EFNL: The must-watch Eastern league matches of the 2025 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
Mitcham v Vermont – Round 1, April 13 at Walker Park
For the first time since 2006, the Tigers compete in the top division – and face-off against a string of cross-town rivals – perhaps none bigger than powerhouse Vermont to mark their return, in a stand-alone Sunday clash. Former AFL Demon and Bomber Sam Weideman is set to play his first game for the Eagles, while it’s also set to be a big day for Mitcham as it unfurls its 2024 Division 1 premiership flag.
Doncaster East v Berwick – Round 1, April 12 at Zerbes Reserve
The Lions will be keen to hit the new season with a win after sliding down the ladder in 2024 – but they’re set to wheel out former top draft pick Josh Schache in the opening round, among a swag of key recruits. Meanwhile, Berwick, which narrowly avoided relegation, will be led by new coach Andrew Williams.
Good Friday: Blackburn v Balwyn – Round 1, April 18 at Morton Park
After a season off, Good Friday football returns to the Eastern league. The pair have owned the clash since its inception in 2017, and have split the ledger in the four encounters with Balwyn prevailing by 26 points last time in 2023.
Anzac Day: South Croydon v Blackburn – Round 2, April 25 at Cheong Park
The stand-alone Friday fixture for the Bulldogs and Burners is sure to attract a bumper crowd. The pair meet on Anzac Day each season, with South Croydon winning the clash in 2024 by seven points after a final-quarter Blackburn comeback.
Grand final rematch: East Ringwood v Balwyn, Round 8, June 14 at East Ringwood Reserve
Fans will have to hold on a little longer for arguably the season’s most anticipated match – but it promises to be worth the wait. Just two points separated the Roos and Tigers in the 2024 Premier Division grand final at the final siren, with Balwyn lifting its first senior cup since 2016 and East Ringwood left to rue one that got away. There’ll be plenty of heat in this one.
King’s Birthday weekend: Balwyn v Noble Park – Round 7, June 7 at Balwyn Park
The Tigers and Bulls lock horns in the traditional stand-alone long weekend fixture. Balwyn, the reigning premier, should be hot-favourite – but can Noble Park cause an upset?
East Ringwood v Rowville – Round 9, June 21 at East Ringwood Reserve
The Hawks will have to wait a while longer for their first meeting with the Roos since the 2024 preliminary final – and a shot at revenge – but as two of the comp’s powers, it should be worth the months-long wait. East Ringwood won the preliminary final by 36 points.
DIVISION 1
Boronia v Doncaster – Round 1, April 5 at Tormore Reserve
At long last, Boronia – unfurling its 2024 Division 2 flag – will mark its Division 1 debut following three premierships in six years in the league’s third tier. The Hawks have lost just two matches combined across the past two seasons and have recruited handily ahead of their move. All eyes will be on the Eastern power as it tests its wares against the Sharks – a former Premier grade outfit.
Park Orchards v South Belgrave – Round 1, April 5 at Domeney Reserve
Two of the comp’s heavy-hitters face off in an opening-round showdown which promises plenty. The Sharks fell at the final hurdle last season after topping the ladder in the home-and-away season while South Belgrave’s September campaign ended in straight sets. The occasion will also mark Kristan Height’s first official match in charge as coach of South Belgrave.
Anzac Day: South Belgrave v Beaconsfield – Round 3, April 25 at South Belgrave Rec. Reserve
With two teams bursting with talent in the marquee fixture, the stage is set. Beaconsfield is set to be boosted by the inclusion of former AFL Tiger Jake Aarts, who returned to his junior club following a league medal and premiership-winning stint at Dromana. Could this match be an early finals preview?
North Ringwood v Norwood – Round 3, April 26 at Quambee Reserve
The pair reignites a local rivalry following Norwood’s relegation from Premier Division at the end of last season, having last met in 2022. How will the Norsemen fare in their first season back in the league’s second tier in years – and can North Ringwood return to finals after some sound recruiting?
Mooroolbark v Montrose – Round 7, May 24 at Heights Reserve
The local rivals renew acquaintances after splitting the points across two meetings last season. The Mustangs upset the Dees in Round 7 before Gary Ayres’ men turned the tables late in the season, holding on by 12 points after weathering a final-quarter Mooroolbark surge.
