Everything you need to know about the VAFA Division 2 2025 season

The VAFA Division 2 season is days away and we’ve broken down every club’s hopes. See all the new faces, the exits, the players set to shape their side’s season and our verdict.

South Melbourne Districts is eyeing off another finals run. Image: Cath Coady/VAFA Media.

The Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 2 season is almost upon us.

Check out all the key information for every club from the ins and outs to the key players and our verdict.

AQUINAS

Last season: 8th (5-13)

IN: Griffin Box (Vermont), Isaac Curtis (Park Orchards), Sam Box (basketball), Harry Hall, Toby Love (Box Hill North)

OUT: Garrison Asciak (Silvan)

Key players: Jacob Costello, Michael Di Donato, Harry Flack

Verdict: The Bloods made it a key goal to get fitter in the off-season and coach Craig Glennie went about a big pre-season. A key to improving onn the five wins last season will be player availability. They lost three key players late in 2024 but there will be some opportunity for young players throughout this season. If the new faces can have an impact, a mid-table finish at minimum looks like the finishing position for Aquinas.

CANTERBURY

Last season: Division 3 premiers

IN: Jasper Roe, Mac Yorston, Troy Wilson, Adam Marx, Rob di Doberto, Oscar Millward, Jordan Tempoulos, Matt Halls, Jack Hanley (De La Salle)

OUT: Caleb Rudd (Warrandyte)

Key players: Michael Topp, Mitch Szabo, James Boarotto

Verdict: After being around the mark for much of last season in Division 3, the Cobras produced a brilliant finals series to storm to the premiership. New coach Steven Brown arrives with the challenge of keeping his side in the division. Importantly he’s managed to keep much of the core group together and has already declared they need to get “10 to 15 per cent better”. At their very best, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Canterbury to at least break even with their record this season. Some early wins might be key to where they finish.

A new challenge awaits Canterbury. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

HAWTHORN

Last season: 5th (11-7)

IN: Daniel Boules, Suhrab Eqbal, Daniel Carroll-Hughes, James Constantine, Evan Menis, Daniel Simpson, Phillip Edgar (Benalla)

OUT: Luke Huber (Black Rock), Charlie Boots (Alexandra), Cooper Rule (Caulfield Grammarians)

Key players: Phillip Edgar, Jack Kenny, Eamonn Avery

Verdict: The Hawks were their own worst enemy at times throughout last season with inconsistent form ultimately proving their undoing as they fell half-a-game short of finals footy. The loss of Charlie Boots and Cooper Rule leaves coach Mark Murray with some big holes to fill but Phil Edgar’s late arrival is an impressive signing. The ex-St Kevin’s player spent last season in country footy. Hawthorn’s best is good enough and if they can close the gap between their worst performances they’ll be right at the pointy end

MHSOB

Last season: 6th (7-10)

IN: Allister Clarke (Coolamon), Tom Golz (returning), Petro Pirozek (returning), Ashey Claney (Hadfield)

OUT:

Key players: Petro Pirozek, Mathew Pereira, Nick McKinnon

Verdict: The key for the Unicorns in the off-season has been the ability to retain players and add to what coach Bernie Pretty described as a “new kind of list”. After mid-table finishes in the last couple of seasons, improvement is a must this year and MHSOB should be looking to win around 10 games and potentially be in the mix for finals footy. One of their biggest challenges will be finding consistency in the latter half of the season. Last year, they didn’t win back-to-back games after the halfway point.

MHSOB are seeking greater consistency. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

OLD YARRA COBRAS

Last season: Relegated from Division 1

IN: Luke Morris (Nunawading), Yaya Bushnaq (East Ringwood), Callum Copeland (East Ringwood), Anthony Larkey

OUT: Lewis Mitchell (Croydon North MLOC)

Key players: Anthony Raso, Ben Makowski, Elliott Brandon-Jones

Verdict: There should be plenty of optimism for coach Nathan Monaco and his players this season. Last year might have ended in disappointment, due to relegation, but the Cobras know what it takes to win at this level. Injuries hampered their efforts for survival but if key players can stay healthy, don’t be surprised if Monaco’s side is right in the mix for finals footy. They will be hoping the new faces can settle quickly and add some more potency to one of the quality line-ups on paper at this level.

SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS

Last season: 3rd (12-6)

IN: Adrian Sipala (North Brunswick), Tom Hill

OUT: Jamie Brooker (De La Salle), Aris Moustakas, Jess Mildenhall, Calum Wilson, Conor Byrne (Kew)

Key players: Jesse Andrew, Tom Foley, Zaron Smith

Verdict: They’ve consistently been in the mix in recent seasons and this year should be no different. One of the biggest challenges for coach Nick Abbott will be finding a new main avenue to goal after Jamie Brooker elected to challenge himself at a higher level. Districts continue to have exciting young guns coming through the ranks and it would be no shock if some new names emerge throughout the season. A top-four finish at minimum should be the club’s goal.

ST JOHN’S

Last season: Division 3 runner-up

IN: Nicholas Beer (Keysborough), Kody Seing (Beaconsfield), James Day (Rowville), Jarryd Cipressi (Keysborough)

OUT:

Key players: Corey Ely, Daniel Abou-Karroum, Callum Houghton

Verdict: The club earned promotion last season. Now the JOCs are turning to youth to continue leading the club forward after a number of experienced heads played key roles in last year’s grand final run. Coach Tim Edwards has this group on the right path and a lot of the new faces who have arrived will be right around the fringes of senior selection only adding depth. How quickly they find their feet at a higher level could play a key role in determining where they finish.

ST MARY’S SALESIAN

Last season: 7th (6-11-1)

IN: Ed Bourke (St Kevin’s)

OUT:

Key players: Trent Ryan, Jeremy Bourke, Ben Tricarico

Verdict: Coach Clay Tait has already declared his side is ready to take the next step forward this season and now it’s about his players putting it into action. Last season was very much about building momentum for this group after a heavy recruiting drive and they’ve been much quieter this time around. Ed Bourke’s arrival helps strengthen the spine, a must at local level. Trent Ryan was the leading goalkicker last season and should be a key figure again. The Saints will be hopeful of winning 10 games.

Can St Mary’s make a run at the top-four? Photo: VAFA Media.

WEST BRUNSWICK

Last season: Relegated from Division 1

IN: Daniel Fitzgerald (NTFL), Luke Nelson (La Trobe), Caleb Bloomer (WA)

OUT: Thomas Zafiropoulos (Caulfield Grammarians), Mark Robinson (Wedderburn)

Key players: Emlyn Nettleton, Brock Ward, Bill Irving

Verdict: Four wins last season before relegation proved to the Magpies they could compete in Division 1 but ultimately a lack of consistency let them down. The loss of Zafiropoulos will hurt their routes to goal but co-coach Will Dillon has already said he’s confident his playing group has responded well in pre-season. Don’t be surprised if the Magpies were to lift their first senior premiership in a decade this season.

WHITEFRIARS

Last season: 4th (11-6-1)

IN: Fergus Ward

OUT: Tristan Young (Prahran)

Key players: Sam Kieseker, Nicholas Garratt, Max Warrick

Verdict: A finalist last season, Whitefriars showed at different stages its best footy was arguably the best in the competition. We’re expecting the club to be right in the mix at the pointy end of the season once again. They haven’t been on a major recruiting drive and continued development from younger players could be the start of something special.