View a list of every club’s major transfers, team lists as well as the coach’s thoughts across all three divisions in preparation for the 2025 senior men’s competition.
MELBOURNE GREYHOUNDS DIVISION 1
ROUND 1 MATCHES
Banyule vs Montmorency @ Beverley Road Oval – 2.10pm
South Morang vs West Preston-Lakeside @ Mill Park Lakes Reserve – 2.10pm
Heidelberg vs North Heidelberg @ Warringal Park – 2.10pm
Bundoora vs Eltham @ Yulong Reserve – 2.10pm
Hurstbridge vs Greensborough @ Ben Frilay Oval – 2.10pm
BANYULE
Coach: Damian Turslove (New)
2024 Result: 6th (10 wins, 8 losses)
Key Ins: James Kayrooz (Maribyrnong Park)
Key Outs: Davin Cameron (South Morang)
The Coach Says: It’s going to be a fantastic season. All teams are capable of winning on their day, and the talent pool across the competition continues to grow.
BUNDOORA
Coach: Heath Scotland
2024 Result: 8th (5 wins, 13 losses)
Key Ins: Joel Harris (Bundoora), Matthew Johnson (Eltham), Jamie Koutafides (Reservoir)
Key Outs: Jackson Bowne (Montmorency), Luke Collins (Cragieburn), Lachlan East (Hurstbridge), Ryan Sturgess (Montmorency), Matthew Morison (St Mary’s), Daniel Younan (Taylors Lakes)
The Coach Says: We are very much looking forward to the growth in our young squad for 2025.
ELTHAM
Coach: Tim Bongetti
2024 Result: 9th (5 wins, 13 losses)
Key Ins: Mitchell Green (St Mary’s), Alex Jacobs (Myrtleford), Matthew Keys (Old Eltham Collegians), Kieran Malone (Old Eltham Collegians), Bradyn Taglieri (Eltham), Kai Turner (Old Eltham Collegians)
Key Outs: Daniel James (Lower Plenty), Matthew Johnson (Bundoora), Ben Smith (Lower Plenty), Darcy Vallance (Old Paradians)
The Coach Says: Continual improvement is what we are after in 2025. I believe we will rattle some top five sides this year with a chance of beating a couple of them. Heidelberg and Montmorency are obvious favourites, but I see one of them falling short as everyone will be hunting.
GREENSBOROUGH
Coach: Matthew Hyde
2024 Result: 5th (10 wins, 8 losses) – Preliminary Finalist
Key Ins: Jackson Davies (Bundoora), Rayden Garrard (Watsonia)
Key Outs: Kristian Ferronato (Heidelberg)
The Coach Says: There is a number of sides in the rise. Teams are investing in home grown talent, and I think it will create one of the tighter seasons seen in some time.
HEIDELBERG
Coach: Vin Dattoli
2024 Result: 1st (17 wins, 1 loss) – Premiers
Key Ins: Kristian Ferronato (Greensborough), Sam Gilmore (Old Paradians), Marcus Herbert (South Warrnambool), Kai Kearns (Tooley Manang)
Key Outs: Donato Cutinelli (Northcote Park)
The Coach Says: We are excited to continually increase the depth of our list.
HURSTBRIDGE
Coach: Joel Cordwell
2024 Result: 4th (11 wins, 7 losses) – Elimination Finalist
Key Ins: Mitch Dale (Diamond Creek), Lachlan East (Bundoora), Jed Tyrell (Kinglake)
Key Outs: Zac Manser (Panton Hill)
The Coach Says: With Heidelberg the one’s to catch, the rest of the competition have a lot of work to do to chase down the premiers.
MONTMORENCY
Coach: Nick Rutley
2024 Result: 2nd (12 wins, 6 losses) – Runners Up
Key Ins: Jackson Bowne (Bundoora), Connor Dalgleish (Yarraville Seddon Eagles), Ryan Sturgess (Bundoora)
Key Outs: Bronson Hill (Diamond Creek), Patrick Fitzgerald (Laurimar), Jesse Thompson (Diamond Creek)
The Coach Says: The competition has no doubt become stronger from a talent standpoint across all teams. We expect to win every game we play in at any stage of the year.
