Official website of the Essendon District Football League

2019 November Transfers Window - Full Recap

Club-By-Club Review


THE 2019 November Player Transfers Period has come to a close.

Throughout November, EDFL clubs were able to lodge transfers for incoming players and clear players moving on elsewhere.

The next transfers window will open on February 1.

Many clubs revealed some big moves throughout the month and some big names are changing colours in Season 2020.

Scroll down for our full club-by-club review of the 2019 November Transfers Period.

CLICK HERE to view all lodged player transfer requests.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: None

Out: Josh Pound (PEGS), Andrew Macdonald (PEGS) & Jordan Whybrow (Moonee Valley)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Aberfeldie is never too active in the November window, so it comes as no shock that we didn't see a single incoming transfer lodged. However, we do know of the Nick Meese signing, which is going to be huge. Meese is a hit-out machine and had no trouble going head-to-head with AFL-listed ruckmen in his illustrious VFL career. Two of the club's premiership heroes won't be back, with Luke Blackwell retiring and Josh Pound returning to PEGS but other than that, all is looking pretty good for the EDFL's most dominant team of the 2010s.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Muhammad Saad (Macleod)

Out: Hisham Kerbatieh (Hillside) & Scott Harding (Taylors Lakes)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

New coach Patrick Byrne has preached stability since taking over the role from Donald McDonald, with the Heights retaining much of its 2019 list. Muhammad Saad, a former Calder Cannon who played six VFL games with Coburg this year, was the only approved incoming transfer lodged in November, with fellow former VFL player Danko Bzenic reportedly signed to the Heights as well. Yes, the club will also be without two of its classier players in Hisham Kerbatieh and Scott Harding but all in all, this off-season has been far more steady than those of the previous couple of years.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: None

Out: Nathan Reichelt (Roxburgh Park), Shannon Smith (Mernda), Glenn Robertson (Kinglake), Bryce Kimuliatis (Mernda), Jacob Austin (Mernda) & Bryson Scales (Hillside)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

As is often the case for clubs moving divisions, Craigieburn has had a bit of movement. While no incoming transfers were lodged in November, the Eagles will be without five of their senior-listed players in 2020. However only one of those departures, Shannon Smith, took part in their Division 1 Grand Final triumph over East Keilor in September. Therefore you have to be pleased with Craigieburn's list retention so far this off-season.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Dale Marshall (Bundoora) & Matthew D'Angelo (Northern Saints)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Essendon Doutta Stars stayed quiet, with just two approved transfers coming through in November. Key forward Matthew D'Angelo has re-united with coach Kyle Hardingham after a brief stint with the Northern Saints, while Essendon VFL-listed player Dale Marshall will also be aligned to the Stars when not required to play for the Bombers in 2020. Fellow VFL Bomber, Dylan Landt, has also reportedly aligned with Douttas, but both of his transfer requests were denied by the Sunbury Lions. The Stars are in desperate need of a boost in ruck stocks, so expect their transfers activity to pick up come February.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Michael Sullivan (St Bernards), Mitchell Oliver (La Trobe University), William Humphreys (La Trobe University), Daniel Sebeh (Reservoir), John Abouhaila (Pascoe Vale), Ali Ahmad (Pascoe Vale), Tyler Bell (Shepparton) & Billy Woodwin (Whittlesea)

Out: Jayden Walker (Diamond Creek), Steve Golding (Hadfield) and Josh Trembearth (Hillside)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

The departures of 2017 premiership trio Jayden Walker, Steve Golding and Josh Trembearth will certainly hurt for a club already lacking depth, but some of that may already be offset by the arrival of seven new senior-age players. Most of Glenroy's incoming transfers are unknown commodities and Michael Sullivan aside, all are under 25-years-old. Ali Ahmad was one who did get a taste of senior footy with Pascoe Vale this season. Hopefully we'll see the Roys bolster their stocks again come the February window.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: None

Out: Nick Parthenopoulos (Pascoe Vale) & Cody Lynch (Wallan)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

The rumour mill keeps swirling up at Section Road but until we see things unfold on the transfers list, we can't (and won't) read anything into the speculation. In November, no incoming transfers were lodged and only two senior players transferred out. Injury-plagued, but high quality defender, Nick Parthenopoulos, is on his way to Raeburn Reserve while senior regular, Cody Lynch, has moved as well. The Jets have lost some decent players in recent times but the current list is still very good. Their transfers activity come February will be interesting to watch.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Luke Cartelli (Ocean Grove)

