Division 1 in the Eastern Football League did not disappoint in 2014. With a lot of teams hunting down Premiers Norwood, expect much of the same this season;
Balwyn – Last Year: Runners-Up, 12 Wins 6 Losses
Balwyn still hold the mantle as the only club in the EFL to never miss finals. 2014 marked eight straight years of September action culminating in the clubs 4th Grand Final.
Make no mistake, the loss to Norwood in last year’s Grand Final will have been a kick in the guts for the Tigers, however Round 1 sees a chance for redemption as they travel to Mullum Reserve to take on the reigning premiers. In fact Balwyn’s first month sees them take on three 2014 finalists including a huge clash with Vermont on ANZAC Day.
Verdict: Not much to write home about, Balwyn won’t be fazed by their draw and would still feel as though they are one of the sides to beat. Expect them to etch in September No. 9 this year.
Round 1: vs. Norwood (Away)
ANZAC Day: vs. Vermont (Away)
Round 18: vs. North Ringwood (Away)
Blackburn – Last Year: 4th, 12 Wins 6 losses
The Burners are on the move! Blackburn last year made the jump that we had been expecting for a while, a few recruits and a shift in mindset now has Blackburn as a genuine contender for September action once again.
The fixture favours a quick start for Blackburn who only meet two 2014 finalists in the first 6 weeks, after that it will get tougher. There is no stretch where the Burners play last year’s finalists in more than two games in a row, out of all finalists they will be the beneficiaries although they will need to ensure they beat the sides in the chasing pack.
Verdict: Extremely promising! Fixture doesn’t allow for long periods of losses, based on the assumption that they can beat the likes of Rowville, South Croydon and North Ringwood.
Round 1: vs. Lilydale (Away)
Anzac Day: vs. South Croydon (Away)
Round 18: vs. Rowville (Home)
East Ringwood – Last Year: 9th 7 Wins 11 Losses
The Roo’s looked to be the movers over the off-season but were riddled with injuries for most of the season. After missing finals in 2014 it has now been six seasons since East Ringwood’s last finals appearance, something that the Roo’s faithful will be looking to change sooner rather than later.
Favourite son Marcus Buzaglo will take the helm full time after stepping in as interim coach. His first assignment, a Sunday meeting at home against the 2014 Division 2 Premiers and local rivals North Ringwood. Interestingly enough the last season those sides met was 2002, a premiership year for one… a relegation year for the other.
East Ringwood will be once again looking to take on the sides in the chasing pack above them, Rowville, South Croydon and Noble Park are the sides that the Roo’s need to knock off the ensure a successful season.
Verdict: Finals isn’t out of the question but the Roo’s will need to make a large foot print on the sides above them if they are to see September.
Round 1: vs. North Ringwood (Away)
Anzac Day: vs. Knox (Away)
Round 18: vs. Montrose (Home)
Knox – Last Year: 10th, 2 Wins 15 Losses 1 Draw
2 1/2 wins in 2014 for the Falcons and another year avoiding the relegation zone.
Since promotion in 2007 the Falcons have played finals once (2011) although on the flip side have had to avoid relegation on four occasions. With every year they continue to compete at the top level they become more and more accustom to a Division 1 mindset, once they can start to turn that into four points they will become more and more competitive.
Rowville, Lilydale and East Ringwood… If they are good enough the Falcons could have more wins in three weeks in 2015 than they did the whole of 2015… Confidence is massive in football and if Knox can enter their Round 4 clash with Noble Park undefeated then finals certainly becomes a possibility.
Verdict: No club has an ‘easier’ first month 3-1 or even 4-0 could set up the season for the Falcons!
Round 1: vs. Rowville (Away)
Anzac Day: vs. East Ringwood (Home)
Round 18: vs. Norwood (Home)
Lilydale – Last Year: 11th, 2 Wins 16 Losses
The Falcons will not like that skating so close to the edge. After finishing their first two seasons with seven wins it would have been a wake-up call to all at the LSO that life in the top flight is a slog.
Lilydale will start the year against at home against Blackburn, a tough assignment although if the LSO can become a fortress once again it could play a pivotal role in the Falcons climbing up the Division 1 ladder once again. ANZAC Day is set to be a big one as Lilydale take on old/local rival Montrose, another game that could shape the Falcons year.
Verdict: At their peak – Lilydale have made Lilydale Sports Oval unwinnable for traveling sides… if they can get back to that once again improvement is assured.
Round 1: vs. Blackburn (Home)
Anzac Day: vs. Montrose (Home)
Round 18: vs. Noble Park (Away)
Montrose – Last Year: 3rd, 13 Wins 5 Losses
Eliminated in straight sets but not disgraced in 2014. Montrose is certainly putting their hands up after their 2013 Division 2 Premiership.
