Eastern Football Netball League facts for kids
Formerly | Eastern Districts Football League Eastern Football League |
---|---|
Sport | Australian rules football |
Founded | 1962 |
CEO | Jy Bond |
No. of teams | 48 |
Level on pyramid | 5 |
Promotion to | Premier Division Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 |
Relegation to | Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 |
Official website | efnl.org.au |
The Eastern Football Netball League (also known as the EFNL) is a sports league for Australian rules football and netball. It's located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Before its current name, it was called the Eastern Districts Football League and then the Eastern Football League.
History of the EFNL
The Eastern Football Netball League officially started on February 15, 1962. But its history goes back even further! It grew from earlier football groups in the area.
One of the first groups was the Reporter District Football League, formed in 1903. It included teams like Bayswater and Ringwood. Other groups, like the Ringwood District Football Association (1922) and the Croydon Mail Football League (1945), also played a part.
In 1950, some of these groups joined to become the Croydon-Ferntree Gully Football League. This league even had three different levels of competition!
A big change happened in 1997. The Eastern District Football League joined with the Knox Junior Football Association. This created the Eastern Football League, which was bigger and better.
In 2018, the league changed its structure. It now has five different divisions for its teams. By 2019, there were 45 clubs playing. The top two divisions had 10 clubs each. The next two had eight clubs, and the last division had nine.
Another important change happened on October 15, 2019. The league changed its name to the Eastern Football Netball League. This new name shows that netball is now a very important part of the league, alongside football.
Sadly, the EFNL had to cancel its 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the league bounced back! In 2022, two new clubs, Beaconsfield and Oakleigh District, joined. This brought the total number of clubs to 48.
EFNL Clubs
Here are some of the clubs that play in the EFNL.
Men's Premier Division (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior Premierships | Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balwyn | Tigers | Balwyn Park, Balwyn | SFNL | 1909 | 2007- | 5 | 2016 | |
Berwick | Wickers | Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick | OEFNL | 1903 | 2021- | 0 | - | |
Blackburn | Panthers | Morton Park, Blackburn | CFGFL | 1890 | 1962- | 3 | 2002 | |
Doncaster East | Lions | Zerbes Reserve, Doncaster East | VAFA (as Beverley Hills) | 1972 | 1982- | 4 | 2019 | |
East Ringwood | Roos | East Ringwood Reserve, East Ringwood | CFGFL | 1929 | 1962- | 5 | 2022 | |
Noble Park | Bulls | Pat Wright Senior Oval, Noble Park | SFNL | 1918 | 2000- | 5 | 2022 | |
Norwood | Norsemen | Mullum Mullum Reserve, Ringwood | – | 1960 | 1962- | 5 | 2014 | |
Rowville | Hawks | Seebeck Oval, Rowville | – | 1964 | 1965- | 6 | 2023 | |
South Croydon | Bulldogs | Cheong Park, South Croydon | – | 1969 | 1969- | 8 | 2017 | |
Vermont | Eagles | Vermont Recreation Reserve, Vermont | CFGFL | 1919 | 1962- | 21 | 2019 |
Men's Division 1 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior Premierships | Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bayswater | Waters | Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, Bayswater | CFGFL | 1895 | 1962- | 7 | 2016 | |
Beaconsfield | Eagles | Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield | OEFNL | 1890 | 2022- | 0 | - | |
Doncaster | Sharks | Schramms Reserve, Doncaster | ESFL | 1902 | 1962- | 7 | 2015 | |
Mitcham | Tigers | Walker Park, Mitcham | CFGFL | 1888 | 1962- | 8 | 2023 | |
Montrose | Demons | Montrose Recreation Reserve, Montrose | CMFL | 1924 | 1964- | 3 | 2013 | |
