Upsets expected as lesser lights look ahead
Mid Gippsland football fans could come to expect some upsets in season 2017.
While last year’s finalists will enter favorites to play off for the ultimate prize again, several of the lesser lights from season 2016 are looking ahead with optimism.
Reigning premiers Newborough, YallournYallourn North, Mirboo North, Yinnar and Morwell East remain the clubs to be fighting for a top five finish, but other clubs have recruited well and could have a big say in how it takes shape.
Last season: 8th Coach: James Holmes In: Orry Lack (Ormond), Tom Reiske (Mirboo North)
Out: Matthew Coutts (Carngham Linton), Matt Sheridan (Griffith Moorooka), Kyle Sleep (Yarram), Daniel Metcalf, Tim Dowe (navy)
Having finished middle of the road last season, Boolara are tipped to be the sliders after enduring a number of blows over the pre-season.
Veteran James Holmes, who has cut his teeth coaching junior sides at the club, takes on the top job at the Demons after the Boolara committee decided to part ways with Shane Paynter just one month out from the MGFL season.
The Demons are expected to be a work in progress this season, with the side to spend the early part of the season learning the preferred playing style and tactics of its new coach.
And they’ll have to do that having lost some of its top end talent, with its leading goal kicker and best and fairest from 2016 both leaving the club. The loss of key utility Kyle Sleep will also hurt.
Club insiders hope to continue a push up the ladder, but given the pre-season setbacks that task appears monumental.
Hill End
Last season: 10th Coaches: Paul Smit, Mark Bradley In: Mike Santo (Churchill), Michael Bridgman (Nilma-Darnum), Matt Moseley (Warragul), Mark Bradley (former Neerim-Neerim South) Outs: None of note Well aware that they are one season into a rebuild, Hill End won’t set lofty expectations for season 2017.
Co-coach Paul Smit has implemented the first steps, that is shaping the list, to set the Grove Rovers back on the right path.
The club has recruited a number of talls, with Mike Santo, Michael Bridgman, Matt Moseley and Mark Bradley set to be integral to the success of the side.
Despite recruiting well, the club is under no illusions that any rebuild takes time and will aim for between six and eight wins.
Mirboo North
Last season: 3rd Coach: Clancy Bennett In: Brayden Doherty (Brothers Bulldogs), Harley Lowrie (Churchill), Brian Waters (Morwell East), Brayden Wilson (Yinnar), Beau Ridway (Longwarry), Darryl Mayman (Boolara)
Out: Isaac Abas, Tristan Salerno (Morwell), Kallum Nash, Tom Reiske (Boolara)
All eyes will be on Mirboo North this season to see whether the Tigers can back up their efforts of last year and play finals football.
Having finished a strong home and away season second on the ladder, the Tigers fell away badly to exit the finals with barely a whimper.
Coach Clancy Bennett was left to rue injuries at the wrong end of the season, and will have put focus on making his side fitter over the preseason.
The Tigers have some key players departing to test themselves at Morwell, but recruits should more than make up for their departures.
Morwell East
Last season: 5th Coach: Colin King In: Brad Smith (Mackay), Lucas Towns (Churchill), Sam Marks (Gormandale) Out: Dylan Field (Morwell) The Hawks will be out to continue their rise under coach Colin King.
Having just scraped in to the five last season, the Hawks will aim to vie for the premiership this season.
The Hawks certainly have the talent to do so, should they all be able to stay on the park.
The club has recruited some talls to help ease the burden of league best and fairest winner Andrew Brown carrying the ruck.
With inaccuracy costly at times last season, the Hawks have been put through plenty of goal kicking practice.
The club will look to the likes of Lucas Towns, who makes the switch from Churchill, to straighten them up in front of the big sticks.
Newborough
Last season: Premiers Coach: Dean Caldow In: Michael Hicks (Pakenham) Out: James Todd (Cowwarr), Thomas Wilson (Morwell), Lachlan Fanning (Port Douglas)
Having maintained the majority of its playing list, Newborough is on track for its premiership defence.
