Check out the big changes and predictions for every NFL Division 1 club

The Northern Football League Division 1 will be must-watch football this season. Check out all the major recruits and our season prediction for each club.

Local footy is back.

The Northern Football League Division 1 looks like it could be the must-watch competition in metro footy this season.

With an influx of talented recruits and an already even spread of talent, a host of clubs are in the premiership conversation.

Can West Preston-Lakeside officially make it a hat-trick of titles or will big-spenders Bundoora and Montmorency’s investments pay off?

Check out every club’s big ins and outs, key players and season prediction below.

West Preston-Lakeside players congratulate Ahmed Saad on a goal. Picture: Steve Tanner

WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE

Last season: Minor premier (11-1, 189.91%)

Captain: Ahmed Saad and Nathan Valladares Coach: Rob Maiorana

Big in: Hayden Gill Big out: Jackson Clarke

There’s no doubt Clarke’s return to hometown club Wangaratta – together with Liam McVeigh – leaves a massive hole in the Roosters’ defence. The two-time premiership star was named in the NFL Division 1 Team of the Year three times and was an outstanding clubman. However, the club might have found a future replacement in Northern Knights representative Hayden Gill who’s come across from Division 1 rival Macleod. Former Calder Cannons Aaron Tsarouhas (Brunswick) and Mason Bowden (Robinvale-Euston), Bowden’s EDFL junior representative teammate Steven Callanan (Westmeadows), Northern Knights midfielder Tom McMahon (Mernda) and Cooper Shoebridge (Sunbury) are also all on board.

Key player: Ahmed Saad

Seems pretty obvious given Saad’s dominance in attack. The ex-AFL spearhead was responsible for more than 30 per cent of West Preston-Lakeside’s scoring last season as he won his third league medal with 54 majors. The entire league knows the Roosters go through Saad but no one’s been able to stop him (often) in his four seasons in the competition.

Verdict: The Roosters aren’t going any where soon, Rob Maiorana is too good a coach and the playing list too strong. However, there’s no doubt a couple of clubs have probably caught up in the past couple of seasons and the champions have some quality contenders to deal with in 2022. Finish: 3rd

BUNDOORA

Last season: Second (9-3, 145.56%)

Captain: Luke Collins & Brent Marshall Coach: Michael Ryan

Big in: David Zaharakis Big out: N/A

Always a big summer when you can add a former AFL player and even better if it’s one of Zaharakis’ calibre. The Essendon best-and-fairest winner is a significant boost to the Bulls midfield. Bundoora’s recruiting campaign got even better when Neville Jetta signed on but he’s unlikely to see much action due to VFL and AFL duties at Collingwood. Premiership player Jack Furlong (North Albury) is back, while Essendon VFL listed player Jake Hobbs (Taylors Lakes) and James Condello (Macleod) have also joined. No major departures has the Bulls primed to contend.

Key player: Hamish Shepheard

The obvious choice is Sam Lloyd but Shepheard was everything he promised to be and more in 2021. The former Fremantle-listed big man was a dominant force in the ruck – named there in the Team of the Year – and was also able to impact around the ground, taking one of the marks of the season in the Round 1 loss to West Preston-Lakeside.

Verdict: No two ways about it. A premiership or bust for Bundoora in 2022. The recruiting class is among the best in the Northern Football League and the existing talent was already good enough to compete for a flag. A healthy Sam Lloyd probably wins the goalkicking award. Finish: 1st

Greensborough champion Chris Clark fights off the tackle. Picture: Steve Tanner

GREENSBOROUGH

Last season: Third (9-3, 145.40%)

Captain: Jack Johnston Coach: Saade Ghazi (new)

Big in: Daniel Gorringe Big out: Ben Fennell

Gorringe is a very speculative selection given the former AFL ruckman hasn’t played in the past couple of seasons. Greensborough are certainly in need of a ruckman so if Gorringe can provide his undoubted talent then he could be the recruit of the season. Pinching Joel Trudgeon from neighbours Macleod is a coup but he’ll likely spend the majority of the season at Carlton VFL. Meanwhile, Lucas Aquilina (Epping) will challenge himself at the top level, Mitch Merkel (Panton Hill) and Tristan Stead (AFL London) return and Harvey Daniher (Sunshine) and Will Reinhold (Temora) are very handy pick ups. The loss of 2019 Team of the Year forward Ben Fennell will be felt after the Borough’s leading goalkicker and dangerous playmaker moved down to the Bellarine Peninsula.

