Rising stars: The best young players in OEFN in 2025
The Outer East league is bursting with young talent. We’ve named 40 of the best rising stars. Here’s who made the list.
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Exciting young talent is flourishing throughout the Outer East Football Netball competition, with the finest prospects catching our attention.
Meet the elite “young guns” who are shining across both divisions of the OEFN this season.
Konnor Allcott (Gembrook Cockatoo)
A developing talent in his fourth senior season since debuting at 16, transitioning from wingman to midfield/forward with strong goal-kicking ability.
Lachlan Alderman (Wandin)
The club’s U18s co-captain who demonstrates strong leadership qualities and shows excellent potential to become a highly impactful senior contributor.
Jasper Barry (Mt Evelyn)
A fleet-footed wingman whose pinpoint kicking and outstanding aerobic capacity allows him to create opportunities through intelligent positioning and quality ball delivery.
Tony Biddiscombe (Healesville)
The U17 eligible half back/wing displays mature decision-making and polished skills while throwing himself into every contest with determination.
Patrick Beggs (Belgrave)
A club junior who went straight from U17 to the senior ranks. Had a stand-out season in 2024, winning the reserves best and fairest and was named best on ground in the winning grand final. This year has played every senior game as a key forward and change-up ruckman.
Chris Bourne (Gembrook Cockatoo)
A versatile forward-ruckman who has excellent endurance, strong marking ability and provides quality follow-up work around the ground.
Michael Bourne (Gembrook Cockatoo)
A centre half-back who excels as an intercepting defender, with exceptional athletic ability and strong reliable defensive contributions.
Liam Bowden (Mt Evelyn)
An athletic defender who excels in both lockdown defensive roles and as an interceptor, providing valuable versatility and consistent defensive reliability.
Cayden Black (Wandin)
A tough and uncompromising recruit from South Belgrave who significantly improves the side, making an impact in the middle and showing character and resilience.
Jayden Capuano (Yarra Glen)
A young onballer who is establishing himself through his physical, uncompromising game style, with his defensive pressure and protective plays also catching attention.
Daniel Chamberlin (Mt Evelyn)
A dynamic goal-scoring forward who excels with strong aerial presence and consistently demonstrates excellent composure when the ball hits the deck.
Gabriel Conboy, Woori Yallock
A steadily improving player who made his senior debut this season after graduating from the U18s. Has strong potential.
Fletcher Daniel (Powelltown)
An inside midfielder who cracks in all day, never shies away from contests and consistently loves rolling up his sleeves to get his hands dirty.
Diesel De Santis (Officer)
The Under 17 eligible defender played a handful of senior games last year and has taken a giant leap forward this season, appearing in the Roos’ in five of his eight senior games.
Jake Ferris (Yarra Glen)
A towering young forward who has featured in every senior match this season, the 17-year-old offers Yarra Glen a dependable marking target up forward.
Riley Finlay (Monbulk)
Due to injuries he has transitioned into the midfield after previously playing in the backline as a pocket/flank. Fantastic one-on-one player, rarely gets beaten.
Riley Frankcombe (Alexandra)
A tireless left-footed wingman who has captured attention this season with his outstanding fitness base and willingness to provide width across the entire field. Only 19 but is already a seasoned campaigner with three years of senior football under his belt.
Brad Frater (Gembrook Cockatoo)
An emerging midfielder who has good pace, excellent ball-winning ability, clean disposal, quick acceleration and thrives in traffic.
Jack Freedman (Seville)
Has only played a handful of senior games but he’s really strong, plays effectively in the forward line and brings good pressure.
Ned Ford (Olinda Ferny Creek)
An evasive, composed and highly-talented player who consistently demonstrates star qualities.
Ben Green (Pakenham)
The former Gippsland Power skipper plays mid/forward for the Lions and is always influential as a creative and physical player with excellent ball use.
Bailey Grose (Emerald)
Making a seamless transition to senior football in his maiden campaign, the talented defender has been outstanding with his ability to both shut down opponents and launch attacking plays.
Mason Hall (Pakenham)
In his first season of senior footy, the young gun has lots of tricks and genuine X-factor. Has kicked 29 goals from his 13 games.
Justin Hale (Mt Evelyn)
A tough inside midfielder who excels in contested situations and has the ability to break lines with penetrating runs and effective disposal.
Tyson Henry (Warburton Millgrove)
A talented teenage on-baller who won the club’s best and fairest at 17, and has continued his excellent form this season.
