Local footy: EDFL Division 1 latest off-season news
It’s been a long off-season for Essendon District Football League clubs, but there’s no shortage of news. Here’s our club-by-club guide on what’s happened in Division 1.
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Essendon District Football League clubs have wasted little time preparing for season 2021 amid the coronavirus crisis.
Division 1 has welcomed a new club, with 2019 Riddell District league premier Rupertswood switching competitions and searching for a new coach.
Here’s the latest from the EDFL’s 10 Division 1 clubs.
AIRPORT WEST
Coach Jimmy House is tight-lipped on his club’s movements as he looks forward to leading the Eagles in an official match after taking over following the 2019 campaign.
Airport West has secured 2018 premiership player Ned Gentile, who is a one-point player and returns after crossing to Essendon Doutta Stars this season.
The classy forward/midfielder shared Calder Cannons’ best-and-fairest award in 2019.
House said the Eagles had recruited strongly but were not ready to reveal all the new faces just yet.
Star goalkicker Dean Limbach, ex-Gold Coast rookie Zak Saad, Liam Forbes, Adam Meiorin and Patrick Balta (soccer) joined the club before the season was cancelled.
EAST KEILOR
The Cougars attracted plenty of headlines before the 2020 season was set to kick off after securing a long list of star recruits.
They’ve bolstered their playing list further since the campaign was canned, signing decorated big man Chris Stewart, who is among the state’s leading local footballers.
Stewart has featured in 10 premierships at suburban level, including seven with Deer Park. He booted 236 goals from 143 games for the Lions in the WRFL, claiming three best-and-fairest awards. He also earned four Team of the Year nods in seven seasons and was best afield in the 2018 grand final.
East Keilor has also gained VFL-listed Bruno Laguda, ex-VFL player Fabian Brancatisano and reigning Hillside best-and-fairest Lockie Rayner. Joshua Klaromenos and Jack Burns have also crossed from Hillside.
It landed former AFL player Marc Lock, Tim Bongetti, Paul Scanlon, Kevin Klix, Lachlan Calder, Brandon Coletta, Victor Micallef, Tim Atkins and Mark Mazzeo before the coronavirus crisis hit.
Jackson Barrett and Lachlan Langwell have exited.
Coach Pat Christofi has made no secret of his club’s ambition to make the leap to Premier Division, and he has assembled a talented squad to take the Cougars there.
HILLSIDE
The Sharks have lost five players to rival East Keilor since the end of 2019, including reigning best-and-fairest Lockie Rayner, league best-and-fairest Victor Micallef and star forward Brandon Coletta.
On the positive side, they have secured Keilor premiership player Zak Wunhym, while 2020 recruits Joel Bonnici, Josh Trembearth, Hisham Kerbatieh and Bryson Scales have re-committed.
Jackson Volpato, Jeremy Hayes, Liam Johnstone, Oskar Brown, Matt Italiano, Jake Vicic, Tristan Rudic, Riza Gashi and David Fruscalzo are among those to have re-signed.
ROXBURGH PARK
The Magpies have been active since the season was cancelled, locking in Trent Fisher, Andy Marino and Tom Mason as recruits for 2021.
They also signed club best-and-fairest winner Brad Dimech in May, while 2020 inclusions Brenden Egberts, Luke Scarpini and Nathan Reichelt have all officially recommitted.
Former Broadford captain Matt Coomans and ex-Northern Saints skipper Daniel Boudoloh were also signed after last year’s campaign.
Reigning best-and-fairest Jay Barbera, Harley Short, Jamie Grant, Jack Elliott, Ryan Micallef, Luke Capuano, Dale Rigby, Hayden Farrelly, Brandon McLarty, Ben Stone, Travis Cooke, Zac Reichelt, Tom Baker, Jake Talintyre and Matt Busuttil are among the existing players to re-sign.
Coach Micheal Farrelly, who led Roxburgh Park to the 2018 Division 2 flag, is building a nice squad as the club looks to establish itself in Division 1.