Boronia v Park Orchards – Round 7, May 24 at Tormore Reserve
The promoted premier versus the Division 1 runner-up of 2024 – this clash could give pundits a fair indication of how the pecking order shapes heading into the second half of the season.
DIVISION 2
Surrey Park v Wantirna South – Round 1, April 5 at Surrey Park
The rapidly-rising Panthers have climbed two divisions in two years following back-to-back flags – while Wantirna South is fresh off relegation from the league’s second tier. All eyes will be on both camps as they debut in a new division.
Anzac Day: Heathmont v Ringwood – Round 3, April 25 at HE Parker Reserve (Friday night)
As has become tradition, the Jets and Redbacks do battle under lights in a stand-alone match. Heathmont has arguably been the division’s most active recruiter and will have plenty of expectation – but Ringwood, renowned for its ever-competitive edge, is never an easy task.
Waverley Blues v Croydon – Round 4, May 3 at Mt Waverley Reserve
Croydon broke collective Waverley Blues hearts in a thrilling three-point semi-final last season to put the last dash through a straight-sets exit from the premiership race. It’s a result said to have burned deep among the Waverley Blues during the off-season – and this match is one they will have circled as soon as the fixture was released.
Templestowe v Croydon – Round 5, May 10 at Templestowe Reserve
Touted to be two of the teams to beat in 2025, the heavily-recruiting Dockers and the runner-up of 2024 meet for the first time since the elimination final, which the Blues won by 40 points.
Croydon v Mulgrave – Round 6, May 17 at Croydon Oval
The duo meets for the first time since the 2024 preliminary final – with Croydon denying Mulgrave by 19 points. Can the Lions exact revenge?
DIVISION 3
Scoresby v Ferntree Gully – Round 1, April 5 at Scoresby Rec. Reserve
Multiple subplots surround this clash – Scoresby returns to the division following its premiership in the league’s fifth tier in 2024, and Ferntree Gully, under new coach Patty Garrity, debuts former junior and ex-AFL Magpie and Roo Jaidyn Stephenson, which is sure to attract plenty of attention.
Coldstream v Oakleigh District – Round 4, May 3 at Coldstream
The Cougars bundled the Oaks out of the premiership race to the tune of 74 points in an elimination final last season – and there’s no doubt Blake Pearson’s men will have been waiting to make amends. Luckily, they don’t have to wait too long into the season.
Knox v Donvale – Round 9, June 7 at Knox Gardens Reserve
Two heavyweights of 2024 come together at long last. Last season Knox brought Donvale’s 31-game winning streak to an end in a five-point thriller to announce itself as a true premiership contender. There should be plenty of heat in the return bout.
DIVISION 4
Bulleen Templestowe v Warrandyte – Round 1, April 5 at Ted Ajani Reserve
After five decades in the VAFA, Bulleen Templestowe makes its Eastern league debut – in a local derby showdown with Warrandyte, which was relegated from Division 3 at the end of last season. Could this be the first chapter of a long and storied rivalry?
Chirnside Park v Whitehorse Pioneers – Round 4, May 3 at Kimberley Reserve
Chirnside Park bombed out of the premiership race in straight sets in 2024 – with the Pioneers putting the final nail in the coffin in the form of a 17-point prelim defeat. Incoming Panthers coach Justin Ficorilli said he’d thought about it regularly since: “When you get that far, put the work in to finish second and to bomb out in straight sets, it’s definitely something that can give us a bit of fire in the belly.” This one shapes as a beauty, and the Pioneers too will be keen to bank early season wins following a heavy grand final defeat.
Kilsyth v Whitehorse Pioneers – Round 6, May 17 at Pinks Reserve
Kilsyth’s season came to an end at the hands of the Pioneers in the semi-final last season – but with a new coach and some key recruits, there’s renewed optimism. Can the Cougars bridge the gap on arguably their biggest premiership rival?
‘Monster of a kid’: Falcons’ late pre-season boost
A highly-touted under-19 top-division premiership tall has landed at Lilydale in a move set to shake things up on-field at the Falcons.
Ex-Sun among talent tipped to spark Bulls’ new era
Noble Park has waved goodbye to its biggest names this off-season. But there is plenty of cause for optimism with a young list according to the coach — including the arrival of an ex-AFL Sun.