Percy Hyett (Olinda Ferny Creek)
A tough, explosive and determined player who consistently ranks among the Bloods’ best performers this season with outstanding contributions across all areas.
Bailey Humphrey (Warburton Millgrove)
The dangerous forward has kicked 48 goals already this season including a bag of 10 against Yarra Glen in Round 9.
Patrick Huynh (Warburton Millgrove)
A fast and skilful midfielder who has starred this season and is known for flourishing with blistering best-afield displays on big stages.
Asher Inaps (Mt Evelyn)
An intercept defender who excels with ball in hand, consistently providing reliable defensive rebounds and delivering quality disposal under pressure situations.
Camdyn Jones (Wandin)
A 16-year-old who made an impressive debut against Woori Yallock, holding his own while playing 80 percent of the game on the wing.
Jack Liddle (Officer)
After an outstanding Under 19 season, Liddle has transitioned strongly into senior footy with several mentions in Officer’s best players.
Patrick Mckimmie (Emerald)
A reliable key defender who consistently takes on the opposition’s best forward each week and performs exceptionally well in this crucial role.
Oscar Moreton (Yarra Junction)
Despite being only 18, this young gun has caught the eye with his polished skill set and calm decision-making in crucial moments.
Blake Morison (Seville)
Only 19 years old, plays forward and is starting to move through the midfield, possessing really good speed and excellent disposal skills.
Patty Murphy (Mt Evelyn)
This elusive wing player combines sharp finishing skills with the speed to slice through defensive structures, making him a constant threat when moving the ball forward.
Sam Nicholson (Yea)
After returnng to football has played every game in seniors, holding down full back and taking on the best forward each week. Has been labelled Yea’s most eligible bachelor.
Zack Papadopoulos (Yea)
Commenced playing senior footy at age 16 in 2024, and has played every game in the senior side in 2025. One of the fittest players at the club, and very dedicated to his craft, establishing himself in the wing position, as well as some opportunity to start inside the centre square.
Mason O’Neill (Seville)
This dependable 17-year-old has proven his worth with an impressive return of 22 goals across 14 appearances, combining his forward pocket duties with midfield rotations and relentless defensive intensity.
Max Rees (Powelltown)
16yo who had his first taste of senior footy this year. Hasn’t looked back. Clever, versatile player with good foot work. Gets better every week and can be thrown anywhere.
Hunter Ryan (Woori Yallock)
A skilful half-back who provides plenty of run from defence and demonstrates exceptional talent, having represented U16 Victorian Metro last year.
Luke Ryan (Pakenham)
The VFL listed mid/forward is tall, athletic and a natural leader. Has been outstanding in eight appearances for the Lions this seaosn.
Francis Seal (Olinda Ferny Creek)
A tough, dynamic and classy vice-captain who leads by example, booting 19 goals in 12 games this season with consistent impact.
Brodie Snooks (Officer)
First year out of U19s but has played senior footy for three years and continues to impress. Can sniff a goal from the entrance gates.
Archie Spencer (Woori Yallock)
A talented 16-year-old Eastern Ranges midfielder who sizzles at senior level, demonstrating exceptional ability that often attracts opposition tagging attention.
Bailey Stiles (Pakenham)
This forward leader’s presence and fierce approach to every contest have been instrumental in driving the Lions’ impressive season.
Will Stow (Belgrave)
A club junior who went to Upwey at the end of his U17 season and went on and won the U19 league B&F last year. Returned to Belgrave to start his senior football career and has played every game this season. Attacks the ball hard and is a good inside mid and when he goes forward his tackle pressure is off the chart.
Mitch Summers (Belgrave)
Plays ruck and Powelltown champion Ben Wratten actually gave him a wrap after playing against him on the weekend. He came across from Beaconsfield this season and has not missed a beat this year.
Matt Szczesny (Upwey Tecoma)
This composed performer has showcased his technical ability, combining polished skills with increasing belief in his own abilities.
Josh Trembath (Pakenham)
A terrific decision maker, highly skilled and plays tall or small as a defender/midfielder.
Josh Vennex (Wandin)
A U18s-eligible first-year senior who excels as a contest-driven defender/wingman. Has natural leadership and demonstrates exceptional potential as a long-term key player.
Dylan Walker (Warburton Millgrove)
A versatile backman who delivers both lockdown defence and creative play, building on his second-place senior best and fairest finish as 16yo three years ago.
Liam Westlake (Warburton Millgrove)
Dynamic forward who has kicked 22 goals in 10 games in the Burras’ seniors this season. Uber talented with a touch of class. Has 119 goals in senior footy, and he’s only 19.
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