Premier League 2016 Season Preview

The 2016 Premier League Season tips off this Friday, 11 March. 

After a 2015 campaign in which the Norwood Flames secured “The Double”, the men and women from Mars will be hoping for even more success, while the nine other clubs will be hoping to reach a higher level. 

Men

The Flames men look well-positioned to make a run at the title, having retained the majority of their core from last year, led by Woollacott Medallist, Matthew Lycett and Grand Final MVP, Jacob Holmes. Notable exclusions from the roster include Keith Krause and Nick Hambour.

Following their fairy-tale run from the fifth seed to a Grand Final berth, the Sturt Sabres will have to rely on the development of their youth even more this time around. Clifford Reed and Dylan Rawson, who starred for the Sabres last season, are not on the 2016 roster. Jan Warbout and Tim Klaosen are the best of the returning bunch, while the Sabres have also regained Nathan Kareta.

2014 Premiers the Woodville Warriors will be without their two top scorers from last season in Mitch Creek and Ian Nixson. With no big-name additions thus far, Darren Ng and Luke Stanbridge will likely have to score more if the Warriors are to improve on last season’s shock Preliminary Final loss to Sturt.

Having come close to a premiership without succeeding in recent seasons, it appears the West Adelaide Bearcats are heading for a rebuild. The Bearcats have lost David Sturner, Peter Crawford, Kurtis Phillips and Daniel Phillips since last year’s First Semi Final loss to Sturt. Their replacements are all young players – the most notable of which is former Maverick Dylan Shorne.

The North Adelaide Rockets who have improved from 2014 Wooden Spooner to 2015 Elimination Finalist look set to be in the finals mix once more in 2016. The Rockets have retained the majority of their squad from last season, including Luke Mapunda, John Wernham and Thomas Rowe. Their major losses are Daniel Goodluck and import Aric Miller, although they will have a new American in Cody Rhorer.

The Eagles’ league-leading run of successive finals appearances is now just a memory with some big names coming and going from Forestville in recent seasons. Adam Doyle looks set to be available for a full season after only managing a few games late in 2015. Another premiership winner, Trent Fildes is also back. Daniel Sims and Pero Vasiljevic headline the departures.

The South Adelaide Panthers were inconsistent in 2015. They were always in the midst of a big winning or losing streak, eventually missing the finals by three games. The man at the forefront of their attack, Jeremy Smith is no longer on the roster – his import slot has been taken by Chris Johnson. The Panthers have also lost giant Bradley Reid, although former Warrior Steve Pilkington has come out of retirement.

The Eastern Mavericks, who improved greatly from 2014 by winning eight games in 2015 have lost a wealth of experience. Jordan Dodman and Shane Breheny are among the departures. Exciting youngster Atem Atem has moved on, as well as import DeCorey Jones. Devon McGee joins the squad in 2016.

After successive finals appearances in 2013-14, the Central District Lions fell all the way to ninth in 2015. A number of players from last season’s squad have moved on, including import Tyler Kennedy, Matthew Atkins, Kyle Williams and Paul Joyce. Nathan Marsing will take the vacant import slot, while a host of juniors have joined the squad including Koen Sapwell – the son of former 36er Rupert Sapwell.

The Southern Tigers have finished in the bottom half in recent years but some strong recruiting could see renewed optimism in Tigerland. Mitch Creek, who has been an important piece in the 36ers’ rotation the past few seasons has signed on, as has Jordan Dodman. The Tigers have lost Codey Ellison and Michael Florance.

Staying strong: Flames

Rising up: Rockets, Eagles, Tigers

On the treadmill: Panthers, Mavericks

Bottom four predictions: Sabres, Warriors, Bearcats, Lions

 

Women

The Flames women who have gone unbeaten in two of the past three seasons, appear set for another premiership assault having retained the bulk of their stars from a year ago. Although Rebecca Duke is not on the roster, the likes of Jessica Foley, Jessica Good, Taylor Ortlepp and Marisa Stabile are back.

The North Adelaide Rockets who were runners-up last season after coming first in 2014 have been dealt a blow with the loss of centre Jamie-Lee Peris. They have also lost Genna Anderson, but have signed former Maverick Shannon Tarran. Most importantly, Jo Hill is back for another season.

After a stunning finish to 2015 that saw them wind up in the Preliminary Final, the South Adelaide Panthers have lost most of their big guns with Jessica Mahony, Mollie McKendrick, Ashleigh Spencer and Hajnal Nagy among those no longer on the roster. With no signings equal to the loss of those players, there will be a lot of pressure of Madeline Cunningham, Teresa Kinross and Ieva Nagy.

The Bearcats made a late run to reach the first Semi Final last season but if they are going to improve on that result they will need new double digit scorers. The only players to average more than 10 a game last season, Anna Carbo and Kate Shierlaw are no longer with the team. The Bearcats are waiting on a clearance for American guard Teonna Campbell but otherwise have made no major acquisitions.

The Woodville Warriors made it to the Elimination Final stage in 2015 but it could have been so much more, if not for the injury to Katherine Perkas. Perkas is on the roster for 2016 but fellow star Callan Taylor is not. The Warriors have signed import Tavarsha Scott, otherwise they have a similar squad to last season.

After a monumental collapse in the second half of last season that saw them miss the finals by one game, the Sturt Sabres will be forced to recover without their top scorer, Amy Shaw. The Sabres’ major offseason recruits are former Eagles Jade Johnson and Danni Angley, otherwise they are another relatively unchanged team.

Just as the Eastern Mavericks looked to be on the rise again, they have quickly entered rebuilding mode. The Mavericks were one of the big improvers of 2015, improving their win percentage to 45.5% from 22.2% in 2014. Their 2016 squad does not include their seven top scorers from last season, including import Demetria Frank and rising stars Bianca Thacker and Emma Hooley.

Following a dismal year by their standards, the Forestville Eagles have made arguably the biggest signing in the league this offseason. Olivia Thompson, who was All Star Five in 2012 and 2013 is back at Wayville. Jade Johnson is the major offseason casualty.

Like their men’s side, the Southern Tigers women have added some big names to their 2016 side. The signing of Mollie McKendrick, Bianca Thacker and Ta’Rea Cunnigan have been confirmed so the team should be improved despite the loss of Jess Fergus.

The Central District Lions won only a few games last season and they only happened upon the midseason signings of Amy Lewis, Demi Skinner, Ashley Grimes and Rosalie Cutri. None of those players have signed on for this season. The Lions are waiting on a clearance for Alisha Carlin but otherwise have a young and inexperienced list once again.

Staying strong: Flames, Rockets

Rising up: Warriors,Eagles, Tigers\

On the treadmill: Bearcats, Sabres

Bottom three predictions: Panthers, Mavericks, Lions

 

Article written by James Woite




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