Your guide to the WFNL Division 2 season

There will be a new look to the Western Football Netball League Division 2 in season 2024 with 14 teams in action. Here’s everything from the ins and outs of every club to our verdict.

There’s been plenty of discussion around the make up of the Western Football Netball League’s Division 2 competition.

For season 2024, league officials elected to merge last year’s bottom two tiers to form a 14-team competition.

Here’s everything you need to know about every team.

ALBANVALE

Coach: Ange Messina

In: Ryan Cauchi, Josh Devlin, Kieran Riall, James Duell, Otis Blanch, Jacob Reeve.

Out: Reece Field, Ostinn Bellingham, Matthew Taylor, Tito Nyawela.

We say: The Cobras have managed to bring in some younger players throughout the off-season to bolster their depth although they have lost some key players. New coach Messina will be aiming for at least a mid-ladder finish in his first season in charge.

ALBION

Albion are one of the teams to beat. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Coach: Blake Richards

In: Josh Bench, Josiah Garisto, Brandyn Di Sisto, Troy Clarke, Juy Capp, Jared Bond, Joshua O’Shea, Amar Elnour, Adam Vukovic, Jake Nicholson.

Out: Nil.

We say: Many people’s premiership favourites this season, as the Cats look to atone for last year’s defeat in the grand final. Richards has constructed an impressive list with Bench arguably the best player in the competition with his return from Altona. Garisto is a gun from the EDFL while Capp is a goalkicker who has already proven his worth.

BRAYBROOK

Coach: Geoff Maddern

In: Justin Condo, Matthew Condo, Bradley Busuttil, Ashley Gray, Jayden Him, Craig Plant, Harley Cameron, Ricky Cameron, Chase Wassell, Joshua Poulter, Patrick Farrelly, Madol Madol, Kane Fraser, Kade Sexton, Nathan Xerri, Scott O’Neill, Shkelzim Zeqaj, James Gazetas, James Miller, Brandon Watts, Alessandro Munro, Cain Shaw, Matthew Cooley, Jayden Danaher.

Out: Jake Dimech, Adam Forth, Mitch Grubb, Nicholas Gregson, Kyle Desira, Brody Varano, David May.

We say: The Brookers should win more games than last season given Divisions 2 and 3 have been merged. Maddern will have much greater depth to pick from given the influx of players during the off-season.

LAVERTON

Laverton is seeking further improvement. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Coach: Tony Jofre

In: Alex Grigg, Chris Sivanesan, Shaun Evans, Fraser Johns, Josh Cole, Kevin Klix, Shaydon Bloomfield.

Out: Codey Millican, Ubil Chol.

We say: Stepping up against Division 2 sides from last season will hold the Magpies in good stead further down the road. They might pick up wins against the clubs they faced last season but it’s hard to see them beating sides from last year’s second tier. Their coach has spoken openly about how it will all be a learning experience.

NEWPORT

Coach: Rodney van Riet

In: Zach Del Grosso, Heath Rafferty, Josh Rafferty, Trent Rafferty.

Out: Bilal Chehade, Nayef Hamad, Hussien Kadour.

We say: Under a new coach, the Panthers will be looking to build on an impressive 2023 season where they fell just four points short of a grand final appearance. There will be an interesting watch on how they’re able to replace a number of outgoing stars.

NORTH FOOTSCRAY

North Footscray has recruited well. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Coach: David Battistella

In: Nick Kennedy, Brendon Angleton, Lydon Palamo, Tommy Manley, William Ryan, Nick Sotiropoulos, Sebastian Turnbull, Mitch Donovan, Adam Dixon-Galea, Alex Maloney, Robbie Hudson.

Out: Connor Roach, Declan Wakefield, Shaun Ujcich, Corey Edwards.

We say: Some key performers from recent seasons have gone onto new challenges in the off-season but they’ve been replaced by an influx of new faces. Among some of those recruits are players who played some Division 1 footy last season and are seeking greater opportunities.