Mooroolbark | Mustangs | Mooroolbark Heights Reserve, Mooroolbark | – | 1966 | 1966- | 2 | 2009 | |
North Ringwood | Saints | Quambee Reserve, Ringwood North | – | 1962 | 1962- | 5 | 2014 | |
Park Orchards | Sharks | Domeney Reserve, Park Orchards | – | 1969 | 2012 | 1 | 2017 | |
South Belgrave | Saints | Belgrave South Recreation Reserve, Belgrave South | YVMDFL | 1946 | 1969, 2008- | 3 | 2022 | |
Wantirna South | Devils | Walker Reserve, Wantirna South | MDFA | 1952 | 1962 | 5 | 2014 |
Men's Division 2 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior Premierships | Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boronia | Hawks | Tormore Reserve, Boronia | CFGFL | 1927 | 1962- | 6 | 2023 | |
Croydon | Blues | Croydon Oval, Croydon | CFGFL | 1906 | 1962- | 2 | 1997 | |
East Burwood | Rams | East Burwood Reserve, East Burwood | CFGFL | 1910 | 1962- | 12 | 2000 | |
Heathmont | Jets | HE Parker Reserve,
Heathmont |
CFGFL | 1956 | 1962- | 4 | 2011 | |
Lilydale | Falcons | Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Lilydale | YVFL | 1872 | 1965- | 6 | 2011 | |
Mulgrave | Lions | Mulgrave Reserve, Wheelers Hill | CFGFL | 1925 | 1962- | 3 | 2010 | |
Ringwood | Redbacks | Jubilee Park, Ringwood | CFGFL | 1899 | 1962- | 3 | 2005 | |
Templestowe | Dockers | Templestowe Reserve, Templestowe | NFNL | 1892 | 1991- | 2 | 2010 | |
The Basin | Bears | Batterham Reserve, The Basin | CFGFL | 1947 | 1962- | 4 | 2012 | |
Waverley Blues | Blues | Mt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley | – | 1998 | 1999- | 4 | 2022 |
Men's Division 3 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior Premierships | Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coldstream | Cougars | Halley Supple Reserve, Coldstream | CFGFL | 1890 | 1962- | 3 | 2001 | |
Donvale | Magpies | Donvale Reserve,Donvale | ESCFL | 1971 | 1992-2013, 2015- | 6 | 2023 | |
Fairpark | Lions | Fairpark Reserve, Ferntree Gully | YVMDFL | 1969 | 1981- | 2 | 2019 | |
Ferntree Gully | Eagles | Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully | MDFA | 1892 | 1965- | 3 | 2016 | |
Knox | Falcons | Knox Gardens Reserve, Wantirna South | ESCFL | 1980 | 1989- | 4 | 2017 | |
Oakleigh District | Districts | Princes Highway Reserve,
Oakleigh East |
SFNL | 1950 | 2022 | 0 | - | |
Silvan | Cats | Silvan Recreation Ground, Silvan | YVMDFL | 1921 | 1962-1965, 2011- | 2 | 2022 | |
Surrey Park | Panthers | Surrey Park Reserve, Box Hill | SFNL | 1994 | 2002 | 1 | 2023 | |
Upper Ferntree Gully | Kings | Kings Park, Upper Ferntree Gully | MDFA | 1948 | 1966- | 5 | 2016 | |
Warrandyte | Bloods | Warrandyte Reserve, Warrandyte | CFGFL | 1906 | 1962- | 6 | 2015 |
Men's Division 4 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior Premierships | Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chirnside Park | Panthers | Kimberley Reserve, Chirnside Park | VAFA | 1978 | 2000- | 1 | 2009 | |
Croydon North MLOC | Rams | Hughes Park, Croydon North | – | 2018 | 2019- | 0 | - | |
Forest Hill | Zebras | Forest Hill Reserve, Forest Hill | – | 1967 | 1970- | 1 | 1984 | |
Kilsyth | Cougars | Pinks Reserve, Kilsyth | VFA | 1910 | 1962-1981, 1986- | 3 | 1995 | |
Nunawading | Lions | Koonung Reserve, Blackburn North | ESFL | 1927 | 1962- | 1 | 2002 | |
Scoresby | Magpies | Scoresby Recreation Reserve, Scoresby | CFGFL | 1925 | 1962- | 6 | 2006 | |
Whitehorse Pioneers | Pioneers | Springfield Park, Box Hill North | SFNL | 1954 | 1998- | 2 | 2018 |
Women's Premier Division (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boronia | Hawks | Tormore Reserve, Boronia | – | 1927 | 1962- | 1 | 2023 | |
Eastern Devils | Devils | Mulgrave Reserve, Wheelers Hill | SEWF | 1999 | 2021- | 2 | 2023 | |
Mount Evelyn | Rovers | Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, Mount Evelyn | – | 1931 | 2022- | 0 | - | |
South Belgrave | Saints | Belgrave South Recreation Reserve, Belgrave South | – | 1946 | 1969, 2008- | 0 | - | |
