Eastland 2025 Season Review | Doncaster East

Injuries and consistency once again marred a Doncaster East season that promised so much in the offseason

Senior Men’s

Ladder: 8th (7-11, 91.47%)

Leading Goalkicker: Josh Schache (67 goals in 18 games)

Best and Fairest: Lachlan Waddell

Summary -

Despite missing out on finals for a second consecutive season there were some improvements for the Lions, this time finishing with seven wins and two games outside of the top five.

They started off in solid fashion, sitting with four wins and three losses after the opening seven rounds of the season.

The Lions then started to trail off the following seven rounds, losing five games between rounds eight and 14, including crucial contests against Noble Park, Berwick and South Croydon.

Ryan James’ men then would lose three of their last four games which saw them miss out on yet another finals series in the Premier Division.

Best Win: Round 7 - Doncaster East 13.8 (86) defeated Rowville 8.10 (58) @ Seebeck Oval

One of two wins to come against the Hawks this season, this one more comfortable than their Round 16 win at home.

It didn’t start off all too well though, trailing by 14 points at quarter time before reducing their deficit at half time to two points.

Doncaster East then started to click into full gear in the second half, kicking six goals to just one in that period en route to a 28-point triumph over the 2023 Premiers.

Josh Schache had a massive day in attack with five goals, 13 disposals and eight score involvements. Mak Hoskin, Tom Bell and Taylin Duman also had excellent games, with all three acquiring 26 disposals each.

Key Players

Ex-Bulldog, Lion and Demon Schache had an excellent first season in the blue, maroon and gold.

Averaging north of 10 disposals and six score involvements per game, Schache claimed the leading goalkicker award in the top flight and was named at centre half forward in the Team of the Year.

Joining him in the Team was Duman and club Best and Fairest winner Lachlan Waddell. Duman averaged more than 25 disposals and eight rebound 50s per game while Waddell averaged 41 hitouts, 17.7 disposals and 11.9 contested possessions per game.

Josh Deluca racked up the disposals when available, averaging more than 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 10 clearances per game. Young guns Mak Hoskin and Jay Rankin were also consistent contributors over the season.

What’s Next?

2026 is set to be a crunch season for the Lions as they look to make a return to Premier Division finals action for the first time since the 2023 season.

Ryan James has signed on for a fourth season at the helm while key players such as Waddell, Hoskin, Schache, Duman, Tim O’Brien and Jack Sholakis have also re-signed.

They’ve once again been active on the recruiting front, bringing in ex-VFL star Kai Owens from Mornington and current VFL-listed players Tomoya Owens and Matthew O’Brien.

Will Gown and Josh Gasparini have also signed on, with Gown joining from Rosebud and having had experience in the VAFA’s top flight alongside Gasparini with Old Haileybury.

Their coaching staff has been bolstered by the inclusion of ex-Carlton captain Marc Murphy as their skills coach, specifically focusing on helping develop the Lions Under 22 players to take the next step into senior footy.

With a somewhat different approach to their recruiting and work off field so far, the Lions will have plenty optimism about their chances next season.