EDFL Round 1 – Saturday 11 April
Footy is back this week in what shapes as a new era for the EDFL. The league has reverted back to a 15 team one tiered competition, a new player point system with a maximum point allocation per club has been introduced and eight teams will play finals football.
The first full round on Saturday will feature a grand final showdown and many intriguing and what look to be even match ups which should also give clubs and supporters a good insight into their 2015 fortunes.
BULN BULN V LONGWARRY
The Crows will be out to turn the tables on the Lyrebirds after a 26 point loss in last year’s grand final. Both sides have not picked up any recruits of note - so the teams should bear close resemblance to those on the big day in September last year. What we do know is that in that game Lyrebird ruckman Bob McCallum had a major influence and Sean Proctor kicked four goals. With both players having departed Buln Buln over summer to re-join their former club Drouin this looks to be a game that will go down to the wire. The midfield battles will be crucial. To watch magnets Tye Holland Tyson Bale go head to head will be fascinating. Longwarry to seek some minor form of redemption with tight victory.
DUSTIES V NEERIM SOUTH
This is an enthralling clash. Many punters think the Dusties after being a genuine flag threat over the last five years may be at the crossroads while its opponents look to be hell bent on making its mark on the competition with an influx of former players returning home. Both clubs played finals football in 2014 but were unconvincing and likewise will field new a coach – former AFL Brisbane defender and Warragul Premiership coach Ash Green will now steer the Dusties while Neerim will have club stalwart Jack Halligan at the helm. Warragul has lost Chris Larosa over summer and top recruit Jayden Steers is overseas but in Shane Brewster, Daniel Johnson and Joel Gibson it still has enough top liners to inflict damage but against the presence of Tom Muir, who played at Glenelg last year, the Urie boys Chris and Mick and forward Tyssen Morrow the Dusties may have a tad to much quality and should get over the line.
GARFIELD V LANG LANG
Tipsters should treat this game with plenty of caution if the start to last season is taken into account. Garfield started slowly last year and the Tigers hit the ground running. Under new coach Shane Urbans Lang Lang look to have put together a handy side with half a dozen new arrivals including former MPNFL star Luke Damon who while 33 years old still should provide a good target up forward and take a bit of pressure of evergreen star Kurt Batt. It has been well documented the Stars have secured local legend Justin Berry and along with the Collis brothers Dylan and Will the run of the Stars is an area that has troubled Lang Lang in the past and should see the home side open their winning account.
CATANI V KOO WEE RUP
This always represents a grudge match with plenty of feeling between clubs. The Blues welcome back Paul Alger as senior coach who took the club to back to back flags in 2005/6 but this time around he has a huge challenge as the talent on their list is questionable. With few newcomers aside from Luke Tyrell it is hard to see the home side being competitive for the entire game.
Koo Wee Rup have plenty of tried and tested players and many of these will be wary of the fact they got knocked over by Catani last year and this alone should ensure they don’t enter the game complacent.
POOWONG V ELLINBANK
The Magpies face off against fellow strugglers in 2014 the Eagles. Both teams ended last season a demoralised band and will be super keen to start on a good note which adds plenty of spice to the game. Furthermore both have a new coach. Brenton Lockhart, who has returned to the club he played one season with in 2011 is in charge at the Bankers while Hayden Fredericks with plenty of experience across a number of clubs in the MPNFL and Southern leagues will oversee the home side.
Both teams have lost a good deal of their better players from last year over summer but home ground advantage swings the verdict the way of the Magpies.
NAR NAR GOON V BUNYIP (AT CORA LYNN)
After an impressive effort against Cora Lynn in the catch up game two weeks ago Goon will be out to muzzle the Bulldogs and on their opening showing should be a good chance. Nar Nar Goon trotted out quite a few newcomers namely Ash Adams, Matthew Stevens, Jamie Somers, James Martin and Chris Langley and all proved their worth. Bunyip will welcome back to their forward line former centurion goal kicker Brent Hues and Shane Smith while Brad Wolfe and Warragul recruit Lachlan Petch should bolster the defence. The battle of the blue collar midfielders led by Brendan Hermann, Brent Hughes and Josh Grant at Nar Nar Nar Goon and Michael Whyte and Jeb McLeod at Bunyip may determine the result. With a game already under its belt and also at Saturday’s venue the pendulum swings the way of the Goon in a close game.
NYORA V NILMA DARNUM
Nyora look to be in for a tough season. It has struggled to snare recruits and in contrast its opponents this week have had a facelift with at least half a dozen former Kilcunda-Bass premiership players coming aboard. The Saints look set to pick up Garfield youngster Hayden Watson but with plenty of departures in the off season such as Iian Osman, Peter Greenstreet, Adam Tagliaferro, Dylan Bracebridge and Troy McPherson the Bombers should be far too good.
CORA LYNN - BYE
Last Modified on 09/04/2015 15:20
