THEFOOTBALLER
By Tara Murray
Kangaroos in the past two years
Ferraro said he always thought they had done enough heading into the final quarter to get the win.
The premiership win is two seasons in the making after finishing on top last season and then going out in straight sets
Ferraro said the hurt of last year really drove them this year.
“They were really devastated that they didn’t make it last year,” he said. “It was a lack of experience.
By Evan Tudor
It’s been nothing short of a strong year for the Sharks, with five straight wins kicking off their season.
After an abandoned match threw a spanner in the works for the side, they first tasted defeat in Round 7 when the Northern Saints also handed them a crucial reality check
From there on, they went 7-4 and strung together some good performances including wins over Burnside Heights, Northern Saints, and Glenroy with respective margins of 84, 77, and 22.
Their fourth-place finish meant they had to take the long route to the preliminary final in order to qualify
But that didn’t faze Rupertswood who put an end to Coburg Districts' dreams by 25 points.
Last weekend, Rupo defeated minor premiers Glenroy for the third time this season, this time by 41 points in a preliminary final
With last week’s win over the Roys under their belt, Rupo carries some big confidence heading into this one.
But Westmeadows has one of the strongest line-ups in the division, so there will be no holding back on Saturday
Jordan Kosteas and Ryan Capron find the most footy at the club with the pair averaging over 30 disposals per match.
They aren’t necessarily men who attack on the scoreboard, but their presence is felt.
WESTMEADOWS
President: Will Kosteas
Coach: Ash Flavel
Jarrod Petersen
Blake Jarram
Marcus Mammoliti
Ryan Capron
Korey Flavel-Wood
Mitchell Church
Nathan Sparks
Hugo Jenkins
Jake Hatton
Jordan Taglieri-Sclocchi
Riley Hearne
Shaun O'Grady
Jordan Hollow
Aaron Evans
Brayden Sudaro
Harley Gleeson
Jordan Kosteas
Alessio Saitta
James Taglieri-Sclocchi
Daniel Spencer
Michael Portelli
Jake Sweerts
Nick Mathewes
Michael Mayne
Sean Evans
Ben Drummond
Jake Butcher
Gabe Guida
Ryan Stingel
Jackson Iulianella
Johnson
Logan Johnson
Clayton Bonello
Angus Price
Jackson Pranauskas
Tom Cardillo
Jackson Cardillo
Adam Bartrop
Lachlan Shore
Matt McDonald
James Fox
Tom Markey
Evan Ricupero
Lachlen Fish
Joel Flanigan
Aaron West
Jackson Stafford
Owen Sloan
Matthew Brown
Fraser Phelan-Smith
Daniel Kavanagh
Andrew Brennan
Aaron Grubb
Bailey Verrall
Thomas Phillips
Mitchell Johnston
Crotty
James Jones
By Luke D’Anello
guys who have been consistent senior players this year is a real credit to them They saw there were spots available and they just worked and worked and worked to get better at their craft, to get fitter, to get stronger, to get faster, and to improve their skills. A player like Aaron Grubb is an example of that."
Star forward Fraser Phelan-Smith has lit up the finals series with back-to-back best-afield performances
He booted six goals against Coburg Districts in the elimination final and backed that up with a four-goal haul against the Roys.
Fox said the versatile young gun, who has 51 goals to his name from 19 games this season, had also filled roles in the ruck and midfield
"Fraser's always been very talented. He's athletically gifted as well," Fox said.
"I think we've collectively learnt how to play best around Fraser. A lot of people don't realise how young he is. He's 21. As a 21-yearold, he's still learning his craft. He's still learning to use the tools that he's got at his disposal now that he's got a man's body and a really strong athletic profile.
"We've always seen rewards from it, but he's really maximised those rewards in the last two weeks."
Fox also heaped praise on co-coach Clayton Bonello, who has contributed 44 goals, fullback Aaron West, and Ned Crotty, who has impressed since returning in the elimination final from a broken finger.
"Unsung heroes" Tom Markey and Matthew Brown have also been important.
