MPFNL 2025: Division 2 club-by-club preview

New contenders are set to emerge in a wide-open MPFNL Division 2 season. See how every club shapes up — ins, outs, captains and coaches comments.

Brace yourself for a cracking season of MPFNL Division 2 footy.

Chelsea, after going so close to winning the flag last season, looks like being the side to beat.

But a raft of contenders are set to emerge.

Frankston Bombers, after being relegated from Division 1, are setting themselves to bounce back hard.

Troy Schwarze has taken the coaching reins at Bonbeach, and he says finals are on the agenda.

Somerville, Tyabb, Pearcedale, Devon Meadows, Crib Point and Seaford will also make runs at the title.

Rye is set for an improved season, as is Hastings, and Nathan Burke’s Karingal could surprise.

BONBEACH

Coach: Troy Schwarze

Last year: 5-13

IN: Dimitri Fasoulis (Bentleigh), Tom McKinley (Dingley), Owen Hulett (returning), Harvey Gleeson (Avondale Heights), Matt Douglas (returning), Darcy James (Beaumaris), Joe Fisscher (Norwood), Ben McLean (Norwood), Cooper Bruce (St Marys, NFNL)

OUT: Beau Bailey (Broadbeach), Emile Tait (East Brighton), Liam McKenna (North Heidelberg), Mitch Gent (Dingley), Justin Bennett (St Paul’s McKinnon)

Coach says: “I’d be shocked if we didn’t play finals based on what I’ve seen in the first two (practice) games...and some of the stuff at training. The young guys coming through and the fact we’ve recruited a couple of blokes back to the club are going to help too. I think that everyone at the club would be disappointed if we didn’t put in an appearance in the finals. That’s certainly out there. I think that’s where we need to be.’’

Jack Caspersz in action for Bonbeach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CHELSEA

Coach: David Willett

Captain: Todd Gardiner

Vice-captain: Jack Francis

Last year: 17-5 (runners-up)

IN: Samuel Browne (Edi-Asp), Brad Clark (Lang Lang), Josh Halsall (Kangaroo Flat)

OUT: Jake O’Dempsey (Carrum Patterson Lakes), Mandrez Manu (Carrum Patterson Lakes), Brad Seamons (Carrum Patterson Lakes), Archie Thomson (North Footscray)

Captain says: “We’ve managed to keep our senior list together, with a couple of handy additions. We know how much hard work is ahead, but we are hungrier than ever and can’t wait to get back out there.’’

John Simson celebrates a goal for Chelsea. Picture: Andrew Batsch

CRIB POINT

Coach: Duane Annable

Co-captains: Miles Shepherd and Jett Bauer

Last year: 11-7

IN: Dan Farmer (Woodside), Aden Phillips (Red Hill), Tyler Hobson (Mornington), Harrison Goosey (Mornington), Max Coughlin (Hampton Rovers), Will Hamill (Adelaide - now on Frankston VFL list), Joel Sarlo (Pakenham), Jarrod Fisk (Murrumbeena), Will Stewart (Somerville)

OUT: Travis Stewart (Beaconsfield), Jackson Weyne (South Mornington)

Coach says: “I think it’s going to be a very even season. We have a tougher draw than last year. Though, if we stay healthy our expectation is to be playing in a final this season. Won’t shy away from that. To miss out by percentage last year by a kick in the last round was devastating and the fire in the belly has been burning over pre-season. Some good additions to the squad. We just need to gel early then execute and deliver.’’

Miles Shepherd takes a kick for Crib Point. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DEVON MEADOWS

Co-coaches: Ryan Hendy and Dean Kent

Last year: 14-6 (4th)

IN: Levi Chirico (Langwarrin), Chris Raso (Warragul)

OUT: Flynn Sinclair (Heatherton), Ty Kirkwood (Bayswater)

President Chris Langley says: “We’re definitely going to be a different side, we’ll be heaps younger.’’

FRANKSTON BOMBERS

Coach: Jarrad Grant

Last year: 5-13 (in Division 1)

IN: Sam Glenn (Karingal), Tyson Barry (Cranbourne), Zac Burrowes (Edi-Asp), Sam Pickess (returning)

OUT: Lachie Robinson (Mt Eliza), Jason Bedford (Karingal), Chase Harris (Bayswater)

Coach says: “We are looking to improve in areas addressed over the pre-season and believe our young players have all improved with another 12 months of footy under thir belt and a solid pre-seasson. If we can execute on field we expect to be competitive in all games.’’

