Everything you need to know about the VAFA Division 3 season

The VAFA Division 3 season is almost here 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.

The Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 3 season is nearly upon us.

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

ALBERT PARK

Last season: 7th (6-10)

Coach: Jack Amies

IN: Ash Evans (returning), Dan Donaldson (Melton South), Will Zaghis (Fitzroy), Lewis Parker (Fitzroy), Christopher Doherty (Beechworth), Ben Sinclair, Brandon Rich

OUT: Zak Knight (Clayton)

Players to watch: Dan Donaldson, Josh Rennie, Henry Olive

Verdict: After a year of celebration, the Falcons will be desperate to keep improving potentially eyeing off a place in the top-four. Dan Donaldson is a quality inclusion and if they can continue to get improvement out of some of the younger guys than anything might be possible.

A new era will get underway at Box Hill North. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

BOX HILL NORTH

Last season: 8th (4-12)

Coach: Beau Pathenides

IN: Josh Tucker (Nunawading), Mitch Newman (Nunawading), Warren Schmidt (Chirnside Park), Travis O’Farrell, Andrew Murray (Nunawading)

OUT: Cooper Applegate (The Basin), Ethan Hocking (Ashwood), Cooper Donovan (Wantirna South), Carl Sieger (Ringwood)

Players to watch: Jono Tommasoni, Blake Williams, Mitch Newman

Verdict: Contested ball is going to be a big focus for the Demons throughout the season under a new coach. If their recruits can hit the ground run and establish the brand they want to play we shouldn’t be shocked if they at least double their wins tally compared to 2024.

CHADSTONE

Last season: 11th (2-14)

Coach: Ian Ledder

IN: Thomas Boath, Liam White

OUT: Caleb Rudd (Warrandyte), Connor Noakes (Old Eltham Collegians), Jack Trevethan (Masala)

Players to watch: Ben Ogilvie, Angus Letzing, Hristos Millaras

Verdict: Everything is about growth for the Synners in the short-term future. This year will marked their second since the club made the decision to return to the Division structure, out of Thirds footy. One of the key aspects of their pre-season has been the ability to retain a core group from last season. Wins will come but building playing numbers is what will be so important for the footy club’s future. New coach Ian Ledder brings plenty of experience to the role but it’s his excitement for footy which is going to win the players over.

Eley Park are aiming for consistent improvement. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

ELEY PARK

Last season: 10th (3-13)

Coach: Matt Embling

IN: Dominic Watycha-Signor, Tobey Draffin, Lachlan Briggs-Gordon

OUT: Cam Walkinshaw (South Yarra), Daniel Kaye (Mulgrave)

Players to watch: Ben Field, Zac Hayes, Matt Gallagher

Verdict: Coach Matt Embling has consistently spoken about his desire for his side to improve their footy. They managed to snag a couple of wins last season and if they can find the development which Embling desires, they might be able to pick up a couple of shock wins particularly early in the season.

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

Last season: 9th (3-13)

Coach: Andy Castles

IN: Connor Lee (Bircip-Watchem)

OUT: Lachlan Webb (Finley), Beau Lawrence (Finley), Jackson Haige (Finley), Adam Zimmermann (East Burwood), Luke Nelson (West Brunswick)

Players to watch: Connor McCredden, Jonty Randall, Archie Conboy

Verdict: We probably won’t get a real idea of where La Trobe sits until after the opening month of the season. As coach Andy Castles spoke about in pre-season, the club is consistently dealing with high player turnover and we’re keen to see what sort of young talents they might have landed. A key trio have departed but if they can be replaced with those new faces, finals footy isn’t out of the equation.

NORTH BRUNSWICK BULLS

Last season: Preliminary final (15-2)

Coach: Domenic Fontana

IN: Jackson Bellingham, Jude Ryan (Dunnstown), Zachary Butcher, Dallas Carroll

OUT: Matthew Wallace (Gisborne Giants), Fletcher Banfield (Brunswick), Mitch Hicks (North Brunswick), Adrian Sipala (South Melbourne Districts)

Players to watch: Tom Shembry, Luke Rositani, Sam Watt

Verdict: An interesting season awaits the Bulls. They led most of the way for last season but ultimately fell short of their desired goal – a grand final and promotion. New coach Domenic Fontana has a big job on his hands to help fill the holes left by league best-and-fairest Fletcher Banfield and leading goalkicker Mitch Hicks. There’s been some new faces through the door but we’re interested to see what impact they have. We’ll reserve complete judgement on the Bulls until at least the midway point of the season. But it won’t be a shock if they’re around the mark.

Power House is ready to embrace its new chapter. Photo: Facebook.

POWER HOUSE

Last season: Finals (13-3)

Coach: Nick Cox

IN: Jai Chapman, Zane Westbrook (Queensland)

OUT:

Players to watch: Ben Circosta, Luke Stubbs, Max McCulloch

Verdict: A finals run last season and some neat work in the off-season means Power House are primed for a premiership push in our thoughts. They might not be actively parading their new recruits but they’ve added some nice pieces and proved consistently throughout last season, their very best footy is more than enough to challenge any side in the competition. Nick Cox has taken over the top job, bringing experience from Brighton Grammar. Cox’s strengths include developing young players which could be key in his side’s chances this season.

RICHMOND CENTRAL

Last season: 5th (10-7)

Coach: Michael Motta

IN: Mitchell Gleeson (Rupanyup), Liam Flaherty (London), Brennan Robertson (WA), Zachary Southern (Queensland), Flynn McGuckian, Angus Adams (Rupanyup), Byron Parish (Queensland), Josh Weckert, Angus McKelvie-Hill, Jaxon Billett (Inglewood), Aidan Pini (ANU Griffins)

OUT:

Players to watch: Mitch Gleeson, Jack Bilson, Charlie Spring

Verdict: One of the real flag contenders among supporters and the coaches. The Snakes have recruited very well for Michael Motta’s second season in charge and the season’s early games could see the magnets flipped around a little. Once this side gets up and running – with hopefully some luck on the injury front – we think they’re going to take some beating. Big man Mitch Gleeson is a gun recruit and could easily be the best player in the comp.

Swinburne University is looking to build on seven wins in 2024. Image: Dennis Timm/VAFA Media.

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY

Last season: 6th (7-10)

Coach: Johnny Andrinopoulos

IN: Ben Dalgleish (Old Ivanhoe), Jake McKenzie (Westerns), Nelson Hart (Albury), Noah Clarke

OUT:

Players to watch: Nick Ferguson, Simon Heather, Brad Field

Verdict: Much like La Trobe, the Razorbacks haven’t had a complete idea of what they’ve got to work with until late in pre-season, when university students arrive. There is plenty of reason for celebration this year with the club celebrating its 30th anniversary. Some fresh talent might just push the Razorbacks towards the top-six this season.

WATTLE PARK

Last season: Relegated from Division 2

Coach: Glenn Hopkins

IN: Will McDonell (Kyabram), Rory Harrington (Stony Creek)

OUT: James Marshall (Tasmania)

Players to watch: Joden Crothers, James Rippon, Harry Davis

Verdict: As coach Glenn Hopkins put it in pre-season, the Animals have plenty of room to improve. Relegated from Division 2, they’re looking to immediately bounce back this year and give them a shot at promotion. Our early indications suggest their going to be around the middle of the pack but shouldn’t be discounted from a finals push.