Talented juniors ensures the Bulldogs enter season 2017 with a good mix of experience and youth.
While fully aware that teams will come hard at the Bulldogs, coach Dean Caldow will settle for nothing less than a top three finish to set up another assault on the premiership.
The Bulldogs success in 2016 was based around a solid defence and powerful midfield, with ruckman Chris Hancock, midfielder Anthony Rosato and best and fairest winner Mat Slattery again expected to have a say on proceedings.
Thorpdale
Last season: 6th Coach: Nick Brown In: Luke Collie (Somerville), Scott Gatehouse, Brett Gatehouse (St Mary’s), Tim Lappin (Waverley) Out: Adam Tagliafero (Nyora), Ben Leach Thorpdale’s metropolitan recruits could hold the key to progressing to finals football.
With the Blues making good progress last year under coach Nick Brown, the addition of the Gatehouse brothers and Luke Collie could see the club make a concerted push towards the top five.
Injuries cruelled the Blues at times last season, with the new recruits to ensure better depth.
Shaun Pickering has been appointed captain and will look to lead from the front.
Trafalgar
Last season: 9th Coach: Clint Einsiedel In: Damien Mann (Yarragon), Hayden Farrell (Tarwin), Matt van Schajik, dave van Schajik, Mat O’Rourke, Matt Goodman (Heatherton) Outs: None of note Trafalgar have recruited heavily from Heatherton as they aim to avoid a repeat of the disappointment of season 2016.
The Bloods are a proud club and will be aiming to push up the ladder in season 2017 under new coach Clint Einsiedel.
Damien Mann has crossed from Yarragon and should offer some assistance in front of goal to spearhead Matthew Robertson.
Yallourn-Yallourn North
Last season: Runners up Coach: Adam Bayley In: Brandon Bailey (Coburg), Anthony Young, Dillon Bentleigh (Moe)
Out: Barry Brooks (retired), Todd Dobson (Tarwin)
Yallourn-Yallourn North will take another tilt at the Mid Gippsland premiership, aiming to avoid the heartbreak of recent seasons.
The Bombers have been there abouts under coach Adam Bayley in recent seasons, only to fall down at the final hurdle in heartbreaking circumstances for club legend Barry Brooks, who has decided to hang up the boots.
Should this group of talented players fail to win a premiership, the Bombers will regard it as an opportunity wasted.
Yarragon
Last season: 7th Coach: Robbie Cahill In: Brody Hamilton, Chris Karlis, Ryan Wouters, Brock Neve (Longwarry)
Out: Stuart Edwards (Queensland), Damien Mann (Trafalgar), Trent Baker, Billy Webster (Buln Buln)
Stepping up to the top role after a season as an assistant, Robbie Cahill will take on the top job as the Panthers continue on their rebuild.
Stuart Edwards has left a solid foundation, and the club will look to push towards the top five with a return to a pristine surface at Dowton Park.
With the loss of Damien Mann to rivals Trafalgar, the Panthers will need someone to step up in front of goal, while talented midfielder Trent Baker will return to Buln Buln.
As it has done in recent seasons, the Panthers have looked to neighbouring Ellinbank District Football League to bolster its list, with a number of players coming to the club from Longwarry.
Patience with its younger players will be key as Panthers fans eagerly await a rise up the ladder.
Yinnar
Last season: 4th Coach: Jaime Aitken In: Mick Geary, Matt Llewelleyn, Danny Campbell (Traralgon)
Out: Julian Blackford (Morwell), Brayden Wilson (Mirboo North)
Yinnar will look to spring back to premiership contention.
While key player Julian Blackford has returned to Morwell, coach Jaime Aitken has coerced former Traralgon teammates Mick Geary and Danny Campbell out of retirement.
They will mentor the Magpies’ talented array of younger players, with big things expected from last year’s best and fairest Jacob Mowat.