EFNL: The must-watch Eastern league matches of the 2024 season
Clear your diaries, local footy fans – the Eastern league fixture has dropped and here are the biggest matches to pencil in across all five divisions.
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The Eastern league fixtures across all five divisions have been released, with it all kicking off in April.
From grand final rematches to marquee showdowns and more, here are some of the biggest clashes to look forward to ...
PREMIER DIVISION
South Croydon vs. East Ringwood – Round 1, April 13 at Cheong Park
The Bulldogs and ‘Roos split the ledger one-apiece last season, with a combined total of just seven points separating the pair across the two meetings. South prevailed by two points in the opening-round fixture before a finals-bound East exacted revenge by five points in the Round 11 return bout. It sat dormant for a few seasons while the clubs competed in different divisions, but 2023 reignited one of the league’s great local derbies, with the pair playing off for the Phil Mason-Frank Glenn Shield.
Anzac Day: Blackburn vs. South Croydon – Round 3, April 25 at Morton Park
The Burners and Bulldogs return for their annual Anzac Day game with the pair set to lock horns at Morton Park. South Croydon won the corresponding fixture last season by 30 points before Blackburn evened up in the next meeting in Round 16. The upcoming fixture also marks Brendan Allen’s first match against former club Blackburn, now coach of South Croydon.
Grand final rematch: Vermont vs. Rowville – Round 3, April 27 at Vermont Rec. Reserve
It simply doesn’t get any bigger, with the Eagles hosting the Hawks at Terrara Rd in the pair’s first clash since the 2023 decider. A combined total of just 11 points have separated the combatants in their past two meetings, with Rowville claiming the flag by 10 points after edging the Eagles in a one-point thriller in the semi-final.
Doncaster East vs. Vermont – Round 5, May 11 at Zerbes Reserve
The Eagles denied the Lions a grand final berth and a shot at glory last season with a 30-point win in the preliminary final. But Doncaster East has been one of the division’s heavy recruiters this off-season and will be keen to turn the tables after Vermont won all three encounters in 2023.
King’s Birthday weekend: Noble Park vs. Balwyn – Round 8, June 8 at Pat Wright Snr. Oval
The stand-alone match returns for another year with the Bulls and Tigers taking centre stage on the Saturday of the long weekend. The pair share a long and storied history as two of the Eastern league’s powerhouse clubs this century, and this fixture has been known to throw up some topsy-turvy results.
DIVISION 1
Grand final rematch: Mitcham vs. South Belgrave – Round 1, April 6 at Walker Park
There’ll be plenty of feeling in this one following the Tigers’ stunning upset of the unbeaten Saints in the 2023 decider, with just five points separating the teams at the final siren. South Belgrave won two of its three matches against Mitcham last season, by 22 and nine points respectively.
North Ringwood vs. Beaconsfield – Round 2, April 13 at Quambee Reserve
The early-season bout promises plenty after two thrilling home-and-away clashes and an elimination final showdown in 2023. The Saints edged ahead in the finals, ending the Eagles’ season with a 24-point win. Previous encounters included a two-point cliffhanger in Round 8 won by North Ringwood before a nine-point victory to Beaconsfield in Round 17.
Montrose vs. Mitcham – Round 3, April 20 at Montrose Rec. Reserve
The pair faced off in two finals last season – an extra-time qualifying final with Montrose prevailing by a point, and a prelim with Mitcham ending the Dees’ season to the tune of 26 points. The home-and-away season also provided two tight tussles – both won by Montrose – decided by six points and 15 points respectively. Bookmark this one.
DIVISION 2
Heathmont vs. The Basin – Round 1, April 5 at H.E Parker Reserve
The Eastern league’s season-opener under Friday night lights. The Jets resume after a grand final berth in 2023 while the Bears have been arguably Division 2’s most active recruiters, with plenty of fresh talent set to take the field.
Ringwood vs. Heathmont – Round 3, April 19 at Jubilee Park
The Jets and Redbacks return for another Friday night blockbuster as the old foes battle it out for the Parker Family Cup. Despite Heathmont winning both matches last season, the clash is generally known for producing upsets and close finishes.
Waverley Blues vs. Templestowe – Round 6, May 11 at Central Reserve
The second-seeded Blues suffered a major blow to their premiership hopes last season with a qualifying final loss to the Dockers – the first shake in an eventual straight-sets exit. But the duo also played out two close finishes during the home-and-away campaign, with the Blues opening their season with a 12-point win before the Dockers scraped home by five points in Round 10.
Grand final rematch: Boronia vs. Heathmont – Round 7, May 18 at Tormore Reserve
Fans may have to sit tight until May for the next instalment between last season’s grand finalists, but it’s a clash that promises to be worth the wait. The Jets will be out for revenge after they led the decider by a point at the half before the Hawks finished 32-point winners to claim the flag. Can the runner-up turn the tables this time around?
DIVISION 3
Grand final rematch: Ferntree Gully vs. Donvale – Round 1, April 6 at Wally Tew Reserve
A 60-point grand final loss put a full-stop on Ferntree Gully’s 2023 campaign. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to wait long for another shot at Donvale, which lost just one match on the way to a top-of-the-table finish and a second flag in six years. The only team to defeat the ‘Vales in 2023? Ferntree Gully.
Silvan vs. Oakleigh District – Round 4, April 27 at Silvan Rec. Reserve
A kick after the siren broke Silvan hearts in 2023 as Oakleigh District saluted its first finals win since 2016 – and sent the Cats packing from the premiership race.
DIVISION 4
Kilsyth vs. Chirnside Park – Round 1, April 6 at Pinks Reserve
The first and third-seeded teams of last home-and-away season kick off their new campaigns after heartbreaking losses ended their respective flag hopes. Splitting the ledger one-all in 2023, Kilsyth went on to win the minor premiership before a grand final defeat at the hands of Surrey Park, while Chirnside Park fell agonisingly short in its first final, ending its nine-game winning streak. With premier Surrey Park elevated to Division 3, Kilsyth and Chirnside Park take the early mantle of Division 4’s teams to beat in 2024.
Chirnside Park vs. Scoresby – Round 3, April 20 at Kimberley Reserve
The Magpies served a red-hot Chirnside Park outfit a shock three-point loss in the 2023 elimination final, ending the Panthers’ premiership dream. Chirnside Park has since declared that match – and its 2023 season – a “missed opportunity”.
Hawks and ‘the hard way’: Promotion at last for triple-premiership power
It has won it three times in the same tier of competition, but at long last, Boronia has earned promotion after another Division 2 grand final triumph on Sunday.
‘Let’s go’: East Ringwood out to etch two-decade first
Just two years after promotion, the Roos will shoot for their first Eastern league top-division premiership since 2002 after bringing reigning premier Rowville’s back-to-back flag dream to an end on Saturday.