SSENDON ISTRICT OOTBALL EAGUE E D F L 2015 ANNUAL REPORT Hillside teammates Tristan Rudic and James Mancuso celebrate at full time of the Under-14 Division 1 grand final at Windy Hill. Keilor’s Oskar Manton reacts with disappointment. Picture: Jag Imaging Photography provided by JAG Imaging. 1 LEAGUE BOARD & OFFICE BEARERS CHAIRMAN CONTENTS Brett Scott 2 | Chairman’s Report BOARD MEMBERS 3 | General Manager’s Report Wayne Anthony, Arthur Crofts, Romy Gutbier, 4 | 2015 Ladders Bernie Shinners & Tanya Taylor 5 | Umpires Report 6 | Community Relations Report GENERAL MANAGER 7 | Media Report Marc Turri 8-9 | Club Reports (ABF-BH) FOOTBALL OPERATIONS/ADMIN MANAGER 10-11 | Club Reports (CD-ES) League Board & Office Board Bearers League Greta May 12-13 | Club Reports (EDS-HAD) FOOTBALL OPERATIONS OFFICER 14-15 | Club Reports (HIL-KP) Stephanie Zerowsky 16-17 | Club Reports (MP-OP) COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER 18-19 | Club Reports (PV-TL) Michael Russell 20-21 | Club Reports (TUL-WM) MEDIA OFFICER 22-23 | 2015 Awards Teo Pellizzeri (Until July 22nd) 23 | Life Members Adem Saricaoglu (From July 27th) 24-25 | 2015 Junior Awards DIRECTOR OF UMPIRING 25 | 2015 Grand Final Scores Rowan Sawers 26 | 2015 Grand Final Photos UMPIRES ADMINISTRATOR 27 | 2015 Teams of the Year Ken Waters 28 | AFL Victoria Development Report EDFL UMPIRES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT 29 | Calder Cannons & Western Ben White Jets Reports EDFL INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL 30-31 | 2015 Development Squads T. Humphreys (Chairman), C. Sullivan 31 | 2015 Senior Interleague (Vice-Chairman), B. Cooper, L. Danaher, 32-37 | League Best & Fairest I. Godsell, E. Hoctor, I. Hurtig, P. Jeffs, T. Jones, Winners (1930-2015) A. McCarthy, I. Rochester, J. Sipek & M. Stone 38-40 | Premierships (1930-2015) 41-52 | 2015 Financial Report EDFL INVESTIGATION OFFICERS Joel Smith & Steele Waterman EDFL PHOTOGRAPHER Glenn Bailey - JAG Imaging HEAD OFFICE 14 Marshall Road AFL VICTORIA FOOTBALL Airport West 3042 DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS Ph: 9338 4854 Chris Johnson & E: [email protected] Mark Morgan www.essendondfl.com.au Annual Report Annual | 2015 2 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT drought. Aberfeldie’s Grand Final performance is a real gentleman and a great EDFL man. was the most comprehensive of the modern era. Whereas John is a one-club person, Kevin Donnel- However, reality soon hits home when Angus Gra- ly has devoted many years’ service to many clubs ham departs after a superb cameo performance. and the EDFL. Kevin’s first association goes way With the depth and resources available, Aberfeld- back to when his father played in a premiership ie have the ability to remain the benchmark over with Keilor Football Club back in the 30s. Kevin coming seasons. himself played over 200 games with the Moonee In Division 1, Essendon Doutta Stars put the dis- Ponds Football Club. Kevin also had an association appointment of 2014 behind them by bounc- with the Ascot Vale Football Club, Aberfeldie Park ing back at the first attempt. Previously when Football Club, Greenvale Football Club and Airport Chairman’s Report Chairman’s relegated, they took many years to return to the West Football Club. However Kevin is probably top division. However, this time under the astute more noted for his involvement with the EDFL for leadership of Dean Wallis, their stay in Division 1 his role in establishing the media as we know it was short-lived. Essendon Doutta Stars are better today. For over 10 years Kevin presented a twice-a- equipped in 2016 to handle the demands of Pre- week program on 98.9 NWFM discussing all things The EDFL had another strong year in 2015, reflect- mier Division football. EDFL. Kevin introduced a live radio coverage of the ed in strong finances, strong playing numbers and In Division 2, Hadfield where similar in that they EDFL best and fairest count from the rooms of the a strong brand. With AFL Victoria introducing a bounced back at the first attempt. Hadfield had a Airport West Football Club. Kevin also introduced statewide points system in 2016 and a statewide dominant 2015 season on the back of an impres- live broadcasts from Di Caprios that was regularly salary cap in 2017, it is important that the EDFL sive array of young talent. Hadfield’s challenge attended by over 200 people. Even today, Kevin’s maintains a strong presence. We continue to stress now is to keep the group together and develop impact is still seen on Grand Final day with the that it is vitally important that clubs are financially further as they return to Division 1 football. Dash for Cash. It must be noted that Kevin’s devo- responsible at all times. You, the clubs, have an Junior football generally flies under the radar, how- tion to the EDFL and the media