We name the surprises at every Northern league club so far this season

They might not get the spotlight but these are the recruits repaying the faith or players taking their game to a new level at every Northern league club.

The surprise packets of the Northern league season.

They might not get the limelight like some of their teammates.

However, these are the types of players that can sometimes be the difference in a club’s season.

Whether they’re a new recruit or a returning player taking his game to a new level.

We’re now a third of the way into the NFNL Division 2 and 3 seasons and Division 1 isn’t far behind.

Players across the league are stepping up and becoming important parts of clubs’ plans.

Parker Heatley in action for the Northern Knights.

Parker Heatley (North Heidelberg)

Has produced a dazzling start to the season and leads the league goalkicking with 23 majors, kicking bags of nine against Greensborough, six against West Preston-Lakeside and five against Bundoora. It sees him sit fourth in Coaches’ MVP voting with 19.

Jack Sammartino (Banyule)

Came across to the Bears from Northcote Park last season but only played the seven games. Has started 2024 on fire with a string of impressive performances, earning mentions in the best in each of the past three games and sitting sixth in Coaches’ MVP voting.

Zac Hudson (Macleod)

Was arguably the recruit of the year last season, stepping up from Division 2 with St Mary’s. However, despite Macleod’s struggles, he’s gone to another level in 2024 and is the competition’s No.1 ruckman. Sits third in Coaches’ MVP voting, polling in four of five matches.

Zac Hudson in action for Macleod. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Deakin Lawler (Greensborough)

Played seven senior games last season but spent the majority of the year in the under-19s. However, he’s taken every opportunity so far this season and, amazingly, is sixth in Coaches’ MVP voting, earning a perfect 10 votes against West Preston-Lakeside.

Hayden Bolzon (Bundoora)

Started the season in the reserves but a strong performance saw him elevated back into the senior team and he hasn’t looked back. Bolzon was amongst the Bulls’ best in the grand final rematch loss to Heidelberg.

Ayhan Bajramov (Montmorency)

Came across from EFNL Division 2 club Heathmont and has been arguably Montmorency’s best player this season. Playing as a forward-mid, the big-bodied Magpie has 10 goals in five matches and has polled Coaches’ MVP votes in two matches.

Ayhan Bajramov marks for Montmorency. Picture: Field of View Photography

Matt Byron (Eltham)

The key forward was limited to six senior games last season and missed out on the Panthers’ premiership. He’s got an opportunity this season and run with it, kicking at least one goal in every match for a total of eight.

Dante Colosimo (West Preston-Lakeside)

Not really a surprise to see the reigning NFNL Division 1 Under-19 league best-and-fairest winner step into senior football and impress. However, Colosimo has shone brightly so far this season and polled Coaches’ MVP votes in each of the past three matches. Kicked bags of five against Eltham and Macleod for 17 goals – second most in the comp.

Mitch Jorgensen (Heidelberg)

Has stepped into Sam Gilmore’s big boots seamlessly, continuing Heidelberg’s ruck dominance. The big man has also been able to hit the scoreboard when resting forward with six goals in five outings. Earned a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes in the grand final rematch win over Bundoora.

Mitchell Jorgensen flies in the ruck for Heidelberg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Jack Stewart (Hurstbridge)

Already an established senior player but looks to have taken his game to a new level this season. In the opening five games he’s bettered last season’s mark of mentions in the best with standout performances in the past three weeks.

James Traianou (South Morang)

Lions coach Gary Hall called it at the start of the season, if Traianou could get his body right he’d be one of the best in the competition. He hasn’t disappointed and with votes in five of the opening six matches he leads the Coaches’ MVP voting alongside Whittlesea’s Xavier Dimasi.

Jacob Thompson (Northcote Park)

What’s the saying about pressure creating diamonds? The Cougars might just have unearthed a gem in Thompson. The key forward made his debut against Watsonia a fortnight ago and booted four goals and backed it up with three against Laurimar. Played four games for VAFA Premier outfit Old Melburnians last season.

Joel Lawson (Laurimar)

The Power young gun has gone to a new level this season. Lawson has 17 goals in six matches, second most in the competition, but perhaps more importantly sits fifth in Coaches’ MVP voting with 20, including eight against Northcote Park and seven against Lower Plenty.

Seth Hill (Lower Plenty)

Just 17 but shining in senior football. The young ruck-forward has played every game this season and is learning from one of the competition’s best big men in recent history, Patrick Flynn. Has five goals in six matches and starred in the win over Laurimar.