NORTH HEIDELBERG
Coach: Kasey Duncan
2024 Result: 3rd (12 wins, 6 losses) – Semi Finalists
Key Ins: Ben Bath (Greenvale), Fraser Thurlow (North Shore), Liam McKenna (Bonbeach), Jesse Wallin (Donald)
Key Outs: Zane Anderson (Whittlesea), Jared Crosbie (North Heidelberg), Michael Florance (Kinglake), Parker Heatley (Wangaratta Magpies)
The Coach Says: An exciting season ahead, with us all chasing and hoping to break the Tigers’ streak. Eltham will be the surprise team for 2025.
SOUTH MORANG
Coach: Gary Hall
2024 Result: Division 2 Premiers
Key Ins: Davin Cameron (Banyule), Noah Cumberland (Richmond)
Key Outs: Kyle Wheatley (Fitzroy Stars)
The Coach Says: It will be a very challenging but very exciting year ahead.
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE
Coach: Ian Aitken
2024 Result: 7th (6 wins, 12 losses)
Key Ins: Jack Evans (East Keilor), Sam Glover (North Ballarat), Joshua Iacobaccio (Pascoe Vale), Liam McVeigh (Wangaratta), Charlton Offermans (Qld), Mitch Tobin (Diamond Creek)
Key Outs: Mitch Brown (Epping)
The Coach Says: Looking forward to what will be a very competitive competition.
MC LABOUR DIVISION 2
ROUND 1 MATCHES
Macleod vs Diamond Creek @ De Winton Park – 2.10pm
Thomastown vs Panton Hill @ Main Street Recreation Reserve – 2.10pm
Old Paradians vs Whittlesea @ Garvey Oval – 2.10pm
Watsonia vs St Mary’s @ Binnak Park – 2.10pm
Lower Plenty vs Northcote Park @ Montmorency Park South Oval – 2.10pm
DIAMOND CREEK
Coach: Andrew Tranquilli
2024 Result: 2nd (16 wins, 2 losses) – Runners Up
Key Ins: Bronson Hill (Montmorency), Darcy Laurie (Montrose), Darcy MacPherson (Gold Coast), Ewen MacPherson (Surfers Paradise), Jesse Thompson (Montmorency)
Key Out: Mitch Dale (Hurstbridge), Bradley Moore (Heidelberg West), Mitch Tobin (West Preston-Lakeside)
The Coach Says: A tough season ahead, good luck to all.
LOWER PLENTY
Coach: Travis Stephens
2024 Result: 4th (8 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw) – Semi Finalists
Key Ins: Mitch Brownhill (Watsonia), Daniel James (Eltham), Ben Smith (Eltham)
Key Outs: William Barden (Reservoir)
The Coach Says: Once again Division 2 will be close and if you’re not on your game, you will get rolled. Can’t wait for the season to start.
MACLEOD
Coach: Nick Lynch (new)
2024 Result: Relegated from Division 1
Key Ins: Brad Leggett (Panton Hill)
Key Outs: Charlie Smyth (Watsonia), Jacob Walker (North Heidelberg)
The Coach Says: Looks like we are in for a tough and tight season with plenty of clubs on the rise.
NORTHCOTE PARK
Coach: Anthony Palmer
2024 Result: 7th (5 wins, 13 losses)
Key Ins: Lachlan Boscarini (Lancaster), Donato Cutinelli (Heidelberg), Jack Fitzpatrick (Old Eltham Collegians), Jett Humphreys (Watsonia)
Key Outs: Christopher Clark
The Coach Says: We’ve had a really solid pre-season, added some further talent and have significantly improved the depth of our playing list. We feel like we are now in a position to challenge for a finals spot.
OLD PARADIANS
Coach: Ben Turner
2024 Result: Division 3 Premiers
Key Ins: Sebastian Cannizzaro (Heidelberg), Sam Philp (Bundoora), Oliver Stapleton (Marcellin), Darcy Vallance (Eltham)
Key Outs: Sam Gilmore (Heidelberg), Mitchell Merkel, Lachlan Murdoch (Wentworth District)
The Coach Says: Really excited to see how we go in Division 2 this year. We learnt a lot about ourselves last year and feel as if we are continuing on an upward trajectory.
PANTON HILL
Coach: Simon Amore
2024 Result: 8th (5 wins, 13 losses)
Key Ins: Zac Manser (Hurstbridge), Brent Ryan (North Heidelberg)
Key Outs: Josh Callaway, Brad Leggett (Macleod)
The Coach Says: Looking forward to being a part of another strong, enjoyable and even season.
