By Justin Schwarze
After a gutsy and brave effort to keep themselves up in 2024, Emerald is shining bright with reflection entering a fresh new challenge this season
The Bombers are spearheaded by a youthful contingent filled with talent and a sprinkling of veteran senior players.
However, entering a new chapter with playing-coach David Johnson at the helm brings exciting propositions for the squad.
The club saw some key players depart in the build-up for 2025, with Adrian Russo heading back to Cranbourne and his brother Nic taking his talents to Rosebud.
Ben Pola joined Adrian at Cranbourne, while Noah Van Haren is a massive loss, deciding to test his skills in the Eastern Football League at East Ringwood.
These outs were countered with some new faces, as Emerald put pen to paper with Ethan Bailey and Aidan Grose, Jordan Donadel, Luke Spaulding, Will Gazzard, Jai Raistrick, Luka Pukitis, and Mitchell Gottschalk.
“Getting Ethan Grose back, he’s one of our key leaders, so I’ve got him in the leadership group,” Johnson said of his new signing.
“Having him back, he’s a mature head, and he wants to learn with us, so I’m looking forward to having him back and I can learn a lot from him.”
“We’ve also got some young kids coming in so I’m looking forward to teaching them some things and they’re such good kids and they just want to learn.”
After finishing 10th in 2024, the club wanted to build on the developing youth and buy into the potential with the up and coming list.
The Bombers made sure to back some players finding their feet in senior football, with some names set to have major breakout seasons.
“Isaac Seskis, he’s an absolute bull, a tackling machine and he’ll play on-ball and forward,” Johnson said, naming Seskis as one of the team’s players to watch this season.
“If we had him always in the forward line, he has the capability and skills to get 30-35 goals in the season.
“Ben Lewis, another good young player who plays in a high half-forward role.
“He kicked six goals against Pakenham last year, so he’s a very talented player.”
Lewis’ six goal haul was massive for the boys in red and black, coming in round 14 at Toomuc Reserve.
The bag of six guided Emerald to a 34 point win against the Lions, a result which proved crucial in the final standings for the Bombers to stay up.
“They’re all really good players, the young guys coming through,” Johnson reflected on his team.
“I think last year we were reasonably competitive at times, so this year we worked out what we needed to do as a gameplan; where our strengths are and what we need to work on, and we needed to get fitter as well.
“We’ve got ourselves a new gameplan, we’re a lot fitter than this time last year and we know the other teams now, so we’re heading in the right direction to be competitive against the top teams in Premier this year.”
2024 best and fairest winner Ewan Wadsworth is back and he will be supported in the middle by another best and fairest holder, with Luke Spaulding coming across after a brilliant 2024 campaign at fellow Outer East club Yarra Junction.
“I can guarantee that our on-ball group will be up there with the best on-ball groups in the competition,” Johnson said.
“If the boys can get it out to the good users, it’ll make the forwards jobs a lot easier.”
The midfield is bolstered with returning players including star ruck Steve Kapahnke, who’s ready to tap it down to elite ball winners and users Josh Rich and Jake Pedder.
Johnson will coach from up forward, where he booted 22 goals in 15 games last season.
“I’ve made a very good relationship with these boys over the last three or so years, so I’m looking forward to coaching my mates and seeing them get better and better,” he said.
“I can already tell they’ve bought in and they’re looking forward to the season ahead as well.”
For Johnson and Emerald, it’s all about getting off to the right start.
A round one trip to Woori Yallock is the club’s first test, where a colossal matchup with 2024 league goal-kicking winner Taylor Gibson awaits.
“Taylor Gibson is a superstar, we’re going to have to do our best to shut him down,” Johnson said.
“The delivery into Taylor is also amazing, so we’ve got to work up the ground and put pressure on the guys kicking the ball into Taylor and their other forwards.
“As forwards, we’ve got to keep presenting, bring it to ground and let our small forwards do the work.
“If we can do everything we’ve been practising and use our fitness to our strength, the first goal of the year is to knock off Woori Yallock.”
The youth movement is going to be the key to Emerald’s season, with majority of the side 21 or under.
