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Before the Bounce
There would be 500-600 people we've reached out to, all over the country
Not many teams make it back from recession, much less in their original identity. Midway through last season, there was talk of heralding the re-emergence of Border United after 77 years in the wilderness. With a North Melbourne-like assistance package & a mountain of work from club officials, Corowa-Rutherglen's return is bloody good for country footy!
Look out for a late season hard luck story, with the AFL introducing mandatory 21 day return to play protocols for concussion injuries to all leagues below the elite level. The honesty system will be put to the test if a player takes a head knock in the semi’s, with a grand final spot still on the line.
Are player contracts worth the paper they're written on?
Evidently not, with star Mitta forward Ethan Redcliffe flip-flopping on his commitment to the Mountain Men, ironically returning to Wodonga a year after breaking terms with them. They’ll be dirty but have chosen not to challenge the clearance.
It comes as another O&M club in Lavi poach contracted Riverina product, Tim Oosterhoff without a nasty battle, and VFL key forward John Jorgensen turns his back on the Rovers full-time.
Interest in the O&K Fixture as the reigning premiers Bonnie Doon shape up against contenders Greta & Bright just the once in the home and away, while battlers Tarrawingee face last year's top 6 & Benalla have 5 of the top 6 - twice.
I've heard the rumours going around about me and there has been a lot of outside noise about me not coaching again this year... but internally that's never been in doubt
Dismissing speculation over their premiership coach, Yarrawonga's title defence goes from strength to strength through the off season, supplementing a nearly unchanged list with more top enders, snaring the prized signature of former Yarra junior, Hawthorn & North Melbourne player, Dan Howe plus VFL talent, Perry Lewis-Smith.
The Rovers countered with equally impressive imports to put their hands up to snap a 30- year flag drought, including an Essendon District duo from powerhouse clubs Aberfeldie & Strathmore in Sam Cattapan & Xavier Allison, Northern Territory FL multi-premiership defender Kieran Purnell, ex-Myrtleford/Mansfield ruck Tom McDonagh & Carlton's Lochie O'Brien.
Not to be outdone, the Maggies have bulked up their lean midfield with duel Northern FL premiership players with VFL experience in Alex Federico & Aidan Tilley, 2017 premiership 'Pie Nick Richards, Richmond VFL & Wang junior product Brad Melville, topped off by former Richmond and West Coast player, Pat Naish.
The loss of backline general Dylan Van Berlo to a co-coaching appointment at resurgent junior club Rutherglen, and fellow defender Luke Saunders to the Sunshine State might hurt, though.
To be honest it's shaping as one of the closest competitions in recent memory
Announcing Joel Mackie as coach midway through his premiership winning season with Osborne was a brave move, but it looks to be paying dividends as Jindera have shot right into the premiership conversation, unveiling a host of big names with premiership experience including former Thurgoona captain Darryl Moore, Albury ruckman Zach Bye, Mackie's Osborne teammate Harrison Miller and Lavi stalwart, Luke Garland.
Brookers co-coach Andrew Mackinlay says the chasing pack have closed the gap significantly. Polite lip service, perhaps, from a bloke who boasts a list barely troubled by departures and bolstered by gun key defender Josh Kable & dangerous forward Cody Hewat (both DMB & TDFL Team of the Year), the return of Corey McCarthy from injury, plus returning Azzi Medallist, Will Holmes.
Conjecture around the immediate future of Brock-Burrum, given lacklustre player numbers, was hosed down by incoming coach Brendan Roberson. The committee surely had questions when he asked for a trampoline for training, more so when he rocked up with one after his request was knocked back.
The Saints are the only team to have featured in finals since 2010, but that impressive run appears shaky with the loss of young defender Harry Weaven & Keith Tallent's 60 goal season to North Albury, plus big man Jeremy Luff and triple premiership hometown hero Ron Boulton to Chiltern.
Where there’s smoke...
We can't afford to push our luck again and rely on a nine match winning streak to make it a three-peat
The Swans won't rest on their laurels in the chase of a 3-peat, replacing the loss of tall timber, Barton Medallist and last year's GF BOG, Scott Meyer, with Dean Heta & Jeremy Luff. Not content with that, they've secured sharpshooter Ethan Boxall who missed last season through injury, added incredible depth with Albury star Luke Daly, Ron Boulton, MPFL midfielder Kurtis Corrin tall defender Dion Gleeson.
Want to win flags? Raid Osborne. The kennels from both the Tallangatta & Hume Leagues have done just that, and firm as fancies to go deep this year. Former Tigers premiership mentor turned Thurgoona coach Dan McAlister must be happy with the shape of his list, having poached his own 2 young fellas, Bailey & Ollie from premiership Osborne sides, along with another solid 7 signings, plus a late cherry on top in Tyson Neander crossing from Lavi.
But he says reputations will count for little at the selection table.
Teams will still be hard pressed coming up against juggernauts Kiewa-Sandy Creek, who've brought in Zach Fulford as coach (having inspired Tallangatta’s upset premiership over the Hawks in 2015) and added the Raiders' Alex Daly to the League's stingiest defence, as the Hawks search for those missing 4 points that cost them last year's flag.
I think the realisation that the opportunity to win a grand final has really sunk in, and the boys don’t want to miss that opportunity
Bright look to avenge their loss to Bonnie Doon in last year's decider. Former B&F Clay Dillon coupled with Jai Dykstra will slip in to cover the loss of Darcy Sholl while travelling, with the Mountain Men also nabbing dangerous former Myrtleford forwards, Declan Bren & Luke Quirk to add potency in front of goal.
Milawa is shooting for the ultimate, bolstering a list that cracked last year's top 6 in both grades with 9 new signings before Christmas. After falling in the semi's last year, the Demons have fulfilled their wish list, adding midfield depth and speed through Tyler & Corey Dunn from the Murray FL, premiership player Kyle Collison jumping ship from the All Blacks plus firepower up forward with Moyhu duo, Jared Lea & Brady Bartlett.
After falling frustratingly short of a grand final birth last season with +8 scoring shots in a 12-point prelim loss, Greta have eyes on the prize having jagged forward Cody Crawford from the All Blacks, and who looks to be a genuine bull in Des Kelly from the Geelong FL.
It's going to be nice to be the hunted next season and a challenge we are looking forward to
Cudgewa has wasted little time improving their back-to-back chances, picking up 4-time Barton Medallist, Barny champ Cam McNeill.
Grand final bridesmaid Bullioh land 5 recruits after getting touched up to the tune of 94 points in the decider. Mitta senior regulars Joe Bolton, Jordan Peters & Jye Hodgkin, plus the brother of 7-time Albury premiership defender Michael Thompson, Rick have joined the Doggies in an effort to go one better.
All 4 teams have found new coaches, premiership players Dayne Carey & Josh Bartel (Cudgewa), Clint Brunnenmeyer (Bullioh), Jim Waters & Wade McPherson (Tumbarumba) & league B&F, Dan McCarthy (Corryong) will take the reins.