Last year was a tease! Half way through the season seven clubs were vying for five finals spots and then Covid struck. The season came to halt and disappointingly never re-started.
It left the top of the ladder Ellinbank the minor premiers but few could begrudge that because the mighty Eagles were undefeated. League newcomers Trafalgar exceeded expectations and it will be intriguing how the Bloods measure up in their second season.
Buln Buln look to be on the rise, same with Lang Lang while Neerim South and Poowong have enough talent to play finals football. The 2019 Premiers Longwarry have seen a mass exodus of talent and experience while plenty of interest surrounds whether Yarragon can make an impression after two lean seasons since leaving the MGFNL.
Round 1 of a 20 round season will kick off on 2 April. Finals commence on the 27th August with the Grand Final on 17th September. Buln Buln, Longwarry, Poowong, Nilma Darnum and Trafalgar all have new coaches.
CLUB by CLUB OUTLOOK IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
BULN BULN
Coach: -Bob McCallum In 2021- 3rd 7 wins Prediction 1st – 3rd
With seven victories in a row last year before Covid intervened the Lyrebirds were peaking nicely. New coach Bob McCallum, a premiership ruckman in the Lyrebirds 2014 premiership team returns along with defender Leigh Boland who was also a member of that flag winning side and Garfield recruit Sam Batson will provide good rebound behind centre. With McCallum and veteran Matt Gray, the 2021 Warragul Country Club MVP the Lyrebirds have the best ruck duo in the competition. There is a lot to like about strong marking key forward Sam Langford while Shaun Beecroft and Tom Axford always provide tight defence. Youngsters Lachlan Axford, Finn Hammond and Brodie Tutton should press for senior selection based on practice match form. Definite premiership material but still a question mark around their potency up forward to go all the way.
In: Bob McCallum (Drouin), Sam Batson (Garfield), Leigh Borland (Richmond Centrals), Jackson Kos & Cameron McPhan (Drouin).
Out: Nil
CATANI
Coach: - Daniel Barrand In 2021 – 9thh 3 Wins Prediction 9st – 11th
Second year Coach Daniel Barrand has an unenviable task. The Blues just plodded last year, only has a few recruits and with many key departures it will do well if it can pick up enough wins to avoid the wooden spoon. Likely to ask a lot from veteran Tanny Rodda along with Brett & Dylan Williams, Cody Banbury and Will McGindle, the later who was serviceable last year after crossing from Lang Lang. Newcomers Jack Hobson and Brodie Anderson along with youngsters Josh & Lachlan Seppings will be key components of the midfield while other up and comers Riley McDonald and Mitch Gregson will likely anchor the defence along with Tim Keily, who has returned to the club. Kicking enough goals to be competitive against the teams in the top half of the ladder looks a tall order. Catani is a club that always finds something when the chips are down but will be up against it this year.
In: Tom Keily (Toora), Jack Hobson & Brodie Anderson (Pearcedale), Andy George (returned),
Out: Lachlan Gregson (Tooradin), Ryan Smith (Garfield), Matt Barrand (Moe), Wade Haysom
(Tarwin), Ayden Mills (Gormandale), Mitch Latimer (Springvale Districts).
ELLINBANK
Coach: - Ben Wragg In 2021 – Ist 10 Wins Prediction 1st – 3rd
The minor premiers are flag favourites in the mind of most punters. It has retained almost its entire list and is potentially stronger. Arguably not the best midfield in the league but mature stars Ben Wragg, Adam Cook, Mick Urie and Chris Dunne provide the best forward quartet in the league and its defence led by Tom Johnson and Andrew Quirk play the percentages well. Up and comers Bryce Joyce, Ryan Atherton, Jake Dean and Gage White all shape as bright prospects and can be expected to feature prominently during the season.
In: David Miller (Drouin), Daniel Hayes (Hill End), Kyan Karavasilis (Edithvale-Aspendale).
Out: James Scammell (Canterbury), Michael Pandolfo (South Melbourne Districts)
LANG LANG
Coach: -Josh Collie In 2021- 5th 6 wins Prediction 2nd – 3rd
Tiger fans can be bullish about its prospects. It showed plenty last year despite a large injury list and has recruited well again. A flag is well within reach if things all go well. Sean Dwyer has returned to the club and should be a prime mover midfield and high flying forward Daniel Lewis will be a short odds to win the league goal kicking award. Mature recruit Dan Nicholls and Luke Clarke will give the Tigers more forward potency. Rhys Harvey has returned to the club and should be an asset. Already boasting a good midfield with Josh Brown and Aaron Rose all Lang Lang need to do is stiffen up its defence to go all the way.
In: Sean Dwyer (Beaconsfield), Brad Aldwell (Killy-Bass), Dan Nicholls (Hampton Park), Luke Vela (Cora Lynn), Liam Hetherington (KWR), Luke Clarke (Chelsea Heights), Rhys Harvey (Pearcedale).
Out: Travis Kitchen (Lower Tarwin), Like Collie (Yeppoon), Liam Sumner (St Pauls)
LONGWARRY
Coach:-Dale Serong In 2021 – 4th 6 Wins Prediction 7th – 9th
The Crows list looks a shadow of the one that won the 2019 premiership. It has lost important players in attack, midfield and defence, plenty of running ability, pace and players that link the lines. This will be rebuilding year. Spring heeled ruckman Nick Redley returns but his presence in one of the few positives. One thinks there will be too much dependence on veteran Russell Lehman, still a gun, emerging forward Jedd Serong and pacy ruck rover Bailey Stephens to step up if Longwarry is to be a top five prospect. First year Coach Dale Serong has his work cut out.