This will come with patience and growing pains, but the Bombers are ready to soar in 2025 and build on their first experience of Premier football.
“We’re a very young team, I’d say 75 percent youth, 25 percent older guys,” Johnson admitted.
“In saying that, our older guys are very experienced.”
The first month of the season will be a very good gauge on the readiness of the group, with other matchups including bitter rivals Gembrook Cockatoo, 2024 Premier grand finalist Wandin and recently promoted Healesville.
It’s going to be an exciting watch, and Emerald will be hoping to emulate the Baby Bombers as much as possible.
EMERALD
President: Mark Pedder
Senior Coach: David Johnson
Last Year: 10th (5-13)
Players Used: 37
Best and Fairest: Ewan Wadsworth
Leading Goalkicker: David Johnson 22
First Month: Woori Yallock (A), Healesville (H), Gembrook Cockatoo (H), Wandin (A)
GEMBROOK COCKATOO
President: Damian Kee
Senior Coach: Michael Firrito
Last Year: 9th (5-13)
Players Used: 39
Best and Fairest: Aaron Firrito
Leading Goalkicker: Myles Wareham 26
First Month: Monbulk (A), Mt Evelyn (H), Emerald (A), Olinda Ferny Creek (H)
HEALESVILLE
President: Toby Millman
Senior Coach: Ryan Webster
Last Year: 2nd (13-3, Division One Premiers)
Players Used: 37
Best and Fairest: Nick Mende
Leading Goalkicker: Aaron Edwards 68
First Month: Upwey Tecoma (H), Emerald (A), Mt Evelyn (A), Woori Yallock (H)
MONBULK
President: Grant Dennison
Senior Coach: Matt Cunningham
Last Year: 8th (7-11)
Players Used: 35
Best and Fairest: Lochie Beecroft
Leading Goalkicker: Lochie Beecroft 25
First Month: Gembrook Cockatoo (H), Olinda Ferny Creek (A), Wandin (H), Upwey Tecoma (A)
MT EVELYN
President: Steve Martin
Senior Coach: Connor O’Sullivan
Last Year: 6th (8-10)
Players Used: 42
Best and Fairest: Daimon Kift
Leading Goalkicker: Callum Urquhart 33
First Month: Wandin (H), Gembrook Cockatoo (A), Healesville (H), Officer (A)
OFFICER
President: Laurie Hughes
Senior Coach: Nathan Allen
Last Year: 7th (7-11)
Players Used: 42
Best and Fairest: Jake Gains
Leading Goalkicker: Mark Seedsman 33
First Month: Olinda Ferny Creek (H), Upwey Tecoma (A), Woori Yallock (A), Mt Evelyn (H)
OLINDA FERNY CREEK
President: Ben Selby-Hele
Senior Coach: Dylan Wilson
Last Year: 5th (9-9)
Players Used: 36
Best and Fairest: Matt Scharenberg
Leading Goalkicker: Noah Desta 25
First Month: Officer (A), Monbulk (H), Upwey Tecoma (H), Gembrook Cockatoo (A)
UPWEY TECOMA
President: Craig Waters
Senior Coach: Stuart Hill
Last Year: 4th (12-6)
Players Used: 35
Best and Fairest: Sam Raru
Leading Goalkicker: Carmine Porcaro 41
First Month: Healesville (A), Officer (H), Olinda Ferny Creek (A), Monbulk (H)
WANDIN
President: Nicholas Crossland
Senior Coach: Nick Adam
Last Year: 3rd (15-3)
Players Used: 35
Best and Fairest: Chayce Black
Leading Goalkicker: Aaron Mullett 59
First Month: Mt Evelyn (A), Woori Yallock (H), Monbulk (A), Emerald (H)
WOORI YALLOCK
President: Donna Abbey McLennan
Senior Coach: Brendon Donovan
Last Year: 2nd (16-2)
Players Used: 33
Best and Fairest: Taylor Gibson
Leading Goalkicker: Taylor Gibson 65
First Month: Emerald (H), Wandin (A), Officer (H), Healesville (A)
