Have your say: Eastern Football League’s best 25 since 2000
From modern-day marvels to all-time greats, we’ve named the top 25 players to grace the Eastern league since 2000. Who made the cut and who missed out?
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Given the top-level talent that can be seen dominating the Eastern league every Saturday, it’s no surprise that it is one of the strongest suburban footy leagues in the state.
But who have been the best of the best to have played in the league since 2000?
We’ve revisited our top 20 from two years ago and expanded it to a top 25 with six new names entering, shaking up the pecking order. It wasn’t an easy task and a galaxy of stars were stiff to miss out.
Did we get it right? Vote in our poll down the bottom.
25. Joel Galvin (Bayswater)
One of the great captains of his era. Tough as they come, never shirks a contest, mobile and versatile boasting size and height making him a difficult match-up. He’s an official league legend with three comp best and fairests to his name in the second tier (2012, 2016 and ‘18), and a two-time senior premiership player at Baysie (one as a 17-year-old in 2005, the other as captain in 2016), winning five club champion awards along the way. Recently celebrated game no. 250 to add to a glistening football CV rivalled by very few modern-day players.
24. Jeff Gobbels (Balwyn)
The Balwyn great was for a long stretch the club’s ‘go-to’ man in attack — especially during its golden run of four flags in five seasons.
The West Australian has been as complete a forward as we’ve seen across the past two decades, more than capable at ground level, quick on the lead, great set of hands and a defensive side to his game.
Let’s not forget his booming right boot, though — and his 60m torp for goal on halftime of the Tigers’ 2013 grand final win.
Won the medal for best afield in Balwyn’s 2012 premiership victory.
23. Lachlan Johns (Vermont)
The ex-Coburg name continues to lead by example as a goalkicking midfielder, winning the ball time and again and standing up in the big matches – and if you play for Vermont, there are plenty of those. Dual premiership captain across 2018 and ’19, the latter as skipper of the Premier Division Team of the Year before repeating that honour in 2021. He’s also a four-time club champion at the Eagles in one of local footy’s most dominant sides in recent memory. But perhaps the biggest accolade came last season when he tied for the Chandler Medal as the best and fairest in the division, becoming the Eagles’ sixth winner of the award this century.
22. Daniel King (South Croydon)
Five senior best and fairests, two premierships, more than 250 games. What more can be said for the champion midfielder? Ever-reliable with a knack for standing up when it counts most, tough, hard-at-it and has no trouble finding the footy. Also won the 2013 Chandler Medal and captained South Croydon to its 2017 top-flight premiership, claiming the best on ground medal. Age hasn’t hampered the South Croydon favourite, who once played out a final with a broken leg.
21. Nick Cox (Bayswater, Rowville, South Belgrave)
Tough and uncompromising inside player who knew how to find the footy and gather possessions.
Won the 2000 Chandler Medal when Bayswater was in the top-flight, followed by the league’s third division medal in 2004 and second division honour in ’06 — elevating him to legend status. Also won a best and fairest in a premiership year (2004) at Rowville.
Not too shabby for someone who didn’t take up playing Australian rules until age 16, having previously played soccer.
20. Daniel Sheers (East Ringwood)
Ask many of the forwards of the era who the toughest defender was and the answer will often be Sheers, who played in an era where brilliant forwards were a dime a dozen.
Was twice named captain in the league’s top-flight Team of the Year, and captained the ‘Roos to one of the most emphatic come-from-behind premiership victories in EFL history in 2002.
Outstanding in the air and one-on-one.
19. Leigh Williams (Norwood)
An explosive forward as strong in the air as he was at ground level. Could convert half-opportunities into goals, and won plenty of games off his own boot during his time with the Norsemen.
His goalkicking prowess wasn’t the only string to his bow, however, as he created many scoring opportunities for those around him, which made Williams one of the great modern-day forwards.
Was an integral part of the EFL senior interleague matches across 2017 and 2018 kicking bags to propel the league into top spot in the state.