In: Ned Redley (Wang Rovers), Luke Galley (Nilma), Hamish Busk (Glengarry)
Out: Kane Oldham ( Warragul Dusties), Jason Wells (KWR), Ben McKenna (Central Eyre), Brett McLeary (South Mornington), Jake Tabone (Thorpdale), Danny Wells (Carrum), Grant Paxton( Karingal), Jack Muirhead (Doveton), Patrick Travers (Silvan), Jackson Caddy ( Port Douglas), Troy Lehmann (Port Douglas), Riley Rundell (Bunyip)
NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: -Brent Mounsey In 2021 - 7th 5 Wins Prediction 4th – 6th
A hard team to read. A lot of middling efforts last year sprinkled with plenty of brilliant spurts that matched it with the best teams. Cannot be dismissed as team that can go deep into the finals.
With Kody Wilson one, if not the best ball winner in the league, wily defender Tom Muir and Chris Urie, Lachlan Bambridge, Tyssen Morrow and young gun Tom Crole it has potentially the best forward line in the league. Looms large as a finals prospect.
In: Jed Pinkerton (Drouin), Matthew Edwards (Dingley), Nick Caddy (Drouin).
Out: Harrison George (Hill End), Billy Bundle (Moe).
NILMA DARNUM
Coach: Paul Alger In 2021 - 8th 3 Win Prediction 9th – 11th.
Former Catani premiership coach and EDFL legend Paul Alger returns to the league as the Bombers coach. However the Darno’s have big cause for concern. It has lost arguably it best six players from 2021 and hence looks to face an uphill battle to be competitive against all but the teams at the bottom rungs of the ladder – where it will likely reside.
In: Ken Towt (Boolarra).
Out: Dylan & Blake Cann (Bunyip), Tanner Thomson (Officer), Travis Dyke (Hill End), Isaac & Clay Ketchen (South Cairns), Luke Galley (Longwarry).
NYORA
Coach: - Dylan Heylen In 2021 - 10th 1 Win Prediction 8st – 9th
Likely the Saints will be on a charter to rebuild given the majority of its list is under twenty-five and the experience it has lost in recent years. From all reports it will improve on last year and has more depth but playing finals looks a bridge too far. Has an honest midfield with Dylan & Jesse Heylen, Kallon Rigby, Jordan Anderson and youngster Ben Lineham, who showed promise last year but a lack of class in defence and attack will likely see the Saints struggle to beat the teams in the top half of the table. Former underage star Travis Stewart has returned to the club and with his height and agility could be an x-factor.
In: Adam & Scott Pugh, Jack Rosenow, Angus McGillivray (all Killy Bass), Lucas Lee (Frankston YCW), Brandon Lee (Hampton) Joel Anthony (Korumburra), Travis Stewart (returned).
Out: Daryl Thomas (Doveton Eagles), Nick Arney (Lake Macquarie), Luke Ferguson (Lower Tarwin), Tim Burns (Narre South).
POOWONG
Coach:-Chris Doria In 2021 – 6th Prediction 5th -7th
The Magpies have lost a lot of running power and grunt over summer with the departures of Nick Visser, Tom Wyatt and Jake Anderson. Maybe its opportunity to go deep into the finals has passed.
It will rely heavily on two time league B&F Jack Hazendonk and Steven McInnes to provide the midfield engine room. Key intercept defender Jayden Sullivan, who injured himself in the opening round last year will be tantamount to a new recruit. Alex Henshall and Zac Gray have shown enough in the juniors to suggest they will transition into the seniors. Always competitive but based on recent seasons will not have the forward power to threaten the top four sides.
In: Kurt Newton (Fair Park), Andrew Logan (Fish Creek), Jared Mills (Bunyip).
Out:Jake Anderson (Tyabb), Nick Visser (WarrInd), Tom Wyatt (Maribyrnong Park ), Josh Chiavaroli (Drouin), Jack Commadeur (WarrInd) Trevor Hooker (Fish Creek)
TRAFALGAR
Coach: Tom Hallinan In 2021 – 2nd Prediction 2nd – 4th
The Bloods have a new coach Tom Hallinan, no stranger to the EDFL having coached Nar Nar Goon before the Goon joined the WGFNC. Trafalgar showed it has what it takes to be a finals contender in its inaugural EDFL season last year. Blake Slater returns from Churchill to bolster the defence, Nar Nar Goon recruit Mitch Virtue should make his presence felt in and around the middle and defender Daniel Puglia will be available all year and equal to a new recruit. Ruckman Dylan Farrell won the 2021 league best and fairest and can’t help but be impressed with the drive from Klay & Jace Butler and Jacob Nash last year. The Bloods balance, super tight defence and quick movement of the ball troubled all comers last year. Strong flag contender.
In: Mitchell Virtue (Nar Nar Goon), Blake Slater (Churchill).
Out: Ben Dorria (Hastings).
YARRAGON
Coach: - Brad Wheller In 2021 11th Wins 0 Prediction 8th – 10th
In a bid to stop the rot after two lean years in the EDFL the Panthers look to have recruited well. Assistant coach Sam Van Der Zalm has lured a few of his former Goon team mates which should provide far more depth. One of their best performers last year was tall Tom Dovaston, yet another Goon product. The addition of Tyler Payroli, Taylor Rainey and Zac Hogton should give the Panthers a lot more grunt around the packs to support the well performed Lachlan Shaw and Tom Follett. Expect Yarragon to rise quite a few pegs on the ladder and cause a few upsets.
In: Taylor Rainey Zac Hogton (Hampton Park), Tyler Payroli, Jay Marcon, Toby Sherer (Nar Nar Goon), Rob Herman (Tocumwal & ex NNG), Damian Allison (East Malvern), Leigh Diston (Garfield).
Out: Ben Virgona (Endeavour Hills), Anthony Daraio (Officer)
Last Modified on 31/03/2022 17:15
