Local footy: The teams catching our eye during the 2024 pre-season
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.
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The 2024 local footy season is quickly approaching.
As the first bounce draws closer, talk surrounding clubs throughout metro Melbourne is only growing.
Now Leader Local Footy’s writers have come together to pick the teams with the most interesting storylines heading into the new year.
Here are the teams you need to keep an eye on.
Aberfeldie (Essendon District, Premier Division)
After reaching the grand final in 2022, last year was a rollercoaster for Abers who were seriously hampered by injury. With Adam Marcon joining North Melbourne as a development coach, Ben Ronke and Clay Illman have taken over the top job. Will they get back to their best?
Albion (Western, Division 2)
Right now the Cats might just be the premiership favourites in their respective division. After dropping last year’s grand final to Parkside, they’ve gone about an impressive off-season recruiting drive headlined by the return of Josh Bench. If they stay fit, they’re going to take some stopping.
Boronia (Eastern, Division 2)
The Hawks lost just once in 2023 – by the barest of margins. They didn’t look back, motoring to 13 consecutive wins thereafter to claim a second flag in five years. Several players enjoyed standout seasons, including ex-AFL Bomber Josh Begley, young gun Mitch Mellis who took home the Division 2 league medal, and Ben Robertson, who figured among the top forwards with 50 majors. With no promotion offered to Division 1 for last year’s premier, could the Hawks be on the cusp of back-to-back crowns?
Bundoora (Northern, Division 1)
The Bulls have lost a stack of talent since last season’s grand final appearance, most notably Sam Lloyd, Hamish Shepheard, Brent Marshall, Kain Proctor and Ben McNiece. New coach Heath Scotland faces arguably his biggest challenge to rebuild Bundoora and keep it in premiership contention.
Banyule (Northern, Division 1)
After cementing itself in the top-flight last year, Banyule has been busy over summer, brining in a host of new talents. The Bears were arguably the Northern league’s Christmas kings, recruiting the likes of ex-AFL defender Sam McLarty, Bendigo league medallist Noah Wheeler, premiership ruckman Tim Martin, Seb Francis-Perkins, Lewin Davis and Oscar White. A sharp rise up the ladder is expected.
Cheltenham (Southern, Division 1)
The reigning premiers have had an impressive off-season, signing Jack Lonie, Sam Dunell and Jacob Edwards. They’ll be hard to stop but they’ve got the hunted tag from the get go. No Josh Fox at full forward means new coach Justin Pickering will have to administer a different game plan, but with youth and speed throughout the line up, a smaller attacking third could be even more potent.
Chelsea (Mornington Peninsula, Division 2)
Another side that missed finals last year, the Seagulls have added a couple of “hidden gems’’ from the VAFA, Caulfield Grammarians vice-captain Harry Schaffer and St Mary’s Salesians best and fairest Jack Elliston, as well as former Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs AFL listed Jordan Kelly.
Collegians (VAFA, Premier)
Jordie McKenzie has taken over as the club’s new coach after Jared Rivers decided to step down. The reigning premier will again have a powerful list and should be in the mix at the pointy end of the season.
Cranbourne (Southern, Division 1)
Cranbourne has lost a selection of big players but you write Steve O’Brien’s men off at your own risk. It’ll be interesting to see how the Eagles evolve offensively and whether or not their midfield can hit the scoreboard enough to remain among one of the competition’s best sides.
Deer Park (Essendon District, Premier Division)
Set for their maiden top tier campaign in the EDFL, the Lions are one of the more curious cases of the off-season. Their side will look a lot different to the one that claimed the Division 1 flag last year and will the new faces be able to rise to the challenge of Premier Division footy. Jamie Madigan is the new coach and he is full of belief.
Diamond Creek (Northern, Division 2)
After the Creekers lost the Division 2 grand final to North Heidelberg in 2017 they didn’t play finals for the following two seasons. Andrew Tranquilli’s men couldn’t have done much more last year, losing just once in the home-and-away season but unable to handle Eltham in the finals. The additions of Mitch Dale, Kyle Kankaanpaa and Ben Major are strong indications Diamond Creek will be a premiership contender again in 2024.
