IT was another memorable season in the Northern Football League’s top flight, with the even nature of the competition again making it a standout among local football ranks.
Macleod’s patience and hard work in developing its own home-grown talent paid the ultimate dividend, with the Roos claiming just their second Division 1 premiership.
The Roos’ grand final success meant the Division 1 premiership cup headed to its sixth new home in seven seasons – with no club winning successive flags since Heidelberg’s rounded out its four-peat in 2009.
Greensborough fell just short of equalling Heidelberg’s league-record of 19 premierships, with the Boro winning the minor premiership, before succumbing to Macleod in a see-sawing grand final.
The Boro’s strong season was recognised with six players selected in the Division 1 Team of the Year, along with coach Ben Turner.
Ninth and eighth respectively in 2014, Eltham and Northcote Park were the competition’s improvers in 2015 – with both finishing among the top four and winning a final.
The Panthers were the biggest threat to Greensborough and Macleod throughout the season and were the only club to beat all nine opponents during the home and away season.
Bundoora made a 15th straight finals series but was knocked out in the opening week by Northcote Park. The Bulls fared better than other recent powerhouses Heidelberg and Montmorency, who both missed the finals after dominating the competition in recent years.
On an individual level, it was a season to remember for Matthew Vasilevski, who claimed a second successive Frank Rosbrook Medal as the competition’s best and fairest player.
After last year becoming the first Lower Plenty player to win the Division 1 best and fairest, the 26-year-old this year became the first player since Montmorency’s Daniel Keenan (2008-09) to win the award in consecutive seasons.
Eltham’s James Kroussoratis topped the goal kicking table, booting 65 goals in the regular season despite missing the final two home and away games, while Greensborough skipper Lachlan McQuilken became his club’s first winner of the Coaches Player of the Year award.
Continue below for a review of each teams’ Division 1 season:
MACLEOD – Premier (16 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses)
A truly memorable year for the Macleod Football Club as it claimed just its second Division 1 premiership, and first since 1971. After showing great improvement in each of Garry Ramsay’s first two years as coach, the Roos took another quantum leap forward in 2015 and were rewarded with the ultimate success. For the entire season the Roos were locked in a two-way battle with Greensborough at the top of the ladder. Macleod won both home and away outings against the Boro and looked destined to claim the minor premiership, before successive losses in the final two rounds of the regular season saw it slip to second place. The Roos rebounded in the qualifying final against Eltham before falling to a heavy loss to Greensborough in the second semi. But with Jack Langford, Liam Brandt, Nick Lynch and Josh Henkel all returning to the side, Macleod was able to overrun Eltham in the preliminary final before reversing the second semi result on grand final day, winning by 21 points after breaking the game open late in the third term. Lucas Hobbs was a standout in his first season at De Winton Park, winning the club’s best and fairest in his first season after crossing from Whittlesea. Hobbs featured in Macleod’s best players in 16 of 22 matches and finished with 22 goals from the midfield. He was selected in the Division 1 Team of the Year and also represented Vic Metro over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, after impressing in the NFL’s close loss to the VAFA in the 2015 Metro Championships. Justin White maintained his high level across the entire season, Jack Bianchin enjoyed a massive September campaign, while Kane Shaw’s leadership – particularly on grand final day – could not be understated. The Roos were also well served by a number of emerging players, with 19-year-old Laurence Schubert finishing second in the club’s best and fairest, while 18-year-old Reid Brandt kicked 29 goals, including 11 during the finals series. With so much home-grown talent within its playing list, an era of sustained dominance is on the cards after breaking a 44-year Division 1 premiership drought.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Lucas Hobbs (12 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Nick Lynch (41 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Lucas Hobbs, Justin White
GREENSBOROUGH – Runner-up (16 wins, 4 losses)
