SEASON PREVIEW: DIVISION 2 SENIOR MEN
With the 2025 football season now upon us, the WFNL media team has cast their eye over the 10-team Division 2 Senior Men’s competition to preview the year ahead and the outlook for every club.
ALBANVALE
2024 Record: 10-8 (6th) Elimination Final | Best & Fairest: Nathan Calleja | Leading Goal Kicker: Reece Field (64 goals)
Start to 2025: Tarneit (A), Sunshine Heights (H), Braybrook (A)
Albanvale’s recent run of finals appearances continued in 2024 as the Cobras collected 10 wins to end the home and away season sixth in an expanded Division 2 competition, before a disappointing Elimination Final exit at the hands of Wyndhamvale. With three of the top four sides from last year all moving up to the top division, Albanvale look set to be one of the clubs to benefit the most and push further up the ladder after retaining the majority of their list while also adding some handy pieces, most notably Maccauley Longeron, a mid/forward who spent the past three seasons playing for Aspley in the QAFL. Change has occurred in the coach’s box with Cobras calling on two former players and experienced mentors in Anthony Montrose and Phil Crea to lead the club in 2025. With wise heads on the sidelines, plenty of experience on the field courtesy of the likes of Brendan Cassar and Nathan Celleja and others important players in Ostin Bellingham and Reece Field now entering their prime with five years of senior football under their belt, expectations should be high at Robert Bruce Reserve.
BRAYBROOK
2024 Record: 10-8 (7th) | Best & Fairest: Matthew Condo | Leading Goal Kicker: Stephen Mihelakos-James (31 goals)
Start to 2025: North Footscray (A), West Footscray (H), Albanvale (H)
Coming off a one-win season Braybrook posted 10 wins in 2024 and narrowly missed out on playing finals as they finished outside the top six by only a couple of percent. Injuries played a part as can unfortunately be the case, as did a shock loss to Tarneit in the back half of the year. After their performances last season there’s no reason why the Brookers can’t play finals in 2025 with a big reason being the return of key cogs including brothers Matthew and Justin Condo, who were both fantastic additions last year thanks to their skill and versatility, alongside mainstays Aidan O’Rafferty and Liam McGarity and some exciting youngsters. One thing Braybrook has been lacking is a dominant forward and Braybrook officials have addressed that by recruiting renowned goal kicker Jarrod Garth. Garth, a former AFL rookie with Geelong who most recently played for Simpson is still capable of kicking bags of goals despite now approaching the age of 40. Geoff Maddern’s team start 2025 against three clubs who all finished around them last year so the opening rounds will be a good test for this side.
LAVERTON
2024 Record: 6-12 (12th) | Best & Fairest: Alex Grigg | Leading Goal Kicker: Soni Rainbow (35 goals)
Start to 2025: West Footscray (A), Suns (H), Tarneit (H)
The Magpies have built slowly over the past three years with last season’s six wins the club’s best return in more than decade when they triumphed seven times in 2011. There were also some narrow losses in 2024 to finals calibre teams which will have contributed to the Magpies not meeting their own expectations. This year, coach (and president) Tony Jofre, who enters his fourth campaign in charge, will be hoping is side can be on the right side of those closer results, more often. The Magpies have recruited well recently with Alex Grigg and Shaun Evans becoming two of the club’s most important players last season as they took some pressure of the likes of bigman Anthony Pasqua and the always consistent Matthew Vorbach. Laverton have again been busy this offseason with Corey Vandermeer and James Sadler arriving from TIV Division 1 clubs Point Cook Centrals and Altona, while the club has brought in some much-needed youth, signing a host of youngsters from neighbouring clubs.
NORTH FOOTSCRAY
2024 Record: 9-9 (8th) | Best & Fairest: Jarrod Johns | Leading Goal Kicker: Mathew Serafin (48 goals)
Start to 2025: Braybrook (H), Wyndhamvale (A), West Footscray (H)
After just two wins in 2023, North Footscray rebounded last season to triumph on nine occasions. The Devils were probably the most active of any Division 2 side this offseason with a slew of new signings making their way to Hansen Reserve, indicating a clear show of intent to climb the table and vie for a finals spot and maybe more. Headlining the club’s recruits is the return of favourite son Adam Petris who heads back to the Devils following a season at Yarraville Seddon. The 2023 Division 2 Team of the Year member and league best and fairest runner up has been joined by a pair of Eagles teammates in Angus Woodward and Josh Crofton, while other players joining from neighbouring clubs are Majok Monydhot who crosses from Braybrook and Otis Blanch and Kieran Ryall with the pair arriving from Albanvale. North Foostcray has also lured back Shaun Ujcich after a season with Taylors Lakes. With incoming recruits that will compliment what the Devils already have in Jarrod Johns, Tommy Manley and co., David Battistella’s team is well placed to get back to playing finals footy.
SUNS
2024 Record: 10-8 (5th) Elimination Final | Best & Fairest: Brenden Wilson | Leading Goal Kicker: Dean Cachia (49 goals)
Start to 2025: Wyndhamvale (A), Laverton (A), Western Rams (H)
The Suns put together a strong campaign in 2024 after claiming the Division 3 premiership the year prior. Moving into the bigger Division 2 competition they notched 10 wins, and it could have easily been a few more as they suffered three losses by three points or less to teams that ultimately finished below them on the ladder. Similar to fellow finalist Albanvale, the Suns were a little way off the top four teams but with three of those sides now gone they should be one of the main contenders in 2025. Another club to have a coaching change with Roger Hand crossing from Point Cook Centrals to take over from star goal kicker Dean Cachia who decided to step down at the end of last season. In good news for the club Cachia will remain playing while the club’s new mentor hasn’t come empty handed bringing with him quality players in Matthew Wright and Josh Harris. Wright will add class and rebound out of defence, while Harris will cover the loss of Team of the Year defender Chris Lear. Despite some changes, plenty remains the same for the Suns as they enter 2025 with the potential to go deep in the season.