Out: Ben McManus (St Albans)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

The premiers kept quiet until November 26, with decorated 2016 premiership player, Luke Cartelli, set to return to Joe Brown Oval after a two-year stint with Ocean Grove in the Bellarine league. A couple days later, a Leader Newspapers report added RDFNL star Paul Sahlberg to their recruiting list, but no transfer was lodged. Of the outgoing transfers, only Ben McManus played senior footy in 2019 (three games). Given the Blues are also set to bring injured stars Damien Cavka, Brock McGregor, Jesse Wallin and Nick O’Kearney back into the fold as well, the current premiers are clearly the early premiership favourite going into 2020.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: None

Out: Jock Cornell (Sunshine), Mark Mazzeo (East Keilor) & Darcy Kennedy (Parkside)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

As usual, there is very little noise coming out of Monk Oval at this time of year. Noted goal kicker Jock Cornell is set for a move to Sunshine, with the WRFL club announcing his signing on November 25. Mark Mazzeo and Darcy Kennedy, who combined for 11 senior games in 2019, have also moved on so as we speak, it does look as though Marby will enter 2020 with a slightly inferior list to that of 2019. Even if we don't see any new signings come through early next year, this year's 7-11 campaign under new coach Dean Laidley showed us that Marby does have some good young talent on its list to complement its top-enders.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Nick Parthenopoulos (Greenvale), Damandeep Aujla (Airport West), Nick Linton (Nhill & District), Daniel Guccione (Bundoora), Jake Pantas (Oakleigh District), Kynan Barnes (Northern Saints) & Adam Ianchello (Strathmore)

Out: Patrick Veszpremi (Hoppers Crossing), Daniel Johncock (West Coburg), Liam Forbes (Airport West) & Ali Ahmad (Glenroy)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

A fair portion of Pascoe Vale's player movement so far this off-season has not come through on transfers. Star defender Luke Foster has retired while according to Leader Newspapers, Sam Godden and Nick Gooch are both among the Panthers' key inclusions. Of those who did lodge transfers, Nick Parthenopoulos and Damandeep Aujla, both of whom have appeared in Premier Division Teams of the Year in recent years, are both high quality arrivals. Nick Linton will also provide plenty of experience, having previously spent considerable time with Coburg, Maribyrnong Park and Strathmore. This level of activity is nothing new for the Panthers, but until they can win a final, we're not going to be sold on their list's premiership credentials.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: James Sullivan (Tatura), Jesse Johnson (Castlemaine), Floyd Bollinghaus (Wodonga Raiders) & William Donaghey (Wondonga Raiders)

Out: Adam Iancehllo (Pascoe Vale), Mack Creevey (Keilor Park) & Sam Lawless (Keilor Park)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Strathmore's player movement has been limited. Jesse Johnson, a utility out of the Tassie Mariners, is the main key signing, having spent the past two years with Castlemaine after playing 12 games with West Coburg while listed with VFL outfit Port Melbourne in 2017. Coburg VFL pair Floyd Bollinghaus and William Donaghey have both chosen Strathmore as their aligned local club in 2020 as well. Of the lodged outgoing transfers, none were senior regulars. However, Tom Drake has had two transfer requests for West Coburg denied by the Mores for contractual reasons. So far the overall picture looks good for the 2019 preliminary finalist, with all of the Mores' key players locked in for 2020.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Dean Limbach (Diamond Creek), Adam Meiorin (Oak Park) & Liam Forbes (Pascoe Vale)

Out: George Nabbout (Westmeadows), Damandeep Aujla (Pascoe Vale), Anthony Daw (North Heidelberg) & Jayden Ranno (Westmeadows)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

While there looks to be more quality heading out than coming in, the arrival of star forward Dean Limbach will be huge. Limbach, who is re-uniting with Airport West's new senior coach, Jimmy House, kicked 84 goals for Craigieburn back in 2018 and in 2015, the 33-year-old booted 108 goals for Doncaster East in the Eastern league. With most of the list aside from the outgoing players listed above retained for 2020, you'd expect the Eagles to handle their return to Division 1 pretty well.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Paul Scanlon (Pines), Marc Lock (Old Carey Grammarians), Kevin Klix (Deer Park), Victor Micallef (Hillside), Brandon Coletta (Hillside), Evan Giannoukas (Taylors Lakes), Tim Atkins (Yarroweyah), Tim Bongetti (Pines), Josh Mascara (Bundoora), Lachlan Calder (St Alvans), Lee Santoro (Bundoora), Brad Nolan (Donald), Damien Grazules (Moulamein), Josh Best (Greenvale) & Mark Mazzeo (Maribyrnong Park)

