By Jared Beanland. The two finals series of ’22 and ’23 are a fair way in the past for Doncaster East now, having now finished 8 th on the ladder two years in a row. Seasons marred by injury, inconsistency, and a lack of player continuity have hampered the progress of what otherwise could have been a heavy hitting team. Ryan James is now in his fourth year as senior men’s coach, and is optimistic about the continued development of his side. A fresh start will bring renewed f

By Jared Beanland. The past three years at Mulgrave have shown great improvement for the Lions as they push closer to the ultimate success. The Lions have made the finals in each of those years with varying levels of expectation, yet have fallen short of what could have been. Wantirna South put them to the sword in the 2025 Semi Final, but with the Devils out of the way an improved Mulgrave side could push for glory in season 2026. Matt Richards enters his fourth year as coa

By Jared Beanland. A disastrous season 2024 has turned been turned around very quickly at Walker Reserve, as the Devils have ascended back to Divivsion 1 after just one year. One of the most thrilling grand finals in recent EFNL memory saw Wantirna South defeat Templestowe by just one point in the Division 2 decider. Jason Heffernan is now in his third year as senior coach of Wantirna South, and will lead his squad back into the second tier of EFNL footy. While they are no st

By Davis Harrigan. Tigers finding a new roar It’s safe to say being back in Division One in 2026 will have Mitcham champing at the bit to find their way back to Premier Division. Just one win last season, against Berwick in the middle of the year, sees the Tigers back down a division after being propelled into the top flight for the first time in 20 years, anchored by back to back premierships in 2023 and 2024. Seven games were decided by 10 points or less, signs Mitcham

By Jared Beanland. After tasting premiership success in 2023, Rowville have fallen short of that goal the past two years, losing out in the Preliminary Final both times. Last year it was a deeper run into the finals than a 10-8 home and away record would have suggested. The Hawks have the quality to go far when they are at their best, however 2025 was a story of inconsistency down at Seebeck Oval. Ben Wise enters his sixth year as Rowville’s senior men’s coach, and is optimis

By Davis Harrigan. Blackburn came so close to its first senior premiership since 2002, with last years Premier Division Grand Final going down to the wire. The Burners finished top of the ladder in a landslide, only dropping games across the entire season against East Ringwood and Balwyn. While the ultimate prize remains elusive, the Burners have found their tune over pre-season to have another crack in the EFNL’s top flight. Senior coach Anthony Fagan was stoked with how

By Christopher Kourtis. 2026 marks the start of a new era for the Oakleigh District Football Club. The off-season has brought with it plenty of change at Princes Highway Reserve, as Craig Mulcock takes over the senior coaching role after holding assistant roles at Noble Park and Beaconsfield. The change comes off the back of Blake Pearson’s move to Premier Division club East Ringwood. The playing coach and 2025club leading goal kicker is not the only big name leaving

The Eastern Football Netball League is thrilled to announce it has been officially recognised as a signatory of the Women and Girls Community Football Charter. The Women & Girls Community Football Charter is a commitment from Community Football Leagues, Clubs & Umpire Groups to work towards ensuring that all Football environments are welcoming, safe and inclusive for Women & Girls. EFNL Club and Community Manager, Heath Black, is excited about the recognition and the cont

By Blake Tennant. A youthful Falcons are striving to go again in 2026 after remaining in Division Two despite a tenth-place finish. No relegation from the division last season means the Falcons have been given another chance to consolidate their position in Division Two. Senior Coach Mark Sandilands will take the reins after stepping into the role halfway through last season. Despite winning just the two games for the season, there were plenty of positive signs, even push

By Josh Ward. Both Vermont senior men’s and senior women’s programs are well placed to improve on their 2025 performances this coming season. Under new coach Matt Adolph, Vermont’s senior men’s side had a rollercoaster start to a new era. Whilst they snared eight wins last year, it wasn’t enough for the Eagles as they missed finals for the second time in the past four seasons and the fourth time this century. Adolph returns for his second season at the helm, stating thi

