With the 2022 season just around the corner, EDFL Media has taken a look at all the teams heading into Round One.
2021: 3rd (8W, 4L, 124.06%)
Coach: Trent Rogers (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Tyson Young (Greenvale), Ibrahim Taha (West Coburg), Reuben William (Spotswood), Connor Frantti-Glen (Rupertswood), Nicholas Franzi (Woodend-Hesket), Fabian Brancatisano (East Keilor), Aaron Di Matteo (Taylors Lakes), Kevin Klix (Melton), James Paraskevopoulos (Keilor), Luke Sultana (Rupertswood), Joshua Pardo (Keilor), Stephen Glenn (Northside Lions), Jack Grocock (St Bernards), Richard Leenaars (Keilor), Joshua Williams (St Bernards), Emanuel Chrisoulis (Taylors Lakes), Steven Pavlovic (Essendon Doutta Stars) & Joel Condon (St Bernards)
Out: Peter Ntalianis (Essendon Doutta Stars), Michael O'Dwyer (Essendon Masters), Jordan Kelly (Park Orchards), Markus Welsh (Westmeadows) & Benjamin Storey (St Bernards)
EDFL Media Says: Airport West means business in 2022 and they have had the off-season to prove it. The Eagles immediately kicked off their recruiting drive by luring homegrown talent Tyson Young back from Greenvale. The 2017 Hutchison Medallist is a major coup to Trent Roger's premiership aspirations with Young also a two-time Team of the Year member in this division. Alongside Young, Ibrahim Taha joins the Eagles as one of the most promising young talents in the division and Fabian Brancatisano will also feature at Hansen Reserve after playing all 12 games in a dominate East Keilor line-up last season. Reuben William has committed to the Eagles as his home club when not on VFL duty.
Round 1 Fixture: Rupertswood (H)
2021: 10th, Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division (0W, 12L, 19.21%)
Coach: Justin Sherman (1st Season, replacing Lance Whitnall)
Lodged Transfers
In: Graeme Whiting (Pascoe Vale), Sam Rexhepi (Lalor), Connor Amott (Roxburgh Park), Dylan Humm (Laurimar), Simon Marchitto (Hadfield), Christian Pisano (Thomastown), Joseph Bianco (Thomastown), Lochie Phillips (Dimboola), Hugh Stebbing (Kilmore), Matthew Hadeed (Kilmore), Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Jordan Crowhurst (Reservoir), Jye Collins (Taylors Lakes), Stephen Tsonas (Laurimar), Justin Sherman (Laurimar), Amos Farrell (UNSW Eastern Suburbs), Joshua Brady (Roxburgh Park), Joshua Dall'Est (Kilmore), Billy Tsolacos (Old Paradians), Paul Cluney (Laurimar), Mason Nunn (Broadford) & Corey Middleton (Epping)
Out: Jackson Clark (Darwin Buffaloes), Joshua Vilinskis (Deer Park), Giacomo Thomas (Essendon Doutta Stars), Jake Rawley (Essendon Doutta Stars), Liam Middleton (Hurstbridge), Dayne Middleton (Hurstbridge), Caelan Anderson (Hurstbridge), Joshua Gough (Jacana), Benjamin Fraser (Lancefield), Ryan Bongetti (Mernda), Brock Chircop (North Heidelberg), Jake Geddes (Swinburne University), Dakota Forryan (Tullamarine), Jordan Stephens (Avondale Heights) & Hayden Welsh (Fitzroy Stars)
EDFL Media Says: There will plenty of new faces at DS Aitken Reserve this season as Justin Sherman prepares his team on return to Strathmore Community Bank Division One. Sherman has brought along a flurry of players from his time at Laurimar who will establish the new foundation for this Eagles side that has lost the likes of Caelan Anderson, Brock Chircop and Dayne and Liam Middleton. The trump card Craigieburn currently hold is the acquisition of homegrown Eagles junior, Jake Carlisle. The ex-AFL swingman will prove critical in his support of Sherman. While there are still some unknowns surrounding if and when Carlisle will get back on the playing field, the experience he offers from a coaching and mentoring capacity are unquestionable.
