EDFL 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
As with all seasons there is a lot of ifs, buts and maybe’s but it does appear the difference between the top and bottom sides will narrow considerably and there will be far more upsets than in 2018. Last season premiers Catani will enter flag favourites but Ellinbank, Longwarry and the Warragul Industrials all look to have a list that will make their task difficult. With a number of newcomers there is a lot of intrigue around Nyora and Nilma Darnum and Poowong look certain to improve. Lang Lang remain an unknown quantity while Buln Buln and Neerim South have lost many key movers and will struggle to make the finals this year. Neerim South, Nilma Darnum and Warragul Industrials have all appointed new coaches. Bring on the 2018 EDFL season!
BULN BULN
Coach: - Matt Gray Last Year 4th Prediction 6th – 7th
The Lyrebirds have been very quiet in the recruiting market over summer. It will rely heavily on the improvement of its youngsters led by Jack Nuttall, Jack Martyn, Mitchell Park, Brandon Allen and Jake Pierrehumbert who all made progress last year. Former Bunyip swingman Adam Rakip should be a handy arrival but with the loss of James Davidson, Sam Langford, Mitch Nobelius, Sean Beecroft and Tim Davine it would do well if it can replicate last year and make the finals.
In: Adam Rakip (Bunyip)
Out: James Davidson, Mitch & Harley Nobelius, Tim Davine (all Warragul), Sam Langford (Coomera), Shaun Beecroft (Nyora)
CATANI
Coach: - Paul Alger Last year: Premiers Prediction 1st – 2nd
With almost the same list as last year the Blues will be aiming to go back to back premiers to emulate their 2004/5 glory. As it won the flag at U18 level last season complacency amongst the senior premiership players should not be an issue knowing there are plenty of promising juniors itching for more senior appearances. Hard at the ball utility Nick Visser has put in a clearance to AFL Cairns. Expect to see hulking young ruck Jackson Caddy along with his U18 team mates last year Brad, Liam and Trent Adams along with Lauchlan Gregson all press for more senior games this year.
In: Nil
Out: Nick Visser (Cairns East), Travis Kitchen (Lang Lang).
ELLINBANK
Coach: - Ben Wragg Last Year: 5th Prediction 2rd – 3rd
The Eagles shifted up a few gears to play finals last year and with what looks a stronger list it will be out to build on that and go deep into September. Steve Ballingall has returned to the club and Neerim South goal sneak Tim Leicester and his versatile former Cat team mate Mick Urie will add to the Bankers fire power this season. Last year Ellinbank showed at its best it could match all comers. If former Drouin, Williamston and Wonthaggi forward Adam Cook wins a clearance he will prove very hard to contain. Coach Ben Wragg in his second season will be hell-bent on making sure his charges put together four consistent quarters against the top sides – and if so a flag is well within reach.
In: Steve Ballingall (Red Hill), Mick Urie & Tim Leicester (both Neerim South), Frank D’Agostino (Doveton), Tom Axford (Warragul).
Out: Sean Masterson (De La Salle), Jeremy Reid (Boisdale).
LANG LANG
Coach: - Clint Evans Last Year 8th Prediction 9th – 10th
If the rumours are correct the Tigers plans have backfired after a number of potential recruits have turned their back on the club. It has lost a lot of run and grunt through the middle over summer therefore hard to see how they will kick enough goals to win enough matches to threaten the top five. Thomas Marks who notched 50 goals for Belgrave in 2017 will assist up forward but probably needs a few partners around him if the Tigers are to pose defensive problems for most teams. On the plus side there is a lot to like about Will McGindle, Ben Parrot, Eden Shepherd and tall Joe Dalgleish who are all emerging into bonafide senior players.
In: Brett Coghill (Halls Head – Peel WA), Daniel Kitchin (Belgrave), Ryan Kitchin (Frankston Bombers), Travis Kitchin (Catani), Thomas Marks (Belgrave), Rhys Simmons (Officer)
Out: Sean Dwyer (Beaconsfield), Rohan Bleeker (Dromana), Dylan Wilson (Tooradin), Nathan Usher (Cranbourne), and Cailem Jenkins (Dromana).
LONGWARRY
Coach:-Daniel Fry Last Year 6th Prediction 3rdth – 4th
The Crows look to have recruited well and nothing less than a finals appearance will satisfy second year coach Daniel Fry. It looks to have bolstered its midfield depth with Russell Lehmann, Danny Wells and Western Australian recruit Patrick Travers who while 33 years of age boasts over 150 senior games in the WAFL. If Corey Lenders is fully fit (he only played four games last year) and with young guns Kane Oldham and Riley Rundell offering plenty of speed the Crows midfield looks formidable.
