Nathan Stefanile ready to play on and guide South Morang through Division 1 return
South Morang ruckman Nathan Stefanile helped lead the Lions to a history-making premiership, now he wants to cement the club in NFNL Division 1 in 2025.
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Nathan Stefanile knows what it takes to compete in NFNL Division 1.
The towering ruckman is now a four-time Division 2 premiership player after South Morang’s history-making triumph a fortnight ago.
And a best-on-ground performance saw him awarded the grand final medal.
Having missed out on the Lions’ Division 3 flag in 2022 through suspension, he wasn’t going to miss out again.
Now he wants to help guide South Morang through its first top-flight campaign in 40 years, having last played at the level with Whittlesea in 2021.
“I’m planning on staying with the club for a while, I’m coaching there as well,” Stefanile said.
“The boys are fantastic, so as long as they need me I’ll be there.
“It’s been a long time coming for these boys, they’ve done a lot of hard work.
“Three years and two flags is fantastic, I’m super proud of the boys.”
Stefanile was dominant in the ruck, winning hitouts and clearances at will against a younger and more athletic opponent.
However, experience tells on the big stage.
After missing the final two home-and-away matches he returned to help Morang stun his former club – and minor premier – Whittlesea in the major semi-final.
When Diamond Creek made a late run in the grand final it was the Lions’ veteran that stood tall.
Stefanile was typically self-effacing when asked what he thought of his own game after winning the medal.
“I thought it could have gone to a few of the boys,” he said.
“I was just jogging by fat arse around a bit and got a few hitouts.
“Tye Hall was fantastic, so was JD (Josh D’Intinosante) with his goals.”
Stefanile’s influence and impact in the Lions’ line-up was then underlined on Rosbrook Medal night when he polled 15 votes from 11 games to finish equal fifth in the league best-and-fairest.
South Morang coach Gary Hall said his ruckman’s return in the semi-final had been a major factor in the premiership win.
“He was always going to be the difference coming into the team,” Hall said.
“In these conditions too, it was perfect for him.
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“For him to control the contest with his strength and smarts, he deserved to be best-on-ground (in the grand final).”
Making his senior debut for Whittlesea in 2012, Stefanile played an even 100 Division 1 games for the Eagles before moving to Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
He’ll look to lead the Lions’ midfield against the likes of Heidelberg’s Mitch Jorgensen, Montmorency’s Flynn Riley and Team of the Year big man Matt Harman at West Preston-Lakeside.
Liam Jolly will potentially step up his ruck duties next season after playing as a key forward with Stefanile in the team this year.
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