By Ben Parker
HADFIELD
President: Alan Kerr
Coach: Marae Moustafa
Mousa Said
Ali Seifeddine
Otif Moustafa
Adem Taleb
Moussa Mourad
Samir Mohamad
Omar Said
Dawoud Said
zein taleb
Ishaq Taha
Ronan Rousakis
Mahammed Ali
Humza Moustafa
Ali Mustafa
Zach Hildebrandt
Noah Hussein
Ahmed Taha
Luke Ceddia
Adham Taleb
Mohammed Mustapha
Tarek Hussein
Saad Mostapha
HILLSIDE
President: Lindon Way
Coach: Emmanuel Caccamo
Riley Hodgson
Dominic Calabro
Anthony Calabro
Riley Bramich
Bailey Piacentini
Cameron Sinclair
Isaac Landers
Nour Janzerli
Samuel Caccamo
Jayden Kilty
Mitchell Harmer
Isaac Abbay
Steven Peteinarias
Darcy Conway
Jackson Harmer
Nicholas Cassar
Brodie Dowell
Jonathan Biciar
Eiron Galpaya
Darcy Edwards
Jonathan Denic
Neziah Mora-McDonald
Emanuel Krepapas
Lucas Beniwal
Matthew Meocevic
Jarrod Gray
TAYLORSLAKES
President: David Darcy
Coach: Nathan Sposato
Blake Briz
Aaron Sawdy
Kyle Blandford
Anthony Davoli
Ben Spargo
Stephen Tieppo
Lachlan Mcmullin
Nathanael Smith
Trent Reilly
Kristian Barresi
Tyler Rogers
Oliver Lake
Torey Larizza
Nicholas Miokovic
Samuel Kosmak
Yanni Apostolidis
Sonny Briz
Daniel Klonowski
Corey Moore
Connor Roach
Thomas Boyce
Dylan Sorpreso
Jason McCormack
Claudio Campos
MOONEEVALLEY
President: Michael Milne
Coach: Tom Wilson
Blake Townsend-Booth
Jai Anderson
Jack Noonan
Darcy Brooks
George Koukounaras
Jacob Saccuti
James Scheriani
Thomas Clark
Justin Lumsden
Jason Denny
Joshua Chiaramonte
Adam Zanevra
Patrick White
Jack Milne
Patrick O'Donoghue
Joshua La Rocca
William O'Connell
Matthew Ratcliffe
Will Pasinati
Benjamin Coote
Oliver Hutchesson
Jordan La Rocca
Sam Desira
Laurie Nichols
Thomas Janetzki
Luke Brock
Ahern
Russell
Official sponsors ofthe Essendon District Football League
Tyson Gill
Lachlan Henson
Lucas Failli
Riley Miksa
Robert Castello
Tristan Rudic
Noah Asciak
Fortunato Caruso
Gabriel Cristiano
Ryan Lojko
Natale Caruso
James McNaughton
Jack Tarr
Lachlan Pettigrove
Milad Almatrah
Josh Covelli
Ryan Schiavone
Khalil Kaakour
Theo Peteinarias
Kelvin Knight
Nicholas Karakyriakos
Jaksyn Grant
Sulaiman Elleissy
Jackson Heidrich
Nick Fluke
CRAIGIEBURN
President: Dom Micallef Coaches: Jack Carlyon & Cale Bettanin
Robinson
Jordan Lobosco
Dayne Middleton
Hayden Polley
Ricky Zwagerman
Luke Reichelt
Jacob Aquilina
Jamie Gorgievski
Jakeb Bruni
Harry Albon
Jono Pestrucci
Joshua Collins
Nathan Stewart
Tadhg Boyle
Nathan Reichelt
Cade Gordon
Benjamin Radford
Samuel Laffan
Blake Polley
Michael Conlan
Daniel Perry
By Luke Mathews
second on the leading goal kickers tally
Kosmas looms as the wildcard this Saturday and could be the difference at Section Road.
The forward started like a house on fire kicking 19 goals in his first three games for the year, and has taken a liking to Strathmore in recent years with 19 goals across two years.
The sharpshooter’s form dropped off in the middle of the year, however has picked up in recent weeks with 13 goals in his last three matches and will be hoping for something similar this Saturday.
Aberfeldie will meet with Airport West in a do or die semi final at Salesian College
Despite going in as favourites against Strathmore last week, the Rillas were stunned and went down by nine goals.