Out: Adrian Hallal, Shaun Ujcich, Jake Napoli, Brad Galcin, Dimitrios Guicas, Declan Wakefield, Ryan Bagaric, Liam Bagaric, Cooper Bryant (all Keilor Park), Mitchell Celantano (St Bernards), Michael Gatt (Tullamarine), Luke Vraca (Parkside), Justin Carroll (Bacchus Marsh) & Justin Gelsi (Laurimar)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Wow. What else can you say about East Keilor's transfers activity so far this off-season? The Cougars got busy under new coach Pat Christofi last November and the end result was a Division 1 Grand Final berth come September. While retaining all of the key stars from their 14-2 campaign this year, the Cougars have now added proven stars Paul Scanlon, Marc Lock, Kevin Klix, Victor Micallef and Brandon Coletta to their stable. Yes, it is a long list of outgoing transfers, but few of those players got to see much senior game time in 2019. The line-up we see run out in Round 1, assuming good health and availability, will be fascinating to see, as from week to week, East Keilor only has 47 player points to field 22 players with.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Hisham Kerbatieh (Avondale Heights), Josh Trembearth (Glenroy), Bryson Scales (Craigieburn) & Lachlan Henson (Riddell)

Out: Victor Micallef & Brandon Coletta (both East Keilor)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

The Sharks have lost their best midfielder, Victor Micallef and best forward, Brandon Coletta to division rival, East Keilor. While those are some gaping holes in the line-up, the arrivals of well-established senior players Hisham KerbatiehJosh Trembearth and Bryson Scales will go some way to help offset their losses. Kerbatieh was a standout for Avondale Heights in 2019, booting 18 goals in 14 games from midfield. Trembearth is also a classy player, taking part in Glenroy's premiership victory in this division back in 2017. Hillside's reserves won the grand final this year and its junior program is very strong, so you can never really rule the Sharks out of anything and their depth is clearly a valuable asset.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Ricki Camilleri (Campbells Creek), Daniel Boudoloh (Hampton Park), Brenden Egberts (Mernda), Nathan Reichelt (Craigieburn) & Brock McLarty (Tullamarine)

Out: Justin Cluney (Moonee Valley), Ferras Merhi (Westmeadows) & Anthony Young (Moonee Valley)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Roxburgh Park's confirmed ins certainly outweigh the outs. On its surface, the departure of premiership ruckman Ferras Merhi looks like it could hurt, but the champion big man only played three games in 2019. Among the confirmed ins, Daniel Boudoloh is coming off a premiership win in the Southern league and was once a Calder Cannon, while Matt Coomans (no transfer lodged) will add further depth to the midfield. The Magpies lodged three transfers for gun midfielder Bradley Dimech, a Roxburgh Park junior, but all three were denied by his current club, Mernda, for contractual reasons. If the Pies can get that deal done in February, then it'll further boost what is already a very positive vibe coming out of Lakeside Drive. 


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Mark Freeth (Diggers Rest) & Dean Halliwell (Rupertswood)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Things are eerily quiet up at the newly-promoted Sunbury Kangaroos. After running the table on-route to premiership glory in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2, the Kangaroos proved they have what it takes to be competitive in Division 1 with their existing list. Given we've seen no meaningful activity so far this off-season, EDFL Media doesn't really have much to offer for the time being. Let's see if things up pick up in the February window.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Patrick Rose (Altona), Scott Harding (Avondale Heights), James Cimbaljevic (St Albans) & Josh Zakhour (Northern Saints)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Taylors Lakes was a club that could have done with an injection of high quality talent. With former Avondale Heights guns Patrick Rose and Scott Harding both committing to the Lions in November, things are looking rather bright at Lionheart Reserve. Rose is well-known within EDFL circles after a stellar 92-game stint at Canning Street that yeilded 390 goals from 2013 to 2017. His form for Altona over the past two years was also impressive, kicking 135 goals in 36 games. He will be a star at this level and will cause havoc on defenders who rarely have to face forwards of his ilk. While there is talk of more activity to come, both coming into and leaving Lionheart, we'll wait and see what the February window has to offer.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Shannon Broadbent (Macedon), Beau Vowles (Craigieburn), Jacob Osei-Duro (Thomastown), Rhys Clarke (Seymour), Liam Lucas (Oak Park), Michael Dalrymple (Oak Park) & Michael Gatt (East Keilor)

Out: Kane Mulvaney (Edwardstown)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

The Demons have done well for themselves, with seven-time Deer Park premiership star Shannon Broadbent looming as a huge inclusion for 2020. The other confirmed arrivals will also prove as handy top-ups to the senior list as well. Jacob Osei-Duro will be handy up forward while Liam Lucas, Michael Dalrymple and Michael Gatt all have some senior experience in this division. Kane Mulvaney's return to South Australia will be felt at Leo Dineen Reserve but overall, the list is in a very stable position to have another crack at that elusive flag. 