And he’s still thrilling crowds now in the Ovens & Murray league with Yarrawonga, where he recently bagged a career-best 15 goals.
Best on ground in Norwood’s 2014 top-flight premiership.
18. Wade Porter (East Ringwood)
Tall, imposing, athletic, versatile — the ‘Roos were blessed with the complete package here.
Could fly for marks, kicking was pinpoint and would make his presence felt, and often masterful at the stoppages all over the ground. Member of East Ringwood’s 2002 premiership side.
17. Adam Slater (East Burwood, Knox, Forest Hill)
The big man was pure entertainment. Whether it was spinning the ball on his finger in front of the fans, ‘saluting’ the crowd or dominating the ruck and taking control of games with his intimidating frame, Slater would bring people through the gates and impose himself on the contest.
Opposition ruckmen would dread matching up with this man-mountain, just as the East Burwood midfielders of their golden era would be given an armchair ride. Four-time best and fairest at the Rams and a premiership player in 2000. Went on to play an integral role in Knox’s extra-time 2007 flag before finishing his career at Forest Hill.
16. Todd Power (Vermont, The Basin)
When people think of the great centre half-backs of the modern era, this man always rates a mention.
Tall but with a wiry frame, a fierce one-on-one competitor and a general down back for the Eagles in a time where great forwards were plentiful.
Defence wasn’t the only string to his bow and showed a presence wherever needed, including up forward. Premierships and grand finals were a common theme for Power throughout his career — he holds the record at Vermont for most consecutive grand finals (1993-2001) including one of those as captain in 2001. Finished his career at The Basin, playing in a Division 4 flag in 2012.
15. Rennie Gilchrist (Balwyn)
Captained Balwyn to four premierships in five seasons in one of the most remarkable eras in EFL history.
The hard-at-it, in-and-under Gilchrist led by example on-field, extracting the pill and bringing others into the game.
Twice best on ground in the Tigers’ winning grand finals in 2013 and 2015.
14. Chris Annakis (Doncaster)
One of the premier midfielders of the 2010s — a decade in which he won a Wright Medal as the best and fairest player in the EFL’s second tier, before elevating himself to official league legend status with back-to-back Chandler medals across 2017-18. At his best he rarely wastes a possession, reads the play beautifully and can take a grab. Current coach of the Sharks.
13. Mark Cullen (Vermont, Silvan)
The classy midfielder featured in seven Eagles premiership sides (the equal second-most of any Vermont player) with four of those won in the 2000s.
His 255-game stint saw 84 of those matches played consecutively — the fifth-most at the club.
Best and fairest winner in a premiership year in 2001, Cullen later headed up the mountain to finish his career at Silvan where he would play his 300th match and win the best and fairest in 2013.
12. Dan Donati (Noble Park)
Before he became a four-time Balwyn premiership coach, ‘Nutsy’ was one of the EFL’s premier on-ballers.
A big-game player who would always deliver on centre stage, and would frequently hit the scoreboard as a goalkicking midfielder.
Played in two premierships with Noble Park across 2003-04 and won a best and fairest in 2002.
11. Kris Bardon (Vermont)
The prolific on-baller was an integral part of a Vermont outfit which took four flags in five seasons in the mid-to-late 2000s. He twice claimed the league’s Chandler Medal (2008, ’09) as well as a best and fairest at the club in ’08 in a side chock-full of champions. Wherever he went he dazzled, later taking out a Nepean league best and fairest while playing for Rye.
10. Allan Murray (Balwyn)
On pure talent alone the high-flying Tiger would have most, if not all, of this list covered. The ex-St Kilda and Port Adelaide man played 150 games for Balwyn for four premierships, tearing it up through the midfield and in attack during the Tigers’ golden run. And his highlight reel was a sight to behold – whether it was soaring for marks on the regular, cutting opposition sides to ribbons with pace or simply executing the fundamentals with precision, fans never left disappointed after watching ‘Budgie’. Best and fairest winner with Balwyn in 2007.
