Everything you need to know about the WFNL Division 1 2025 season

The WFNL Division 1 season is 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.

Yarraville will be chasing another finals place. Photo: Andrew Batsch

The Western Football Netball League Division 1 season is almost upon us.

Twelve teams will contest this year’s competition with Albion, Newport and Sunshine all promoted.

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

ALBION

Last season: Division 2 runner-up

In: Judd Brewster, Jack Bettin, Kane Holden, Maysen Murgov, Heath Ollington, Zac Ollington, Daniel Rosenzweig, Blake Taylor

Out:

Players to watch: Caleb Macpherson, Darcy Macpherson, Chris Tomazos

Verdict: They fell short of the ultimate prize last season but have still made the step up into the top tier. Importantly, the Cats have managed to hold onto most of their list and add some fresh faces to help them challenge consistently in this division. We think their best footy will be enough good to pick up a few wins and continue to build upon their return to Division 1. Many of the new faces should challenge for senior places which means the Cats should have some significant depth.

Albion is back in Division 1. Photo: Andrew

ALTONA

Last season: 4th

In: Connor Bulley, Emerson Jeka, Tyler Padgett

Out: Jake Whybrow (Barwon Heads), Nathan Clarke (Airport West)

Players to watch: Emerson Jeka, Cooper Atchison, Colby Redpath

Verdict: Travis Varcoe’s Vikings have plenty of quality at the top level and the biggest challenge is going to be their depth. Jeka’s return to his junior club will provide a significant key position prospect who can play at either end of the ground. Atchison is well respected among rival coaches and continues to be an important part of this side. Altona made the finals last year with nine wins and we’re expecting they’ll be around a similar mark this season.

CAROLINE SPRINGS

Last season: 2nd

In: Cooper Bond, Ben Caluzzi, Frank Campisi, Malik Elfakahani, Shaun Ellis, Oscar Gordon, Ethan Mantas, Carlo Riccardi

Out: Nathan Aidonis (Diggers Rest)

Players to watch: Ben Caluzzi, Max Tessari, Alex Paech

Verdict: The premiership favourite in the eyes of many onlookers. Brian Lake’s side saw their season end in disappointment in 2024, a straight sets final exit. They’ve bolstered their playing list significantly for the season ahead and those quality additions are going to keep the Lakers at the top of the ladder for the entire season. How quickly they gel is an interesting watch.

HOPPERS CROSSING

Last season: Premier

In: Jalen Jaimangal, Klyde Milroy, Arkii Van Wills, Jason Pongracic

Out: Jackson Viola (Sunshine Heights), Harley Armstrong-Weston (Sunshine Heights)

Players to watch: Jed Anderson, Harry Maguire, Braden Ferrari

Verdict: The Warriors managed a dream run to flag last season, coming from fifth on the ladder. The challenge is now whether Jared Polec’s side can take the next step during the home-and-away season to give themselves a better seeding. The loss of Armstrong-Weston is a huge one with one rival coach calling him “the best player in the league last year”. Pongracic’s late return is a major positive and adds VFL experience. Harry Maguire, the star of last year’s grand final, might need to play more ruck minutes and is also on Werribee’s VFL list.

NEWPORT

Last season: 3rd in Division 2

In: Darcy Cassar, Lukmain Haddara, Nayef Hamad, Bachar Houli, Sam Macafee, Aojak Mayen, Harrison Minett, Phillip Moimoi, Noah Pokia, Connor Wright, Ryan Freeman

Out: Milad Almatrah (Hillside), Josh Rafferty (Lorne), Ahmed Saad (Moonee Valley), Trent Rafferty (Hepburn), Rodney Van Riet (Healesville)

Players to watch: Nayef Hamad, Bachar Houli, Darcy Cassar

Verdict: The Panthers are about to embark on a season of history, competing in Division 1 for the first time. Coach Ali Hamad has spoken openly about the challenges in front of his side but also the excitement it brings. Newport has managed to secure some exciting players which should make them more than competitive this season. We wouldn’t be surprised if they made a finals push.