ST MARY’S
Coach: Jack Bianchin (new)
2024 Result: 6th (8 wins, 10 losses)
Key Ins: Dominic Akuei (Carlton), Matthew Morison (Bundoora)
Key Outs: Jeremiah Antypas, Cooper Bruce (Bonbeach), John Desmond, Mitchell Green (Eltham)
The Coach Says: Division 2 looks to be incredibly even, I think most sides at their best would expect to compete well with anybody. From our perspective we know our best is good enough, we’ve shown that early last year, but the gap between our best and worst footy has been far too big and ultimately let us down. We’re going to look to mature as a group and develop that consistency and once we do that I’m really confident we have enough talent to challenge the best sides.
THOMASTOWN
Coach: David Folino and Sashe Spiroski
2024 Result: 5th (8 wins, 10 losses) – Elimination Finalist
Key Ins: Deakyn Smith (Doveton), Matthew Vasilevski (Northern Saints)
Key Outs: Jarryd Coulson (Heidelberg West), Sebastijan D’Arro (Epping)
The Coach Says: We hope to build on 2024 and are looking to play finals football again.
WATSONIA
Coach: Anthony McGregor (new)
2024 Result: 9th (4 wins, 13 losses, 1 draw)
Key Ins: Tom Jackson (North Ringwood), Jack Murphy (Avondale Heights), Charlie Smyth (Macleod), Ned Timms (Avondale Heights)
Key Outs: Damon Braby (Lindenow), Mitchell Brownhill (Lower Plenty), Rayden Garrard (Greensborough), Jamie Haber (North Geelong), Jett Humphreys (Northcote Park)
The Coach Says: It is an extremely tight competition, with all clubs looking to make finals and building foundations for success.
WHITTLESEA
Coach: Garry Ramsay
2024 Result: 1st (17 wins, 1 loss) – Preliminary Finalists
Key Ins: Zane Anderson (North Heidelberg), Nathan Andrews (Laurimar), Riley Gilchrist (Wallan), Jake McNamara (Kinglake)
Key Outs: Nil
List not supplied.
The Coach Says: Going to be another even season which we look forward to.
HEIDELBERG GOLF CLUB DIVISION 3
ROUND 1 MATCHES
Kilmore vs Lalor @ J.J. Clancy Reserve – 2.10pm
Heidelberg West vs Old Eltham Collegians @ Heidelberg Park – 2.10pm
Laurimar vs Fitzroy Stars @ Laurimar Reserve – 2.10pm
Mernda vs Epping @ Waterview Recreation Reserve – 2.10pm
Reservoir vs Ivanhoe @ Crispe Park – 4.00pm
EPPING
Coach: Brad Hollow
2024 Result: 5th (10 wins, 6 losses) – Semi Finalists
Key Ins: Nathan Byatt (Old Eltham Collegians), Mitch Brown (West Preston-Lakeside), Sebastijan D’Arro (Thomastown), Brent Macaffer (Old Eltham Collegians), Matthew Williamson (Old Eltham Collegians)
Key Outs: Damon Hollow (Keilor), Jordan Hollow (Westmeadows), Matthew Mikic (Heidelberg West)
The Coach Says: It is going to be a very exciting season. Anyone can win it.
FITZROY STARS
Coach: Neville Jetta
2024 Result: 1st (14 wins, 2 losses) – Runners Up
Key Ins: Eddie Betts (Wangaratta Rovers), Roy George (Tyntynder), Ethan Penrith (Tatura), Phoenix Spicer (North Melbourne), Kyle Wheatley (South Morang)
Key Outs: Nil
The Coach Says: It will be exciting and competitive year for all teams and any side can win on their day. The division has recruited well, and we are looking forward to seeing some of the talent on the field. I’m sure it will attract more spectators to the game.
HEIDELBERG WEST
Coach: Dale Mayne
2024 Result: 9th (5 wins, 11 losses)
Key Ins: Bryce Barnes (Bundoora), Jarryd Coulson (Thomastown), James Mefflin (Bundoora), Matthew Mikic (Epping), Bradley Moore (Diamond Creek)
Key Outs: Jordan Bulman, Alex Hywood (Undera), Jordan Vellios, Liam Wanders (Coolangatta)
The Coach Says: We have focused on ourselves this pre-season. We have already seen some big improvements but at the end of the day we have to get on the ground and prove it. Recruiting has fallen our way in that we had a plan to recruit for the longer term but certainly our recruits will have an impact straight away. More importantly though, everyone is positive, standards have improved and we know we are in a much better position to be more consistent and competitive.
