moved on to an assistant role with Oakleigh District alongside brother Scott Gatehouse, who served as an assistant at Glen Waverley this season.

The Hawks won just three matches this year and were relegated to Division 4, finishing at the foot of the table.

Gatehouse had previously been locked in as senior coach at Glen Waverley for next season.

“Whilst the results of the senior team have not been where we would have liked in 2022, the stability, structure and culture changes that Brett and his team along with the committee have brought in this year have laid a great foundation for the club in 2023 and beyond,” club president Matt Hollard said in a statement posted on July 22.

SURREY PARK

James Kenworthy has won the position of senior coach after a stint as interim mentor.

The Panthers became the first Division 4 club to farewell its coach this season, parting ways with David Jensen mid-season.

The club finished second on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season and fell agonisingly short of a premiership, losing the decider to Silvan by 12 points.

MORE: Surrey Park locks in coach