Yarra Valley Water InFocus 2026 | Bulleen Templestowe

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.

“Nothing too much has changed… we’re just looking to keep honing in and playing our brand of footy.”

Also returning to Ted Ajani Reserve in 2026 are one of the most damaging duos in the division. Josh and Jake Sticca have re-signed – the pair combined forfourteen times in best, 28 goals, two Team of the Year nominations, a club best and fairest award and a division best and fairest award all in the space of the 2025 season. 

“It was massive to be able to keep [Jake and Josh Sticca]… we’re really pleased they’ve committed to us this year and long term,” Verga said.

“Having said that, our side is built around 40 to 50 players all pulling in the same direction.”

Adding to this number will be Bulleen Templestowe’s new signings. Amongst others, Marcel Haj joins from Templestowe, Tom Rattray-Wood comes over from Old Ivanhoe and Darcy Pierce returns to the club after a stint with Marcellin.

Out of the six total acquisitions, four of them stand above 6’3”. 

For Verga, this is no coincidence.

“We were definitely one of the smaller sides last year… we definitely looked to bring in some height and experience.”

The Bullants host Croydon North MLOC in Round One before facing 2025 finalists Kilsyth and Chirnside Park.

With Division Four expanding to nine teams, Verga acknowledges that the competition will be as tight as ever. The goal, he says, is improving on the foundation that the club built last year.

“There are no easy games in this competition… every game is really tough.

“We had seven wins last year – we’d like to go a few wins better.

“We just want to improve.”