IVANHOE
Coach: Wayne Schultz
2024 Result: 6th (10 wins, 6 losses)
Key Ins: Oscar McIntyre (Old Ivanhoe), Xavier Mitchell (Cohuna), Dan McLinden (Richmond Centrals), Charlie Robinson (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Tristan Stead (Beechworth)
Key Outs: Ash Close, Matthew Presutto
The Coach Says: We are looking forward to our second year in the competition. We feel settled and really at home now in the NFNL. We have worked really hard in the off-season to take our program to another level. Division 3 will be stronger again where every week looks to already be an arm wrestle. It’s great for footy. Best wishes to everyone for the season ahead.
KILMORE
Coach: Paul Derrick
2024 Result: 7th (7 wins, 9 losses)
Key Ins: Josh Alford (Seymour), Jared Crosbie (North Heidelberg), Caleb Newport (Whittlesea), Bailey Walpole (Cragieburn)
Key Outs: Luke Chapman (Wallan), Cole Isbister, Liam Salter
The Coach Says: This is the toughest division in local football. Not much separates at least six sides.
KINGLAKE
Coach: Dave Florance
2024 Result: 8th (7 wins, 9 losses)
Key Ins: Connor Caldow (Avenel), Michael Florance (North Heidelberg), Dylan Hoysted (Avenel)
Key Outs: Leigh Gilbert, Jake McNamara (Whittlesea), Jed Tyrell (Hurstbridge)
The Coach Says: The 2025 season should be rather competitive with all teams adding depth and talent. We look forward to our improvement and competing for a premiership.
LALOR
Coach: Lance Whitnall
2024 Result: 10th (2 wins, 14 losses)
Key Ins: Nicholas Eades (Mernda), Alex Finch (Mitcham), Adam Raffa (Rye)
Key Outs: Sebastian Pretty (Kilmore), Exavier Whitnall (Fitzroy Stars)
List not supplied.
The Coach Says: Our aim is to improve again on season 2024 and continue to show the club is back and heading in the right direction.
LAURIMAR
Coach: Jimmy Atkins
2024 Result: Relegated from Division 2
Key Ins: Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency), Steve McCallum (Tullamarine)
Key Outs: Nathan Andrews (Whittlesea)
The Coach Says: Our expectation is to do the work and give ourselves every chance to make finals.
MERNDA
Coach: Robert Fletcher
2024 Result: 3rd (11 wins, 5 losses) – Preliminary Finalists
Key Ins: Lachlan Evans (Burnside Heights), Nick Gregson (Burnside Heights), Matt Campbell (Sandhurst)
Key Outs: Joel Harris (Bundoora), Kai Turner (Eltham)
The Coach Says: I think this will be one of the closest Division 3 seasons, and up to eight or nine clubs will be fighting for finals.
OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS
Coach: Matthew Sleeman
2024 Result: 4th (10 wins, 6 losses) – Semi Finalists
Key Ins: Nathan Jasper (Panton Hill), James McCallum (Panton Hill), Omer Mustafa (West Preston-Lakeside), Liam Riley (Lower Plenty)
Key Outs: Hugh Kavanagh (Panton Hill), Matthew Keys (Eltham), Jack Fitzgerald (Northcote Park), Brent Macaffer (Epping), Kieran Malone (Eltham), Bradyn Taglieri (Eltham), Matthew Williamson (Epping)
List not supplied.
The Coach Says: We are excited to be a part of such a competitive year. Most clubs think they are a chance to win so I think every week will be a challenge that makes for an exciting season.
RESERVOIR
Coach: Rohan Davies
2024 Result: 11th (1 win, 15 losses)
Key Ins: William Barden (Lower Plenty), Ricky Dyson (Banyule), Aaron Edwards (Healesville), Josh Grabowski (Wycheproof Narraport), Levi Greenwood (Healesville), Paul Scanlon (Mooroolbark)
Key Outs: Zechariah Cuppens (Pines), Jamie Koutafides (Bundoora)
The Coach Says: The progression in Division 3 football since the inception has been phenomenal, the talent running around at Division 3 level these days is a great thing to watch and great for supporters of the league.
