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1984 to 2011 – Eastern Districts Masters Footy Club

Eastern Districts Superules FC was formed late in 1983, ready to play in the inaugural Superules 1984 season. The club chose its home base at Wantirna Sth FC.The first year of football was very successful, exceeding all expectations and the team played off in the first ever Superules Division 1 Grand Final.  They played Diamond Valley but unfortunately a maiden premiership did not eventuate and the team lost on the day.Players came & went over the years, but a core of dedicated people played for & ran the club through the ups & downs that every football club experiences.The team moved to Scoresby FC in 1991, playing there until 1995. A move was then made in 1996 to Heathmont FC. We moved again to Ferntree Gully FC in 2007, staying until 2011, when the club merged with Knox FC.Over the years there were some very special individual efforts with Barry (Smokey) Dawson winning the League Goal kicking award in 1995, 1996 & 1999. 1996 saw Gary Halbert win the League Best & Fairest award and there were numerous “All Australian” players. They were: Kingy & Georgie Bissett 1985, Tony O’Meara 1992, Kingy 1993,Keithy & T Benham1995, Muddy (including being MR B&F for the Carnival) & Tony O’Meara 1997 and Brains 2001.Apart from playing in the first ever Superules Grand Final, Eastern Districts played in the 1993 Division 2 GF vs Footscray & the 1998 Division 1 GF vs Oak Park. Unfortunately the team did not experience the ultimate success.There have been some great milestones achieved over the years with Rob (Brains) Winnen, Ted (Teddy) Payne & Ron (Kingy) King all playing more than 150 games. Others to play more than 100 games are: Tony O’Meara, Geoff (Muddy) Allen, Keith (Keithy) Hodgson, Kevin (Raffo) Raftis, Michael (Pogz) Pogrzeba, Alistair (Macca) Macdonald, Andrew (Dermie) Smith & Andrew (Butts) Butler. There are 23 Life Members associated with the club, the board not showing later Life members including Jason (Rowdy) Griffiths.

1994 to 2011 – Knox Lions Masters Footy Club

Knox Lions was originally called South Wantirna Warriors and introduced a team in the Eastern District Vets competition in 1994.  In 200o they moved to the Super Rules Masters competition, renamed as Knox Warriors finally to move to Fairpark Reserve to become the Knox Lions where they remained until the merger in 2011.

2016 – today: Who are we now?

Eastern Warriors is steeped in history dating back all the way to 1984.  As it stands now Eastern Warriors is an amalgamation of other historical clubs.  The final merger occurred in late 2011 when the Knox Lions and the Eastern District clubs came together to play the first season together in 2012 at Mitcham’s home ground.  In 2013 Eastern Warriors moved to the old Waverley VFA ground where we stayed until 2015.  In 2016 the Warriors had to move due to ground over-utilisation and now have a permanent home at Edinburgh Reserve in Springvale. In 2016 Eastern Warriors Over 35s reserves made the grand final against Parkdale but we were beaten on the day. 

The Way of the Warrior

Philosophy of Eastern Warriors

The most important aspect of our game is that it is “FOOTBALL FOR FUN”.

All Eastern Warriors participants should adhere to this philosophy and accept the following guidelines:

  1. Egos are to be left at home.

 

  1. We should recognise good performance and applaud the efforts of both teams and umpires.

 

  1. Criticism of other player’s performance and ability is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

 

  1. The game is played for fun and enjoyment by all.

  2. Disputing an umpire’s decisions or abuse of any umpires is totally unacceptable and will not be

tolerated.

  1. On field and off field fighting, violence or bad language is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

 

  1. Games Selection Criteria.
    We obviously need far more players to get through a season than can take the field at the start of any given match, and whilst every player will be given the chance to play, selection cannot help but be influenced by the following:
    paid membership, attendance at training, participation in club activities and duties and willingness to travel to away games.
    The above does not mean that players who cannot train or play regularly will not be welcomed and get a game, however they must be prepared to accept and understand our priorities, just as we understand that at our age there are a variety of factors that prevent some players being available
    each week.

  2. Not withstanding point 7, every effort will be made to give all players equal time on the ground.

 

  1. Hospitality to visiting teams is very important. As we partake of other team’s hospitality during our travels to away games, all players should recognise the importance of returning the favour.

  2. AFL Masters recognises the importance of involving our families in our activities and will continue to make a conscious effort to do so.

 

  1. Remember, at our age, it is not how many games you win, but how many games you play. For that reason we have modified rules and modified attitudes to playing in order to minimise the risk of injury and keep us playing and enjoying our great game even longer.