SEASON PREVIEW: TIV DIVISION 1 SENIOR MEN

With the 2025 football season now upon us, the WFNL media team has cast their eye over the 12-team TIV Division 1 Senior Men’s competition to preview the year ahead and the outlook for every club.

ALBION
2024 Record: 18-0 (1st), Runner up (Division 2) | B&F: Caleb McPherson | Leading Goal Kicker: Jesse Cavanagh (73 goals)
Start to 2025: Point Cook Centrals (A), Sunshine (H), Newport (A)

Last year’s Division 2 runners up are back in the WFNL’s top division for the first time since 2019. While last season didn’t end the way everyone at the club would have hoped for after a dominant campaign before suffering their only loss on the final day of the season. The Cats seem determined to make good of their return to the top grade and have brought in some quality recruits including Williamstown VFL-listed player Heath Ollington, Judd Brewster who arrives from Greenvale and a proven Division 1 goal kicker in Daniel Rosenzweig who crosses from Point Cook Centrals. Albion had a Division 1 calibre midfield last year with Josh Bench and star brothers Darcy and Caleb McPherson. All three will again be crucial for the Cats. They start 2025 with a winnable opener before a Grand Final rematch with rivals Sunshine and a Round 3 outing with fellow promoted side Newport.

ALTONA
2024 Record: 9-7 (4th), Elimination Final. | Best & Fairest: Cooper Atchison | Leading Goal Kicker: Joel Menadue (28 goals)
Start to 2025: Hoppers Crossing (H), Parkside (A), Spotswood (H)

The Vikings fell away slightly in 2024 but still won nine games and finished the home and away season fourth before an Elimination Final exit to the eventual premiers Hoppers Crossing. They’ll enter the season without former AFL ruckman Stefan Martin but have brought in another former AFL-listed player in Emerson Jeka following five years at the elite level with Hawthorn and most recently Geelong. Jeka is a home-grown talent having come through Altona’s junior programs. With his commitment and the additions of tall utility Kai Coglan from Darley and key forward Connor Bulley who lands at JK Grant Reserve from QAFL club Sherwood, the Vikings have addressed a need for more height. Travis Varcoe’s exciting young side begin their campaign with big test first up at home, against reigning premiers Hoppers Crossing before facing Parkside on the road and then Sunshine in week three.

CAROLINE SPRINGS
2024 Record: 12-1-3 (2nd), Preliminary Final | Best & Fairest: Ryan Allan | Leading Goal Kicker: Brian Lake (27 goals)
Start to 2025: Yarraville Seddon (H), Hoppers Crossing (A), Parkside (H)

After the disappointment of falling short of a Grand Final appearance, Caroline Springs are again primed to feature in the top half of the standings. The Lakers, keen to strengthen, got down to business early in the off-season securing a host of signatures. Among the recruits are multiple players from East Keilor including the well-accomplished Ben Caluzzi who has VFL experience with Carlton, along with talented forward Malik Elfakahani. The pair are joined by several other Cougars teammates and former Lakers returning to the club in the Frank Campisi, Carlo Riccardi and Cooper Bond. Norther Bullants star Ethan Manatas also signed back with the Lakers but is unlikely to feature due to his VFL commitments. Billy Crofts and Nathan Aidonis are the two main losses for Brian Lake’s side which is still loaded with stars including Barry Priest Medallist Alex Paech, Max Tessari and Ryan Allan. With a great mix of experience and talented youth Caroline Springs will enter 2025 with their sights set on challenging for a first Division 1 premiership.

HOPPERS CROSSING
2024 Record: 8-1-7 (5th), Premiers | Best & Fairest: Braden Ferrari | Leading Goal Kicker: Ryan Kitchen (32 goals)
Start to 2025: Altona (A), Caroline Springs (A), Werribee Districts (H)

Few would have predicted the Warriors winning their first senior premiership in 20 years after they started last season 0-4 under first year coach Jared Polec. Once Hoppers Crossing opened their account though they peeled of five straight wins before injuries to key players halted their progress. However, they picked back up again and eventually rode a six-game win streak to grand final glory. The Warriors will be right in the hunt again, the only player from last year’s premiership winning team not back in 2025 is ruckman Harley Armstrong-Weston, who after playing a starring role in the club’s success last year has rejoined his former club Sunshine Heights. They Warriors have beefed up their midfield and forward divisions by adding Yarraville Seddon teammates Arkii Van Wills and Klyde Milroy, while Jason Proganinc who played with the Warriors in 2023 is headed back to Hogans Road Reserve for a second time, bringing with him over 100 games of VFL experience. It’s not an easy start to the season for Hoppers Crossing with their opening three games all against finalists from last year including a Grand Final rematch with Werribee Districts on Anzac Day.

