ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
2015 SEASON PREVIEW
CAN the Cobras go back-to-back, or will the likes of the Demons, Stars or Goon take their title from them? And just how will the sides from last year’s EDFL East measure up against their cousins from the West?
The Gazette’s Ellinbank and District Football League reporter RUSSELL BENNETT spoke to all 15 senior coaches to get the latest on each of their teams as a new season prepares to kick into overdrive on the weekend.
BULN BULN
Coach: Brent Eastwell
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 2nd EDFL East and Premiers (14 wins, 4 losses)
Key ins: Bryce Monahan (Warragul), James Davidson (Casey Scorpions), Mitch Nobelius (Korumburra) and Tim Higgins (Rockhampton, AFL Capricornia).
Key outs: Paul Alger (former coach, Catani), Sean Proctor and Bob McCallum (both to Drouin).
Coach’s comments: “Pre-season has been reasonably solid. We’ve just come off a hitout against Bunyip and we had a scratchy first half but finished it off well. We lost but had a dozen more inside 50s. We expect to be in the mix this year. Cora Lynn, Kooweerup and Garfield will be the sides to beat but footy’s not played on a piece of paper.”
Prediction: 6th. Despite losing some key components of last year’s EDFL East premiership – including coach Paul Alger and gun ruckman Bobby McCallum – the Lyrebirds are still well placed to make a real impact in 2015 and see more finals action under proven player-coach Brent Eastwell.
BUNYIP
Coach: Brad Walker
Captain: Nathan Lieshout
Last year: 5th EDFL West (7 wins, 11 losses)
Ins: Kris Fletcher (Beaconsfield), Brent Heus (Beaconsfield), Lachlan Petch (Warragul), Jake Proctor (Warragul), Brad Wolfe (Nilma Darnum), and Shane Smith (Nilma Darnum).
Outs: Marc Rotunno, Andy Henwood and Jack Fitzpatrick (all to Glen Waverley).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve identified we have to use the ball a bit better but our intensity has been fantastic over the pre-season.”
Prediction: 7th. The Bulldogs stand to be big improvers this season, welcoming back a host of players from their last premiership side – including Michael Whyte and Zac Vansittart, who are expected to play a full season in 2015. Kris Fletcher could be a huge asset to the side, but doubts remain as to whether the Bunyip has enough tall timber.
CATANI
Coach: Paul Alger
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 7th in EDFL West (1 win, 17 losses)
Ins: Paul Alger (new coach, Buln Buln), Brandon Scammell (Toora), Dylan Williams (Foster) and Luke Tyrrell (Gembrook-Cockatoo).
Outs: Tom Keily (Tarwin), Vaughn Campbell (Tarwin), Ricky Delphine (Gembrook-Cockatoo) and Dan Keily (Gembrook-Cockatoo).
Coach’s comments: “Numbers haven’t been great over pre-season – we’ve been battling to fill the two sides, so if anyone is looking for a game just head down to Catani. We’ve got a few thirds players capable of playing seniors but we won’t be rushing them in. We have to make sure the thirds are up and going. I expect us to improve and build towards something. We want to be competitive and to give ourselves something to cheer about.”
Prediction: 12th. Blues fans should see a marked improvement from their side this season, once again under the tutelage of returning favourite son Paul Alger. Catani will be one of the youngest senior sides in the league this season but Alger is known for instilling a real sense of toughness in his players.
CORA LYNN
Coach: Travis Marsham
Captain: Tim Payne
Last year: 1st EDFL West and Premiers (15 wins, 3 losses)
Ins: Jordan Toole (Rowville), Brad Starkey (Heatherton), Aussie Jones and Kevin Vandenberghe.
Outs: None.
Coach’s comments: “Top four this year is going to be crucial. There are a lot of new sides in the competition again and a lot of new challenges, but we’re in a good place. We believe our depth will be a lot better and we’re focussing on developing the next tier of players. There are eight to 10 (players) in our thirds I’d be more than happy to play in our ones.”