Key player: Tom Bell

So much was asked of Bell last season – to be Greensborough’s leading ball-winner and major goalkicking threat. The former Brisbane and Carlton man was the equal leading goalkicker last season with Ben Fennell with 16 goals. However, the return of Merkel and Stead and arrival of Harvey should free him of spearhead duties in 2022 and allow him to return to full-time midfielder where his big body is as damaging as any in the competition.

Verdict: Has COVID robbed the Borough of its premiership chance? Perhaps but an injection of new faces and a new coach could also be exactly what the doctor ordered. There’s more than enough quality at War Memorial Reserve to beat every team in Division 1. Finish: 5th

HEIDELBERG

Last season: Fourth (8-4, 144.78%)

Captain: Sam Gilmore Coach: Danny Nolan

Big in: Brayden Sier Big out: Matt Cecchin

A Banyule junior but Sier will call Warringal Park home in 2022 as he returns to the Northern Football League after 28 AFL games with Collingwood. The bullocking midfielder will slot in nicely alongside Lachie Wilson and Matt Smith. Smith’s brother Kellan arrives from Strathfieldsaye, while Dylan Clarke (Wodonga Raiders), Jacob Kenny (Labrador) and Max Jones (Old Ivanhoe) are also on board. Cecchin’s loss will be felt on and off field with the well-liked Tiger jetting off to Queensland this year. The talented midfielder spent four seasons at the club and was a part of the Northern Football League’s representative side that claimed the No.1 ranking in 2019.

Key player: Lachie Wilson

The star onballer showcased his talents last season despite plenty of attention from opposition taggers and was duly rewarded with his first Rosbrook Medal as the NFL Division 1 best-and-fairest. No doubt rival coaches will have to look even harder at how to nullify his influence this season but he’ll have plenty of help in the Tigers’ engineroom in 2022 with Coaches’ MVP Matt Smith and ex-AFL recruit Brayden Sier riding shotgun.

Verdict: Has the weapons, just the Tigers put it all together? Heidelberg has been self-described as young but can’t use youth an excuse this season. Went 1-4 against fellow top-six teams last season and turning that ratio around will be critical to the Tigers premiership chances. Finish: 4th

Anthony Daw in action for North Heidelberg.

NORTH HEIDELBERG

Last season: Fifth (7-5, 100.80%)

Captain: Kyle McDonald Coach: Jason Heatley

Big in: Nick Matthews Big out: Brayden Perichon

While there’s no Majak Daw-sized signing, the Dogs have certainly made a splash on the recruiting front with the likes of Matthews (Port Douglas), VFL-listed defender Jhye Baddeley-Kelly (Epping), Nick O’Neill (Woorinen), Jake Brown (AFL Sydney), Josh Doherty (Old Paradians), Rhys Gardener (East Sunbury), Brock Chircop (Craigieburn), Tanar Peirce (Mernda) Nathan Johnson (Werribee Centrals) and Zach Reichert (Hurstbridge) all joining the club. However, Matthews’ is likely the most significant given his ability to shutdown the opposition’s best forward every week. Perichon (Elmore) played all but one game last season and provided a reliable game week-in, week-out, while Curtis Brown’s (Whittlesea) dash off half-back will also be missed.

Key player: Jackson Starcevich

The star forward will be full-time in 2022 after missing out on a VFL contract this season. Starcevich only played three games last season, kicking six goals, and will provide much-needed variety in front of goal to ease the load on Shane Harvey and Billy Hogan. Was full forward in the 2017 Division 1 Team of the Year with Northcote Park and if he can replicate that sort of form, North will be in the premiership hunt.