Parkside is aiming for a place in the top-five. Photo: Andrew Batsch

PARKSIDE

Last season: 7th

In: Matthew Bennardo, Jordan Briggs, Chris Benson, Liam Canny, Jordyn Croucher, Jordan Filakis, Bruno Laguda, Patrick Lim, Brodie Lyons-Jones, Chris Pereira, Will Pyke, Luke Rowland, Rhys Smith, Jayson Tomicic

Out: Ethan Mantas (Caroline Springs), Jean-Luc Velissaris (Aberfeldie), Noah Milton (QLD)

Players to watch: Jackson Barrett, Tom Condon, Charli Di Stefano

Verdict: After finishing seventh, a year after promotion, Chris Muratore side are intent on taking another major step forward in their development. Again, Parkside has added some quality players and with what they’ve brought in, a place in the top-five isn’t out of the question.

POINT COOK

Last season: 9th

In: Carter Michael

Out: Ryan Burton (Gordon), Hugh Wales (Coburg Districts), Lachlan Edwards (Fitzroy Stars)

Players to watch: Max Rouvray, Nick Buykx, Shaun Wyatt

Verdict: It was a horror 2024 for the Bulldogs as they finished on the bottom of the ladder with just three wins. New coach Saade Ghazi has already said he will back the youth and if the kids can continue to develop, Point Cook should win a couple more games than last year.

POINT COOK CENTRALS

Last season: 8th

In: Luke McGowan, Tom Rowland, Kyan Upsall
Out: Aaron Law (Milawa), Henoch Kebede (Milawa), Josh Harris (Suns), Matthew Wright (Suns), Pele Manivong (Deer Park), Mark Galea (Deer Park), Harrison Minett (East Keilor), Haidyn Shade (Strathmore), Ezzat Haddara (Newport), Daniel Rosenzweig (Albion)

Players to watch: Daniel Strnak, Nathan Williams, Josh Gerolemou

Verdict: It has been a difficult off-season for the Sharks with the loss of a number of key players departing the club. Coach Dean Chambers will turn to the youth for the year ahead which means it’s hard to predict what to exactly expect. The experienced heads will be pivotal in where their side sits.

SPOTSWOOD

Last season: 6th

In: Lachie Hunter

Out: Matthew Payne (Old Melburnians), Harrison Newitt (Beaufort), Luke Mathews (NSW), Tom German (Mitta United)

Players to watch: Lachie Hunter, Jack Charleston, James Cleaver

Verdict: The Woodsman have a new coach in Steve O’Bryan this season. Some key players have departed including the former coach which creates opportunities. David Iaccarino will be a major returnee after missing a large part of last season.

Xavier Kardachi of Sunshine. Picture: Andrew Batsch

SUNSHINE

Last season: Division 2 premier

In: Thomas Schwarzenberg, Ash Buckland, Luke Barnard, Diesel-Thanh Lim, David McKinley, Jack Noonan, Colin Skeen, Adam Styzunda

Out: Nathan Carroll (St Albans), Buckley Chapman (Epping), Hisham Kerbatieh (Melton Centrals), Fabian Brancatisano (Melton Centrals), Taygen Dennison (Melton Centrals)

Players to watch: Xavier Kardachi, Colin Skeen, Mathew Medcraft

Verdict: With some of the premiership heroes departing, the Roos have turned to youth for their Division 1 return. Coach Guy Barbuto has some exciting talents to work with and it should be an exciting ride throughout the season.

WERRIBEE DISTRICTS

Last season: Runner-up

In: Daniel Nielson

Out: Danny Grmusa (Kyneton)

Players to watch: Daniel Nielson, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Lucas Rocci

Verdict: The perennial contender will be in the mix for another premiership again this season after the heartbreak of 2024. Coach Chris Gilham has been able to welcome back key forward Daniel Nielson which will help give Districts more firepower to hit the scoreboard. Districts should earn another double chance this season.

Daniel Nielson is back at Werribee Districts. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

YARRAVILLE SEDDON

Last season: 3rd

In: Joe Gray (Bright), Corey Hitchcock (Broadbeach), Tyson Brazel (SA)

Out: Klyde Milroy (Hoppers), Arkii Van Wills (Hoppers), Lewis Stanton (Wyndhamvale), Oscar Gordon (Caroline Springs), Connor Dalgleish (Montmorency), Brandon Lester (Diggers Rest), Jesse Varsamakis (Diggers Rest)

Players to watch: Michael Selsby, Akol Deng, Zac Pritchard

Verdict: While some consistent senior names might have departed, there is still plenty of optimism around the Eagles given the youth they have coming through. The under-18s made the grand final last season and again should be right in the mix at that level. If coach Brad Julier can get further development out of the future stars, the Eagles should again be looking to play finals footy.