9. Bernie Dinneen (Vermont, Bayswater, East Ringwood)
A competitive beast through the midfield who would prepare himself meticulously for matches.
Wasn’t overly quick, but it didn’t matter with his ability to find the footy.
Winner of back-to-back Chandler medals across 2005-06 followed by a Wright Medal (Division 2) in 2010 to etch his name as one of the all-time greats, earning official legend status.
8. Kris Barlow (Vermont, Rowville, Noble Park, Blackburn)
Had built up a strong reputation in the 1990s playing at Vermont before being picked up by Hawthorn at age 25 in 1998, but was just as damaging once he returned to the EFL in 2005 to play in a Vermont flag after 102 games with the Hawks.
A strong-marking forward who had versatility in spades, quick and a reliable kick for goal.
A best and fairest winner at Noble Park and Blackburn, playing alongside some of the all-time greats.
7. Adrian Little (Noble Park)
One of the revered defenders of the 2000s with a golden fist to boot. Stood many of the best forwards of the era at centre half-back as an ever-reliable key pillar in Noble Park’s 2003 and ’04 premiership sides. The former Springvale and Frankston talent could spoil the pill from anywhere – and as veteran journalist Paul Amy once wrote: “A bronze statue of that hand should be in the social club.”
6. Denis Knight (Noble Park)
A crucial cog in the Bulls’ engine room on their way to back-to-back flags in ’03 and ’04 as playing-coach.
A tough inside midfielder and a classy user of the ball, Knight won the EFL’s Chandler Medal in 2003 playing in a premier side which oozed class — a true testament to the respect he commanded.
Best on ground in the Bulls’ ‘03 flag, and would later go on to coach Norwood to a top-flight premiership in 2014.
5. Craig Anderson (Noble Park)
Prolific ball-winner who would will himself from contest to contest, strong in-and-under and a fierce attack on the footy. Twice took home the coveted Chandler Medal (2007 – tied; 2011), captained the Bulls to back-to-back top-flight flags across 2010-11 and has three club best and fairests to his name. About as untaggable as they came.
4. Kyle Martin (Noble Park)
If this were a top 25 of the past decade, Martin would be a monty for top spot.
But having won eight Noble Park best and fairests in 12 years, the current-day premier midfielder has regardless earnt his place in the top four players this century.
Can rack the possessions up — but makes them count. Has a large tank to run through the midfield which makes him equally hard to match up on — and doesn’t mind the rough stuff either.
Earned his opportunity on Collingwood’s list in 2013 before returning to the Bullring in 2015. Dual premiership player with Noble Park across 2010-11.
3. Matt Greig (Vermont)
Goal-machine. The headline act in one of the all-time great goalkicking partnerships alongside Ash Froud, the stay-at-home full forward kicked 716 goals across 172 games from 2003-13 — with an average of 4.2 goals a game.
Topped the EFL’s goalkicking on five occasions, including hauls of 107, 103 and 122 from 2005-08 in the Eagles’ premiership three-peat era. Won Vermont’s goalkicking a record eight times and also holds the club record for most goals in an Eagles senior match, booting a whopping 15.7 (91) in round four of 2008.
A sublime vertical leap and a defender’s worst nightmare.
2. Peter O’Brien (Noble Park)
Pure class, silky skills and always spoken about by former teammates and opponents in the highest regard.
This four-time premiership Bull also took four club champion awards during his time at Noble Park — and earned best on ground honours in his final game; the 2011 premiership win.
All this following a best and fairest and two flags at Springvale. As Paul Amy once described him: “The word ‘champion’ doesn’t do him justice”.
1. Ryan Mullett (Vermont)
The smooth-moving Mullett won the EFL’s highest individual honour — the Chandler Medal — on three occasions this century, something no other player has done.
The official league legend took four senior best and fairest awards at the Eagles playing in one of the most dominant sides — and midfields — in local football, as the club three-peated from 2005-07.
Finished a five-time Vermont premiership player, saluting in his final match in the 2019 decider. A class act.
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