Prediction: Premiers. On face value, the Cobras have only got stronger – particularly with the inclusions of Jordan Toole and Aussie Jones – but they’re entering the season with all eyes, and much of the interest, on them.
ELLINBANK
Coach: Hayden Fredericks
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 7th EDFL East (5 wins, 13 losses)
Ins: Hayden Fredericks (new coach, Hallam), Brad O’Brien and Andrew Quirk (both Yeronga South Brisbane, AFL Queensland), Nathan Pulham and Bryce Neve (both Hallam), and Cory Bevan (Pakenham).
Outs: Daniel Barrand (Drouin), Matt Barrand, Jack Schultz (West Preston Lakeside), Tim Farthing (Yarragon), Nathaniel Paredes (Casey Scorpions), Will Jolley (Warragul Industrials), and Glenn Hamilton (Narre Warren).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve been struggling for numbers and a lot of other clubs are saying they have been too. It’s tough to know exactly what to expect out of this season because there’s such a big drop from the top sides. But one thing is for sure – as long as there’s even one bloke who rocks up to training, it’s my job to coach him. Hopefully that filters down and every player on the list strives to play a good brand of footy for 120 minutes.”
Prediction: 15th. The Bankers will struggle for wins all season, having lost a host of key players from last year’s side.
GARFIELD
Coach: Ryan Hendy
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 4th EDFL West (10 wins, 8 losses)
Ins: Justin Berry (Hastings), Tyson and Darcy Payne (Glenmore, AFL Capricornia), Kyle Hendy (Doveton), and Lincoln Withers.
Outs: Dylan Collis (Noble Park), Nick Battle (Casey Scorpions), Alex Nooy (Kilcunda Bass).
Coach’s comments: “Pre-season was very solid. We worked hard on our structures. Will Collis was a particular standout – he’s extremely fit – and Ned Marsh and Justin Berry have been flying too. Adam MacGibbon is another who’s really stood out. We just want to improve and we think we’ve topped up our list pretty well.”
Prediction: 3rd, and a genuine premiership threat. Ned and Tom Marsh will be back on deck for the Stars this year – contradicting early rumours they wouldn’t line up for the side in 2015. This makes all the difference, particularly when Berry and the two Payne brothers are thrown into the mix. The Stars weren’t that far away last season, and only look to have strengthened their side since.
KOOWEERUP
Coach: Matt Shorey
Captain: Luke Walker
Last year: 2nd EDFL West and runners-up (14 wins, 4 losses)
Ins: Shaun Marusic (West Perth, WAFL), Sean Winsall (Pakenham), Daniel Calteri (Belgrave), Kory Grant (Belgrave), Jason Baxter (Somerville), and Ryan Healy (Cranbourne).
Outs: Sean Miller (Tyabb).
Coach’s comments: “The new guys are still getting used to playing together. Berwick ran over the top of us in a practice match but that gave us a really good fitness gauge. We won’t be predictable in the way we play this season – a few guys will play in different positions – and we’re just aiming for a top-four spot. Anything can happen from there.”
Prediction: Runners-up. The Demons have gone out in search of big-name players they think could tip the premiership scales their way. Will they leapfrog the Cobras? Only time will tell, but Cora Lynn has the runs on the board.
LANG LANG
Coach: Shane Urbans
Captain: Aaron Creasey
Last year: 6th EDFL West (5 wins, 13 losses)
Ins: Shane Urbans (new player-coach, Fish Creek), Luke Damon (Fish Creek), Travis Reints (Frankston Bombers), Luke Forsyth (Chirnside Park), Geoff Hibberd (Chirnside Park), Aaron Hunter (Frankston Bombers), Daniel Bence (Frankston Bombers), Troy McPherson (Nyora), Felix Dunn (AFL Cairns), Oliver Dunn (Rosebud), Jack Foster (Frankston Bombers), Mark and Mick Perry (Frankston Bombers), Brad Palmer (Pearcedale) and Harry Reints (new manager, Frankston Bombers).