SUNSHINE HEIGHTS
2024 Record: 5-13 (11th) | Best & Fairest: James Vella | Leading Goal Kicker: Tito Nyawela (28 goals)
Start to 2025: Western Rams (H), Albanvale (A), Wyndhamvale (H)
The Dragons look set to rise up the ladder this season thanks to a pair of big acquisitions in former Hoppers Crossing teammates Harley Armstong-Weston and Jackson Viola. Armstrong -Weston, one of the competition’s premier bigmen over the past decade, was arguably the best player in last year’s Division 1 Grand Final won by the Warriors before deciding to return home to his junior club. Joining him is Viola who arrives at Ainsworth Reserve after more than 150 games for Hoppers Crossing where he was previously senior captain, a senior best and fairest winner and Division 1 Team of the Year member. Both have the ability to play multiple positions and will cause headaches wherever they line up, but if they play forward the Dragons gain much needed firepower in attack. Also arriving is Rocco Tripodi who has performed strongly in the EDFL in the past and if inspirational captain and Team of the Year member James Vella continues to star on a weekly basis the Dragons will likely be targeting something closer to the 11 wins they achieved a couple of seasons ago.
TARNEIT
2024 Record: 2-16 (12th) | Best & Fairest: Liam Meyrich | Leading Goal Kicker: Jalen Jaimangal (23 goals)
Start to 2025: Albanvale (H), Western Rams (A), Laverton (A)
Tarneit appear to be in for another challenging year after a lowly two-win campaign last season. While 2024 didn’t provide the results the club had hoped for, the Titans had their moments, most notably causing what was probably the biggest upset of the Division 2 season when they defeated Braybrook in a low scoring affair in Round 14. After a host of departures this off-season Tarneit will be a very young side in 2025 with a lot will now falling on the likes of club stalwart Zach Thornton who will undoubtably be keen to lead by example. There’s little doubt new coach Max de Groot has a big task on his hands and the Titans should be focused developing their younger talent and working towards building consistency and reducing the gap between their best and worst performances. While the Titans might be headed for a long season there is still excitement at Wootten Road as the club roles out an Under 18s side, a new scoreboard, and a complete junior pipeline including a thriving Auskick program.
WESTERN RAMS
2024 Record: 2-16 (13th) | Best & Fairest: Tyler Lewis | Leading Goal Kicker: Jarryd Underwood (52 goals)
Start to 2025: Sunshine Heights (A), Tarneit (H), Suns (A)
The Rams will head into the 2025 season looking to build on what was a positive first year in the WFNL. Crossing from the Riddell District Football Netball League the Rockbank-based side last year celebrated the club’s first win since 2018 when they defeated North Sunshine in Round 10, before collecting a second win just a few weeks later. While they ended 2024 with just two victories beside their name, they proved to be more than competitive on a lot of weekends. Moving into the new season the Rams have retained some of their most important players for 2025, including best and fairest winner Tyler Lewis and leading goal kicker Jarryd Underwood who booted an impressive 52 goals in a side that finished second last on the ladder. To add to that, new coach Connor Grech appears to have created more depth across their list with plenty of incoming signings. Many of their new recruits have made their way to Ian Cowie Reserve from the neighbouring Ballarat, Essendon and Riddell leagues.
WEST FOOTSCRAY
2024 Record: 8-10 (9th) | Best & Fairest: Jaycob Doyle | Leading Goal Kicker: Matthew Turcinovich (58 goals)
Start to 2025: Laverton (H), Braybrook (A), Suns (A)
A mid-table team in Division 3 two seasons ago, West Footscray showed plenty of promise in 2024 as they collected eight home and away wins for the second straight year, while suffering two of their three losses by five points or less to teams that played finals. Scoring wasn’t an issue for the Roosters last year with Matthew Turcinovich booting 50 goals for the second time in his senior career, while 2023 leading goal kicker Thomas Stellutto and Socrates Mavrokostidis both tallied over 30 majors. Last year Moonee Valley recruit Jaycob Doyle made an immediate impact at Shorten Reserve and the club will be hoping for similar from their signings this off season. The Roosters have looked to strengthen in all areas and have brought in a pair of Sunshine premiership teammates in Dylan Appleby and Brodie Coots-Majer along with Blake Bringham and Giovanni Raffaele from Sunshine Heights. Williamstown CYMS recruit Damian Furlong also shapes as a key addition as the Roosters looks to take another step in 2025.
WYNDHAMVALE
2024 Record: 6-2 (3rd) Semi Final | Best & Fairest: Liam Scarborough | Leading Goal Kicker: Matthew Paul (46 goals)
Start to 2025: Suns (A), North Footscray (H), Sunshine Heights (A)
With last year’s Division 2 premiers Sunshine, runners-up Albion and preliminary finalists Newport all moving up to the league’s top division, Wyndhamvale will start 2025 as the obvious pick for premiership favouritism. The Falcons spent all of 2024 in the top four and finished the home and away season third with just two losses (against Sunshine and Albion), before Newport avenged their Round 11 loss and brough an end to Falcons’ season. Having retained the vast majority of last year’s playing group the Falcons have also added more support for leading forward Matthew Paul with the signing of Lewis Stanton from Yarraville Seddon. Stanton was among the top goal kickers in Division 1 for the first month of last season before playing a key role in the Eagles’s Reserves premiership. With likes of Team of the Year members Liam Scarborough and Cameron Morrison back leading the way at Wyndhamvale South Reserve the Falcons will again on of the teams to beat and will no doubt play a big part at the pointy end of the season.
View the full Division 2 fixture and scores HERE