By Christopher Kourtis. Ringwood have started off strong in their race for finals footy in 2026. The Redbacks finished sixth for a third consecutive season, missing out onfinals by a win and percentage points. With four wins out of their last five games, the senior men’s side have looked to build on the momentum. The club have announced a range of new signings, many of which have come from higher divisions. Headlining the arrivals are Premier Division stalwart Tyson C

By Christopher Kourtis. Bulleen Templestowe are ready to push for finals footy in just their second season in the Eastern Football Netball League. The Bullants came so close to a finals spot in their inaugural season, missing out after falling short in their Round 18 win-and-you’re-in game to Kilsyth. Senior coach Andrew Verga returns for another year at the helm and is ready to help his side take the next step. “Last year was a great experience,” Verga said. “Nothi

By Josh Ward. The Norsemen senior men’s get a chance at redemption in Division One after a winless 2025 while its Senior Women’s will be looking to continue building on a successful return. Last season saw Norwood compete in the second tier of the EFNL in 19 years after suffering relegation from Premier Division in 2024. Despite some improvements throughout the year and patches of promise in games, the Norsemen went winless for the first time in 32 years last season. Br

The Magpies of Scoresby are set to continue their re-emergence up the EFNL ranks as they prepare for Division Two footy in season 2026. Scoresby’s return to the third tier of the EFNL senior men’s competition comes after an astonishing season in Division Three where they finished in second, only percentage behind minor premiers Donvale. After losing their first final to Knox, the Magpies then won their last three finals against Upper Ferntree Gully, the Falcons and the Va

By Christopher Kourtis. Park Orchards have their eyes set on premiership glory for both senior programs, whilst the club have announced the instatement of a second women’s team. Park Orchards senior men’s side came agonisingly close to promotion to Premier Division in 2025, a second-straight season in which they’ve fallen short at the final hurdle. The Sharks have once again backed in their list, trusting that they will have what it takes to get the job done this time a

By Josh Ward. The Blues will be looking to bounce back this coming season in Division Two after injury and an inconsistent lineup cruelled a promising 2025 season. Following a Grand Final appearance in their new division in 2024, Croydon fell short of that mark this past season. Sitting with a 6-5 record after 11 rounds, the Blues then lost six of their last seven games to end the season, resulting in an eight placed-finish. Rhett Jordon is set for a third season as Cro

By Josh Ward. The Wickers senior men’s will be looking to build off a promising 2025 season in Premier Division while its senior women’s program continue its rebuild in a new division. Berwick were one of the most improved sides in Premier Division the past season after a changing of the guard at the top. Whilst they ultimately finished ninth for a third consecutive season, they still snared five wins, defeating the likes of East Ringwood, Rowville, Vermont and Doncaster

By Christopher Kourtis. Bayswater’s new look Men’s side are ready to compete in Division One, while the Women’s program aim to replicate their regular season dominance in 2026. The men’s side finished 2025 with three wins and are now looking forward to the fresh start of a new season. Senior coach Luke Harris has given his side a boost over the off-season, bringing in eighteen new players to the club. Despite the number of new faces, Harris says that the side is already

By Christopher Kourtis. Noble Park are not patting themselves on the back after an impressive season – they’re coming back stronger and are ready to break down the doors to finals footy. The Bulls were five wins closer to a finals campaign than they were in 2024, missing out on percentage alone after a win-and-you’re-in Round 18 loss to South Croydon. Senior coach Steve Hughes knows that his side still has work to do despite their improvement in 2025. “We were good e

By Blake Tennant. After a successful 2025 season, last year’s minor premiers, Chirnside Park, are eager to put their Grand Final loss behind them and contend once again. Returning as the club’s senior coach, Justin Ficorilli, has labelled this year as ‘unfinished business’ heading into the 2026 season. “We need to bring back that level we had last year but also lift due to the division being even with sides coming after us,” Ficorilli said. Chirnside Park had a domina