EDFL 2020 SEASON PREVIEW
Let’s keep our fingers crossed the season will start and not before too long!
Rather than wait for the first round date to be set here is our pre-season preview.
After all many may not be aware of the comings and goings over summer at all our clubs.
Hope this preview sheds plenty of light on each clubs prospects.
If the gap between the top and the bottom teams continues to diminish in 2020 - as it has over the last three years since the return to a 10 team competition then EDFL fans should be in for an exciting season with many unpredictable results when the season does start.
Last year’s premiers Longwarry along with Poowong and the 2019 runners up Ellinbank all look genuine flag chances once again. It would be no surprise if the 2018 premiers Nyora bounce back while Lang Lang and Buln Buln could well rise up the ladder.
It is disappointing the official season did not kick off on 4 April and prior to that Lang Lang could not unveil their new home ground in Caldermeade Road on 28 March when they were scheduled to meet Poowong in a match proposed to be brought forward from round six.
Three clubs Longwarry, Nyora and Neerim South have new coaches this season and the later will play all its home matches at alternative venues while the Bill Cumming oval undergoes repair.
CLUB by CLUB OUTLOOK IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
BULN BULN
Coach: -Brent Eastwell Last Year 6th 10 winsPrediction 4th – 5th
Kicking big scores in recent years has been the Lyrebirds achilles heel and this aspect of its game must improve if it is to play finals. It has fashioned a youthful team in recent years and many players may now be on the brink of breaking out. If some of its youngsters can step up to assist veteran ruck Matt Gray and ever reliable midfielder Trent Baker it could surprise and go deep into the finals.
A lot to like about strong marking forward Sam Langford and with goal sneak Hayden Baker and the return of another goal kicker Jack Nuttall it has the makings of a more potent forward line this year.
In: Jack Nuttall & Jared Lane (Warragul)
Out: Brad Trotman (Longwarry), Murray Kingwill (Yarragon), Billy Bundle (Dusties)
CATANI
Coach: - Sein Clearihan Last year:7th 4 Wins Prediction 9st – 10th
Fans should temper their hopes. The Blues have lost Paul Pattinson (an Alf Walton medallist and two time Lang Lang Golf Club MVP winner), hard nut Nick Visser and emerging ruck Jackson Caddy - its three leading vote winners in the 2019 league best and fairest award. Lacks quality in attack and defence, more so if tight checking stopper Dale Johnson misses the bulk of the season.
Catani pride itself for punching above it weight but playing finals will be a bridge too far in 2020.
In: Will McGindle (Lang Lang), Michael Ralph & Chris Power (Officer) Ben Koopman (Catani)
Out: Paul Pattinson (Balwyn), Nick Visser (Poowong), Dylan Williams (Knox), Jackson Caddy (Longwarry), Jason Cox & Mitchell Davey (Koo Wee Rup)
ELLINBANK
Coach: - Ben Wragg Last Year: 1st & Runners UP 16 Wins Prediction 3RD– 4th
The Bankers announced their arrival as a legitimate flag contender last year. No reason why it cannot keep pace with the ladder leaders again. A top forward would help its cause as it was the only finalist not to have a player in top 10 goal kickers last year. However former Drouin, Casey and Leongatha recruit Chris Dunne shapes as the answer. If it can manufacture more run through the middle then a forward line with Dunne, Ben Wragg and Adam Cook have more than enough experience to cash in and the Eagles a big chance to go one better this year.
In: Chris Dunne (Leongatha) Nick Pratt &Tim Farthing (Yarragon)
Out: Jordan Flannery (Narre Warren), Daniel Burke, Tyler Hotchkin & Jacob Walker (all Yarragon)
LANG LANG
Coach: -Josh Collie Last Year 9th 2 win Prediction 5th – 6th
With a new ground the Tigers can finally go into a season with an upbeat attitude. For all the plus signs one must remember they are coming off a very low base that reads three wins in last two seasons. At the best it may be a finals threat but more likely on a charter to build for 2021.
With a year at Tigerland behind him and some handy newcomers most notably former GWS & Carlton midfield-forward Liam Sumner second year coach Josh Collie should be better equipped to ensure his team makes a sizeable rise up the ladder.
In: Liam Sumner (East Malvern), Nick Prowd, Mitch Tribuzi & Brad Harding (all Koo Wee Rup), Lincoln King & Brett Kirkham (Pakenham).
Out: Callum Jenkins (Skye), Eden Shepherd (Koo Wee Rup), Brad Ventura (Lockington)
LONGWARRY
Coach:-Corey Lenders Last Year 2nd & premiers 14 Wins Prediction 1st or 2nd
The Crows will shoot for back to back premierships and are the favourites in the minds of most pundits. This season’s list still boasts ample maturity, run and balance. The addition of fleet footed star forward Jason Wells, who made his senior debut at Longwarry in 2009 before a stellar career at Kilcunda, Warragul Industrials and last year Koo Wee Rup further bolsters the Crows attack. Nonetheless new coach Cory Lenders still faces a difficult task because many a team has found it harder to back up than win a flag.
