Eastern Football League

The Eastern Football League (EFL) stands as a vibrant testament to the passion and dedication for Australian rules football within Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Known for its rich history and competitive spirit, the EFL brings together communities, fosters local talent, and showcases some of the finest football outside the professional leagues. In this guide, we'll explore the league's origins, its current structure, the teams that compete, and the significant role it plays in the local community.

History

The EFL was established in 1962 and has grown to become one of the largest and most competitive Australian rules football leagues in Victoria. Originally known as the Croydon Ferntree Gully Football League, it adopted the name Eastern Districts Football League in 1966 and eventually became the Eastern Football League in 1997. Throughout its history, the league has expanded, merging with other local leagues and continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of community football.

Teams

The EFNL has lots of teams split into different divisions. Here’s a look at some of the current and former teams:

Current Clubs

Club	Nickname	Location	Home Ground	Premierships	Premiership Years
Balwyn	Tigers	Balwyn	Balwyn Park	6	2001, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015
Blackburn	Panthers	Blackburn	Morton Park	1	1951
Doncaster	Sharks	Doncaster	Schramms Reserve	0	–
Doncaster East	Lions	Doncaster East	Zerbes Reserve	2	2017, 2019
East Ringwood	Roos	Ringwood East	East Ringwood Reserve	5	1950, 1965, 1974, 2002, 2022
Montrose	Demons	Montrose	Montrose Recreation Reserve	2	1992, 2013
Mooroolbark	Mustangs	Mooroolbark	Heights Reserve	0	–
Norwood	Norsemen	Ringwood	Mullum Reserve	3	2003, 2004, 2007
North Ringwood	Bulls	Ringwood North	Quambee Reserve	2	1982, 2015
Park Orchards	Sharks	Park Orchards	Domeney Reserve	0	–
Rowville	Hawks	Rowville	Seebeck Oval	1	2002
South Croydon	Bulldogs	Croydon South	Cheong Park	2	2017, 2018
Vermont	Eagles	Vermont	Vermont Reserve	20	Numerous years, most recently 2019
Wantirna South	Devils	Wantirna South	Walker Reserve	2	1954, 2014

Former Clubs

Club	Nickname	Location	Home Ground	Years in EFNL	Current Status
Balwyn Combined	Demons	Balwyn North	Macleay Park	1996	Folded
Bennettswood	Swans	Burwood	Bennettswood Reserve	1968-1986	Merged with Blackburn South
Blackburn South	Swans	Blackburn South	Eley Park	1966-1986	Merged with Bennettswood
Clayton	Clays	Clayton	Meade Reserve	1985-1998	Transferred to Southern Football Netball League
Canterbury	Cobras	Canterbury	Canterbury Sports Ground	2009-2013	Transferred to Victorian Amateur Football Association
Glen Waverley Hawks	Hawks	Glen Waverley	Central Reserve	2005-2022	In recess
Mount Evelyn	Rovers	Mount Evelyn	Gary Martin Oval	1962-2001	Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League
Noble Park Bears	Bears	Noble Park	Parkfield Reserve	1989-1996	Folded
Olinda	Bloods	Olinda	Olinda Recreation Reserve	1965-1985	Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League
Southern Cobras	Cobras	Springvale	Edinburgh Reserve	1984-1997	Transferred to Southern Football Netball League
Surrey Hills	-	Surrey Hills	Surrey Park	1962-1993	Merged with East Camberwell
Waverley	Panthers	Wheelers Hill	Columbia Park Reserve	1991-1998	Merged with Mount Waverley Burwood
Wonga Park	Kangaroos	North Croydon	Brushy Creek Park	1987-1990	Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League
Yarra Glen	River Pigs	Yarra Glen	Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve	1962-1984	Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League

Highlights from Recent Seasons

The EFNL has seen some thrilling action in recent years:

2019: The league rebranded to include netball, showing how it values all sports.
2020: The season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the league bounced back strong.
2022: With the addition of Beaconsfield and Oakleigh District, the league grew to 48 teams.

Notable Players and Coaches

The EFNL has been home to some amazing players and coaches:

Corey Enright: Played for Kimba Districts and became an AFL star.
Shaun Rehn: Known for his time with Ports and later in the AFL.
Grant "Puggy" Jenner: A legendary coach for Cleve.
Ivan "Shorty" Shubert: Coached Darke Peak and Cleve, known for his strategic mind.

Structure and Divisions

The EFL is structured into multiple divisions, ensuring competitive balance and providing opportunities for clubs of varying strengths to compete. As of the 2024 season, the league features:

Premier Division: The top-tier division showcasing the highest level of competition.
Division 1: The second-highest division with strong competitive teams aiming for promotion.
Division 2: A mid-level division where teams strive to ascend the ranks.
Division 3: Features clubs developing their skills and aiming for higher competition levels.
Division 4: The entry-level division, often where newer or smaller clubs compete.

Each division consists of multiple clubs that play a home-and-away season, culminating in a finals series to determine the champions and promotion/relegation outcomes.

Community Impact

The EFL is more than just a football league; it's a cornerstone of the community. It fosters a sense of belonging, encourages physical activity, and provides a platform for young athletes to develop their skills. Local clubs often engage in community outreach programs, supporting schools and local initiatives. The league also plays a vital role in promoting mental health awareness and inclusivity within the sport.

Player Development and Pathways

The EFL is a crucial stepping stone for aspiring footballers aiming to reach higher levels of competition. Many players who start in the EFL go on to play in the Victorian Football League (VFL) or even the Australian Football League (AFL). The league's focus on youth development ensures that young talents receive the training and support needed to progress in their football careers.

The Eastern Football League is a vibrant, dynamic part of Melbourne's sporting landscape. Its rich history, competitive divisions, and strong community ties make it a vital institution for Australian rules football. Whether you're a passionate supporter, an aspiring player, or someone new to the sport, the EFL offers something for everyone. By understanding its structure and significance, we can appreciate the pivotal role it plays in nurturing local talent and fostering community spirit.

For more detailed information visit Eastern Football League Wikipedia Page.