Verdict: Capable of matching with the competition’s big boys, as evidenced by wins over Montmorency and Bundoora last season. An influx of experience should help the club even out the inconsistencies of 2021 and have it right in the finals mix. Finish: 6th

MONTMORENCY

Last season: Sixth (6-6, 98.14%)

Captain: Sam Binion & Stef Uzelac Coach: Garry Ramsay

Big in: Liam Buxton Big out: Vinny Loccisano

Montmorency’s midfield was already well stocked before the arrival of Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs) and his former AFL teammate Mitch Honeychurch (Vermont). It is in the ruck that new recruit Liam Buxton (Vermont) will have the biggest impact. Star big men don’t grow on trees and now the Magpies have one of the best in local footy. Buxton was dominant in the Eastern league and will provide his midfielders with first use more often than not. Danko Bzenic (Airport West) returns to Montmorency Park in a further boost. The new arrivals were always going to force someone out and Vinny Loccisano has switched to St Mary’s for 2022. The reliable midfielder played 11 games for Monty last season. Ben Kennedy moved to South Australia last year after injuring his hamstring in the season opener.

Key player: Stef Uzelac

A favourite of coach Garry Ramsay, Uzelac was forced to do the bulk of the ruck work last season due to Montmorency’s lack of height but Buxton’s arrival will allow him to slot back to centre half-back where his marking prowess could be a major weapon. The young tall played 10 games last season and has been elevated to co-captain alongside Sam Binion.

Verdict: All eyes will be on Monty this season after blitzing the summer recruiting campaign. Jong, Buxton, Honeychurch and Bzenic – plus a full-time Binion – is as good a recruiting class as there’s been in recent seasons. Finals is a must, a premiership would be expected. Finish: 2nd

MACLEOD

Last season: Seventh (5-7, 89.79%)

Captain: Hamish Paynter Coach: Craig Hayes (new)

Big in: Luke Joyce Big out: Rhys Gleisner

The Kangas have been on the wrong side of the recruiting market this off-season losing youngsters Joel Trudgeon (Greensborough) and Hayden Gill (West Preston-Lakeside) to Division 1 rivals, while reliable defender Gleisner (Hadfield) is off to the EDFL and wingman Sahand Ghasimzadah (PEGS) to the VAFA. Importantly, new coach Craig Hayes has lured dangerous goalkicker Luke Joyce back to the club from Banyule after he booted 28 goals – second most in Division 2 – in 2021, while Central Murray premiership player Dom Gallo (Woorinen) and Charlie Smyth (Banyule) have also signed on.

Key player: Ned McKeown

The star defender made an impressive return to DeWinton Park in 2021 after spending a season in the Ovens and Murray league. McKeown earnt Team of the Year honours and picked up seven Rosbrook Medal votes (equal first at the club) after playing all 12 games. Will be critical to Macleod’s hopes to returning to Division 1 finals in 2022.

Verdict: The Kangas have been sliding down the Division 1 ladder for the past couple of seasons and were probably on the wrong side of the recruiting battle over summer. It’s a big call to dismiss a club that won five games last season but Macleod could well be facing a relegation fight this season. Finish: 10th

HURSTBRIDGE

Last season: Eighth (3-9, 65.19%)

Captain: Lachlan East Coach: Jarrod Tilley & Brayden Shaw

Big in: Michael Florance Big out: Cameron Cloke

The obvious choices might be ex-AFL-listed Kye Declase or VFL-listed Sunny Brazier but both are expected to spend the vast majority of the season at VFL level, instead ruckman Florance looms as Hurstbridge’s most important addition. The North Heidelberg premiership player gives the Bridges instant impact in a position critical to success at the level. Liam and Dayne Middleton and Caelen Anderson (all Craigieburn), Ty Franks (Diamond Creek), Nick Kent (Doncaster), Jacob Smith (Banyule), Noel Murray (year off) and Billy Shute (Kew) have also come on board. Meanwhile, Cameron Cloke’s (Templestowe) decision to continue his career elsewhere will rob the club of a dominant forward target but the continued development of Joel Naylor and Bailey Jordan should lessen the damage. Nick Milne (Old Eltham Collegians), Angus Butterfield (Central Murray), Zach Reichert (North Heidelberg) are also gone.