Doncaster East (Eastern, Premier Division)
It’s been another active off-season of recruiting for the Lions, welcoming ex-AFL Hawk and Bulldog Tim O’Brien with former state league talls Michael Wenn and Hugh Johnson among the haul. They join an already-potent line-up featuring former AFL and state names including Tom Bell, Taylin Duman, Josh Deluca, Luke Tynan and Lachie Waddell, who helped the club to a preliminary final last year. With more top-end talent joining, expectations rise on the Lions. Has their time arrived?
Edithvale-Aspendale (Mornington Peninsula, Division 2)
The Eagles were viewed as a danger team last season but missed finals. Six months on, they’ve got a new coach in Kris Pendlebury and a star recruit in ex-AFL big man Tyrone Vickery. Season 2024 is full of exciting possibilities.
Frankston Dolphins (Southern, Division 3)
After a succession of heartbreaking grand final defeats, the Dolphins head into 2024 as premiership favourites. Their maiden piece of silverware has been elusive but the off-season just gone looks to have brought them closer than ever.
Fitzroy (VAFA, Premier)
It will be a historic season for the Lions as they embark into Premier Division for the first time. And they’ll have a new coach in charge after Travis Ronaldson was named as the man to take the club forward. How will they fare?
Gembrook Cockatoo (Outer East, Premier Division)
Former North Melbourne player Michael “Spud” Firrito will begin his coaching career, determined to guide the Brookers back up the ladder — and they have plenty of young talent to do so.
Healesville (Outer East, Division 1)
The Bloods get their chance to have a real crack at it this year, with Emerald and Berwick Springs going up to Premier division. Exciting forward Sam Gebert and gun Nick Mende will be vital again.
Hoppers Crossing (Western, Division 1)
Season 2023 was nothing short of a disaster for the Warriors as they finished last on the ladder. There has been major changes in the off-season with Jared Polec named as the new coach while his former North Melbourne teammate Jed Anderson has arrived at Hogans Rd Reserve and will immediately been among the league’s best players. Can they return back to finals action where they think they belong?
Ivanhoe and Old Paradians (Northern, Division 3)
The two clubs have made the move from the VAFA in the off-season and will look to make a strong start in 2024. Ivanhoe will tap into its deep well of junior talent, luring several former players back to the club. Meanwhile, Paradians made arguably one of the biggest recruiting moves of the summer, securing two-time Heidelberg premiership captain Sam Gilmore. Expect both to be competitive from the get-go.
Kyneton (Riddell District)
The Tigers are making the move after 90 years in the Bendigo league. The club expects to be competitive from the get-go having finished sixth in the past two seasons, missing out on finals by percentage in 2022 and one game last year. Kyneton will be led by first-time coach Ethan Foreman, who has experience in the RDFNL with Riddell.
Marcellin (VAFA, Premier C)
After surviving relegation by half a game last season, the Eagles have turned to club champion Bernie Dinneen to help guide them back up the ranks. He was a three-time premiership player in his time in the maroon and blue. He is intent on helping guide the club up the grades on again.
Mt Eliza (Mornington Peninsula, Division 1)
The Redlegs roared to within a couple of kicks of a grand final berth last season and look set to be one of Dromana’s biggest challengers in 2024. New coach Rikki Johnston knows how to win premierships and recruit Chris Carey is tipped to be one of the best ruckmen in the league.
Murrumbeena (Southern, Division 2)
The Lions’ intentions are clear; they want to be in Division 1 in 2025 and they’ve retained and recruited perfectly to achieve that goal. On paper, Murrumbeena is the team to beat but names mean for very little at the pointy end of the year.
Norwood (Eastern, Premier Division)
One of the big talking points of the off-season, the club has waved goodbye to most of its best 22 from last year, while dual premiership coach Brett Moyle replaces Marty Pask at the helm. But former AFL Demon and Kangaroo Jordan Gysberts has returned to the club alongside 2014 Norwood flag teammate Dean Poynton, while ex-vice-captain Michael Wright is back after a stint at Bonbeach. Ex-AFL Saint Tom Highmore has aligned via Port Melbourne VFL, and former Eastern Ranges captain Josh Tovey heads a long line of young signings. How will the new-look Norsemen respond – and can they survive in the league’s top-flight?