RUPERTSWOOD
The EDFL’s newest club has been placed in the second tier and will be among the premiership contenders are claiming the RDFL’s ultimate prize last year.
The Sharks have been focusing on retaining their players while they search for a new coach to replace Nick Ash.
President Brad Pietromonaco said coaches with experience in the VFL and NAB League had applied for the job, with interest booming since the club’s move to the EDFL was given the green light.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS
The Kangaroos will have a new coach in 2021, with life member Leigh Sporle replacing premiership mentor Anthony Leydin.
Sorle steered Rockbank in 2013 before returning as a co-coach in 2017.
He then relocated to Queensland for work but has been quick to rediscover his passion for coaching.
Since the club’s 2019 Division 2 flag, Tierone Cuffe, Matthew Quigley, Lachlan Baddeley, Jake Young, Christian Monaco, Jeremy Murphy, Jared Pretty, Brad Slater and Matt Welsh have exited.
But star big man Brenton Sutherland, Daniel Gregory, Mitch Streiff, Matthew Leonard, John Corso, Mitchell Kook, Anthony Leonard and Lachlan Kaye have recommitted.
2020 recruits Zach McCasker, Will Healy, Josh Kanellos have also re-signed, while the Kangaroos are expected to announce more inclusions in coming weeks.
TAYLORS LAKES
Coach Charles Cuzzupi is locked in for the next two seasons and is eyeing finals next year.
Sharpshooter Patrick Rose, ex-AFL player Scott Harding (playing assistant coach) have re-committed for next season in a significant boost after crossing to the club following the 2019 campaign
Big men Andrew Gallina (returning) and James Cimbaljevic (St Albans) were also crucial recruits for Taylors Lakes after they were without a full-time ruckman last year, while the Lions boast several talented young players.
Harrison Tanner, Lachie Tanner, Nick English, Rory Alexander and James Vistarini left after last season.
The Lions expect most of their playing group to remain intact.
TULLAMARINE
The perennial contender appears well positioned for another premiership tilt in 2021.
Since a line was ruled through this year, the Demons have landed attacking defender Kirk Lang, a former VFL-listed player and Team of the Year member in 2018 during his time at Oak Park.
Craigieburn premiership players Dominic Micallef and Sam Laffan have also arrived, while star backman Russell Laurie has come out of retirement.
Coach David Connell has looked to inject more speed into his squad following last season’s preliminary final defeat, with Jacob Osei-Duro, Rhys Clarke, James Duell, Michael Gatt, Liam Lucas and Michael Dalrymple among the ins since the 2019 campaign ended.
Gun veteran Shannan Broadbent, who has been a member of seven flag-winning teams and claimed nine club best-and-fairest awards, will weigh up his future in coming months after signing at the Demons before this season was set to kick off.
Tullamarine has contested finals the past seven seasons, finishing runners-up in 2014, ’16 and ‘18 and dropping three preliminary finals.
WEST COBURG
West Coburg enjoyed a fruitful off-season before the pandemic intervened as it chases a return to the EDFL’s top flight.
Ex-AFL player Daniel Archer, Daniel Johncock and Tom Drake returned to the club, while Luke Baniowski arrived from Strathmore.
Gun midfielder Tom Baravi was a big out after 2019, crossing to Northcote Park.
Coach Dale May, a four-time premiership player at Strathmore, has re-signed for next season.
WESTMEADOWS
The Tigers were one of the competition’s big improvers in 2019, eliminated in the opening week of finals.
They recruited strongly on the back of the finals appearance, landing Jayden Ranno, George Nabbout, Belal Abou-Eid, Aaron Vendramini and Ferras Merhi.
Big man Michael Gillard will also return after making the decision to leave last off-season.
Josh Flower and Omar Abdallah are set to be fit for next season after facing an injury-interrupted 2020, while Westmeadows will not be looking to recruit aggressively as they put faith in young players coming through.
Mo Kaakour is locked in as coach until the end of 2022.
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