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Daniel Johncock

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

West Coburg's November transfers activity was limited to the re-acquisition of former senior regulars Daniel Johncock and Tom Drake. The Burgers successfully landed the speedy Johncock after he chose to stay in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division by joining Pascoe Vale when West Coburg was relegated at the end of 2017, following senior coach Digby Morrell to Raeburn Reserve. The pursuit of Drake has been far more tricky, with Strathmore twice refusing to clear the former Division 1 Team of the Year defender. The overall stability of the list is a good sign that West Coburg is set to make a run for finals in 2020 under second-year coach, Dale May.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Ferras Merhi (Roxburgh Park), George Nabbout (Airport West) & Jayden Ranno (Airport West) 

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

New coach Mo Kaakour has some ambitious plans to make Westmeadows a destination club and back in October, revealed five new signings in a Leader Newspapers article. However, the Tigers were relatively quiet in November, only lodging transfers for three of their new recruits. All three are proven performers in the EDFL, while reported signings Aaron Vendramini and Belal Abou-Eid will only make Westmeadows stronger again. With no confirmed outs, the Tigers look to be another strong finals contender again in 2020.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Robert Nikolic (St Albans), Adam Imber (Westbourne Grammarians), Aaron Verrocchi (Melton Centrals) & Jake Galea (St Albans)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

In recent years, Burnside Heights has established a good record of acquiring senior players from surrounding clubs in rival leagues. The Bears continued in that vein in November, unveiling four new players from neighbouring clubs. With no one leaving, the Bears will enter 2020 as a genuine premiership contender after enjoying a breakout year in 2019 that resulted in a surprise preliminary final berth.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Daniel Bray (Jacana), Dylan Bray (Jacana), Daniel Pearson (Tullamarine), Jesse Lim-fry (Jacana), Ryan Evison (Trafalgar), Mitchell Annett (Tullamarine), Cooper Keogh (Therry Penola)

Out: Scott Gilliland (Hadfield)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

New coach Tom Gleeson should be happy with where his list is at, with ruckman Scott Gilliland the only confirmed out at this stage of the off-season. We don't yet know too much about the incoming transfers lodged in November but based on what we do know so far, Coburg Districts will be thereabouts again in 2020.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Jason King (West Footscray), Lochlan Ryan (Gordon), Ryan Peters (Diggers Rest) & Tom Evans (Diggers Rest)

Out: Tom Cree (Sunbury Lions)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Tom Cree is going to be a huge loss for East Sunbury. The 2019 B&F winner has chosen to test himself at a higher level with the Sunbury Lions but luckily for the Thunder, he looks to be the only senior player not returning in 2020. Jason King, who was important in East Sunbury's 2018 late season run to the grand final, will be welcomed back to John McMahon Reserve after spending 2019 with West Footscray, while Jack Burnell is said to have signed on as well, but no transfer has been lodged. Cree will be missed, but the Thunder still boasts a solid up-and-coming list.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Sam Merhebi (Nunawading), Scott Gilliland (Coburg Districts), Steve Golding (Glenroy), Andrew Budge (Yarragon), Donovan Pell (Yarragon), Keegan Shrimpton (Oak Park) & Mark Sabatino (Northern Saints)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Hadfield looms as one of the off-season's biggest winners so far, confirming the arrivals of some very handy players. Scott Gilliand, Steve Golding and Mark Sabatino bring with them some recent EDFL premiership experience and will be very valuable players at this level. The November window closed with Hadfield locked in battle for the services of ruck pair, Brandon Smith and Josh Ksiazek. Smith, currently a Hadfield player, wants to move to division rival Moonee Valley, but the Hawks are holding firm on keeping Smith to his current contract. Conversely, Glenroy is standing its ground on former Hadfield junior Ksiazek, who wants to follow Golding to Martin Reserve. Both moves are currently on hold, so Hadfield will be a key team to watch when transfers re-open in February.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: None

