Oakleigh District Football Netball Club

He’s taking on one of the Eastern league’s toughest coaching jobs after the club posted just one win and suffered relegation to the lowest tier this season – but the challenge is precisely what excites Oakleigh District Football Netball Club's new main man.

STORY: https://tinyurl.com/3ejxzf3b

MITCH POTTS RE-SIGNS FOR 2027!

The Oakleigh District Football Netball Club is thrilled to announce that current Senior Captain Mitch Potts has recommitted to the club for the 2027 season.

A respected leader both on and off the field, Mitch’s commitment is an important part of the direction we are heading as a football club.

As captain, Mitch has continued to lead from the front and has shown tremendous loyalty to Oakleigh Districts through some challenging periods. His leadership, standards and commitment to his teammates are exactly what we want driving the next chapter of our senior football program.

With Nick Batsanis taking the reins as Senior Coach and a renewed focus on developing a young and hungry playing group, having Mitch recommit is a huge boost for the club.

Mitch will play an important role in helping set the standards for our younger players and continuing to build the culture we want at Oakleigh Districts.

There is plenty of work ahead, but retaining quality people and leaders who genuinely care about the club is a massive part of what we are building.

We couldn’t be happier to have our skipper locked in for 2027.

The Oakleigh District Football Netball Club is excited to announce the appointment of Zach Templeton as our Development Coach for the 2027 season.

At just 24 years of age, Zach is an exciting young coach who is passionate about continuing to develop his coaching career and helping young footballers get the best out of themselves.

Zach comes to Oakleigh Districts having been involved with Wantirna South’s Under 19 program, gaining valuable experience working with and developing young players.

His appointment is another important part of the direction we are taking as a football club. We want to create an environment where our younger players are given every opportunity to improve, develop and ultimately become quality senior footballers.

Working alongside Senior Coach Nick Batsanis and our wider coaching group, Zach will have a strong focus on player development and helping build the connection between our emerging players and senior football program.

We’re equally excited to provide Zach with an opportunity to continue developing as a coach. At only 24, he has plenty of coaching ahead of him, and we believe Oakleigh Districts is a great environment for him to grow alongside our playing group.

We’re building a coaching structure focused not just on immediate results, but on developing our players, our coaches and the long-term future of the club.

Please join us in welcoming Zach Templeton and his family to the Oaks!

THANK YOU, SIMON BLACK 🖤🤍

Oakleigh District Football Netball Club would like to congratulate and thank Simon Black on an incredible playing career with the club.

Simon joined Oakleigh Districts in 2016, and over the past 11 years has become an enormous part of our football club, both on and off the field.

Across his time in the black and white, Simon has achieved plenty:

• 160 Senior Games
• Club Captain
• Committee Member
• Two-time Caretaker Senior Coach – 2022 & 2026
• 11 years of service to ODFNC

Simon’s contribution goes well beyond the games he played.

On two separate occasions, in 2022 and again in 2026, Simon stepped up to take over as caretaker Senior Coach when the club needed him most. During two challenging periods, he put the club first and helped steer the playing group through difficult times.

That willingness to step up is a great reflection of what Simon has meant to Oakleigh Districts.

As a captain, player, coach and committee member, Simon has continually given his time and energy to make the club better. He has been a leader around the playing group and someone who has always been willing to take responsibility when it was needed.

160 senior games across 11 years is a fantastic achievement, but Simon’s impact on ODFNC can’t simply be measured by games played.

Simon leaves a lasting mark on the club and should be extremely proud of everything he has contributed since first pulling on the Oakleigh Districts jumper in 2016.

From everyone at the Oakleigh District Football Netball Club, thank you Simon for your loyalty, leadership and commitment to the black and white.

Congratulations on a fantastic career, Blacky.

🖤🤍 OAKLEIGH DISTRICTS APPOINT NICK BATSANIS AS SENIOR COACH

The Oakleigh District Football Netball Club is proud to announce the appointment of Nick Batsanis as our Senior Coach for the 2027 season and beyond.

Nick joins Oakleigh Districts with an outstanding football résumé, bringing more than 15 years of senior football experience as both a player and coach. Most recently, he guided Templestowe Football Club to the 2025 Division 2 Grand Final and was deservedly recognised as the 2025 Division 2 Coach of the Year.

Career Highlights

🏆 2025 Division 2 Coach of the Year
🏆 2025 Division 2 Grand Final Coach
🏆 2× EFNL Senior Premiership Player
🏆 Over 200 Senior Games
🏆 Four-year Senior Captain – Doncaster East
🏆 Three-time EFNL Team of the Year
🏆 AFL Accredited Coach

Nick’s values and vision align perfectly with the direction of our football club. His passion for developing people, building a strong culture, demanding high standards and creating sustainable success made him the standout candidate to lead our next chapter.

As we continue to build towards a bright future, we’re excited to have a coach who shares our ambition and commitment to making Oakleigh Districts a destination club once again.

Please join us in welcoming Nick and his family to the Oakleigh District Football Netball Club.

The future starts now.

Welcome to Oakleigh Districts, Nick! 🖤🤍

2026 MAJOR DRAW WINNERS!

The winners of the $20,000 Helloworld Travel Camberwell Travel Voucher was announced on Saturday. ✈️

Congratulations to Steve & Bec Potts on taking home the prize! 🎁

And once again, thank you to Helloworld Camberwell for their support and to everyone who supported our major fundraiser for the year. ❤️

ODFNC are saddened to learn of the passing of Gary ‘Nuts’ Farrugia last night.

Nuts was a Senior player in our halcyon years & played 104 Senior games, and just as many in equally successful Reserves teams.

He was a local, and although very quiet off the field, Nuts was an extremely talented left-footer, who read the game brilliantly, and always had an highly-rated opposition defender go to him. He was not aggressive but fearless.

The club passes on their sincere condolences to Gary’s family, friends, former team mates and everyone who was lucky enough to have known him.

At our next Home Game, and as a mark of respect, our players will be wearing black armbands in his honour.

Rest in Peace Gary. ❤️

⚫️⚪️ Head Coach Wanted - Season 2027 ⚪️⚫️

Oakleigh Districts Football Club is seeking a passionate and forward-thinking Head Coach to lead our senior program from season 2027 and beyond.

We’re looking for someone who can develop young talent, build a strong team culture and drive success both on and off the field.

Interested applicants are asked to send their expression of interest and coaching CV to [email protected]

For more information, contact Ryan Pearson on 0437 460 456.

GAMEDAY 🏉 Steve Hassett

The Oaks are back at Princes Hwy Reserve today taking on Coldstream.

🆚 Coldstream
📍 Princes Hwy Reserve
📅 Saturday June 27
⏰ Reserves 12:20pm | Seniors 2:20pm