Ethan Lowe (Watsonia)

After 10 matches at Macleod last season, came to Watsonia chasing regular senior football and has blossomed. Leads the Division 2 goalkicking with 23 majors, bagging six goals against South Morang and five against Northcote Park and Diamond Creek.

Matt Brennan (Diamond Creek)

Made his senior debut in 2022 but played under-19s exclusively last season. Has stepped into the senior team this year and taken the opportunity with both hands. Produced a best-on-ground performance on Saturday against Watsonia and was rewarded with a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes.

Joseph Maggio (St Mary’s)

One of the club’s most experienced players but has taken another step up in 2024. After just six match he has been named in the Burras’ best five times, almost equalling his tally from 18 outings last season.

Youseph Dib (Thomastown)

Seems silly to call him a surprise packet given he was close to getting drafted a couple of years ago and has VFL experience. However, there’s no doubt Thomastown would be more than happy with his output so far, kicking eight goals and earning Coaches’ MVP votes in the past two matches, including BOG honours against Laurimar.

Taidhg Bland in action for Whittlesea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Taidhg Bland (Whittlesea)

Labelled a future Division 1 A-grader by coach Garry Ramsay earlier this season, Bland is certainly playing like one at the moment. The Eagles young gun is third in Coaches’ MVP voting after a perfect 10-vote performance against Panton Hill. Named in the best four times already, which is as many as he received all of last season.

Christian Roberts (Panton Hill)

Was a bit of an unknown commodity coming into 2024 having not played in 2023 and played reserves for Montmorency in 2022. However, the 2021 Division 1 Under-19 league best-and-fairest is showing his class for the Redbacks and was among the club’s best in Saturday’s loss to Whittlesea.

Nathan Parkes (Lalor)

The Preston Bullants premiership player has been a massive inclusion for the Bloods this season, bringing a calmness to defence and providing a much-needed intercept-marking presence. Such has been his influence, he sits fourth in Coaches’ MVP voting despite Lalor winning two of six games.

Lincoln Coffey (Mernda)

Arguably the biggest surprise packet of the season across the NFNL. Coffey is just 16 years old but has played every game in the seniors thus far. The youngster hasn’t been a token selection either, kicking eight goals in his six appearances and earning a mention in the best three times.

Nick Geary (Ivanhoe)

Has been a consistent senior player for the Hoers for several years but has taken on a bigger role in defence this season. Marshalls a backline that has conceded the fewest points in Division 3 and held gun forwards such as Mernda’s Bryce Kimuliatis quiet.

James Trajkovski (Fitzroy Stars)

The youngster was playing under-17s for West Preston-Lakeside just two seasons ago. Established himself as a senior player at Fitzroy Stars in 2023 and has continued his improvement this season with a string of fine performances. Also hitting the scoreboard with four goals.

Kieran Robertson (Reservoir)

Played just eight games for the Mustangs last season and hadn’t played since 2018 prior to that. Has been a shining light in 2024, earning a mention in the best in five of six matches this season.

Jake Conway (Epping)

Spent most of last season in the reserves but has clearly stepped up in 2024. The Pingers’ forward has 11 goals in six matches, including a bag of five against Heidelberg West, and is cementing himself as a senior player.

Patrick Molony (Heidelberg West)

Took a year off last season after time with VAFA club Parkside in 2022 and Banyule under-19s. Arrived at Heidelberg Park over summer and has stepped straight into a key role for the Hawks, playing through the ruck and key position in defence. His influence has seen him earn a mention in the best three times in five outings.

Bailey Taylor-Egan (Kilmore)

Think it’s fair to say the entire league is pleased to see Taylor-Egan back on the field and performing well after having most of last year off due to concussion issues. Has booted eight goals in five matches for Kilmore and been named in the best four times.

Nick Kolotylo (Old Paradians)

A regular senior player for the Raiders before the move to the Northern league but Kolotylo is clearly revelling in the new competition. Has already racked up three mentions in the best in five matches

Campbell Prior (Old Eltham Collegians)

Hadn’t played a senior game since 2021 with Panton Hill and started the season in the reserves but has stepped up in the past three matches and more than held his own. Will now be looking to cement his place in the team and help the Turtles continue their undefeated start to the season.

Tom McErlain (Kinglake)

Was playing under-18s in 2022 before cementing himself as a senior player last season. However, has taken another step this season, impressing despite Kinglake’s early struggles. Has been named in the best three times in five outings, beating last season’s effort of only one.