South Croydon | Bulldogs | Cheong Park, South Croydon | – | 1969 | 1969- | 1 | 2019 | |
The Basin | Bears | Batterham Reserve, The Basin | – | 1947 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Vermont | Eagles | Vermont Recreation Reserve, Vermont | – | 1919 | 1962- | 2 | 2022 | |
Whitehorse Pioneers | Pioneers | Springfield Park, Box Hill North | NFNL | 1954 | 1998- | 0 | - |
Women's Division 1 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beaconsfield | Eagles | Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield | SEWF | 1890 | 2022- | 0 | - | |
Donvale | Magpies | Donvale Reserve,Donvale | – | 1971 | 1992-2013, 2015- | 1 | 2018 | |
East Ringwood | Roos | East Ringwood Reserve, East Ringwood | – | 1929 | 1962- | 1 | 2023 | |
Knox | Falcons | Knox Gardens Reserve, Wantirna South | SEWF | 1980 | 1989- | 1 | 2022 | |
North Ringwood | Saints | Quambee Reserve, Ringwood North | – | 1962 | 1962- | 1 | 2019 | |
Park Orchards | Sharks | Domeney Reserve, Park Orchards | – | 1969 | 2012 | 0 | - |
Women's Division 2 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Berwick | Wickers | Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick | VWFL | 1903 | 2020- | 0 | - | |
Blackburn | Panthers | Morton Park, Blackburn | – | 1890 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Chirnside Park | Panthers | Kimberley Reserve, Chirnside Park | SEWF | 1978 | 2000- | 0 | - | |
East Burwood | Rams | East Burwood Reserve, East Burwood | – | 1910 | 1962- | 1 | 2022 | |
Kilsyth | Cougars | Pinks Reserve, Kilsyth | – | 1910 | 1962-1981, 1986- | 1 | 2023 | |
Montrose | Demons | Montrose Recreation Reserve, Montrose | – | 1924 | 1964- | 0 | - | |
Ringwood | Redbacks | Jubilee Park, Ringwood | – | 1899 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Surrey Park | Panthers | Surrey Park Reserve, Box Hill | – | 1994 | 2002 | 0 | - | |
Waverley Blues | Blues | Mt Waverley Reserve, Mount Waverley | – | 1998 | 1999- | 0 | - |
Women's Division 3 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coldstream | Cougars | Halley Supple Reserve, Coldstream | – | 1890 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Croydon North MLOC | Rams | Hughes Park, Croydon North | – | 2018 | 2019- | 0 | - | |
Eastern Devils Reserves | Devils | Mulgrave Reserve, Wheelers Hill | SEWF | 1999 | 2021- | 2 | 2023 | |
Heathmont | Jets | HE Parker Reserve,
Heathmont |
– | 1956 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Mitcham | Tigers | Walker Park, Mitcham | – | 1888 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Mooroolbark | Mustangs | Mooroolbark Heights Reserve, Mooroolbark | – | 1966 | 1966- | 1 | 2023 | |
North Ringwood Reserves | Saints | Quambee Reserve, Ringwood North | – | 1969 | 1969- | 1 | 2019 | |
South Croydon Reserves | Bulldogs | Cheong Park, South Croydon | – | 1969 | 1969- | 1 | 2019 |
Women's Division 4 (2024)
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Most recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bayswater | Waters | Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, Bayswater | VWFL | 1895 | 1962- | 1 | 2017 | |
Boronia Reserves | Hawks | Tormore Reserve, Boronia | – | 1927 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Fairpark | Lions | Fairpark Reserve, Ferntree Gully | – | 1969 | 1981- | 0 | - | |
Ferntree Gully | Eagles | Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully | – | 1892 | 1965- | 0 | - | |
Nunawading | Lions | Koonung Reserve,
Blackburn North |
– | 1927 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
The Basin Reserves | Bears | Batterham Reserve, The Basin | – | 1947 | 1962- | 0 | - | |
Upper Ferntree Gully | Kings | Kings Park, Upper Ferntree Gully | – | 1948 | 1966- | 0 | - | |
Wantirna South | Devils | Walker Reserve, Wantirna South | – | 1952 | 1962 | 0 | - | |
Warrandyte | Bloods | Warrandyte Reserve, Warrandyte | – | 1906 | 1962- | 0 | - |
Junior Only Clubs
These clubs only have junior teams playing in the EFNL.