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

New coach Glenn McIntyre is the man charged with leading Jacana's 2020 revival after the club went into recess after seven rounds this year. While telling Star Weekly that 30 players had committed to the Jags for 2020, the club did not lodge a single transfer in November. Hopefully the influx of much needed playing stocks comes to fruition in the February window.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Adrian Hallal, Shaun Ujcich, Jake Napoli, Brad Galcin, Dimitrios Guicas, Declan Wakefield, Ryan Bagaric, Liam Bagaric, Cooper Bryant (all East Keilor), Mack Creevey, Sam Lawless, Todd Carland, Geroge Lawless (all Strathmore), Ben Corson, Bernard Shepheard, George Guicas, Andrew Petersen, Jake Wright, Hayden McLarty, Andrew Rushton, Louis Villani (all PEGS), Corey Morris (Lancefield), Nathan DeZilva (Airport West), Justyn Spiteri (Darley), Terry Smith (Heidelberg West) & Phillip Zabakly (St Bernards)

Out: Donato Monello, Tamer Abou-Sinna & Jake Gatto (all Boolarra)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first. This year's B&F winner Jake Gatto is among the trio of 2019 senior regulars leaving Keilor Park and while you might think it's the kind of loss that could deeply hurt the Devils, if you take a peek at the very long list of incoming players, you'll quickly realise that all is very well at Keilor Park. The Devils needed a big influx of players and that's precisely what they got, with new coach Paul Guicas bringing a total of nine players across from his former club, East Keilor, where he was reserves coach in 2019. Add to that four new players from Strathmore and eight from PEGS, and suddenly the Devils have more than enough depth to fill two sides in 2020. So the Devils get a massive tick for their November transfers haul.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Jacob Whybrow (Aberfeldie), Liam Hayes, Aaron McKenna, Nathaniel Ravanenllo (all Airport West), & Hamish Ferguson (Kangarilla)

Out: None

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

Moonee Valley will enter 2020 as the premiership favourite now that the Sunbury Kangaroos have moved up, especially given there were no outgoing transfers lodged in November. Speaking to Leader Newspapers on November 14, coach Shanon Carroll announced the arrivals Phil LobbJames McLuckie and Luke Micallef, though Micallef's transfer was blocked by Tullamarine and those for Lobb and McLuckie have not yet been submitted. Ruck Brandon Smith's stalled transfer aside, everything is looking good for this year's runner-up. 


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Silvio Campanaro (Greenvale) & Anthony Petrocco (Pascoe Vale)

Out: Tamer Abdlallah, Eliot Kako, Matthew Macheda, Youssef Helou, Onus Akbas (all Westbourne Grammarians), Kynan Bernes (Pascoe Vale), Jake McSwain (North Heidelberg), Mark Sabatino (Hadfield) & Matthew D'Angelo (Essendon Doutta Stars)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

You can't help but feel the Northern Saints have entered a re-build under new coach, Peter Lohner. Tamer AbdallahEliot Kako, Jake McSwain and Mark Sabatino are all well-established stars of Division 2 and all of them have moved on, with a total of four senior players choosing to follow unluckily axed coach Brett Kennerley to Westbourne Grammarians in the VAFA. While there are a couple of inclusions, this is a clear case of the outs far outweighing the ins. Abdallah and Kako were heart-and-soul players in the Saints' midfield and McSwain was recognised by many as the division's best defender. It's therefore hard to see where the Saints will find improvement on their fifth place finish in 2019.


LODGED TRANSFERS

In: Tommy Randall (North Brunswick), Michael Peart (Woodend-Hesket), Damien Allen (Thomastown), Tom Knight (Rupertswood) & Lachlan Millard (Craigieburn)

Out: Keegan Shrimpton (Hadfield), Adam Meiorin (Airport West), Liam Lucas (Tullamarine) & Michael Dalrymple (Tullamarine)

EDFL MEDIA SAYS

New coach Todd Clark is an old Oak Park person returning to help his former club regain some ascendancy in Division 2, and it seems his club is keen to welcome back some more of its former personnel. Michael Peart is set to return after an impressive season with Woodend-Hesket, while Jesse Hemmens also lodged a transfer to return to JP Fawkner Reserve, but it was denied by his existing club, Sunshine. It is expected his next transfer request will be approved. Overall, the Roos look to have at least broken even in the November window, which should hold them in good stead for 2020.

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