EDFL 2017 SEASON PREVIEW
It’s all systems go for the newly structured 10 team EDFL season. Most clubs are confident of playing finals which should throw up plenty of tantalising games. Let’s have a look at each team’s prospects!
BULN BULN
Coach: - Matt Gray Prediction 4th – 5th
The Lyrebirds will hope the new league will see the club return to the glory days when it was a league powerhouse. With Coach Matt Gray, James Davidson, Mitch Nobelius and Trent Baker, who has returned from Tooleybuc the Lyrebirds have one of the better midfields. It also has plenty of young quality on the up with Jack Nuttall, Hayden Baker and Charlie Park all expected to make their mark of the competition at senior level this year. Tall utility Dylan Farrell has left to join Warragul and Josh O’Brien has joined Warragul Industrials as senior coach. Should be well in contention for top five finish.
CATANI
Coach: - Paul Alger Prediction 5th – 6th
The Blues will expect improvement on last year when half a dozen half quarter fade outs cost it dearly. It has recruited well with the arrival of Travis Kitchen (Skye), Dale Johnson (Doveton), Paul Pattison (Casey VFL), Aiden Cuff (Inverloch) and Tim Lonsdale (Stony Creek) but it will miss talented youngsters Josh Brown (Lang Lang) and Ryan Eaton who has put in a transfer to Bonbeach . The ever reliable Nick Visser, Anthony Benevenuto and Tanny Rodda will ensure the Blues get plenty of the ball in and around the middle. Should be well in the frame for a finals berth.
ELLINBANK
Coach: - Ben Wragg Prediction 5th – 6th
The Blues could be the bolters in 2017. It has recruited well with Ben Wragg (Ex Narre Warren and Yarra Junction), Keegan Bolt (Drouin), Ryan Carpenter (Rosedale), Jackson Parker (Narre Warren), Daniel Pratt (Drouin) and Andrew Quirk (Bunyip) to bolster its ranks. It also has many promising youngsters led by Tyler Hotchkin that will be better for the senior experience gained last year. A finals berth would not surprise.
LANG LANG
Coach: - Clint Evans & Assistanr Rohan Bleeker Prediction 7th – 8th
Clint Evans will undertake his second stint in charge at Tiger land. However after taking them to the grand final in 2008 he is not fancied to scale such heights in 2017. Rohan Bleeker (Dromana) will assist Evans, Troy McPherson and Aaron Creasey have returned but the later may not play due to the effects of a series of concussions last year. Cameron Brown (Tooradin) and Josh Brown (Catani) have also joined. Once again Lang Lang will push all comers at home but popular perception is it will occupy the lower rungs of the ladder.
LONGWARRY
Coach:-Daniel Fry Prediction 8th – 9th
New coach Daniel Fry (ex Garfield & Pakenham) will give his team mates a good target but the Crows seem light on for talent. Injuries cruelled the Crows last year and exposed their lack of depth. Pakenham midfielder Cory Lenders is a big plus. Forward Stephen Hawkins (Skye) and Scott Kelly (Warragul) have left. Young speedster Riley Rundell has re-joined the club who will be looking for a few more players to stand up and support the likes of Josh Bourke and Aaron Serong last year.
NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: - Allan Chandler Prediction 1ST – 2nd
Former Moe, Nilma Darnum and Newborough midfielder Allan Chandler replaces Jack Halligan as senior coach. The Cats have strong premiership hopes. It was outstanding last year before it lost its edge come finals time. With Chris Urie, Mick Urie, Tyssen Morrow and Cal Shiels Neerim have a number of stars who can play a variety of roles while Kody Wilson has returned from Casey and should be a force around the packs. It also has quite a few youngsters led by Aaron and Dane Fawcett, Harrison and Bailey George and Dean Stringer and Jack Erikson on the improve.
NILMA DARNUM
Coach: - Dean Alger Prediction 2nd – 3rd
Having played finals and finished the 2016 season full of running the Bombers have genuine premiership ambitions. Aside from the loss of dynamic ruck rover Shaun White back to the Pines it looks as though they will retain the majority of their list. Luke Lange, Nat Campbell & Nick Wilcox are all expected to be prime movers again and with Ben Campbell, Harley Parker and Lai Leaunoa proven goal kicker supporters can look forward to plenty of good afternoons.
NYORA
Coach: - Fia Too Too Prediction 7th – 8th
The return to the club of Adam and Sam Burns, Mitchell Cochrane, Kallon Rigby, Adam Tagliaferro and Iian Osman should provide the Saints with more depth and lend the likes of Fia Too Too, Dylan Heylen and Nick Carrigy must needed assistance. Osman in particular who played at Officer last season and who kicked 91 goals in two seasons with the Saints in 2013 & 2014 should prove a handful for opposition defences. Likely to cause an upset or two at home but finals football looks a bridge too far.
POOWONG
Coach:-Mick Hawken Prediction 9th – 10th
Having not won a game last year the Magpies will be looking to emerge from the wilderness. New coach Mick Hawken has brought to the club former Devon Meadow players Chris Doria and Craig Thorne. Midfielders Tom Wyatt when not required by Casey and Lachlan Green and smart defender Tim Hancock all came under notice last year and should be prominent again. Last season’s cellar dwellers will again face testing times and will do well if it is to advance above the bottom rung this year.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Coach: - Josh O’Brien Prediction 2nd or 3rd
The Dusties will look to make a better fist of this season after it was found wanting at crunch times in big games last year. To help its cause Josh O’Brien (Buln Buln), John Ikupu (ex Nilma Darnum and Euroa), Dylan Holland (Longwarry) and Josh Seri (Drouin) will be acquisitions. On the flip side Jason Wells (Kilcunda-Bass), Michael Lynn (Warragul), Dean Johnson (Garfield), Rhett O’Hara (Phillip Island) and Riley Rundell (Longwarry) have departed. With Tye Holland, Shane Brewster, Josh Petersen and Tyson Bale the Dusties have experience and the game breakers to go deep into the finals in 2017.
Last Modified on 06/04/2017 10:46