For the first time since 1958, Greensborough failed to defend a Division 1 premiership, having gone back-to-back the plast four times it has won a flag in the top flight. The grand final loss to Macleod also denied the Boro from joining Heidelberg on a league-record 19 premiership wins. The grand final loss was a disappointing way to the end the season, but for the six months before it Greensborough was near faultless in its premiership defence. The Boro won 15 of 18 home and away matches – which included two close losses to Macleod and a four-point defeat to Eltham that was decided on the final kick of the day. Greensborough kicked more points per game than any other side in the competition, and also conceded the fewest points. The Boro had six representatives in the Division 1 Team of the Year, while Ben Turner was named coach of the team in his debut season at the helm. Lachlan McQuilken was named the Coaches Player of the Year, while Rhys Boyden was a close second to Eltham’s James Kroussoratis on the goal kicking table. Tristan Stead took his game to another level and was rewarded with his first club best and fairest. Josh Grubb enjoyed a superb year and kicked 48 goals – including eight in his two finals – at an average of three per game, while Nick Riddle returned full-time after three seasons with Collingwood VFL and was again superb in defence. Riddle was named the NFL’s best in its clash with the VAFA in March and also represented Vic Metro. Despite falling one step short in its premiership quest, all signs indicate Greensborough will remain one of the genuine contenders moving into 2016. A sign of the club’s true strength is the fact that its seniors, reserves and under-19s have all played off in the past two grand finals of their respective competitions.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Michael Hooper and Tristan Stead (13 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Rhys Boyden (64 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Rhys Boyden, Michael Hooper, Matthew Hyde, Lachlan McQuilken, Nick Riddle, Tristan Stead, Ben Turner (coach)
ELTHAM – 3rd (13 wins, 8 losses)
2015 proved to be a season for huge improvement for Eltham in Mario Bandera’s second season at the helm. The Panthers returned to the finals after a ninth-place finish in 2014 and claimed their first Division 1 finals victory since 1977 when they defeated Northcote Park in the first semi. Eltham was the only side to beat all other teams during the home and away season, with Greensborough and Macleod eventually matching that feat during the finals series. The Panthers looked to have one foot in the grand final when they led Macleod by 33 points early in the preliminary final, before injury and fatigue saw them run out of gas. Mario Bandera’s efforts in taking the club from three wins last season to 13 wins this year were rewarded when the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named him the Northern Region Senior Coach of the Year. Anton Woods enjoyed his first season at Panther Place and was runner-up for the Frank Rosbrook Medal, as the competition’s best and fairest player. Woods and Bradyn Taglieri – who returned to Eltham on a permanent basis after two seasons with the Northern Blues – were keys to the Panthers’ rise up the ladder following an arduous 2014 campaign. James Kroussoratis kicked more goals than any player in the competition, finishing with 67 goals despite missing the final two home and away games and the opening two finals with a knee injury. Reigning club best and fairest Billy Glasgow continued to improve and established himself as one of the league’s premier players – finishing in the top five for the Coaches Player of the Year for the second successive year. Matthew Evans proved a handy recruit from Bundoora and Chase Caulfield showed great improvement in his second year at Eltham. Meanwhile, Matthew Williamson and Jamie Doukas showed their capabilities as goal kicking forwards when Kroussoratis went down late in the year.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Anton Woods (22 votes)
Leading goal kicker: James Kroussoratis (67 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Billy Glasgow, James Kroussoratis, Bradyn Taglieri, Anton Woods
NORTHCOTE PARK – 4th (11 wins, 9 losses)
Overcame a disappointing 2014 campaign to return to the top five in Harmit Singh’s first season as playing-coach. A spate of injuries, overseas travel and VFL selection forced the Cougars to regularly change their line-up throughout the year, with 49 players featuring in the senior side. As a result, only Gerard Sutton, Wayne Schultz and Luke Svarc played every game. A former VFL star, Schultz lived up to expectations in his first year at Bill Lawry Oval and finished equal second for the Frank Rosbrook Medal. He just pipped Svarc for the Cougars’ best and fairest, the Molloy Medal, and was named on a half back flank in the Division 1 Team of the Year. Skipper Bronik Davies missed the opening part of the season after appearing as a contestant on the Channel 7 series House Rules but was back to his best in the second half of the season, storming to a third-place finish for the Molloy Medal. Will Debruin and Bryn Barnes-Webb also enjoyed strong season, with Debruin named Northcote Park’s best finals player following its elimination final win over Bundoora and first semi loss to Eltham. The Cougars lost small defender Ben McNiece to Essendon VFL after Round 13 and the 23-year-old went on to impress at the higher level, winning the VFL Bombers’ Best First Year Player award. Exciting forward Ash Close booted 23 goals in 11 games and finished the season in Collingwood’s VFL team. The tall forward also earned an invite to this month’s AFL State Combine.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Wayne Schultz (22 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Ash Close and Patrick O’Connell (23 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Wayne Schultz
BUNDOORA – 5th (11 wins, 8 losses)