Outs: Brendan Neville (Pearcedale), Anthony Craddock (Crib Point), Aidan Nooy (Kilcunda Bass), and Toby Godbehere (Belgrave).
Coach’s comments: “I think we’ve had 18 new blokes come across and a lot of the existing players have a new lease on life. We’re working hard to be a lot more competitive than we were in previous years and to boost the morale amongst the blokes. We want to be playing finals at a minimum.”
Prediction: 10th. Lang Lang has more of a question mark hanging over it than any other side in the league. A massive influx of new talent should see the Tigers improve markedly on last season, and compete for a finals’ spot, but the new group could take a while to gel.
LONGWARRY
Coach: Scott Gowans
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 1st EDFL East and runners-up (17 wins, 1 loss)
Ins: Alex Veitch (Knox), Yillber Zijai (Sandringham, VFL-listed)
Outs: Troy Lehman and Josh Bourke (Yarragon), Jake Serong (Thorpdale), Bailey Rice (Dandenong TAC Cup), and Steve Hawkins (Traralgon Tyers United).
Coach’s comments: “Pre-season has been tough, numbers-wise, particularly with our twos but the thirds’ numbers have been really encouraging. We’ll give six or seven of them a go in the seniors and we’re expecting to make the finals. Our philosophy is to be fully fit for the finals.”
Prediction: 8th. The Crows finished three wins clear atop the EDFL East last season but, having lost some key pieces over the off-season, will find the going much tougher in 2015 – particularly having to face the powerhouse western sides. Still, they should be close to a top-four spot for much of the year and no one will want to face them in the finals.
NAR NAR GOON
Coach: Tom Hallinan
Captain: Brent Hughes
Last year: 3rd EDFL West (11 wins, 7 losses)
Ins: Tom Hallinan (new coach, Aberfeldie), Matt Stevens (Templestowe), Chris Kent (ROC), Andrew Tuck (Berwick), Ash Adams (Devon Meadows), Riley Kop (Gembrook-Cockatoo), James Martin (Tooradin), and Jamie Somers (Hill End).
Outs: Scott Goldsworthy (Scoresby), Kevin Girola, Matt Krawczyk (Scoresby), Brodie Howe, Jackson Fromhold.
Coach’s comments: “We expect to reinstate ourselves in the competition as a solid four-quarter performer with coherent teamwork across all major lines. Last year we beat Garfield by nearly 100, and then lost by nearly 100 in the final. We need more consistency and that comes from a thorough understanding of players’ roles and establishing good behaviours and habits. We don’t want to be a nice club. We want to show real ruthlessness this year.”
Prediction: 4th. Expect the Goon to be one of the most meticulously-coached sides in the league this year under Tom Hallinan. The group looks to be one of the most versatile in the competition and while a lack of consistency proved costly at key stages last season, it could be a real strength in 2015.
NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH
Coach: Jack Halligan
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 4th EDFL East (8 wins, 10 losses)
Ins: Calum Shiels (Casey Scorpions), Mick Urie (Broome Saints, West Kimberley Football Association), Chris Urie (Korumburra-Bena), Jack Griffiths (Korumburra-Bena), Josh Morrison (Korumburra-Bena), Rob Gillespie (Meeniyan Dumbalk United), and Tyssen Morrow (Warragul).
Outs: Glenn Anderson and Dwayne Bowes (Pearcedale).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve had a couple of ups and downs along the way in the pre-season but numbers have been good. A lot of the standout performers have been the kids – shown the way by the more experienced guys coming back. We just want to be competitive against the Cora Lynns and the Nar Nar Goons.”
Prediction: 9th. The Cats could be the unluckiest side in the league this year when it’s all said and done. After an eight-win season saw them to 4th in the East last year, a repeat effort likely won’t be enough to clinch a finals’ spot this time around. That said, their list of inclusions for 2015 just about tops everyone else’s.