NEWPORT
2024 Record: 13-5 (4th), Preliminary Final (Division 2) | Best & Fairest: Zach Del Grosso | Leading Goal Kicker: Mustafa Mesto (38 goals)  Start to 2025: Spotswood (H), Point Cook (A), Albion (H)

Newport is aiming to make splash when they play their inaugural season of Division 1 football in 2025. After their promotion was confirmed late last year the Panthers made headlines by signing three-time AFL premiership Tiger Bachar Houli whose experience will be massive for Newport on and off the field. Since locking in Houli, a flood of recruits have arrived at Langshaw Reserve. Plenty of them have VFL experience including Nayef Hamad who returns to the club after a year away. Joining Hamad from the EDFL is Darcy Cassar and Muhammad Saad while Lukmain Haddara has moved from Point Cook Centrals. The Panthers will be coached by Ali Hamad who has been hard at work building the playing list and implementing a new style of play. Excitement is at an all-time high in Newport and first up is a local derby with neighbouring Spotswood, with the clubs meeting for the very first time. Point Cook and Albion follow and looking at what Newport has built in the offseason, don’t be surprised if the Panthers start the year 3-0.

PARKSIDE
2024 Record: 4-1-11 (7th) | Best & Fairest: Tom Condon | Leading Goal Kicker: Tom Condon (54 goals)
Start to 2025: Sunshine (A), Altona (H), Caroline Springs (A)

Parkside’s jump to the Divisions 1 after a Division 2 premiership had moments of promise but ended with just four wins and a draw as the Magpies often started games strongly before falling away. Having brought in plenty of new faces for 2024 the current playing group now enters a second year together. Last season’s key contributors are all back including captain Jackson Barrett who had no issues finding the football and Division 1 leading goal kicker Tom Condon who booted 54 majors. Charlie Di Stefano is an exciting wingman/forward who flashed his potential last year, while young midfielder O’Neil Moncrieff is ready to take his game to another level after completing a VFL preseason and securing a final list spot with Richmond. Co-coaches Chris Muratore and Michael Licciardo will be hoping their side can produce more four quarter performances in 2025 and their first opportunity to do that comes against newly promoted Sunshine in a clash between the past two Division 2 premiers.

POINT COOK
2024 Record: 3-13 (9th) | Best & Fairest: Austin Hodge | Leading Goal Kicker: Michael Cilmi (20 goals)
Start to 2025: Werribee Districts (A), Newport (H), Point Cook Centrals (A)

After a 3-3 start to 2024 Point Cook failed to win another game for the season with the Bulldogs collecting the wooden spoon just 12 months after playing off in a Division 1 Grand Final. The fallout from the season was Clay Smith departing Saltwater Reserve and the appointment of Williamstown VFL legend Saade Ghazi as senior coach. Ghazi has used his Williamstown connections to sign to Seagulls pair Blake Coleman and Michael Carter but whether the two play for the Bulldogs remains to be seen. Zayne Galea is a good key position signing having spent a couple of seasons with VFL club Werribee. The Bulldogs will also call upon Dane Swan for a one-off appearance with the Collingwood premiership player and Brownlow Medallist to line up against Altona in Round 7. Unfortunately for Point Cook some quality has left the club most notable Daniel Burton and gun onballer Austin Hodge who signed with WAFL club East Fremantle. With a young side the likes of Nick Buykx, Shaun Wyatt and Lochie Allan will be relied upon heavily in 2025.

POINT COOK CENTRALS
2024 Record: 4-12 (8th) | Best & Fairest: Mitch Palma | Leading Goal Kicker: Caniel Rosenzweig (30 goals)
Start to 2025: Albion (H), Spotswood (A), Point Cook (H)

The Sharks finished last season just ahead of their rivals the Bulldogs. They won both Point Cook derbies while their best performance was a six-point victory over finalists Yarraville Seddon in Round 2. However, the result against the Eagles was one Dean Chambers’ side failed to replicate again during their home and away campaign. The Sharks enter 2025 having lost star players Haidyn Shade and Daniel Rosenzweig who were both Team of the Year selections the past two seasons. Some quality talent remains though in Daniel Strnak, Mitch Palma, Kurt Mayne and Kwar Ater as well as one of the standout young players of the competition in Josh Gerolemou. On the recruiting front the most notable additions at Featherbrook Reserve are Tom Rowland and Kyan Upsall who both spent last year at VFL club Coburg and Old Trinity. The opening rounds appear favourable for the Sharks with the opportunity to get early wins as the face newly promoted Albion and two clubs that finished last year in the lower half of the standings.