Qualified for a 15th successive finals series, but as was the case in 2014, Bundoora was this season knocked out of the premiership race in the opening week of the finals series. Struggled early to adapt to life without Cameron Cloke, Trent Barbero, David Mitchell and Brayden Shaw and looked anything but a premiership contender after winning just six of its opening 13 games. However, the Bulls hit the finals in red-hot form – winning their final five regular season matches in impressive fashion, including a 12-point Round 17 win over Macleod in one of the games of the season. They were knocked out of the finals in another classic, beaten by Northcote Park by three points after Ricky Dyson’s last-minute shot cannoned into the post. Brendan Carlyon enjoyed a huge season and was a deserving winner of the Bulls’ best and fairest. Matthew Dennis overcame an early season injury to again be the leading ruckman in the competition, while Ned McKeown took his game to another level, finishing third in both the club and league best and fairest despite playing just 12 home and away games, in between stints with Collingwood VFL. Veteran Gary Moorcroft – whose son Beau also played senior football this year – was a revelation when moved higher up the ground as Bundoora experimented with its forward set-up. Despite spending more time outside forward 50, Moorcroft still led the club’s goal kicking with 47 majors. Josh and Nick Grabowski showed their worth after crossing from Avondale Heights, while Kane Slater provided a spark inside forward 50 in his season from Northcote Park.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Ned McKeown (17 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Gary Moorcroft (47 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Matthew Dennis, Ned McKeown
LOWER PLENTY – 6th (8 wins, 10 losses)
Finished one place higher on the ladder than in 2014, but recorded one less win this year. Lower Plenty began the season as a genuine finals threat and looked on track to qualify for its first ever Division 1 finals campaign after a 3-1 start. However, five successive losses between rounds 5-9 ultimately put paid to the Bears’ hopes of playing finals. Mid-season wins over Bundoora and Northcote Park got the club back on track, but it was always going to be a tough ask to jump back into the top five, particularly when fixtured against three top-four teams in the final three rounds. Matthew Vasilevski was the club’s best player throughout the year and was rewarded with the Frank Rosbrook Medal for the second successive year. The 26-year-old became the first player since Daniel Keenan (2008-09) to win consecutive Division 1 best and fairest awards. Heath Ayres made a much anticipated comeback to the league after stints in the EDFL and WRFL and finished second for the Bears’ best and fairest in his first season with the club, with ruckman Patty Flynn behind him in third. Doug Morris also joined the Bear Cave in 2015 and the midfielder-come-forward booted a team-high 22 goals for the season. In defence, Cameron Elmore stood up and was rewarded for his efforts with his first selection in the Division 1 Team of the Year. Billy Barden was sorely missed after succumbing to injury early in the year, with the Bears never able to find a replacement for their former skipper. After a solid start, 2015 is likely to be looked back upon as a year of missed opportunities for Lower Plenty.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Matthew Vasilevski (24 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Doug Morris (22 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Cameron Elmore, Matthew Vasilevski
HEIDELBERG – 7th (7 wins, 11 losses)
A year very few could have anticipated. After finishing runner-up in 2014, many expected Heidelberg to again be around the mark in 2015 – particularly after landing Daniel Archer from Wangaratta and with Michael Brunelli returning from injury. But it was to be a year of frustration for the Tigers as they missed out on finals action for the first time since 2003. Their season got off to a flyer and they were the competition’s only undefeated side after Round 3. Despite a slight drop-off in form over the next two months, the Tigers still sat in third place after Round 11 and looked headed to improve their record to 8-4 when they led Macleod by 18 points in their Round 12 encounter. The Tigers faded badly at De Winton Park to fall to a three-goal defeat and from there their season never recovered. The 2014 runner-up lost its final seven matches, with its finals hopes ended when beaten by Montmorency in Round 16. Worse was to come the following week, when they let slip a five-goal lead in the final quarter to lose to old rival North Heidelberg at home. Craig Hunter – who led the club to its 2006 premiership – announced he wouldn’t continue as coach in 2016 following a one-point final-round defeat to Northcote Park. Michael Looby was a shining light across half back and was Heidelberg’s only representative in the Team of the Year. Charles Gaylard – who has been announced playing-coach in 2016 – was another who consistently performed well, marshalling the midfield with Kieren Andrew. After a disappointing season, expect a solid response in 2016.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Paul Bower (8 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Daniel Archer (30 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Michael Looby
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE – 8th (6 wins, 12 losses)
