BALWYN
Coach: Daniel Donati
Ins: Jared Goldsack (Scoresby), Jayden Hoegel (Scoresby), Chris Hoegel (Scoresby), Taylor Gilchrist (VFL).
Outs: Ed McCutchan (Port Melbourne), Nick Smith (VAFA).
One to watch: Goldsack is a major signing with his leadership, versatility and premiership experience making a perfect fit with the Tigers.
Chances: The reigning premiers will be squarely in the cross-hairs this season but with good signings and the confidence from a memorable grand final win, the Tigers start as the team to beat.
BLACKBURN
Coach: Peter Banfield
Ins: Ben Fraser (WAAFL), Jye Sandiford (Bendigo FL), Leif Stuart (AFL Sydney).
Outs: Brendan Rinaldi (Montrose).
One to watch: The win column will be the key statistic for the Burners this season as they are desperate to be in the finals race.
Chances: The Burners should be improved this season although the question of whether they can match the best in the league will only be answered on the field.
EAST BURWOOD
Coach: Fabian Carielli
Ins: Joel Coombes (Myrtleford).
Outs: Kristen Height (Myrtleford), Brad Murray (Myrtleford), Marcus Carroll, Stephen Henshaw, Robert Campbell.
One to watch: Joel Coombes was a superstar in the strong Ovens and Murray Football League. He is projected to be just as damaging in the EFL.
Chances: The Burs always prove a challenging side to beat but with the influx of quality at other clubs look a step off the pace in 2013.
EAST RINGWOOD
Coach: Bernie Dinneen
Ins: Andrew McGuinness, Scott Dimitriou (Mooroolbark), Jesse Field (YVMDFL).
Outs: Luke Vogels (Geelong FL), David Bell (Montrose), Gary Conyers (Rye), Troy Wright (Rye), Aaron Fiora (Doncaster).
One to watch: Andrew McGuinness got big wraps from Dinneen last season until injury hit. Now back to 100 per cent, his leadership and smarts will make the Roos much stronger.
Chances: The Roos had a horror year in 2012 but with a younger, lower-profile side they may well surprise a few teams but the key for the Roos will be consistency and application, two things they have lacked in past seasons.
KNOX
Coach: Jon Knight
Ins: Liam Kidd (South Belgrave), Craig Higgins (Nunawading).
Outs: Ryan Jeffrey (Sorrento), Jarrod Clark (Croydon).
One to watch: Scott Davis was a major signing before last season then his season ended in round 1 due to injury. A gun midfielder with good smarts, Davis should make an impact this season.
Chances: Results have to meet expectations this season when it comes to the Falcons. Injuries and youth have cost them in the past two years but they need to again push for a finals berth, something which will prove difficult in a tough competition.
LILYDALE
Coach: Simon Rourke
Ins: Damien Volta, Josh Plunkett (YVMDFL), Ben Weightman (Port Melbourne VFL).
Outs: Nathan O’Keefe, Steve Wright (both YVMDFL), Ryan Breese (boxing).
One to watch: Volta was impressive when in the TAC Cup with the Eastern Ranges. His speed and possessions could give the Falcons some more run.
Chances: At their best the Falcons can match it with anyone but this year without spearhead Nathan O’Keefe they will battle. Breese could return mid-year. Don’t rule them out but a few bad performances could see them battling to stay in the league.
NOBLE PARK
Coach: Mick Fogarty.
Ins:Brett Dore (Nar Nar Goon), Luke Smith (Seaford), Dan Keely (Port Melbourne VFL), Dean Cleven (VFL), Beau Cosson (Scoresby), Vergim Faik (Berwick).
Outs:Ziggy Alwan (VFL), Tyson Mitchem (VFL), Daniel Rigg (VAFA), Steven Tolongs (VAFA).
One to watch: Brett Dore comes to the Bulls with big wraps as a centre half forward which is just the position the Bulls need help in, if Dore’s form meets his reputation, look out.
Chances: The Bulls were shattered to fall so short last season but in truth their injury list was horrific. A healthy Bulls side will push right to the last day of the season.
NORWOOD
Coach: Denis Knight
Ins: David Trotter (AFL Canada), Kurt Scown, Tony Armstrong (both AFL Queensland), Brad Kelleher, Daniel McConnell, Dale Bull, Rhett Jordan (all Croydon).
Outs: David Blackie (VFL), Jon Wynn (break).
One to watch: David Trotter is a former AFL player with North Melbourne who joins the EFL after a year in Canada. If his touch returns quickly he could prove an inspired signing.
Chances: The Norsemen were the team to beat last season but fell short in the finals. They will go close again, question is whether they are strong enough to beat finals-hardened sides.
ROWVILLE
Coach: Paul Mynott
Ins: Lucas Gibbons (Scoresby), Ryan Baker (Wantirna South).
Outs: Damian Garner (VFL), Marc Hardy (Boronia), Luke Scanlan (Glen Waverley Hawks), Aaron Unsworth (Casey Cardinia FL).
One to watch: Alex Frawley was one of the Hawks’ leaders last season and will be called upon again this term as the Hawks look to establish themselves in the top division.
Chances: There is a big gap between divisions 1 and 2 but the Hawks have a good list and settled game plan, so don’t rule out a run at the finals.
SCORESBY
Coach: Sean Kavanagh
Ins: David Del Papa, Stephen Scott (up from under-19s).
Outs: Beau Cosson (Noble Park), Scott Goldsworthy (Ellinbank FL), Jared Goldsack (Balwyn), Jayden Hoegel (Balwyn), Paul Chadwick (Vermont), Chris Hoegel (Balwyn), Kirby McConnon (VFL), Cal McConnon, Wade McConnon (Alberton FNL), Nathan Wale-Buxton (Yarra Valley MDFL), Marc Williams (Boronia).
One to watch: Rhys Van Rheenan, the brother of Magpies ruckman Luke Van Rheenan, has trained the house down according to Kavanagh and should be a prominent member of his side this season.
Chances: With young players and a new coach, it could be a long year for the Magpies but the beauty of a young side is you never know how good they are until they get on the field.
SOUTH CROYDON
Coach:Damien Franken
Ins: Daniel Coghlan (YVFMDL), Brandon Wood (VAFA).
Outs: Shayne Kearney (Montrose), Zac Higgins (Croydon), Dylan Troutman (VFL).
One to watch: Grattan Stephens remains a key player for the Bulldogs with height and ability to win hit-outs and take marks. The Bulldogs will need a good season from Stephens.
Chances: After a couple of inconsistent years it’s hard to know if the Bulldogs will finally break back into the finals this season. It will be tough but they could do it.
VERMONT
Coach: Kris Barlow
Ins: Tom Schnieder (Box Hill Hawks), Paul Chadwick (Scoresby), Justin van Unen (Rye), Kris Bardon (NFL), Ash Froud (Silvan).
Outs: Heath Black (VAFA), Todd Daniher (Peninsula FL).
One to watch: Tom Schnieder’s transfer from Box Hill Hawks caught plenty of attention. This gun on-baller is expected to quickly become one of the best players in the league.
Chances: The Eagles went so close last year and have gone shopping landing some major talents. Schnieder, Bardon and van Unen are all highly regarded. If they settle, Vermont will be hard to beat. One way or the other, the premiership race will run through Vermont this year.
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