SPOTSWOOD
2024 Record: 6-10 (6th) | Best & Fairest: Jack Charleston | Leading Goal Kicker: Sam Cross (32 goals)
Start to 2025: Newport (A), Point Cook Centrals (H), Altona (A)

For the fourth straight year Spotswood finished in sixth place missing out on a finals spot by one position, although the Woodsmen were 10 points shy of fifth place at the end the home and away campaign. The enter 2025 under a new mentor with Steve O’Bryan replacing Tom German. The Woodsmen made one of, if not the biggest signing of the offseason with Western Bulldogs premiership player and former Melbourne midfielder Lachie Hunter committing to play at Donald McLean Reserve. From all reports the former Williamstown Junior won’t play every game but will appear regularly in the green and gold. The Woodsmen no longer have former Carlton player Nick Graham who only played five games in 2024 after picking up a season ending injury in Round 7, while speedster Matthew Payne is headed to the VAFA. After having key players miss extended periods last year, Spotswood will be hoping their best players can be on the park more regularly this season, including experienced midfielders Jack Charleston and David Iaccarino. With a fresh set of ideas and the excitement of an almost 200-game AFL player joining the club, time will tell what’s instore for Spotswood.

SUNSHINE
2024 Record: 16-2 (2nd), Premiers (Division 2) | Best & Fairest: Patrick O’Keefe & Matthew Cravino | Leading Goal Kicker: Nathan Carroll (113 goals)  Start to 2025: Parkside (H), Albion (A), Yarraville Seddon (A)

After a two-year hiatus from Division 1 football Sunshine is back in the top grade fresh off a premiership triumph over rivals Albion. Having a guaranteed two years in the competition will ease the transition back to Division 1 competition as Guy Barbuto’s side enter the season without some of last year’s main contributors including century goal kicker Nathan Carroll, Hisham Kerbatieh, Fabian Brancatisano and veteran bigman Murray Boyd. Despite not being able to attract significant top end talent the Kangaroos look to have added some solid pieces in Colin Skeen who played Colts football with Swan Districts and spent last season in the Tasmanian State League, while Ash Backland is a key forward who arrives from Sydney. The Kangaroos will also be hoping to have Western Jets best and fairest winner and Footscray VFL-listed young gun Xavier Kardachi more often than not in 2025. With matches against Parkside, Albion and Yarraville Seddon to start their campaign it shouldn’t take long to get an indication of where Sunshine’s fortunes are headed this season.

WERRIBEE DISTRICTS
2024 Record: 13-2-1 (1st), Runner Up | Best & Fairest: Sean Gregory & Harrison White | Leading Goal Kicker: Lachlan Rainbow (36 goals)  Start to 2025: Point Cook (H), Yarraville Seddon (A), Hoppers Crossing (A)

A third straight Grand Final appearance didn’t end in back-to-back premierships for Werribee Districts as they fell to Hoppers Crossing in last year’s decider. Ahead of this season it’s safe to say they won’t be going anywhere and will again be right in the conversation as one of the flag favourites having brought back almost everyone from their Grand Final team with only Tim Jenkins who called time on his decorated career and Danny Grmusa departing the club. Injuries to key players last year allowed Chirs Gilham able to blood more youth throughout the season which held the 2023 premiers in good steady for another premiership tilt. Districts have a familiar face returning to Soldiers Reserve with hulking forward Daniel Nielson back after two seasons with Vermont. A fan favourite at the club, Nielson adds more firepower to the highest scoring team in each of the past two seasons. Two-time Barry Priest Medallist Dillon Viojo-Rainbow is still one of the most impactful players in the competition and with Harrison White free of VFL commitments and key pillars like Sean Greogry all striving for more team success Districts remain in a great spot.

YARRAVILLE SEDDON
2024 Record: 10-1-5 (3rd), Semi Final | Best & Fairest: Michael Selsby | Leading Goal Kicker: Lachlan Green (30 goals)
Start to 2025: Caroline Springs (A), Werribee Districts (H), Sunshine (H)

The Eagles improved again in 2024 under the instruction of Brad Julier, but making another jump this year might be a tough ask following a raft of departures in the offseason. The Eagles have lost some key contributors including midfielders Brandon Lester, Klyde Milroy and Arkii Van Wills along with strong utility Conor Dalgleish. The have tried to cover some of their losses by bringing back Corey Hitchcock who played for the Eagles in 2022 before returning to Perth to play with Subiaco and then Broadbeach last year. The Eagles have also lured key forward Tyson Brazel across state borders with the goal kicker arriving from Adelaide after starring for Prince Alfred and performing well for North Adelaide in the SANFL a few seasons ago. Another positive is the Eagles still have one of the bests ruck/onballer combinations in Akol Deng and two-time MVP Michael Selsby and exciting home-grown talent in Lachy Green, and rising forwards Will Klisewski and Spencer Wray. They will be put to the test early tackling Caroline Springs and Werribee Districts in the opening two rounds.

View the full TIV Division 1 fixture and scores HERE