Unbeaten Balwyn dethrones reigning premier
The Tigers moved into outright first with a statement win over one of the comp’s heavyweights. Coach Brenton Sanderson details the key drivers in his side’s unbeaten opening month.
EFL
‘Proud’ Bloods break drought
Warrandyte snapped a long losing streak in Eastern’s Division 3 on Saturday, heaping more pain on depleted 2023 grand finalist Ferntree Gully.
‘Deserving’ Vermont breaks through in thriller
The Eagles dragged their Eastern Premier Division season back from the brink of collapse with a nail-biting breakthrough win over a resurgent Noble Park on Saturday.
Records broken as some streaks end in local footy
A country club breaks two records in one day as a metro club pays tribute to a club great who passed during the week. Check out the talking points from Local Footy.
The Basin makes call on coach in shock split
The Eastern Division 2 club has made a shock call on its coach just four games into the season. Latest here.
‘Unbelievable’: Oakleigh District forward’s day out
A gun Oaks recruit finished with an almighty haul of goals in his side’s rout of an Eastern Division 3 rival on Saturday – but he’s not the only name impressing in attack this season.
Sharks shoot to first in unbeaten start
Park Orchards remains the only unbeaten Division 1 side after tipping heavyweight Montrose off top spot on Saturday, in a result touted to have “built the belief” …
‘No surprises’ in Bayswater’s bright start
It wore a 14-goal belting in its first outing – but the Eastern Division 1 club has turned its form around, marking a third-straight win on Saturday with an upset of the reigning premier.
‘Enjoy the feeling’: Doncaster snaps long losing streak
The Sharks are toasting their first victory in 12 months after putting an Eastern Division 1 rival to the sword on Saturday.
Rowville reigns supreme in grand final rematch
A hot first half from a VFL-listed forward set the Hawks on course, while another state league talent finished best afield. But the Rowville coach says there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Pride, relief as Lilydale breaks drought
The Falcons are on the winners’ list again, breaking through for their first win in more than a season on Saturday with an almighty upset of a 2023 grand finalist.
Big bag spearheads Scoresby surge
The Magpies claimed one of Eastern Division 4’s most sought-after scalps on Saturday, led by the handiwork of a star recruit.
‘Pretty special’: Mustangs bolt home in almighty response
Fresh off a triple-figure drubbing amid a winless start to the season, Mooroolbark produced a stunning come-from-behind upset on Saturday in what the coach rates as one of the best.
Bulldogs bite back in Anzac Day classic
Backs to the wall in an away clash with an unbeaten Premier Division rival, South Croydon delivered coach Brendan Allen a maiden win to remember – led by a gun forward.
Scary moment ends game, country guns’ big bags
A local footy match is called off after a scary injury, two country guns duel with big bags and more teams end long losing streaks. Get a full wrap of the action here.
How local footy panned out on Anzac Day
There were some monster individual displays and shock results across the state as Anzac Day produced some local footy classics. Here’s the lowdown on all the games.
‘No excuses,’ Lions coach declares after 130-point drubbing
An ex-AFL man headlines a heavy injury toll at Doncaster East following a triple-figure hiding at the hands of a Premier Division rival on Saturday night. But there are no excuses, the coach says.
The key to Coldstream’s hot start
Fresh off back-to-back flags with Powelltown, new Coldstream coach Jarrod Bayliss has his charges firing to start the Eastern league Division 3 season.
Team to beat? Montrose claims another juggernaut
Gary Ayres’ men have knocked over both of last year’s grand finalists in consecutive weeks in Eastern’s Division 1.
‘Gutsy’ Gully breaks through as key names eye return
Ferntree Gully reignited its season with a nailbiting win on Saturday. And the Eagles could soon be boosted by the return of a host of key names – including a retired club great.
Balwyn bounces Vermont as ex-AFL midfielder stars
Balwyn skipper Charlie Haley could only marvel at the brilliance of ex-AFL ‘Roo Kayne Turner as the Tigers sent 2023 grand finalist Vermont to a 0-2 start on Saturday.
‘Roos romp to resounding statement
East Ringwood has sent an ominous warning to its flag rivals, putting one of Eastern Premier Division’s heavyweights to the sword by a triple-figure margin on Saturday night.
Chirnside Park clips premiership rival
One of the Eastern league’s leading elder statesmen found some new tricks on Saturday, as Chirnside Park overcame one of its biggest flag rivals in Division 4.
VFL-listed ruckman rockets resurgent Redbacks
Ringwood continued its unbeaten start to the season on Friday night, stunning a 2023 Division 2 grand finalist. And it was one of the club’s brightest young stars leading the way …
New ‘Roos flex on debut
Ex-AFL and state league names rolled out alongside returning guns to fire East Ringwood to a big opening-round victory, earning plenty of praise from the coach.
