With the 2022 season just around the corner, EDFL media has taken a look at all the teams heading into Round One.
2021: 3rd (9W, 3L 150.69%)
Coach: Adam Marcon (1st Season, replacing Adam Potter)
Lodged Transfers
In: Tim Currie (Eltham), Michael O’Connell (Northcote Park), Luke Morfoot (Ainslie) & William Brkic (PEGS)
Out: Jacob Elia (Burnside Heights), Gregory Constantinou (Burnside Heights), Ryan Allan (Caroline Springs), Joshua Cubillo (Caroline Springs), Andre Srour (Essendon Doutta Stars), Jack Parfett (Essendon Doutta Stars), Patrick Grady (Jabiru Bombers), Ryan Martin (Merrigum), Jordan Failla (Moonee Valley), Mitchell Robinson (Oak Park), Ethan Caddeo (PEGS), David Fahey (PEGS), Riley Macdonald (PEGS), Joshua Toy (PEGS), Benedict Thomson (PEGS), Jack Mooney (PEGS), Dane Hutchinson (St Bernards) & Frank Fazzolari (Woodend-Hesket)
EDFL Media Says: There is a changing of the guard at Aberfeldie as Adam Marcon enters his first season as coach. The Williamstown product replaces Adam Potter who leaves a legacy of three premierships and five straight grand final appearances from 2015 to 2019. Departing with Potter are a number of mainstays from that unrivalled era including Ryan Allen, Josh Cubillo and Josh Toy. In a boost for Marcon, former Williamstown team mate Tim Currie is set to don the two-blues in 2022 while two-time premiership player Daniel Thompson is touted to be back in full capacity at Clifton Park after a stint in the VFL.
Round 1 Fixture: Maribyrnong Park (A)
2021: 6th (5W, 6L, 1D, 102.84%)
Coach: Patrick Byrne (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Lachlan Jowett (St Bernards), Aaron Clarke (Melton South), Silver Yousif (Altona), Jordan Stephens (Craigieburn), Cameron McLeod (Albury), Rocco Tripodi (St Bernards), William Shem (Myrtleford), Bailey Williamson (Wodonga), Dylan Murnane (De La Salle), Michael Roos (Eaglehawk), Ned Timms (North Warnambool) & Jake Olivieri (Keilor)
Out: Zain Yamak (Pascoe Vale), Jibril Yamak (Pascoe Vale), Liam Byrne (South Bendigo), William Guy (Braybrook), Zachariah Attard (Carngham Linton), Aiden Fato (Caroline Springs), Cameron Harris (Keilor Park) & Luke Barbaro (West Brunswick)
EDFL Media Says: Patrick Byrne will be looking for more improvement again from this Avondale Heights side during his second season in charge. The Heights surpassed their win tally of four from 2018 and 2019 despite the reduced 2021 season. With five wins on the board including a win over the ever dominate Keilor and fierce rivals Maribyrnong Park, Avondale Heights proved they can match it with top-four teams when they are on. However, if they are to improve on their 2021 exploits they may have to do it without Team of the Year forward Danko Bzenic, who has a pending transfer to Montmorency.
Round 1 Fixture: Strathmore (H)
2021: 1st, Strathmore Community Bank Division One (11W, 1L, 250%)
Coach: Tim Bongetti (1st Season, replacing Pat Christofi)
Lodged Transfers
In: Tristan Mancuso (Manunda Hawks), Nicholas Grabowski (Banyule), Antonio Palumbo (St Bernards), Zen Christofi (Caroline Springs), Damien Petrone (Pascoe Vale), Dale Marshall (Rosebud), Frank Campisi (Caroline Springs), James McNaughton (Hillside), Chris Nabbout (Northern Saints), Andrew Ruberto (Hadfield), Rhys Smith (Caroline Springs), Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith (Old Melburnians), Rodney Van Riet (Deer Park), Jake Hazik (Deer Park) & Kobe Watson (East Sunbury)
Out: James Philpot (Coburg Districts), Paris Grampsas (Hillside), Lachlan Pettigrove (Hillside), Con Grampsas (Hillside), Michael Ogliarolo (Hillside), Nicholas Spano (Keilor Park), Brenden Lucas (Taylors Lakes), Luke McCormack (Taylors Lakes), Cody Day (Violet Town), Fabian Brancatisano (Airport West), Dean Roberts (Brunswick), Jye King (Hampton Park), Vincent Schiavello (Keilor Park) & Joshua Klaromenos (St Albans)
EDFL Media Says: East Keilor are sure to be one of the most captivating watches of the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division season. 2021 Team of the Year coach Pat Christofi has stepped aside for former captain, Tim Bongetti, to take the reins as a playing-coach. However, it won't be the last we hear from the evocative former coach as he steps into the role of club president in 2022. The Cougars have been no stranger to recruiting in recent years and 2022 has shaped to be no different. 2019 EDFL Team of the Year midfielder Nick Grabowski returns to the Cougars after a season at Banyule, while former Keilor gun Rodney Van Riet has also joined the ranks at East Keilor after a stint in the WRFL. The former Blue collected the Reynolds Medal back in 2010.