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former league | Est. | Years in EFNL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Endeavour Hills | Eagles | Barry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills | SEJ | 1978 | 2021- | |
Glen Waverley Rovers | Rovers | Brentwood Reserve, Glen Waverley | SECYCFA | 1970 | ||
Lysterfield | Wolves | Lakesfield Reserve, Lysterfield | – | 2008 | 2011- | |
Rowville Knights (St. Simons) | Knights | Liberty Reserve, Rowville | KJFA | 1993 | 1999- |
EFNL Champions
Here are the teams that have won championships in the Eastern Football Netball League over the years.
Five Division Competition (2019–)
Year | Premier | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
2023 | Rowville | Mitcham | Boronia | Donvale | Surrey Park |
2022 | Noble Park | East Ringwood | South Belgrave | Waverley Blues | Silvan |
2021 | Competition suspended mid-season | Competition suspended mid-season | Competition suspended mid-season | Competition suspended mid-season | Competition suspended mid-season |
2020 | No competition | No competition | No competition | No competition | No competition |
2019 | Vermont | Doncaster East | Mitcham | South Belgrave | Fairpark |
Year | Premier | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
Four Division Competition (1986–2018)
Year | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
2018 | Vermont | Doncaster East | Boronia | Whitehorse |
2017 | South Croydon | Knox | Park Orchards | Donvale |
2016 | Balwyn | Bayswater | Upper Ferntree Gully | Ferntree Gully |
2015 | Balwyn | Doncaster | Mitcham | Warrandyte |
2014 | Norwood | North Ringwood | Wantirna South | Silvan |
2013 | Balwyn | Montrose | Doncaster | South Belgrave |
2012 | Balwyn | Rowville | North Ringwood | The Basin |
2011 | Noble Park | Lilydale | Doncaster | Heathmont |
2010 | Noble Park | Mulgrave | Upper FTG | Templestowe |
2009 | Vermont | South Croydon | Mooroolbark | Chirnside Park |
2008 | Balwyn | Wantirna South | Waverley Blues | Heathmont |
2007 | Vermont | Knox | Doncaster East | Whitehorse |
2006 | Vermont | Scoresby | South Croydon | Warrandyte |
2005 | Vermont | Ringwood | Bayswater | Waverley Blues |
2004 | Noble Park | Wantirna South | Rowville | Heathmont |
2003 | Noble Park | Lilydale | Norwood | Rowville |
2002 | East Ringwood | Blackburn | Wantirna South | Nunawading |
2001 | Vermont | Donvale | South Croydon | Coldstream |
2000 | East Burwood | Boronia | Knox | Waverley Blues |
1999 | East Burwood | North Ringwood | Warrandyte | Norwood |
1998 | Vermont | Lilydale | Upper FTG | Mount Evelyn |
1997 | Vermont | Croydon | Templestowe | South Waverley Sandown |
1996 | Donvale | Lilydale | Doncaster | South Wantirna |
1995 | Vermont | Bayswater | Kilsyth | Fairpark |
1994 | Vermont | Donvale | The Basin | Heathmont |
1993 | Vermont | Clayton | Warrandyte | Doncaster East |
1992 | East Burwood | Montrose | Donvale | Surrey Hills |
1991 | Vermont | South Croydon | Lilydale | Knox |
1990 | Vermont | Doncaster | Coldstream | Kilsyth |
1989 | Vermont | North Ringwood | Norwood | Bennettswood BBS |
1988 | Vermont | South Croydon | Mooroolbark | Lilydale |
1987 | East Burwood | Surrey Hills | Ferntree Gully | South Waverley Sandown |
1986 | Vermont | Boronia | Coldstream | Mount Evelyn |
Year | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
Three Division competition (1962–1985)
Year | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 |
1985 | East Burwood | Bayswater | The Basin |
1984 | East Ringwood | Doncaster | Forest Hill |
1983 | Vermont | South Croydon | Warrandyte |
1982 | Vermont | Bayswater | Norwood |
1981 | Mitcham | Rowville | Montrose |
1980 | Mitcham | Blackburn | Rowville |
1979 | Mitcham | Mulgrave | Upper FTG |
