Bright times ahead

Jackson Dalton is set for a big year under new Cobras coach Travis Marsham. 98440 Picture: DONNA OATES

By RUSSELL BENNETT

ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE WEST – OPENING ROUND PREVIEW

THE brave new world of Ellinbank football is here.
And despite all the changes to hit the EDFL in 2014 – two divisions, one of seven teams, one of eight, separate grand finals, multiple byes for individual teams – the footy stays the same… tough, hard and uncompromising.
Local footy doesn’t get much more competitive than what the EDFL West promises to dish up this season.
It’s hard to even separate one team as the premiership favourite prior to the opening round.
While there will only be three matches each week in the division throughout the season, two of those will be blockbusters.
Round 1 this year has three enthralling match-ups, with Catani hosting Lang Lang, Garfield facing off against Nar Nar Goon, and Cora Lynn welcoming Bunyip to the Cobradome under lights on Saturday.
Kooweerup has the season’s first bye.
Garfield versus Nar Nar Goon promises to be the game of the round.
It will be a nightmare competition to tip all season long and the Stars’ match-ups with the Goon are set to be an absolute toss of the coin each and every time.
While rumours circulated over the pre-season that the Stars had a mass walkout on their hands at Beswick Street, it seems tales of the reigning premier’s demise have been great exaggerated.
A number of key players have left, more, plenty more, have stayed put and the likes of Nick Battle, Chase Smaluch and Joel Morgan are big inclusions.
Matt Krawczyk is set for big things at the Goon, too, and Shannon Stocco’s return to the club is a big boost, but look for the Stars to get the job done at home in a first round thriller.

ROUND 1 TIPS
GARFIELD v Nar Nar Goon
CORA LYNN v Bunyip
Catani v LANG LANG
Kooweerup – bye

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