NORTH SUNSHINE

Coach: Darren Boyall

In: Oscar Grech, Kyle Millsom, Joel Grech, Thomas Dando, Connor Grech, Kelsey Rameka.

Out: —

We say: They’ve battled in recent seasons and after again welcoming a host of recruits, the Roadrunners will be looking to build on performances from last season.

SUNSHINE

Coach: Ben Chapman

In: Jordan Davis, Daniel Castellano, Ethan Sivjis, Taygen Dennison, Mark Mazzeo, Nathan Carroll, Copper McPharlane, Tom McIntosh, Kahlan Williams, Ethan Howlett.

Out: Nil.

We say: One of the two clear contenders alongside Albion on the eve of the season. The Roos have bolstered their list to make a deeper finals run this season with Carroll and McPharlane to play key roles up forward while McIntosh will hold down a key place in defence. Mazzeo is a nice addition into the midfield.

SUNS

Suns are aiming for finals. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Coach: Dean Cachia

In: Jesse Shell, Blake Toseland, Kayne Wilson, Kyle De Rose, Jordan Baumgartner.

Out: Daniel Hovey, Paul Tomelty.

We say: The Suns have managed to keep most of their premiership list together with Hovey and Tomelty the only departures. Hovey’s exit does leave a hole in the forward line after he booted more than 100 goals last season but the inclusion of Shell gives Cachia another partner in crime forward of centre. Expect the Suns to push for the top-six.

SUNSHINE HEIGHTS

Coach: Stephen O’Malley

In: Matty Malual, Todd Lawrie, Luke Cook, Hayden Koutsogiannis, Jake Dimech, Anthony Close, Gordon Moss, Bol Wol, Tito Nyawela.

Out: Blake Toseland, Colby Blyth, Kyall Parker.

We say: There’s been significant off-season changes at the Dragons and losing the likes of Blyth and Parker sees the key position stocks take a big hit. Home ground advantage might be crucial in those 50-50 games throughout the season. O’Malley is a new coach.

TARNEIT

Coach: Vinnie Turcinovich

In: Jalen Jaimangal, Liam Meyrich, Luke Mann.

Out: Aaron Campbell, Anthony Curtis, Brayden May, Brent Sheean, Ethan Caithness, Gerald Lynch, Hayden Koutsogiannis, Jaiden Martin, James Di Blasi, Jayden Osborne, Jordan Depetro, Jordan Fletcher, Josh Dunstone, Josh Norling, Liam Simic, Luka Felise, Shayne Killender, Stephen Siale, Wayne Addicott, Zach Greenwood.

We say: It’s been a difficult off-season for the Titans with a number players who played senior footy last season moving onto new clubs. They’ve welcomed some fresh faces who will help in key positions and you’d expect some younger guys to earn a senior chance.

WEST FOOTSCRAY

West Footscray is hoping for further development from its young guns. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Coach: Troy Beamond

In: Matthew Taylor, Mitch Grubb, Damien Hough, Will Clare.

Out: Dylan Toulmin.

We say: The Roosters have managed to keep its core group together and will be looking for further development from its younger players this season. Could they trouble a few of last year’s Division 2 sides?

WESTERN RAMS

Coach: Ash Pritchard

In: Daniel Browne, David Aleksov, Brady McMillan, Michael Walsh, Tyler Lewis, Jarryd Underwood, Jared Scott, Chris Arnold

Out: Kade Sexton, Ashley Gray, Harley Cameron, Ricky Cameron, Brandon Watts, Kane Fraser, Patrick Farrelly

We say: The Rams currently hold the longest losing streak in Victorian local footy and there’s a strong sense it can come to an end this season. New to the competition, it might take a few weeks to work out where they sit.

WYNDHAMVALE

Coaches: Jason Parker and Robert May

In: Josh Dunstone

Out: Gunjwok Nyawela, Jesse Shell, Josh Harris, Riley Evans, Mackenzie Parker

We say: The Falcons have lost some key players in the off-season but should be among those vying for finals at the back half of the season. The club has had good depth in recent seasons which should hold it in good stead.