All the key factors ahead of the 2024 WFNL season
The Western Football Netball League Division 1 season looks set to be extremely competitive. Here’s everything from the ins and outs of every club to our verdict.
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The Western Football Netball League season is back.
The 2024 season will see division one return to a top-five finals series as everyone aims to chase down Werribee Districts.
Can someone spring a surprise and leap onto the dais on grand final day?
Here’s everything you need to know.
ALTONA
Coach: Travis Varcoe
In: Hayden Clarke, Jake King
Out: Josh Bench, Connor Menadue
We say: The Vikings enter a new era under new coach Travis Varcoe as they look to build towards under finals series. The loss of Bench leaves a significant hole in the midfield but they’ll be confident of further develop from a number of younger players. After reaching the preliminary final last season, they should be playing finals footy again but don’t immediately stick out as one of the teams to beat.
CAROLINE SPRINGS
Coach: Brian Lake
In:
Out: Ethan Mantas, Will Young, Simon Maiolo.
We say: A quieter off-season than previous years at the Lakers with no big social media announcements of player recruits. Last season, injuries wreaked havoc in Lake’s first season in charge. If they can have a bit more luck this season, there’s no reason why they can’t play finals footy.
HOPPERS CROSSING
Coach: Jared Polec
In: Mitch Kunigiskis, Harry Maguire, Jaxon Sardi, Harley Armstrong-Weston, Jed Anderson.
Out: Ethan Henley
We say: The Warriors battled for much of the 2023 season and will be buoyed by some impressive recruiting in the off-season. Anderson immediately becomes one of the best players in the competition while the return of Armstrong-Weston gives new coach Polec a dominant big man in the centre of the ground. Former senior mentor Adam Contessa afforded senior opportunities to plenty of younger players last season, now it’s about taking another step. Can they close the gap on the top-five?
PARKSIDE
Coaches: Chris Muratore, Michael Licciardo
In: Jean-Luc Velissaris, Ethan Henley, Dean Simmons, John Mona, Ben Leong, Kane Laidley, Lucas Kyriaziz, Brody Varano, Jack Varano, O’Neill Moncrief, Jack Condon, Ethan Langwell, Charlie Di Stefano, Luke Gauci, Jesse Shell, Ethan Mantas, Tom Condon, Sam De Dousa, Cooper Ellis, Sam De Sousa, Kain Lambley.
Out: Shaun Campbell
We say: Back into the top tier and the Magpies haven’t come quietly. They’ve been the busiest WFNL club all off-season with a string of impressive signings. Just how quickly they can put it together might be the difference in where they finish this season. Tom Condon will hit the scoreboard plenty if given opportunity. The loss of Campbell is a big one given his match winning ability. It’s a big step between division one and two but the Magpies must be a smoky for finals footy.
POINT COOK CENTRALS
Coach: Dean Chambers
In: Rikki Newton, Mitchell Laan, Ethan Stankic, Cassius White, Mark Polycarpou, Zac Banch, Domenic De Lia, Matty Davis, Mark Galea, Pele Manivong, James McVey.
Out: Ryan Tandy, Kyle Derose
We say: The Sharks didn’t lose any admirers during their maiden division one campaign in 2023. Importantly, they’ve been able to retain most of their senior list for this season and boosted their depth with some impressive signings. Some of those include players with VFL experience and will add some much needed experience to a younger side. Could a finals push potentially be on the cards?
POINT COOK
Coach: Clay Smith
In: Michael Cilmi, Jock Coates, Austin Hodge, Ryan Jerera, Hugh Wales.
Out: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Luke Dahlhaus, Luke Denny, Dielsea Moloney, Connor McKenzie, Alex Grigg
We say: There has been several changes to the Bulldogs list which reached a maiden division one grand final last season with Dahlhaus’ move to Anakie the most notable difference. Smith has turned to the Gippsland region again in a bid to bolster his side and if it has the same impact as some of last year’s recruits, the Dogs should again be in the mix. Point Cook would have learnt plenty from last year’s grand final defeat and we’re expecting them to lock in a double chance come the end of the season.
SPOTSWOOD
Coach: Tom German
In: Nicholas Wright, Adam Svaljek, Kyle Stephens, Nick Graham.
Out: Joe Townsend-Booth.
We say: After missing out on the top-four last season on percentage, there is plenty of positives for the Woodsman to build off this season. The return of ex-AFL player, Graham, to the club is a big boost for their finals hopes. They were in the middle of the pack last season and you’d expect them to be there about again in German’s second season as coach.
WERRIBEE DISTRICTS
Coach: Chris Gilham
In: Lucas Rocci.
Out: Chris Molivas, Matt Dean, Trent Lee, Cameron Lee.
We say: Some of their premiership stars may have departed but there’s no need for Districts to be too worried. Given the reserves have won back-to-back flags, there is enough depth for Gilham to work with as he and his team pursue a second straight division one flag. That’s without incorporating the under-18s who have also been successful in recent seasons. As it stands, Districts are again the team to beat.
YARRAVILLE SEDDON EAGLES
Coach: Brad Julier
In: Lincoln Roberts, Kevin Johnson, Caleb Clemson.
Out: Nil.
We say: The Eagles are backing in youth this season. If they develop quickly, including the young guns stepping up from the under-18s flag last season, there’s no reason Julier’s side can’t push itself right into a potential premiership push. One of the keys will be making the most of momentum in game. Throughout 2023, the Eagles went down in several close games. Turn that around and anything could be possible. One of the season’s most exciting storylines.
Note: All Western Football Netball League clearances have not been updated online in several weeks.
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