The gap between the top and the bottom teams has narrowed substantially since the league reverted to a 10 team competition in 2017. This year the EDFL is confident this trend will continue when it fields an 11 team competition due to the arrival of Trafalgar.
Most pundits expect Trafalgar – a very successful club in the Mid Gippsland Football League to be very competitive and as such their presence will add plenty more interest to the season.
The 2019 premiers Longwarry along with Poowong and the 2019 runners up Ellinbank must be genuine flag chances again. No surprise if Lang Lang, Buln Buln and Yarragon rise up the ladder.
The official season (Round 1) will kick off on 10 April but prior to that Lang Lang will showcase their new home ground at Caldermeade on 2 April when they meet Poowong in a match brought forward from round ten. Buln Buln, Catani, Longwarry, Neerim South, Nyora and Yarragon and Trafalgar all have new coaches since the 2019 season.
The Ins & Outs below take into account players transferred since the end of the 2019 season.
CLUB by CLUB OUTLOOK IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
BULN BULN
Coach: -Michael Kreun In 2019- 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 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 noted goal kicker Jack Nuttall it has the makings of a more potent forward line this year. Lockdown defender Shaun Beecroft has returned after seasons at Nyora and Warragul.
In: Jack Nuttall, Jared Lane, Shaun Beecroft & Nathan Tutton (Warragul) Michael Kreun (AFL Capricornia)
Out: Luke O’Brien (Broadbeach), Murray Kingwill (Yarragon)
CATANI
Coach: - Daniel Barrand In 2019 - 7th 4 Wins Prediction 9st – 11th
Fans should temper their hopes. The Blues have lost midfield dynamo Paul Pattinson (an Alf Walton medallist and two time Lang Lang Golf Club MVP winner) and hard nut on baller Nick Visser. Lacks quality in attack and defence and is now without key stopper Dale Johnson who has moved to New Zealand. On the plus side canny forward Ryan Eaton who kicked over 100 goals during his three seasons at the club in and before 2017 has returned. From all reports strong bodied young ruck Jackson Caddy, Trent Adams and Ryan Smith are all expected to step up this year. Catani pride itself for punching above it weight but playing finals will be a bridge too far.
In: Will McGindle (Lang Lang),
Out: Paul Pattinson (Balwyn), Nick Visser (Poowong), Jason Cox & Mitchell Davey (Koo Wee Rup) Tom Keily (Toora).
ELLINBANK
Coach: - Ben Wragg In 2019 - 1st & Runners UP 16 Wins Prediction 2ND-3RD
The Bankers announced their arrival as a legitimate flag contender in 2019. No reason why it cannot keep pace again. It was the only finalist not to have a player in the 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), Daniel Risol, Anthony Battista, Liam Carolan (Newborough), Liam Anderson (Drouin), Lachlan Hedrick (Dusties).
Out: Jordan Flannery (Narre Warren), Daniel Burke, Tyler Hotchkin & Jacob Walker (all Yarragon), Frank D’Agostino (VAFA), Mitch Cowan & Hayden Stagg (Narre Warren)
LANG LANG
Coach: -Josh Collie In 2019- 9th 2 wins Prediction 4th – 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 only three wins in last two seasons. At the best it could make an elimination final but more likely on a charter to build for 2021.
Coach Josh Collie should be better equipped to ensure his team makes a sizeable rise up the ladder. The Tigers look to have recruited well and will have its best depth for a decade. Former GWS & Carlton midfield-forward Liam Sumner and newly appointed Vice Captain Tyler Guan will provide good experience. Midfielder Josh Brown will be tantamount to a new recruit. The Tigers still may lack quality among its bottom tier players.
In: Liam Sumner (East Malvern), Tyler Guan (Pakenham) Nick Prowd, Mitch Tribuzi. Brad Harding, Jesse Hand (all Koo Wee Rup), Lincoln King & Brett Kirkham (Pakenham).
Out: Will McGindle (Catani), Callum Jenkins (Skye), Eden Shepherd (Koo Wee Rup), Brad Ventura (Lockington) Ben Mitchell (retired)
LONGWARRY
Coach:-Aaron Paxton In 2019 - 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 many pundits. This season’s list still boasts ample maturity, run and balance. The addition of fleet footed forward Jason Wells, who made his senior debut at Longwarry in 2009 before a stellar career at Kilcunda, Warragul Industrials and Koo Wee Rup further bolsters the Crows attack. Nonetheless new coach Aaron Paxton still faces a difficult task because many a team has found it harder to back up than win a flag.
In: Jason Wells (Koo Wee Rup), Aaron Lees (Karingal), Aaron Paxton, Duncan (Bunyip), Jay Breen (Kilcunda), Brett Mccleary (Mornington), Bailey Frey & Dylan Hatfield (Karingal)
Out: Nick Redley (Wangaratta), Andrew Knight (Skye), Daniel Fry & Cory Lenders (retired).
NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: - Brent Mounsey In 2019 - 4th 12 Wins Prediction 5th – 6th
The Cats will be buoyed by their upgraded ground and facilities and has welcomed back many former players. Tom Muir (who played seniors in 2010) should give the forward line more strength.