Round 1 Fixture: West Coburg (A)
2021: 7th (5W, 7L, 78.57%)
Coach: Charlie Denaro (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Paris Grampsas (East Keilor), Bailey Kirkman (Caroline Springs), Lucas Failli (Pascoe Vale), Jayden Rojas (Keilor), Lachlan Pettigrove (East Keilor), Con Grampsas (East Keilor), James Di Blasi (Tarneit), Joshua Covelli (Burnside Heights), Michael Ogliarolo (East Keilor) & Dylan Payne (Essendon Doutta Stars)
Out: Ryan Chandler (Bacchus Marsh), Reuben Rivera (Bacchus Marsh), Jake Hazik (Deer Park), James McNaughton (East Keilor), Andrew Salvatico (Keilor Park), Mark Salvatico (Keilor Park), Julian DiPasquale (Keilor Park), Sammy Gazzo (Merbein), Matthew Italiano (Rupertswood), Ahmed El Chakik (St Albans), Mason Dipetta (St Albans), Dylan Tirpkos (St Albans), James Riggio (St Albans), Alex Lancaster (St Albans), Hisham Kerbatieh (Sunshine), Daniel Gray (Taylors Lakes), Sam Stephens (West Footscray), Oskar Brown (St Albans), Cooper Ellis (St Albans) & Jaxon Holliday (Taylors Lakes)
EDFL Media Says: There has been considerable movement inbound and outbound at Shark Park during the off-season. Josh Covelli joins the Sharks in Strathmore Community Bank Division One in a move that may help plug the hole Hisham Kerbatieh has left in the Hillside attacking arc. That forward line may also be without the 2021 AGA Rising Star, Bailey Ryan, at times this season after he was added to Coburg VFL's development list for 2022. The Grampsas brothers in Paris and Con will add plenty of experience to a younger side. A trip to Roxburgh Park to start the season will set a good indicator on where Hillside sits for this season.
Round 1 Fixture: Roxburgh Park (A)
2021: 1st, Strathmore Community Bank Division Two (10W, 1L, 268.78%)
Coach: Ian Denny (1st Season, replacing Shanon Carroll)
Lodged Transfers
In: Jordan Failla (Aberfeldie), Chad Hewish (Melbourne HSOB) & John O'Brien (North London Lions)
Out: Bill Hansen (Corowa Rutherglen), Braden Padmore (Heathcote), Brett Thomas (Keilor Park), Kristopher Thomas (Keilor Park), Stuart Taylor (Moama), Robert Ryan (Parkside), Luke Malone (PEGS), Fabian Ruggieri (Richmond Central), Daniel Trikilis (Tullamarine) & Kane Vanroosmalen (Tullamarine)
EDFL Media Says: The task of coming up to Strathmore Community Bank Division One from Division Two is always a difficult task. It becomes even more difficult when you lose a five-time Team of the Year member in Braden Padmore. The outs go beyond that though at the Valley with a plethora of key personnel also on the move. Bill Hansen returns to his junior club, Corowa Rutherglen, after being named in last season's Team of the Year, while Kris Thomas and Stuart Taylor were also reliable contributors to the Fog in their promotion winning year that have now left the club. Moonee Valley life member and 1999 premiership coach Ian Denny has returned to help guide the Fog towards staying up. It is a tough opening month for the Valley with fixtures against Westmeadows, Tullamarine, West Coburg and Airport West in the first four rounds.