Round 1 Fixture: Essendon Doutta Stars (H)
2021: 9th (2W, 10L, 67.5%)
Coach: Paul Barnard (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Giacomo Thomas (Craigieburn), Jack Parfett (Aberfeldie), Noah Smallacombe (Strathmore), Peter Ntalianis (Airport West), Michael Graham (Balranald), Mitchell Caddy (Drysdale), Ryan Woolley (Pennant Hills), Jake Rawley (Craigieburn), Lionel Ogden (Southern Districts), Sean McLaren (Cheltenham), Thomas Clarke (Darwin Buffaloes), Sam Heaton (Old Trinity Grammarians)
Kyle Parsons (Cheltenham), Nicholas Pirrie (Mulgrave), Carlo Graziano (Northern Saints), Mitchell Caddy (Drysdale), Lachlan Comito (St Bernards) & Andre Srour (Aberfeldie)
Out: Jackson Connor (Braybrook), Mitchell Day (Diggers Rest), Mitchell Caddy (Drysdale), Alexander Boyse (Northcote Park), Matthew D'Angelo (Northcote Park), Jordan Schroder (Northcote Park), Joshua La Rocca (PEGS), Nicholas Guida (St Bernards), Vinnie Sudano (St Bernards), Jake Toa (St Marys), Steven Pavlovic (Airport West), Dylan Payne (Hillside), Daniel Nettleton (St Bernards), Dominic Sudano (St Bernards) & Luca Winkel (Strathmore)
EDFL Media Says: Paul Barnard will have his work cut out for him this year as Essendon Doutta Stars strive to stay in the competition's top flight. The Stars' two wins of the 2021 season came against the relegated Craigieburn and have lost a number of key personnel this off-season. Mitch Day will head to Diggers Rest while gun duo Alex Boyse and Jordan Schroder will both be joining Northcote Park. That said the Stars have been on the front foot to ensure the departing stars are replaced, headlined by former Sydney Swan Sean McLaren. Former Calder Cannon product Giacomo Thomas has also signed with the Stars after playing a handful of senior football with Craigieburn last season. Opening their season with a clash against East Keilor will give a good indication to where the Stars are at this year.
Round 1 Fixture: East Keilor (A)
2021: 8th (3W, 9L, 64.77%)
Coach: Ross Terranova (6th Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Blake Taylor (Caroline Springs), Joel Grace (Bundoora), George Abdallah (Pascoe Vale), Declan Brown (Bracknell), Lachlan O'Connor (Lavington Panthers), Logan Berryman (Lavington Panthers), Aythen Kyriazis (Pascoe Vale), Lucas Kyriazis (Pascoe Vale), William Luhrs (Cavendish), John Mona (Pascoe Vale), Maclayn Hallows (Lavington Panthers), Matthew Shannon (Shepparton), Hayden Clarke (Wodonga Raiders), Mason Pun (Epping), Amin Musa (Mernda), Bilal Almatrah (Bundoora), Jake Inness (Laurimar), Shaun Tomkinson (Northern Saints), Lachlan Cox (Longwood), Logan Evans (Therry Penola), Nathan Catullo (Therry Penola), Michael Lane (Longwood) & Joshua Crump (East Sunbury)
Out: Nicholas Meehan (Alexandra), Thomas Mooney (Ballarat), Lachlan Ronaldson (Diggers Rest), Mohamed Abdullatif (Northern Saints)
EDFL Media Says: Glenroy have yet to breakout of the bottom three during its three Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division seasons following its promotion in 2017. In all three campaigns the Roys have finished in eighth position, proving too good for relegation but still looking for that spark to shoot them up the ladder. The loss of Lachie Ronaldson is a dagger to the Roys but a plethora of VFL listed players have committed to the club when playing schedules allow them to don the red and white. Mac Hallows (Essendon), Matt Shannon (Carlton), Hayden Clarke (Port Melbourne) and Tom Bracher (Richmond) are all players with a VFL alignment but may be in the mix at times for Ross Terranova this season. The addition of Bundoora big man Joel Grace is also set to bolster Glenroy's tall stocks.