The thoughts of many revolve around the weighted draw when discussing Montrose, in that they now find themselves in the highest bracket when looking at fixturing. The Demons will kick off the season with Vermont and Balwyn a true litmus test to see if they are ready to back up their 2014 brilliance.
Verdict: Will certainly be tested, If they can be in a spot to challenge after the July split round their last four weeks should see them home.
Round 1: vs. Vermont (Home)
Anzac Day: vs. Lilydale (Away)
Round 18: vs. East Ringwood (Away)
Noble Park – Last Year: 8th, 8 Wins 9 Losses 1 Draw
Frustrating- Disappointing – Not acceptable… words from Bulls president David Allan reflecting on 2014. Season 2015 really can’t come quick enough for Noble Park who missed finals for just the 4th time since coming into the EFL (in 2000).
New (old) coach Mick Fogarty back at the helm with a host of new and old players at the Bull Ring. After recruiting well a lot of pundits are expecting to see Noble Park in September once again. Their campaign kicks off away from home against South Croydon followed by a home game against Rowville and an away fixture to Norwood.
Verdict: There is one thing that Noble Park seems to lack… Fear. They will go into any game thinking they can win, after all, in a season where the Bulls only managed 8 wins they still beat both Grand Finalists in the back half of the season.
Round 1: vs. South Croydon (Away)
Anzac Day: vs. Norwood (Away)
Round 18: vs. Lilydale (Home)
North Ringwood – Last Year: Premiers (Division 2), 14 Wins 2 Losses
If North Ringwood are any part as good as they looked in 2014 they will be pushing into the higher side of the ladder in Division 1 very quickly.
They will want to make a statement in their first game back in Division 1, a Sunday fixture against local rival East Ringwood and a chance to impress the opposition who will surely be in attendance. Another local rivalry comes in the form of the “Battle of the Postcode” in Round 6.
Verdict: Unknown – will take a couple of weeks for the Saints to find their feet.
Round 1: vs. East Ringwood (Home) Sunday*
Anzac Day: vs. Rowville (Home)
Round 18: vs. Balwyn (Home)
Norwood- Last Year: Premiers, 16 Wins 2 Losses
2014 could not have been scripted any better for the Norsemen, although the dynamic shifts again as they become the hunted and no longer the hunter. The major positive for Norwood is the have retained the crux of their premiership side while adding in a top-up of talent ahead of 2015.
Nothing would make the Norwood fans happier than a win in Round 1, a flag unfurling and a big victory against Balwyn would have the faithful up and about very early in the year. Following that they tackle Vermont and Noble Park, two sides that would consider themselves in a position to put a stamp to thoughts of back-to-back.
Verdict: Surely two in a row isn’t out of the question, other sides are chasing but will they catch the Norsemen by seasons end?
Round 1: vs. Balwyn (Home) Flag unfurling
Anzac Day: vs. Noble Park (Home)
Round 18: vs. Knox (Away)
Rowville – Last Year: 6th, 11 Wins 7 Losses
Another year, another close call, right up until the final rounds of the year the Hawks were in the mix for September but some costly losses in the back half of the season took their toll.
Rowville…“best of the rest”? The Hawks will be confident against sides like Noble Park, South Croydon, East Ringwood etc., If they can utilise that same confidence against the top sides they may find themselves on the right side of the line come seasons end.
Verdict: Season starts with Knox, Noble Park and ends with North Ringwood and Blackburn – challenging games to top and tail their season, although win all four and they should find themselves in the mix.
Round 1: vs. Knox (Home)
Anzac Day: vs. North Ringwood (Away)
Round 18: vs. Blackburn (Away)
South Croydon – Last Year 7th, 9 Wins 9 Losses
On the rise! South Croydon is looking settled in Division 1. After almost bottoming out in the first few years after promotion the Doggies have settled, finals in 2013 and a competitive season to follow in 2014.
The test of development will come in Round 1, against a side that finds themselves in roughly the same position – Noble Park. The Dogs will need to get moving from Round 1 as the final six weeks of the year see them play four of last year’s finalists!
Verdict: East Ringwood and Noble Park games are crucial – take home eight points early and they will begin to feel confident about the season.
Round 1: vs. Noble Park (Home)
Anzac Day: vs. Blackburn (Home)
Round 18: vs. Vermont (Away)
Vermont – Last Year 2nd, 14 Wins 4 Losses
Another year… Another finals appearance for the Eagles, since 1988, Vermont has only missed September on two occasions (2010/11) expect to see the Eagles, all be it without a number of stars, in finals action once more.
Qualifying final re-match in Week 1 at Montrose, the first time the club has traveled to Montrose Rec. Reserve since 1995. Mouth-watering clashes with Norwood and Balwyn follow in the first month.
Verdict: What you see is what you get with the Eagles, they will not be threatened by any side in Division 1 – expect to see the Eagles come September!
Round 1: vs. Montrose (Away)
Anzac Day: vs. Balwyn (Home)
Round 18: vs. South Croydon (Home)
