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

The WFNL 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.

Laverton is looking to be one of the big improvers. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Western Football Netball League Division 2 season is almost upon us.

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

Glen Orden and North Sunshine dropped out during pre-season due to low numbers.

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

ALBANVALE

Last season: 6th (10-8)

In: Kade Bellingham (Tullamarine), Jack Burgess (Suns), Jesse Drake, Dylan Fsadni (Greenvale), Richard Ilsley (Greenvale), Jye Kotoski (Aberfeldie), Macauley Lonergan (Aspley), Zac Papamihail

Out: Kieran Ryall (North Footscray), Nathan Johnson (Hadfield), Otis Blanch (North Footscray)

Key players: Liam Montrose, Jack Burgess, Macauley Lonergan

Verdict: It’s a new look Cobras this season with the co-coaching set up. A number of their recruits are young players which gives the club a platform to continue building moving forward. They finished in sixth last year to sneak into the finals series but were heavily beaten by a Wyndhamvale side who are now this year’s premiership favourites. Liam Montrose is an exciting talent up forward and if his teammates can get him enough of the footy he’s capable of hitting the scoreboard.

Reece Field of Albanvale. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

BRAYBROOK

Last season: 7th (10-8)

In: Jacob Bitzer (Glen Orden), Kyle Desira (Hadfield), Andrew Daly (Tullamarine), Travis Faulds (Sunbury Kangaroos), Yoel Fessehaye (St Albans), Jarrod Garth, Yusuf Kailie, Ringo Koj, Julian La Sala, Luke Ranno, Jack Vivian.

Out: 

Key players: Jarrod Garth, Aidan O’Rafferty, Matthew Condo

Verdict: The Brookers are an interesting watch for the neutral. They had some impressive moments last season before injuries and player absences took their toll with Geoff Maddern’s side ultimately fall short of a finals berth. They had kept their cards close to their chest for much of the off-season but they’ve managed to add some nice pieces particularly in the key position stocks. With a bit more luck on the injury front, we shouldn’t be surprised if they make a run at the finals series. From what we’ve seen, they should be about the middle of the pack.

LAVERTON

Last season: 10th (6-12)

In: Tyler Carrington, Matt Davis, Dylan Kizan, Jordan Lynch, James Mcvey, Corey Vandermeer, James Sadler, Dane Dale, Cam Worthing, Darcy Stoodley, Rohan Crawley and Jordan Panagiotidis.

Out: Ayang Nyanjok (Sunshine Heights), Kevin Klix (Melton South)

Key players: Antony Pasqua, Shaun Evans, Alex Grigg

Verdict: The Magpies are building. Their plan under Tony Jofre (who has also taken on the presidency) is all about the long-term future of the club. Their recruiting hasn’t been as noisy as last off-season but they’ve managed to secure some younger players, which similar to Albanvale, is an important step for the club. Big man Antony Pasqua is one of the leading big men in the division and we’re keen to see what he can offer this year. Laverton must get more consistent this year to continue moving up the ladder.

NORTH FOOTSCRAY

Last season: 8th (9-9)

In: Blake Dascola, Jesse Muscat, Kyle Rodgers, Jarrod Spry, Josh Spry, Archie Thomson, Shaun Ujcich

Out:

Key players: Tommy Manley, Barnaby Sianos, Jarrod Johns

Verdict: The Devils were below what we’ve come to expect of them in recent years in 2024. A number of key departures were a factor. But several of those players who chased a different footy experience are back and it’s only good news for coach David Battistella. Among the recruits who have recently played some Division 1 footy and we’re tipping North Footscray to be the big improver in the competition this season.

SUNS

Last season: 5th (10-8)

In: Tyson Palupe Gaby, Michael Hart, Dean Henderson, Josh Harris, Declan McCorry, Joel Sagona, Brayden Schibeci, Matthew Wright

Out: Luke Cachia (Werribee Centrals), Chris Lear (Bacchus Marsh)

Key players: Dean Cachia, Daniel O’Leary, John Tomelty

Verdict: A new era has officially arrived with Roger Hand taking on the senior role from Dean Cachia who remains as a player. The Suns played finals footy last season but were ultimately a class below the top-four sides. It’s a gap we’re confident they’ll close throughout the course of the season. The Suns have continued to bolster their playing ranks and importantly they probably have some of the best depth. A first up encounter with flag favourite Wyndhamvale will give us an early indication of where the Suns sit.