Round 1 Fixture: Pascoe Vale (H)
2021: 7th (5W, 7L, 122.17%)
Coach: Darren Bewick (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Cameron Tudor (St Joseph's), Liam Rocca (Strathmore), Jake Rocca (Strathmore), Edyn Sibbald (St Bernards), Michael Caven (Echuca United) & Thomas Crowley (Cohuna Kangas)
Out: Tyson Young (Airport West), Ostinn Bellingham (Albanvale), Courtenay Dempsey (Caroline Springs), Anthony Caligiuri (Dunnstown), Mitchell Ellis (Dunnstown), Adrian Messina (St Bernards), Laurence King (Surfers Paradise), Carlo Inturrisi (Tullamarine), Brandon Marlow (Tullamarine) & Matthew Romeo (Burnside Heights)
EDFL Media Says: It is shaping up to be an intriguing year at Section Road this season. The Jets aren't a side you can immediately write off despite their seventh placed finish in last year's reduced season. After a one-season stint, Tyson Young will return to Airport West in 2022. To many, Young was the Jets' best performer last season as he was duly rewarded with Team of the Year selection. Despite Young's departure, the Jets still posses plenty of top end talent. Sam Zumbo was again a Team of the Year half back, Chris Fachione was as reliable as ever and Kurtis Sanajko produced one of his best seasons to date in a new role. The Jets are a team that can beat anyone on their day but Darren Bewick will have to get a rise out of the bottom of their list and find more consistency in 2022 to be a factor.
Round 1 Fixture: Keilor (A)
2021: 2nd (10W, 2L, 169.37%)
Coach: Mick McGuane (14th Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Raymond Mammone (Strathmore), Michael Teal (Sacred Heart), Edward Buijs (Keilor Park), Daniel Sargent (Taylors Lakes) & Patrick Mulherin (Hawthorn)
Out: James Paraskevopoulos (Airport West), Joshua Pardo (Airport West), Richard Leenaars (Airport West), Jayden Rojas (Hillside), Adrian Di Curzio (Keilor Park), Dylan Joyce (Nullawil), Leigh Peters (Pint), Michael Ajaimy (St Albans), Daniel Richmond (Sunbury Kangaroos), Luke Nappi (Taylors Lakes), Oliver Lake (Taylors Lakes), Daniel De Napoli (Taylors Lakes), Simon Borzillo (Taylors Lakes), Darren Walters (West Adelaide), Jake Oliverieri (Avondale Heights) & Brody Watts (Sunbury Kangaroos)
EDFL Media Says: Expect it to be business as usual for Mick McGuane and his ever reliable team. Not much went wrong for Keilor in 2021 during a season where only percentage separated the Blues and top-placed Strathmore. The Covid pinch has seen stalwart Dylan Joyce pursue an opportunity at Nullawil. Joyce leaves the club as a three-time premiership player, a premiership captain, a multiple club best & fairest winner and a three-time EDFL Team of the Year recipient. Other than Joyce, the majority of Keilor's senior team has remained intact. In Mick McGuane's 14th season as coach, premiership glory will be in the pipeline once more.
Round 1 Fixture: Greenvale (H)
2021: 4th (8W, 3L, 1D, 109.12%)
Coach: Brad Swain (2nd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: James Todoroski (Keilor Park), Sean Hetherington (Old Melburnians), Ben McGuinness (Mt Waverley Falcons), Christopher Markland (Keilor Park), Keiya Osumi (St Bernards), James Todoroski (Keilor Park), Corey O'Connor (Old Paradians), Daniel Tadinac (Therry Penola AFC) & Thomas Wyatt (Poowong)
Out: Tobie Richardson (Lake Boga), Garnet Brennan (University Blacks), Luke Pupillo (Parkside), Tim Luppino (PEGS), Mitchell Comben (Pint), Jacob Lafontaine (St Bernards) & Angus Hug (St Bernards)
EDFL Media Says: There was plenty to like about Maribyrnong Park in 2021 as Brad Swain's team produced eight wins, one more than they managed during the full length 2019 season. There has been little movement in the off-season for Marby with the club seemingly willing to back in the cattle they already posses. With the likes of dual Team of the Year members Brodie Romensky and Scott Clarke as as well as Reynolds Medal runner-up Tom Baravi committed for 2022, the list at Maribyrnong Park will be strong again this season. Ollie Sanders has aligned himself with the Lions for 2022 after making the move up from Tasmania. Sanders vice-captained Tassie's NAB League side in 2021 and is Carlton VFL listed this year.