Airport West recorded a breakthrough elimination final victory over Deer Park, defeating the Lions by 30 points to extend their unbeaten streak to four games
In their two meetings in 2025, Aberfeldie have come away with the victory twice, winning by 64 points on Anzac Day and escaping with a nine-point victory in Round 12.
In their first meeting, the Rillas dominated every facet of the game with +36 contested possessions, +19 clearances, and +17 inside 50s
Callum Moore was at his brilliant best with four goals and 21 touches, while Stefan Rasinac dominated with 30 disposals and seven clearances.
MARIBYRNONGPARK
President: Greg Hughes
Coach: Rocky Iannello
Tom Coughlan
Samuel Day
Mitchell Iannello
Nathan Evans
Nash McMahon
Harry Fitzgerald
Finn McAvoy
Angus Robinson
Ned Kavanagh
Julian Russi
Cruz Young
Kai Hutton
Oliver Jordan
Aaron Bruzanetti
Joshua Bell
Luca Vella
Tobias Sutherland
Ben Kelly
Rowan Tonissen
Matthew Clarke
Massimo Randello
Joshua Coughlan
Louis Lees
Jesse Steel
Dante D'Ovidio
Zane Raciti
Jack Avsar
Peter Vassilakopoulos
Kaiden Dimovski
ABERFELDIE
President: Sean Howard
Coach: Frank Lombardo
Gustincich
Joseph Sita
Cody Kotoski
Robert Asllanaj
Samuel Lyons
Spencer Hutchinson
Connor Burchall
Daniel Lombardo
Archer Bastow
Christian Vago
Max Hoffmann
Mitchell Mason
Jack Parker
Nathan Romios
Campbell Stone
Marcus Smith
jacques Mirenda
Jake Daglis
Joshua Petrie
Jamieson Fleming
Thomas Hales
Thomas Lincoln
KEILOR
President: Shaun Morris
Coach: Stephen Pace
Kyle O’Connor
Corey Ellis
Matthew Bartlett
Kane Barbuto
Cody Brand
Reuben William
Bradley Xavier
Josh Honey
Nicholas O'Kearney
Billy Johnson
Joel Sadler
Jamie Papalia
Jay White
Blair Wyllie
Riley Ham
Christos Kosmas
William Burke
Nathan Ryan
Harvey Wilkes
James Bailey
Jermarl Daly
Mason Thomas
Harrison Kennedy
Damon Hollow
Joseph Ciranna
Jovan Petric
Daniel Sargent
Liam Hude
Christian Olivieri
Kade Long
Trent Dumont
Luke Jarrad
Liam Cavanagh
Benjamin Holian
Mitchell Purcell
Kade Mueller
Adam Iacobucci
Matthew Allison
Kyle Weightman
Chris Scerri
Hudson Radecki
Matthew Pellegrino
Brock Egglestone
Daniel Mighell
Corey Grindlay
Ryan Brodie
Sam Hayes
Lucas Cavallaro
Daniel Mammoliti
Nick Ingleton
Athan Tsialtas
Lachlan Plant
Cooper West
Tom Denning
Max Cirigliano Jesse Horton
Janky
Mammoliti
Allison
Vavra
By Luke D’Anello
"Now we've got some of those key, experienced leaders back, we're starting to see it all come together at the right end of the year."
Max Rider, who is in his first season at the Eagles after crossing from UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in the AFL Sydney competition, has been outstanding Rider has kicked 56 goals from 17 games –equal third in the competition – and contributed three in Sunday's win over Deer Park.
"He's a young superstar. We got the three Sydney academy boys through my contact Robbie Chancellor I worked with him at the Western Jets He was coaching one of the sides up there in Sydney. Through that we got them down to our footy club," Taylor said.
"Max is only 19 years of age. He certainly looks a lot more mature and older. I rate him extremely highly. He's a hard match-up.
"We kind of had to find a replacement for Luca Muratore after he wanted to ply his trade at VFL, and Max has certainly stood up in that role. He's able to give us a really contested look ahead of the footy, but also when the ball hits the ground, he's really agile. So he's quite a hard match-up as a medium-sized forward."
Former VFL champion Matthew Hanson has had another ever-consistent season, along with skipper Ned Gentile, who has 34 goals to his name.