HASTINGS

Coach: Kevin Lylak

Last year: 3-15

IN: Kevin Lylak (Frankston YCW), Harry Mehrmann (Rye), Jack Butland (Frankston YCW), Jake Milward (Frankston YCW), Caleb Douglas (Frankston YCW), Blake Milham (Heatherhill), Rhys Lylak (Nyora), Tristan Rendell (Langwarrin), Josh Dow (Frankston YCW), Kobe Watson (East Keilor), Jake Dunkley (Lyndale), Logan Paunov (Rosebud), Nathan Gamble (Mt Eliza)

OUT: Colin McVeigh (Leitchville Gunbower), Nic Xerri (Langwarrin)

Coach says: “It’s hard to tell how we’ll go because I haven’t seen a lot of Division 2 footy. I’ve been really impressed with the improvement from the start of pre-season to now. We’ll improve from last season.’’

KARINGAL

Coach: Nathan Burke

Last year: 4-14

IN: Jake Pusch (Pines), Harry Cook (Dromana), Jason Bedford (Frankston Bombers), Harry Cook (Dromana), James Rhook (Hastings), Aaron Hall (returning)

OUT: Tom Curren (King Valley United), Matt Hill (Frankston YCW), Kyle Parrott (Edithvale-Aspendale), Agape Patolo (Langwarrin), Robbie Hill (retired), Dylan Di Vincenzo (Cora Lynn), Sam Glenn (Frankston Bombers), Andrew Dean (Tooradin-Dalmore), Shane Long (Skye), Jordan Pomeroy (Old Peninsula)

Coach says: “A bit of a reset year in learning a new game style, younger players playing more vital roles and experienced players playing new roles. We will be competitive and are expecting progress rapidly as the season progresses.’’

Shane Davidson takes a kick for Pearcedale. Picture: Valeriu Campan

PEARCEDALE

Co-coaches: Peter Bastinac and Brett Eddy

Captain: Jake Frawley

Last year: 11-8 (5th)

IN: Jack McGuiness (returning from injury)

OUT: nil

Coach (Peter Bastinac) says: “We’ve had a strong pre-season. Numbers have been outstanding, averaging 65-plus. We are in a really strong position compared to previous seasons and should have a full list to pick from going into the season starting. Certainly our goal is to finish high on the ladder and we believe we are perfectly placed at the moment.’’

RYE

Coach: Brendon Moore

Captain: Campbell Robbins

Last year: 2-16

IN: Ed Greene (Collegians), Lachlan Croad (Sorrento), Jack Kerr (Old Geelong), Sonny Campbell-Farrell (Stingrays), Justin Barnes (Stingrays), Jesse Dinicolantonio (Rosebud), Tate Dennis (Dromana), Kayne Councillor (Three Springs Bombers), Connor Wallace (Dromana), Jack Austin (Dromana), Dylan Dunstan (Sorrento), Cameron Anthony (South Mornington)

OUT: Harry Mehrmann (Hastings)

Coach says: “We’ll be a lot more competitive for a lot longer. We were in a lot of games last season. We thought we finished the season pretty strong, so we came into pre-season with a fair bit of momentum.’’

Harry Bould with the ball for Seaford. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SEAFORD

Coach: Rohan Bleeker

Captain: Will Kennedy

Last year: 9-9

IN: Lachlan Osborne (Toora), Aaron Johns

OUT: Mitchell Mathie (Langwarrin), Jak Nardino (Frankston Dolphins)

Coach says: “I think we’ve definitely improved from our 9-9 from last year. We played 41 players in the seniors last year which shows the strength of depth we have. We’ll still have an average age of 22. Outside of Hastings, I think that’ll be the youngest in Division 2. The players are hungry, they’ve taken their training standards to another level. This is heavily led by the leaders of the group. I’m excited about Division 2 this year, it’s incredibly even. I don’t think there will be any easy games.’’

SOMERVILLE

Coach: Chris Gamble

Captain: Mason de Wit

Last year: 13-8 (3rd)

IN: Jake Haskett (Rosebud), Lachie Gill-Renouf (Bonbeach), Matt Bullock (Mt Eliza), Jordan Hayter (Old Brighton Grammarians), Elliott Perkins (Old Brighton Grammarians), Will Suhr (Melbourne High School Old Boys)

OUT: Lachie Williams (Rosebud), Nick Mason (Rosebud), Kane McKenzie (Pines)

Coach says: “Hopefully we will push for top three and have a red hot crack at finals and try and break our premiership drought.’’

TYABB

Coach: Matt Haverfield

Captain: Corey Buchan

Last year: 6-12
IN: Andrew Browne (Donald), Dave Gourdis (Lake Boga), Nick Keegan (Olinda Ferny Creek), Tom Heuston (Donald)

OUT: Mark Banham (Cora Lynn)

Coach says: “We’ve done a mountain of work this pre-season. We are going to be hard to play against and exciting to watch.’’