Key player: Joel Naylor

A dazzling debut season by Naylor saw him kick 36 majors last season, good enough for third most in Division 1. Now the former Calder Cannons forward needs to back it up. He’s got running mate Bailey Jordan to take some of the pressure off but the Bridges will still be relying heavily on his young shoulders to carry the bulk of the scoring workload.

Verdict: Have recruited well, bringing in a capable Division 1 ruckman, Craigieburn’s reigning best-and-fairest and improving the club’s depth. Any appearance by Declase and Brazier would be an added bonus. If Naylor and Bailey can fire again up forward then the Bridges should settle safely in mid-table. Finish: 7th

Bailey Jordan in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

WHITTLESEA

Last season: Ninth (2-10, 63.48%)

Captain: Xavier Dimasi Coach: Blair Harvey

Big in: Jarrad Waite Big out: Nathan Stefanile

The Eagles made one of the biggest recruiting splashes of the off-season when they lured Waite north from VAFA power St Kevin’s. While the former Carlton and North Melbourne spearhead might have just turned 39, he’ll still be more than a handful for opposition defences and barring injury will give the leading goalkicker race a shake. He’s not the only new face at the Showgrounds with Curtis Brown (North Heidelberg) and David Mennen (Benalla) also signing on. VFL star Corey Wagner has made Whittlesea his aligned club but should spend most of the season at Port Melbourne. Losing a ruckman is always a blow and Stefanile was a premiership winner in 2019. The reliable big man played seven games last season but will join South Morang for 2022. Nathan Andrews will also step back to Division 3 with Laurimar, while Matt Coen is off to Kinglake. While they’re not leaving the club if Blake Watson (Sandringham) and Zach Molloy (Collingwood) spent significant time at VFL level, it would be a major blow to the Eagles hopes.

Key player: Blake Watson

The young midfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021 and was rewarded with a contract at VFL club Sandringham. While Whittlesea will be rapt to see its young player step up a level it will no doubt hope to see him as often as possible in 2022 to boost its relegation survival hopes. In Watson, skipper Dimasi, Paul Higgins and Jaron Murphy et al, the Eagles have a more-than-capable midfield.

Verdict: The Eagles showed a bit in their return to Division 1 in 2021 and should be better for the experience. If the big guns fire (and aren’t required at VFL level) then survival is well within reach. Jarrad Waite is capable of kicking big bags of goals, barring injury, and will have a big say in Whittlesea’s fortunes. Finish: 9th

NORTHCOTE PARK

Last season: 10th (0-12, 50.09%)

Captain: Paul Dirago Coach: Steve Saddington

Big in: Alex Boyse Big out: Matt Grocott

Boyse is one of three recruits from EDFL outfit Essendon Doutta Stars, including JJ Liston Trophy winner Jordan Schroder and ruckman Matt D’Angelo. However, Boyse could have the biggest impact of the three with his ability as a key forward or key back. The Cougars are well stocked in defence so Boyse could be the go-to forward in 2022. In a further boost Lucas and Jordan Perry return to Bill Lawry Oval from Marcellin. Disappointingly, after an impressive debut season that saw him kick the second most goals at the club Matt Grocott has crossed to Uni Blacks, while Nick Carter has been lured to Ivanhoe.

Key player: Paul Dirago

Wanted to say Reed Jepson after he played 2021 basically as a lone-hand in defence for Northcote Park but that’s why Dirago will be so important in 2022. The Cougars captain was restricted to just six games due to a series of injuries last season and his importance to his team can’t be underestimated. A fit Dirago – whether he’s at centre half-back or centre half-forward – will go a long way to deciding the club’s fate.

Verdict: Capable of climbing off the canvas of a winless season last year with some astute recruiting but must avoid the spate of injuries that has cruelled the club. The top-end talent is there but depth continues to be an issue at Bill Lawry Oval. Finish: 8th