1978 | Ringwood | North Ringwood | Olinda |
1977 | Scoresby | Blackburn | Boronia |
1976 | East Burwood | Ringwood | Bennettswood |
1975 | Mitcham | Kilsyth | Coldstream |
1974 | Bayswater | East Ringwood | Upper FTG |
1973 | East Burwood | Bayswater | South Croydon |
1972 | East Hawthorn | Doncaster | Mount Evelyn |
1971 | Vermont | Croydon | Mulgrave |
1970 | Mitcham | East Hawthorn | Mount Evelyn |
1969 | Vermont | Boronia | Mount Evelyn |
1968 | East Burwood | Ferntree Gully | Yarra Glen |
1967 | East Burwood | Surrey Hills | Olinda |
1966 | East Ringwood | Warrandyte | Olinda |
1965 | East Burwood | Scoresby | Olinda |
1964 | East Burwood | Scoresby | No competition |
1963 | East Burwood | Scoresby | No competition |
1962 | Ringwood | Scoresby | The Basin |
Year | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 |
Former Clubs
Over the years, some clubs have left the EFNL for different reasons. Here are some of them:
Club | Jumper | Nickname | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Years in EFNL | EFNL Senior
Premierships |
Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balwyn Combined | Demons | Macleay Park, Balwyn North | VAFA | 1996 | 0 | Folded | ||
Bennettswood | Swans | Bennettswood Reserve, Burwood | ESFL | 1968-1986 | 1 | Merged with Blackburn South Football Club | ||
Bennettswood-Blackburn South | Swans | – | 1987 | 1987-1990 | 1 | Folded | ||
Blackburn South | – | 1966 | 1984-1986 | 0 | Merged with Bennettswood Football Club | |||
Clayton | Clays | Meade Reserve, Clayton | SESFL | 1908 | 1985-1998 | 1 | Transferred to Southern Football Netball League | |
Canterbury | Cobras | Canterbury Sports Ground, Surrey Hills | SFNL | 1881 | 2009-2013 | 0 | Transferred to Victorian Amateur Football Association | |
East Hawthorn | Hawks | St. James Park, Hawthorn | NMFL | 1931 | 1970-1972 | 2 | Transferred to Northern Metropolitan Football League | |
Glen Waverley Hawks | Hawks | Central Reserve, Glen Waverley | – | 1973 | 2005-2022 | 0 | In recess | |
Mount Evelyn | Rovers | Gary Martin Oval, Mount Evelyn | CFGFL | 1931 | 1962-2001 | 5 | Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League, women's team still competes in EFNL | |
Noble Park Bears | Bears | Parkfield Reserve, Noble Park | ESCFL | 1989-1996 | 0 | Folded | ||
Olinda | Bloods | Olinda Recreation Reserve, Olinda | MDFA | 1908 | 1965-1985 | 4 | Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League and now known as Olinda-Ferny Creek | |
Southern Cobras | Cobras | Edinburgh Reserve, Springvale | SESFL | 1962 | 1977–83 as Sandown, 1984-1997 as South Waverley Sandown, 1998-05 as Southern Cobras | 2 | Transferred to Southern Football Netball League and now known as Sandown Cobras.
Folded after 2023 season |
|
Surrey Hills | CFGFL | 1887 | 1962-1993 | 3 | Merged with East Camberwell to form Surrey Park Football Club | |||
SBL Wolves | Wolves | Belgrave South Recreation Reserve, Belgrave South | – | 2017 | 2017-2023 | 0 | De-merged into Lysterfield and South Belgrave Junior Football Clubs | |
Wandin | Bulldogs | Wandin North Reserve, Wandin North | CFGFL | 1909 | 1962-1971 | 0 | Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League | |
Waverley | Panthers | Columbia Park Reserve, Wheelers Hill | VAFA | 1908 | 1991-1998 | 0 | Merged with Mount Waverley Burwood to form the Waverley Blues Football Club | |
Wonga Park | Kangaroos | Brushy Creek Park, Croydon North | ESCFL | 1986 as Wonga Park 1987-90 as North Croydon | 0 | Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League | ||
Yarra Glen | River Pigs | Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve, Yarra Glen | CFGFL | 1888 | 1962-1984 | 1 | Transferred to Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League |
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