NILMA DARNUM
Coach: Dean Alger
Captain: Zeke Lamb
Last year: 6th EDFL East (6 wins, 12 losses)
Ins: Dean Alger (new coach, Kilcunda Bass), Ben Arnold, Ben McKay, Andrew McKenna, Bernie Wells, Casey Wells, Danny Wells, Jason Wells (all Kilcunda Bass); Daniel Harlow, Jake Hughes and Ty Galley (all Warragul) and Matt Eccles (Drouin).
Outs: Brad Wolfe and Shane Smith (both to Bunyip), Mitch Davies (Doveton), and John Ikupu (Euroa).
Coach’s comments: “I definitely think we’ll be competitive most weeks. I haven’t been in the league since 2007 but I suspect we’ll probably be off the pace of the likes of Cora Lynn, Kooweerup, Nar Nar Goon and the like.”
Prediction: 11th. The Bombers’ upside in 2015 could see them surge into top-eight position, but that would require a huge step up from sixth in the East last year. Dean Alger has brought a host of Kilcunda Bass players across and the club’s depth should be vastly improved, but they’ll likely be on the ‘outside looking in’ come finals’ time.
NYORA
Coach: Pete Smith
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 5th EDFL East (7 wins, 11 losses)
Ins: Tim and Adam Burns (St Francis Xavier Old Collegians).
Outs: Peter Greenstreet (Doveton), Ilan Osman and Adam Tagliaferro (both to Thorpdale), and Troy McPherson (Lang Lang).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve had a good core group of 18 throughout the pre-season and I’ve demanded a lot from them – I’m heavily into fitness. I don’t know if our skills will be in the higher bracket, but Matt Layton is 40-odd and has done the full pre-season. Dylan Heylen is back with us after missing out at Casey too.”
Prediction: 14th. Much like Ellinbank, the Saints will struggle badly this season – having lost four of their best contributors from last year’s side including ruckman Greenstreet and key forward Osman.
POOWONG
Coach: Brenton Lockhart
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 8th EDFL East (1 win, 17 losses)
Ins: Brenton Lockhart (new player-coach), Simon Gardiner, Alan Miller and Rhys Fairlie (all Drouin), Jared Attenborough (Kilcunda Bass).
Outs: Sam Russell and Matt Russell (Warragul), Jarryd Drew (Warragul), Matt Hancock (Korumburra-Bena), Kris Kerr (Dalyston) and Craig Taylor (Paynesville).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve had reasonably good numbers over pre-season but struggled to get everyone on board. We focussed mainly on training under pressure – we know we won’t have a team full of stars. We don’t have many players over 21 but we expect to improve on last season and we’re aiming to win five or six games and I’d expect not to win the wooden spoon.”
Prediction: 13th. The Magpies will likely improve by a couple of wins from last year’s side, and should be in more games for longer, but a huge gulf in top-end talent remains when you compare Poowong to the stronger sides of the competition.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Coach: Ash Green
Captain: Yet to be announced
Last year: 3rd EDFL East (14 wins, 4 losses)
Ins: Ash Green (new coach, Warragul), Nathaniel Paredes (Ellinbank, and Casey VFL-listed), Will Jolley (Ellinbank), Jayden Steers (Traralgon), Chris Robinson (Moe), Jeremy Cattanach (Newborough), Michael Lynn and Cooper Minichiello (both Warragul), and Anthony Alderuccio (Woorinen).
Outs: Danny Brewster (Elmore), Nathan Brewster (ROC), Chris Larosa (ROC), Dom Larosa (Narre Warren), and Zac Regester (Yarragon).
Coach’s comments: “We’ve got a real abundance of thirds players whereas last year we didn’t even have a side. That’s been a huge plus for us. We want a successful year, no doubt about it, and we’re looking for a premiership. Our first couple of games are against Neerim South and Nilma – two sides that have improved. They’ll give us an idea of where we stand.”
Prediction: 5th. The Dusties mean business and, given the quality of their inclusions, they will hover around the top four throughout the year.