‘Big call’: Clubs react to ‘steep’ concussion overhaul
Local footballers could face an extended stint on the sidelines under an overhaul of concussion protocols proposed by the Australian Institute of Sport. Clubs reveal their reactions.
The local footy teams to keep an eye on in 2024
From clubs with massive off-season recruiting drives to those who need to live up to the pressure, these are the local footy teams you need to keep an eye on in 2024.
The recruits and returning guns set to boost Blues
A new division awaits Croydon after suffering relegation at the end of 2023 – but a package of recruits along with returning stars are set to lift the club.
‘Baby Wickers’: Why Berwick refresh has coach bullish
It’s a changing of the guard at Eastern Premier club Berwick, with a host of top-liners moving on. But the coach is backing youth. Here’s why.
East Ringwood snares ex-AFL speedster
It’s another recruiting coup for East Ringwood, signing a former AFL Demon and Eagle from an Eastern Premier Division rival.
How Rowville is shaping for flag defence
Rowville’s premiership defence is uncharted territory for the coach and players – but it’s a challenge the club will embrace according to Ben Wise. And there’s been some signings …
Where Scoresby will hunt improvement
Scoresby fell just short of a grand final in 2023, but a package of recruits headlined by a gun forward look set to boost its fortunes this season, as the coach highlights the key area for improvement.
How Eastern club lured former The Recruit star
He’s been one of local footy’s most damaging forwards of the past decade. Now the former The Recruit contestant is set to light up Eastern’s Division 4.
Revealed: All of metro Melbourne’s local footy coaching changes
Ex-AFL guns, VFL stars and community legends are among the local footy’s new coaches in 2024. Here we track each new coaching appointment in the off-season.
Named: Local footy’s best recruits of the off-season
Ex-AFL guns, state league stars and local heroes have been among the signings at clubs throughout the off-season. We name those who have stood out.
Revealed: Local footy’s best young guns of 2023
AFL and VFL talent scouts take note. There’s some serious young talent tearing up local leagues in Melbourne. Here’s the rising stars who dominated in 2023.
Rumour mill: How soon is now?
When is too soon to begin pre-season training? Some clubs have reignited the age-old debate, while another is reportedly rivalling AFL clubs for player contracts. All and more revealed here.
‘Primed and ready’: Past, present captains’ junior mission
From current and past Doncaster East skippers to ex-AFL talent and more, the Lions are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to mentor and develop the club’s next batch of stars.
How Jets plan to take next step
Heathmont has injected a wealth of top-division experience into its squad following a Division 2 grand final appearance this year.
Tigers top up in back-to-back flag tilt
Mitcham has welcomed a host of top-flight names as it readies for its premiership defence in Eastern’s Division 1, while a club favourite is back full-time.
The must-watch Eastern league blockbusters in 2024
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.
Club by club: Every Eastern league coaching appointment
New faces, returning names and past greats galore. Every senior men’s club is locked and loaded for 2024, with a full deck of coaches confirmed. See who is coaching where.
Revealed: Local footy’s salary caps for 2024
Country footy’s premier competitions will be able to spend more than their metro counterparts in 2024. Here’s the salary cap for every league.
Ex-AFL Kangaroo joins Eastern league
His papers were stamped at Arden St last month after 130 matches stretching almost a decade – but Kayne Turner has found a new home.
Oaks’ plan to cover sharpshooter
Oakleigh District has waved goodbye to its gun spearhead who topped the Eastern league Division 3 goalkicking this season – but the coach is confident a prized recruit can offset the loss.
Kilsyth dealt star’s shock exit
The Eastern Division 4 club will get to work on filling the void of arguably its best player who has joined a rival league.
Kings inject experience, firepower in bid to rebound
Upper Gully won just one match in 2023 – but the coach is confident his group can bounce back in a new division following some key signings, headlined by a two-time league medallist.
Doncaster East nabs ex-VFL duo
A former VFL pair has joined the Lions from an Eastern league Premier Division rival, following the earlier signing of a gun midfielder.
Eastern club signs ex-AFL Hawk, Bulldog
The phone calls were surprisingly sparse from local clubs pursuing ex-Hawk and Bulldog Tim O’Brien as his decade-long AFL career finished. But an Eastern league club has pounced.
Premierships, experience aplenty land at Coldstream
Premierships, former state league talent, key posts – even an ex-reality TV name – are among Coldstream’s wealth of recruits ahead of triple flag-winning coach Jarrod Bayliss’ maiden season.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/efl/page/4