Round 1 Fixture: Westmeadows (H)
2021: 6th (6W, 6L, 88.04%)
Coach: Michael Farrelly (4th Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Ayden El-Leissy (Hurstbridge) & Ramzy Tannoura (Westmeadows)
Out: Connor Amott (Craigieburn), Joshua Brady (Craigieburn), Jake Hopkinson (Hadfield) & Brent Freeman (Kinglake)
EDFL Media Says: Everything was just starting to click for Roxburgh Park when last season's final round was played in July. The Magpies had won four on the trot, including a victory over West Coburg, while also matching it with some of the division's top teams. There hasn't been too much movement at the Nest as Michael Farrelly enters his fourth season at the club. A settled line-up and growth from within their young list, lead by new skipper Jack Elliot, may be all Roxy need to really push the top four this season. Fixtures against Hillside, Rupertswood, Craigieburn and Westmeadows to open their campaign should set the tone for how the Magpies approach season 2022.
Round 1 Fixture: Hillside (H)
2021: 9th (2W, 9L, 68.29%)
Coach: Arron Bray (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Shaun Stewart (Wallan), Matthew Italiano (Hillside), Zak Saad (Mallee Eagles), Omar Taleb (Mallee Eagles), Jack Burnell (East Sunbury), Julian Belfrage (South Yarra), Benjamin Said (Darley), Brock Landt (Dimboola), Harrison Lusk (East Sunbury), Josh Mckenna (Gisborne Giants), Thomas Cardillo (Gisborne Giants), Sonny Phelan (Gisborne Giants), Logan Johnson (Strathmore), Mitchell Johnson (Strathmore) & Fraser Phelan-Smith (Strathmore)
Out: Connor Frantti-Glen (Airport West), Luke Sultana (Airport West), Angus Dunkley-Price (Keilor Park), Matthew Elliott (Strathmore), Patrick Scanlon (Sunbury) & Nicholas Shoebridge (Riddell)
EDFL Media Says: Rupertswood settled into the EDFL and Strathmore Community Bank Division One rather seamlessly during their first season in the competition. Despite finishing ninth at season's end, Rupo had two wins and a game in hand on tenth-placed Taylors Lakes. The Sharks had also conceded the least amount of points of the bottom five teams in the division. It showed Arron Bray's side is capable of a well disciplined and defensive style. Unfortunately for the Sharks two of their strongest contributors last season, Luke Sultana and Patrick Scanlon, have moved on from Salesian College. For a reasonably young team, the addition of Matt Italiano from Hillside will add some much needed experience into this Rupo line-up. A difficult trip to Airport West awaits them in Round One.
Round 1 Fixture: Airport West (A)
2021: 8th (3W, 8L, 73.51%)
Coach: Leigh Sporle (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Daniel Richmond (Keilor), Cooper McPharlane (East Sunbury), Nicholas Hartfiel (Darley), Wyatt McLaughlin (East Sunbury), Nathan Xerri (Diggers Rest), Fitzroy Greenwool (Shepparton United), Tierone Cuffe (Strathmore), Nicholas Ivakovic (East Sunbury), Brody Watts (Keilor), Shawn Bowden (Sunbury Lions) & Jordan James (Sunbury Lions)
Out: Adam Forth (Braybrook), Luke Baron (Heathcote), Blake Henderson (Melton Centrals), Scott Bedford (Flinders Park) & Ferras Merhi (Westmeadows)
EDFL Media Says: The Kangaroos are poised to improve on last year's showing with a few handy recruits and strong retention of their playing group from 2021. 2019 premiership player Tierone Cuffe has returned to the Kangas after a one-year stint at Strathmore. Cuffe was also a Team of the Year member in 2019 and offers a strong option through the midfield or forward line. Cooper McPharlane has also made the move to Eric Boardman Reserve. The 21-year-old produced a breakout season last year for East Sunbury kicking 44 goals from 10 games. He is sure to give the Leigh Sporle another avenue up forward as he tests his craft in a higher division. A showdown under lights against Tullamarine beckons in Round One.