In: Russell Lehmann (Pakenham), Danny Wells (Kilcunda), Troy Lehmann (Port Douglas), Josh Lewis (Dusties), Jack Muirhead (Pakenham), Nick Redley (Officer), Anthony Salce (Yarragon).
Out: Nathan Sullivan (Coleraine)
NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: - Nick Humphrey Last Year 3rd Prediction 9th – 10th
The Cats under first year coach Nick Humphrey will bear little resemblance to the team that played in the 2017 preliminary final. Having lost stars Chris and Mick Urie, Kody Wilson, Tyssen Morrow and Calum Shiels it is likely to sit around the lower tier of the ladder this season. On the plus side youngsters Tyler Pratt, Rhys & Harrison George, Aiden Dibsdale and Ash Lockett all look like good long term prospects.
In: Nil
Out: Kody Wilson (Traralgon), Chris Urie (Korumburra), Mick Urie (Ellinbank), Calum Shiels (Port Douglas), Tim Leiceister (Ellinbank), Tyssen Morrow (Warragul), Jack Deen (Warragul), Chris Redl (Thorpdale), Josh Morrison (NaR Nar Goon), and Darren Ratten (St George – AFL Sydney).
NILMA DARNUM
Coach: - Matt Shorey Last Year 9th Prediction 7th – 8th.
The Bombers remain upbeat about the upcoming season despite the loss of Ben Arnold, Jean Bezzene, Nick and Josh Wilcox and Ben Campbell. New coach Matt Shorey has plenty of EDFL experience which should hold him in good stead and can draw positives with the arrival of his assistant coach Chris Larosa. New recruit and on baller Brent Symons has won praise from club insiders while around six new faces are expected to front up for the Darno seniors in the opening round.
In: Matt Shorey (Koo Wee Rup), Chris Larosa (Officer), Brent Symons, Thomas Shannon (both Emmaus St Leos VAFA), Daniel Telling & Cody Deppeler (both East Burwood), James Bourke (Officer) and Mitchell Dance (St Marys VAFA)
Out: Ben Arnold & Jean Bezzene (both Kilcunda Bass), Nick & Josh Wilcox (both Pines), Ben Campbell (Casey VFL)
NYORA
Coach: - Fia Too Too Last Year 7th Prediction 5th – 6th
The Saints must be in the frame for a finals berth. It appears to have recruited well and importantly with balance at both ends and few departures. Rosebud trio Ryan Spooner, Ben Schultz and Rhys Bancroft all shape as big acquisitions, Rob Provan has shown to be handy in a number of stints in the EDFL and Shaun Beecroft is rising defender who made a strong contribution to the tight Buln Buln back half last season.
In: Ryan Spooner, Ben Schultz, Rhys Bancroft (all Rosebud), Shaun Beecroft (Nyora), Rob Provan (Cardross).
Out: Jacob Bohmer (Wallan), Michael Miller (Alexandra), Rob Mulvahill (Elsternwick)
POOWONG
Coach:- Mick Hawken Last year 10th Prediction 7th – 8th
Last season’s wooden spooners should advance a few spots up the ladder. Having lost half a dozen matches by less than three goals last year it was far more competitive than its ladder position suggested. Utility Ben Hancock is a key man in their hopes to rise up the ladder. He has returned to the club after four seasons in the NEAFL with Broadbeach but having not played for two seasons may take a while to find his feet. Key forward Trevor Hooker and Tim Lancaster have also returned to the club while Chris Robinson should add bite around the packs and Jayden Sullivan rebound out of defence.
In: Ben Hancock (Broadbeach), Trevor Hooker (Fish Creek), Tom Lancaster (Monash Blues), Chris Robinson (De La Salle), Jayden Sullivan (Cranbourne), and Stephen Joyce (Warragul Industrials).
Out: Conor Cunningham (Inverloch), Michael Vamplew (Somerville),
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Coach: - Josh Morgan Prediction 2nd or 3rd
The Dusties will enter the season again with the weight of expectation. On the upside under new coach Joel Morgan it has gained fleet footed Bunyip forward Jack Blakey and his former Bulldog team mate and tall utility Mitch Davies. Running defender Rhett O’Hara has also returned. On the downside it has lost key ruckman John Ikupu, utility Ben Northover, rising star Joel Paredes, Jackson Kos, Josh Seri and Corey Nickels. Last season’s high profile late season recruit Nathan Ablett will play at Modewarre in 2018. Expect the Dusties to go deep into finals once again.
In: Joel Morgan (Garfield), Jack Blakey & Mitch Davies (Bunyip), Brent Kimm (Garfield), and Rhett O’Hara (Philip Island)
Out: Johnny Ikupu (Euroa), Ben Northover, Jackson Kos, Josh Seri (all Drouin), Joel Paredes (Narre Warren), Corey Nickels (Thorpedale).
Last Modified on 06/04/2018 10:58