In: Jason Wells (Kilcunda-Bass), Jackson Caddy (Catani), Mitchell Latimer (Frankston Dolphins) Brad Trotman (Buln Buln) Brock Neve (Yarragon)
Out: Nick Redley (Wangaratta)
NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: - Brent Mounsey Last Year 4th 12 Wins Prediction 7th – 8th
Without a home ground this season and wholesale losses to its playing list first year Coach Brent Mounsey has a tough task. The departure of central defender Calum Shiels is a massive loss.
The Cats will look towards its younger brigade led by the likes of Isaac Fuller, Rhys George and Lachlan Guy to step up to assist perennial ball winners Kody Wilson, Chris Urie and Nathan Bayne. Should the Cats play finals this season it would exceed the expectations of most.
In:
Out: Calum Shiels, Jack Deen, Mark Quigley, Josh Morrison (all to Yinnar), Tyler Pratt (Hill End), Aiden Dibsdale & Jeremiah Jones (both Wynyard), Matt Laskey (Cairns), Harrison Griffiths (Beaconsfield) & Tom Crole (Gippsland Power).
NILMA DARNUM
Coach: Matt Shorey Last Year 10th 1 Win Prediction 9th – 10th.
The Bombers will again be hard pressed to advance above the lower rungs of the ladder. The loss of midfield-forwards Ben and Nathan Campbell is immense - not to mention the loss of experience with utility Luke Bartlett and forward Patrick Chin to have also departed. The arrival of hard working Nyora ruckman Nick Carrigy is a big positive but on form of recent years the Darno’s still lack quality across all lines and likely to be only nuisance value to the finals aspirants.
In: Nick Carrigy (Nyora), Isaac Ketchen (Hill End returns) Zac MacDonald (Mildura)
Out: Ben, Nathan, Andrew, Rob and Tom Campbell (Mirboo North), Luke Bartlett & Hayden Potts (Mirboo North), Pat Chin (Emerald), Sean Viotto (Boolara).
NYORA
Coach: -Matt Hobson Last Year 5th 10 Wins Prediction 4st – 5th
The 2018 premiers will look to reimpose itself of the competition after a disappointing 2019.
To help their cause new coach Matt Hobson is familiar with the EDFL having played at Cora Lynn.
The Saints still have an experienced engine room and cannot be written off going deep into the finals. Brad Arnold, Rhys Bancroft, Dylan and Jesse Heylen can again be expected to get more than their fair share of the ball to ensure that key forwards Ben Schultz and Iian Osman kick enough goals to see that it will play a part in the finals for a third consecutive year.
In:
Out: Nick Carrigy (Nyora), Fia Too Too (Moorabin), Ben Hallas (Philip Island)
POOWONG
Coach:- Mick Hawken Last year 3rdth Prediction 1st – 2nd
There is an air of expectancy in the Magpies nest. Looks certain to push deep into September again If it can generate more scoring power and tighten up in defence – if so it can win the 2020 flag.
Has recruited very well and added good depth to its list. Visser adds genuine midfield grunt and Cunningham experience in the ruck to a team that was already very good last year. Dual Alf Walton medallist Jack Hazendonk is a midfield and forward gun and Jayden Sullivan possibly the most under rated defender in the competition. The Magpies appear one quality defender from a premiership but if its mids and forwards play at their best it should be good enough to be around on grand final day.
In: Nick Visser (Catani), Conor Cunningham (Inverloch), Thomas & Will Robertson (Ellinbank), Michael Vamplew (Somerville returns), Gavin Broad (Lockington), Fabian Stellato (Narre Warren).
Out: Lachlan Green (overseas)
YARRAGON
Coach: - Simon Noy Last year 8th Wins 4 Prediction 6th – 7th
Plenty of incoming and outgoing at Pantherland. Appears to have far more depth this season.
To cut Yarragon some slack it had a lot of injuries and unavailabilities last year so would expect it to be far more competitive. The loss of two of its prime movers Darcy Jones and Devin Pollock will hurt though. The addition of Tarkyn Lockyer – despite 41 years of age - will give its youngsters plenty of guidance when he is available and forward recruit Beau Runnalls, who has plenty of EDFL experience should still make his presence felt. My gut feeling is Yarragon will cause an upset or two and shape the top five but just miss out.
In: Tarkyn Lockyer (Colllingwood VFL), Beau Runnalls (Ballan), Daniel Burke, Tyler Hotchkin & Jacob Walker (all Ellinbank), Dylan Bone (Lyndale), Lachlan Pyle (Warragul), Sam Cougle (Moe), Anthony Daraio (South Belgrave).
Out: Rhys Gleisner (Macleod), Darcy Jones (Cora Lynn), Donovan Pell & Andrew Budge (Hadfield). Nick Pratt & Tim Farthing (Ellinbank) Brock Neve (Longwarry)
Last Modified on 22/04/2020 20:09