John Tomelty of the Suns. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

SUNSHINE HEIGHTS

Last season: 11th (5-13)

In: Harley Armstrong-Weston, Buddy Dettman, Anthony Franzone, Thibo Leclerc, Ayang Nyanjok, Rocco Tripodi, Jackson Viola, John Whitehouse

Out: Blake Brigham (West Footscray), Giovanni Raffaele (West Footscray), Kyall Parker (Koondrook Barham)

Key players: Harket Armstrong-Weston, Jackson Viola, James Vella

Verdict: The talk of the off-season with their recruiting drive headlined by ex-Hoppers Crossing pair Harley Armstrong-Weston and Jackson Viola. The Dragons finished last season in the lower parts of the ladder but with quality additions, they should be confident of major improvement. Based on what’s going on around them and the other teams in the competition we think they’ll be pushing for one of the lower places in the top-five.

TARNEIT

Last season: 12th (3-15)

In: Gerald Lynch, Liam Simic

Out: Luke Mann (Bell Post Hill), Jalen Jaimangal (Hoppers Crossing), Josh Stone (Werribee Centrals), Ben Arabit (Anakie)

Key players: Zach Thornton, Michael Naawi, Sean Taylor

Verdict: It’s been a tough couple of seasons for the Titans who have a new coach in Max De Groot, stepping up from the reserves. Tarneit has lost some of their better players from last season but a major plus for the club is they’ll field an under-18s teams for the first time in several years. Potentially they can unearth a couple of young guns who can help move the club forward. Being competitive every week is the goal.

WEST FOOTSCRAY

Last season: 9th (8-10)

In: Dylan Appleby, Blake Brigham, Damian Furlong, Mitch Grubb, Jai Haines, Johny Ho, Giovanni Raffaele

Out: Damien Hough (Traralgon), Ethan Murphy (Wyndhamvale)

Key players: Matt Grubb, Matt Turcinovich, Jaycob Doyle

Verdict: The sleeper of the WFNL’s second tier. The Roosters made strong impressions on rival clubs in the early part of 2024 but injuries took their toll as Troy Beamond’s side eventually secured a mid-ladder finish. Get all of those players back, in addition with some quality recruits, and hopefully a bit more luck, don’t be surprised if they manage to secure a double chance come the end of the home-and-away season.

Matthew Turcinovich of West Footscray. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

WESTERN RAMS

Last season: 13th (2-16)

In: Jordan Brewer, Josh Cassar, Julian Costanzo, Shane Emery, Braiden Gale, Dillon Gillard, Joel Grech, Oscar Grech, Connor Korras, Jakob Lewer, Will Markovski, Josh Miller, Will Touhey

Key players: Jarryd Underwood, Tyler Lewis, Ryan Tyson

Verdict: Year two for the Rams after crossing from the Riddell District league for 2024. They won two games last year and have again bolstered their playing list with a number of recruits. It’s just a matter of seeing how they fit in with the rest of the playing group. Can the club’s new coaching staff continue to lead the Rams forward after positive strides?

WYNDHAMVALE

Last season: 3rd (16-2)

In: Saad Ali, Brock Jones, Brendan Keys, Alex Mackinnon, Cameron Ord, Lewis Stanton

Key players: Lewis Stanton, Oliver Brett, Tyler Tessari

Verdict: The clear premiership favourites in Division 2. The Falcons, under new senior coach Daniel Smith, were the highest finishing side of any team which was not promoted for Division 1. They’ve retained most of the group who reached a semi-final last season and added a couple of nice pieces. Stanton and Saad Ali give the Falcons key pillars are either end of the ground. Their biggest challenge is to perform under the weight of expectation.