Pascoe Vale (Essendon District, Premier Division)
Some might have considered the decision to replace Digby Morrell as coach with Leigh Tudor as a controversial one but could it prove a masterstroke? The Panthers have enjoyed a productive off-season with some high profile recruits including ex-AFL forward Ahmed Saad. They’re always around the mark but the next challenge is getting over the hump.
Point Cook (Western, Division 1)
Fell short in the grand final in 2023 and will be desperate to go one step better. While they might have lost Luke Dahlhaus to Anakie, the Bulldogs have welcomed a swag of impressive recruits to help boost their chances. Along with Werribee Districts, on paper, they’re one of the clear premiership favourites.
Red Hill (Mornington Peninsula, Division 1)
The Hillmen lost it at the start last year, dropping seven of their first eight games. Coach Jamie Mollo is sure to have his side raring to go this year and several key additions, including Michael Mock, former VFL ruckman Dylan Atkins and Norwood gun Michael Griechen, should see them challenge in 2024.
Riddell (Riddell District)
The Bombers premiership defence came to an early end last year, bowing out in the elimination final. It saw premiership coach Justin Belleville pass the magnet board to Arron Bray for 2024. Bombers premiership player Jack Hammerling has returned and Dean Galea, Brent Swallow, Luke Cannon, Dylan Podolczak and Jacob Chahine have followed Bray across from Rupertswood. Will we see a quick bounce back?
Rowville (Eastern, Premier Division)
The Eastern league’s Premier Division has a new king, with the club winning its first top-division flag last year. But claiming the ultimate prize commands the competition’s attention – and expectation – as the young Hawks become ‘the hunted’. Senior coach Ben Wise says it’s a challenge his group will embrace: “I’ve never been in this position as a coach and the players are in the same boat – we’re riding it together.” The club contested a grand final in 2022 before last year’s triumph, and with one of the most exciting young lists in the division, 2024 poses another opportunity. Can the Hawks defend their flag?
South Belgrave (Eastern, Division 1)
The Saints have lost just once in their past 26 starts – but in an all-too-familiar tale in footy, the sole blemish of their season last year came on the biggest stage of all, the grand final. Ex-AFL men Taylor Garner and Tim Smith enjoyed dominant seasons, while former Saint Luke Dunstan is among the key recruits and could feature later this year. Guided by new coach Heath Black, can one of local footy’s most dominant teams of recent years harness the heartbreak and bounce back?
St Bedes/Mentone (VAFA, Premier B)
There has been a series of departures from the Tigers in the off-season but new coach Brad Berry is excited by the challenge that lay ahead. After pushing for a finals spot last year, will the Tigers continue to rise or drop off?
Sunbury Kangaroos (Essendon District, Division 2)
The Roos made a fairytale run to last year’s grand final, only to be beaten by the superior Oak Park. They’ve left no stone unturned in pre-season with a major recruiting drive and are on paper the flag favourites.
Thomastown (Northern, Division 2)
Arguably the most underperforming club in the NFNL last season. The Bears came into the season with big expectations and missed finals. While reigning Division 2 Coaches MVP Tyrone Leonardis has left, Thomastown has had another big off-season, securing the likes of reigning Division 2 leading goalkicker James Lucente, Kyle Green, Julian Janev, Charlie Khoury and Anthony O’Sullivan. Can newly installed co-coaches and club greats David Folino and Sash Spiroski deliver on expectations?
Tullamarine (Essendon District, Division 1)
After a year below expectations in 2023, the Demons look primed to once again become a finals contender next season. David Connell is back in the coaching hot seat and has several big name recruits including ex-AFL man Jake Long. Tulla’s best footy with this playing list is good enough but do they have the consistency to match it?
Upwey Tecoma (Outer East, Premier Division)
After returning to finals action last season, the Tigers are setting themselves to push into the top bracket in 2024, and they are off to a strong start, adding a collection of carefully chosen recruits, including big-bodied midfielder Sam Raru and former club captain Sam Waters.
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