The Cats will look also 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. Jack Ward will return to give the midfield a boost. The departure of central defender Calum Shiels is a massive loss. Should the Cats play finals this season it would exceed the expectations of most but it is not out of the question.
In: Tom Muir (Warragul), Josh Morrison (back from Yinnar), Tom Gill (Bridgewater), Declan Bagot & Eddie McGillivray (Warragul).
Out: Calum Shiels, Jack Deen, Mark Quigley (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 In 2019 - 10th 1 Win Prediction 9th – 11th.
The Bombers look hard pressed to advance above the lower rungs of the ladder. The loss of Ben Campbell is immense. Luke Bartlett and forward Patrick Chin will also be missed. Nathan Campbell who transferred to Warragul in 2020 has returned. The presence of 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), Seb Crowle (Dusties),
Out: Ben Campbell (Mirboo North), Luke Bartlett & Hayden Potts (Mirboo North), Pat Chin (Emerald), Sean Viotto (Boolara).
NYORA
Coach: - Dylan Heylen In 2019 - 5th 10 Wins Prediction 8st – 9th
The 2018 premiers disappointed in 2019 and hard to imagine a resurgence this year.
The loss of ruckman Nick Carrigy along with the midfield experience of Brad Arnold and key forwards Ben Schultz and IIan Osman will weaken the Saints finals prospects First year coach Dylan Heylen, brother Jesse and Rhys Bancroft can expected to get more than their fair share of the ball but it appears to lack the finishers in front of goals to trouble the top sides.
In: Aiden Simmons (Nyora), Robert Loudon (Tooradin).
Out: Brad Arnold (Crib Point), Iian Osman ( Carrara), Ben Schultz (Rosebud), Nick Carrigy (Nilma), Sam Burns ( Narre South), Fia Too Too (Moorabin), Ben Hallas (Philip Island)
POOWONG
Coach:- Mick Hawken & Chris Doria In 2019 - 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 2021 flag.
Has recruited very well and added good depth to its list. Nick Visser adds genuine midfield grunt and Cunningham experience in the ruck to a team already very good in 2019. Dual Alf Walton medallist Jack Hazendonk is a midfield and forward gun and Jayden Sullivan one of the most under rated defenders in the competition. The Magpies lose key defender Tim Hancock but experienced Devon Meadows recruit Patrick Harmes shapes as top replacement.
In: Nick Visser (Catani), Patrick Harmes (Devon Meadows), Jake Anderson (Tyabb), Steve McInnes (Karingal), Conor Cunningham (Inverloch), Thomas & Will Robertson (Ellinbank), Michael Vamplew (Somerville returns), Gavin Broad (Lockington), Fabian Stellato (Narre Warren).
Out:Tim Hancock (Drouin), Hayden Wallis & Michael Harris (Dalyston), Corey Batt (Cora Lynn),
TRAFALGAR
Coach: Chris Kyriacou In 2019 MGFNL – 6th Prediction 7th – 8th
Based on its 2019 season the Panthers were solid in defence but lacked goal scoring power.
Rivals can expect Dave Van Schajik, Connor Noonan and Jace Butler – 2019 club B&F - to offer plenty of rear guard action along with centre half back Daniel Puglia the 2018 captain who will return after missing 2019 with an ACL. Ruckman Dylan Farrell, who had a season at Buln Buln in 2016 and represented the EDFL will be a prime mover along with Tyson Leys and Matt Van Schajik in and around the middle. Up forward Hayden Brock, Klay Butler & Lochie Farrell will pose a danger.
New coach Chris Kyriacou has returned to the club after three seasons at Churchill but despite some handy pick-ups it would be a monumental feat to play finals in their first year in the league.
In: Hayden Brock (Noosa – returns), Jacob Nash (Mirboo North), Dylan Farrell (Moe), Karl Mutke (Moe).
Out: Daniel Hayes.
YARRAGON
Coach: - Brad Wheller In 2019 8th Wins 4 Prediction 6th – 7th
Plenty of incoming and outgoing at Pantherland. Looks to have far more depth this season.
To cut Yarragon some slack it had a lot of injuries and unavailabilities in 2019. Looks to have recruited well and should rise up the ladder. The loss of two of its prime movers Darcy Jones and Devin Pollock will hurt. The addition of forward recruit Beau Runnalls, who has plenty of EDFL experience should be a plus. An interesting arrival is former 100 game AFL Richmond key position player Luke McGuane, who despite now 34 years of age could still make his presence felt. My gut feeling is Yarragon will cause an upset or two and shape the top five but just miss finals.
In: Beau Runnalls (Ballan), Daniel Burke, Tyler Hotchkin & Jacob Walker (all Ellinbank), Dylan Bone (Lyndale), Lachlan Pyle (Warragul), Sam Cougle (Moe), Anthony Daraio (South Belgrave). Tom Dovaston & Sam Van Zalm (Nar Nar Goon), Declan O’Donnell (Pearcedale), Luke McGuane (Port Colts).
Out: Rhys Gleisner (Macleod), Darcy Jones (Cora Lynn), Donovan Pell & Andrew Budge (Hadfield). Nick Pratt & Tim Farthing (Ellinbank) Brock Neve (Longwarry)
Last Modified on 08/04/2021 08:53