A third straight year without finals for West Preston-Lakeside, with 2015 yielding just six wins in Leigh Cole’s debut season as coach. After receiving a 58-point drubbing from Northcote Park in the opening round, the Roosters went on to win five of their next seven matches as they went to the Queen’s Birthday weekend break with a 5-3 record. That should have been 6-2 but for a last quarter fadeout in Round 6 which saw the Roosters let slip a 19-point advantage against Eltham to fall by eight points. Despite going into the Queen’s Birthday break full of confidence after a thumping 52-point win over Lower Plenty, West was never the same side after the break. It lost eight successive games, with the losing streak ended in the final round when it overcame Montmorency by 21 points. The eight-game losing streak was headlined by close home losses and blowout defeats away from home, with the Roosters statistically a seven-goal better side at home throughout the season. For the second successive year Luke Lirosi and Shaun Gannon led the club’s best and fairest voting, with Lirosi this year beating his skipper for the award. Aaron Willitts had a successful first season at J.E. Moore Park after crossing from Epping to lead the club’s goal kicking with 32 majors, while David Rodan was named in the Roosters’ best in half of his 16 matches, and also managed 18 goals.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Luke Lirosi (8 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Aaron Willitts (32 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Shaun Gannon
MONTMORENCY – 9th (5 wins, 1 draw, 12 losses)
After waving goodbye to a host of star players in the pre-season, 2015 was a year of rejuvenation for Montmorency. After going so close to breaking its premiership drought in recent years, Ben Haynes opted to adopt a youth policy in his first year as coach. As a result, the Magpies missed September action for the first time since 2007. Haynes blooded plenty of fresh faces throughout the season, with 46 players used in the side – including many from the club’s under-19 program. Despite his side sitting at the opposite end of the ladder to seasons gone by, co-captain Jesse Donaldson remained one of the competition’s most damaging players – winning plenty of the ball and booting 23 goals from midfield. He and Pat Fitzgerald were both named in the Division 1 Team of the Year, with Fitzgerald managing 51 goals in 16 games, which included a bag of seven in the Round 16 win over Heidelberg and six in the thrilling Round 10 draw with eventual premier Macleod. After spending much of 2014 with Casey Scorpions in the VFL Development League, Luke Collins returned a better player and was a shining light throughout the season. Michael Fitz-Gerald made his comeback from injury and was strong in defence, while Joel McLellan relished taking over the role as the club’s leading ruckman and polled the club’s most votes in the league best and fairest count.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Joel McLellan (12 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Patrick Fitzgerald (51 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Jesse Donaldson, Patrick Fitzgerald
NORTH HEIDELBERG – 10th (2 wins, 16 losses)
Despite enduring a tough season in its return to the top flight, there was no doubting the improvement shown by North Heidelberg throughout the year. Relegated in 2011 without a win, the Bulldogs this year claimed two victories – with both coming away from home against arch-rivals Heidelberg and Montmorency. After losing two of its opening four matches by triple figures, the Bulldogs were able to reduce the size of their defeats as the year went on – but for a 137-point defeat to a red-hot Lower Plenty in Round 15. One of the Bulldogs’ biggest issues throughout the season was running out matches. On half a dozen occasions they were overpowered in the final quarter when in a winning position at three-quarter time. Shane Harvey claimed his fifth club champion award after kicking 55 goals, and was North’s only member in the Team of the Year. Michael Florance was a revelation in his first year with the club, with his athleticism around the ground earning him a runner-up finish in the best and fairest. Jarrod Spurrell and Jake Brown always put in throughout the year, while 19-year-olds Aiden Buchanan and Zac Gleeson both look players for the future and impressed in the 16 and 14 matches they played respectively.
Most NFL best and fairest votes: Jesse Tardio (7 votes)
Leading goal kicker: Shane Harvey (55 goals)
Team of the Year representatives: Shane Harvey
DIVISION 1 – 2015 REVIEW
Grand Final
Greensborough 10.6 (66) def by Macleod 13.9 (87)
Best and Fairest
1st – Matthew Vasilevski (Lower Plenty) – 24 votes
2nd – Wayne Schultz (Northcote Park) – 22 votes
2nd – Anton Woods (Eltham) – 22 votes
4th – Ned McKeown (Bundoora) – 17 votes
5th – Matthew Dennis (Bundoora) – 14 votes
Leading Goal Kicker (home and away only)
1st – James Kroussoratis (Eltham) – 65 goals
2nd – Rhys Boyden (Greensborough) – 60 goals
3rd – Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) – 55 goals
4th – Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency) – 51 goals
5th – Gary Moorcroft (Bundoora) – 45 goals
Coaches Player of the Year
1st – Lachlan McQuilken (Greensborough) – 19 votes
2nd – Shaun Gannon (West Preston-Lakeside) – 18 votes
2nd – Lucas Hobbs (Macleod) – 18 votes
2nd – Tristan Stead (Greensborough) – 18 votes
5th – Billy Glasgow (Eltham) – 17 votes
5th – Luke Lirosi (West Preston-Lakeside) – 17 votes