was all at Kevin’s amazing ability to raise vast amounts of money, ever those of us fortunate enough to witness the expense, which is a true show of one’s passion. however it is the direction it is spent that continues Under 16 Division 1 Grand Final would have seen Both John and Kevin have been long time EDFL to concern the board. Over the coming years we the emerging talent of Cameron Rayner. There people who are recognised and acknowledge by have a lot to look forward to and embrace: is a long way to go for Cameron and a lot of hard all for their devotion to community football. John • The EDFL will depart Airport West for Windy Hill work, however on his performances during 2015, and Kevin have given outstanding service over as of 2016 anything is possible. many years and are worthy inductees as life mem- • We will sign off on a long-term sponsorship Off-field in 2015 we welcomed two new life mem- bers of the EDFL. Congratulations to you both. agreement with our major partner, Strathmore bers in John Larkins and Kevin Donnelly. Both are I would like to thank my fellow board members Community Bank well known throughout the EDFL. and staff of the league. They all contribute signifi- • Junior age groups will change from evens to odds John Larkins has devoted many years to the Aber- cantly to the administration of a competition we from 2017 feldie Football Club in various administration roles, can all be proud of. • Under 19s will be introduced from 2017 starting in the juniors and progressing through to To the clubs and in particular club presidents and • Head office will undergo a major review and re- club president. John leads a strong and vibrant your committees, thank you for your contribution structure Aberfeldie Football Club who is admired by all and outstanding achievements. • Player points system in 2016 throughout community football. In premiership When you think that on any weekend through • Salary cap in 2017 years one never likes to individualise, however I players, umpires, parents, supporters, club mem- The two biggest changes ever in community foot- think all would agree that John thoroughly de- bers, club administrators and sponsors, over ball, the points system and salary cap, will impact served the ultimate success of 2015. It must also 20,000 people are entertained by the EDFL, that’s all leagues, not just the EDFL. However we ask all be noted of the many years of support and service something you should all be extremely proud of. clubs to take an active interest in the major issues that John has provided the EDFL at an executive __________________ that may impact the whole of the EDFL, not just level, through is input to the rules committee and Brett Scott | Chairman their own club. For example, our preferred points legal matters that have arisen over the years. John system transition model was not approved by AFL Victoria and I fear our desired salary cap transition model will not be accepted, either. In 2015 the EDFL, along with AFL Victoria co-in- vested in two football development managers in Mark Morgan and Chris Johnson. With the infor- mation Mark and Chris are now being provided with, I believe we will start to see some real results at club level from 2016 onwards. Their roles are part of the AFL Victoria Western & North Western Development Council. We the EDFL, WRFL and AFL Victoria make up the development council which is chaired by Western Bulldogs President, Peter Gordon. The council is working on ways of providing more opportunity for children to experience Australian Rules and to better integrate the efforts of all bod- ies involved including clubs, schools, Auskick and AFL. We are confident that new partnerships will be created to increase participation in Australian Rules. There were many on-field highlights in 2015. In Premier Division, Aberfeldie finally shook the go- rilla from their back and broke a long premiership Annual Report Annual | 2015 3 GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT The EDFL continues to take positive strides forward EDFL JUDICIARY and in 2015 many achievements were recorded. The EDFL Tribunal is a critical component of the A period of stability was experienced at the top with competition and I would like to thank every mem- Brett Scott as Chairman and Wayne Anthony, Arthur ber of the EDFL tribunal, appeals panel, investigators Crofts, Romy Gutbier, Bernie Shinners and Tanya Tay- and conciliators. In particular I would like to thank Tri- lor remaining on the Board. The only change was the bunal Chairman Trevor Humphries and Vice-Chair- retirement of Glenn Allison, who stood down after man Chris Sullivan. a long period of involvement with the EDFL span- ning 20 years which included stints at Greenvale, AFL VICTORIA Maribyrnong Park and a number of years as an EDFL The EDFL continues to strengthen our relationship Director.