Round 1 Fixture: Tullamarine (A)
2021: 2nd (9W, 3L, 114.63%)
Coach: David Connell (4th Season) & Ben Chapman (1st Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Shaun McKernan (St Kilda), James Vistarini (Woodend-Hesket), Phil Smith (Koondrook-Barham), Matthew O'Dwyer (Koondrook-Barham), Nicholas Bruno (Northern Saints), Peter Dispenzeri (Northern Saints), Matthew Jones (Strathmore), Matthew Bennardo (Northern Saints), Salvatore Melilli (Taylors Lakes), Evangelos Tzoras (Pascoe Vale), Dakota Forryan (Craigieburn), Carlo Inturrisi (Greenvale), Luke Podhajski (East Sunbury), Brandon Marlow (Greenvale), Jack Thomson (Keilor Park), Daniel Trikilis (Moonee Valley), Kane Vanroosmalen (Moonee Valley), Hayden Carlsen (Heidelberg), Marcus Willoughby (Heidelberg), Reilly Delahunt (Maldon), Luke Baldassini (Mernda), Luke Miranda (South Morang) & Nathan Mittica (South Morang)
Out: Liam Montrose (Albanvale), Dean Bartrop (Kyneton) & Noah Bone (Jacana)
EDFL Media Says: Tullamarine will head into season 2022 as one of the premiership favourites and it's not hard to see why. The Demons have gone on a massive recruiting drive headlined by ex-AFL big man, Shaun McKernan. The former Crow, Bomber and Saint returns to Leo Dineen Reserve where he played his junior footy under, now club president, Peter Labbad. It's difficult to imagine how many Division One defenders will be able to match McKernan's athleticism or height. As well as McKernan, Tulla have brought in plenty of talent to bolster its list. Matthew O'Dwyer is another ex-AFL product that has joined the club. Former Northern Saints trio Nick Bruno, Peter Dispenzeri and Matthew Bennardo will try their hand at Division One football while 2018 Hutchison Medallist James Vistarini will add another dimension to the Demon's midfield and forward rotation. The co-coaching dynamic of David Connell alongside Ben Chapman will just be another of the intriguing watches of this Tullamarine season.
Round 1 Fixture: Sunbury Kangaroos (H)
2021: 5th (7W, 5L, 148.47%)
Coach: Dale May (3rd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Nil
Out: Ibrahim Taha (Airport West) & William Wales (Oak Park)
EDFL Media Says: There has been a great hush over Shore Reserve this off-season. With not a single lodged transfer coming in and Ibrahim Taha the only notable out for the Burgers, it seems Dale May is happy to back in the cattle he has. It's hard to blame him either. At the end of May, West Coburg sat equal first on the Division One ladder locked with East Keilor and Tullamarine at 6-1. It was from this point in the season where Covid breaks and postponed rounds saw the wheels come off for West Coburg. The Burgers went on to lose four of their next five games suffering close defeats to East Keilor, Airport West and Tullamarine. We know West Coburg's best football can match it with any team in this division and a bit of consistency in their performances should see them challenge for premiership glory.
Round 1 Fixture: Craigieburn (H)
2021: 4th (8W, 4L, 109.67%)
Coach: Mo Kaakour (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Markus Welsh (Airport West), Zain Neicho (Caroline Springs), Bill Samie (West Preston-Lakeside) & Ferras Merhi (Sunbury Kangaroos)
Out: Robert Castello (Keilor Park), Ethan Wild (Mernda) & Ramzy Tannoura (Roxburgh Park)
EDFL Media Says: There is no hiding the fact that losing Robbie Castello could be the biggest blow any Division One side has had to suffer this off-season but there should be plenty of optimism down at Willowbrook Reserve. After Castello went down with a season ending injury last season, the Tigers were able to produce a 5-2 form line to close out the year. Mo Kaakour still has plenty of talent at his disposal with a good balance of youth and experience coming through down at Tigerland. Young ruck Jason Kenneth is one of the division's most exciting prospects, Aaron Evans managed to hit some career best form last season, while Jayden Ranno flourished in the absence of Castello and Ahmed Abdul-Wahed proved to be as reliable as ever. Young gun Zain Neicho should be an exciting addition to Tigerland with the 2018 WRFL Under 19 Division One best and fairest winner crossing over from Caroline Springs.
Round 1 Fixture: Moonee Valley (A)