Round 1 Fixture: Aberfeldie (A)
2021: 5th (7W, 5L, 130.11%)
Coach: Digby Morell (3rd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Adam Figliola (Strathmore), Zain Yamak (Avondale Heights), Jibril Yamak (Avondale Heights), Stefan Valensisi (Northern Saints) & Phoenix Prince (Parkside)
Out: Ryan Caundle (Coburg Districts), Graeme Whiting (Craigieburn), Damien Petrone (East Keilor), George Abdallah (Glenroy), Aythen Kyriazis (Glenroy), Lucas Kyriazis (Glenroy), John Mona (Glenroy), Lucas Failli (Hillside), Dean Tydell (Mount Pleasant), Jason Blakemore (Pennant Hills), Evangelos Tzoras (Tullamarine), Tyler Willis (Wodonga) & Graeme Whiting (Craigieburn)
EDFL Media Says: It's always a fascinating watch at Raeburn Reserve to see what Pascoe Vale can conjure up. The Panthers announced a number of major coups in Paul Ahern and Ozgur Uysal before Christmas but the resulting transfers are yet to transpire. The addition of the two dangerous midfielders may be what sees Pacco hit the heights that many have predicted in seasons gone by. Early fixtures against Glenroy, East Keilor, Essendon Doutta Stars and Greenvale present a great chance for the Panthers to get wins on the board from the get-go and build early momentum in their season.
Round 1 Fixture: Glenroy (A)
2021: 1st (10W, 2L, 253.41%)
Coach: Matthew Horne (3rd Season)
Lodged Transfers
In: Matthew Pellegrino (Shepparton), Matthew Elliott (Rupertswood), Daniel Romero (St Kevins) & Luca Winkel (Essendon Doutta Stars)
Out: Kristian Ciciulla (Brunswick), Noah Smallacombe (Essendon Doutta Stars), Luke Holian (Glenunga), Liam Rocca (Greenvale), Benjamin Gough (Jacana), Ryan McConnell (Jacana), Raymond Mammone (Keilor), Joshua Gough (Oak Park), Andrew Todorov (Ocean Grove), Adam Figliola (Pascoe Vale), James Davey (PEGS), Mitchell Baker-West (PEGS), Nicholas Foley (St Bernards), Luca Cesarini (St Bernards), Marcus Germani (St Bernards), Joshua Sullivan (St Bernards), John Harrington (St Bernards),
Lachlan Hollibone (St Bernards), Tierone Cuffe (Sunbury Kangaroos), Adrian Allison (Therry Penola), Jackson Young (Therry Penola), Deaglan Whelan (Therry Penola), Matthew Jones (Tullamarine), Julian Contanzo (Burnside Heights), Riley Bourke (Coburg Districts), Jake Rocca (Greenvale), Logan Johnson (Rupertswood), Mitchell Johnson (Rupertswood) & Fraser Phelan-Smith (Rupertswood)
EDFL Media Says: It was an eclectic year for Strathmore in 2021 with the Mores able to secure top spot in the reduced season and bring home silverware for the first time since 2014. Much like their highly rated counterparts, Keilor, it has been a quiet off-season for Matthew Horne's side as far as incoming transfers are concerned. On the back of last year's success the old adage of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' runs true for Strathmore. While there are a substantial amount of outgoing transfers for the Mores, the crux of their senior team is still in tact. The main source of best 22 disruptions will come from players taking opportunities at VFL level. Ben Reddick is set to represent Coburg and Floyd Bollinghaus will feature for North Melbourne in the VFL at times again this year while Kyle Weightman was spotted in Essendon colours over the summer.
Round 1 Fixture: Avondale Heights (A)
