The former aligned partners Coburg and Richmond meet in Round 1 of the Peter Jackson VFL season.
It was first blood to the Tigers in 2014 claiming a Round 2 win against Coburg, and the Lions will be keen for revenge.
We take a look at the ins and outs for each side:
Coburg
Coach: Peter German (2nd year)
Captain: Nick Carnell
2014 finish: 14th
2014 best & fairest: Daniel Venditti / Adam Saad
Last premiership: 1989
Alignment: VFL standalone
Notable ins:Sean Gregory (Essendon), Dean Macdonald (Morwell), Cale Morton (Perth), Tom Goodwin (Box Hill Hawks), Tom Miles (Box Hill Hawks), Matthew Northe (Box Hill Hawks), Aaron Christensen (Calder Cannons), Liam Hunt (Northern Knights), Tom Gleeson (Footscray), Josh Cauchi (Calder Cannons), Jedd Clothier (Northern Saints)
Notable outs: Adam Saad (Gold Coast), Paulie Johnson (umpiring), Guy Phelps
One of the busiest teams in the off season recruiting with over 20 new signings, Coburg started their planning for 2015 early. They had pen to paper from a host of players well before the dust had settled on the 2014 Grand Final, and have recruited a mix of youth and experience to their lineup as they look to build on a successful first season as a standalone side. Ben Sortino receives some much needed support in the ruck with the recruitment of Tom Goodwin from Box Hill, and many of their recruits like Tom Miles, Matt Northe and Tom Gleeson have all experienced VFL football, but are keen to cement a regular senior berth at their new club. Sean Gregory and Cale Morton will provide high level AFL and state league experience, and with the nucleus of the young 2014 team intact, the Lions will look to improve on their six wins last year.
Richmond
Coach: Tim Clarke (2nd year – 3rd total)
Captain: Jaryd Cachia
2014 finish: 12th
2014 best & fairest: Ross Young
Last premiership: 1905
Alignment: AFL standalone
Notable ins: Jake Aarts (Bendigo), Jaryd Cachia (Carlton), Ryan Gale (Airport West), Anthony Scott (Old Trinity), Nick Mellington (Murray Bushrangers)
Notable outs: Nathan Batsanis (Port Melbourne), Ross Young (University Blues), Aaron Davey
Richmond found out quickly the standard of the competition last year when they faced eventual premiers Footscray in the first round, learning a lot from year one. Captain Ross Young who was a regular ball magnet for the side departs, and is replaced in the role by delisted Carlton player Jaryd Cachia looking to play at the highest standard possible. Ryan Gale makes a return to the VFL after stints with Northern Blues and Port Melbourne in the past, and joins Jake Aarts and VAFA young gun Anthony Scott as the main new recruits. Richmond AFL has again recruited heavily from the TAC Cup, so expect to see a number of these players regularly at VFL level through the season, including Reece McKenzie up forward and the likes of Nathan Drummond, Jason Castagna and Jayden Short through the middle.
Last Modified on 15/04/2015 17:05