Football and Netball 2019

For which team will the premiership clock strike 12 this year?

Inside GVL Football GVL Netball PDFNL KDFNL MFL MNL TAC CUP

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WELCOME CONTENTS: Goulburn Valley Football League – overview and team profiles........................ 7 Junior football

– SDJFL overview......................................37

AFL Exports...........................................38 Umpires...................................................39 Shepparton Netball Association

– an overview.............................................40

League Fixtures.....................................42 Murray Football League

– overview and team profiles......................46

Kyabram District Football League – overview and team profiles......................61 Picola District Football League – South-East and North-West....................66 Goulburn Valley Netball League – overview and team profiles......................70 Murray Netball League

– overview and team profiles......................76

Kyabram District Netball League – overview and team profiles......................78 Picola District Netball League – South-East and North-West....................80 TAC Cup

– overview.................................................82

Page 4 Football and Netball 2019

Football and Netball 2019 H

ere at McPherson Media Group it is our privilege to once again bring to you the annual football and netball magazine.

A power of work goes into this publication — which has remained at 84‑pages for this season — each year, and this 15th edition is no different.

From the advertising, subediting and creative teams to the journalists bashing away at their keyboards long into the night, hours of blood, sweat and tears — as well as hundreds of phone calls and emails — have gone into producing your local football bible.

And a bible it certainly is, with every football and netball team the Shepparton News covers on a regular basis — and their chances of success — previewed in a one-stop

shop for everything you need to know as the pre-season wraps up and the real stuff begins in earnest.

The action will be heated from the get-go in the Goulburn Valley League especially as the rest of the competition attempts to catch Shepparton (football) and Echuca (netball) after the duo upset strong favourites on the biggest day of all last year.

The Bears doused Kyabram's stunning hot-streak of consecutive victories, while the Murray Bombers denied Shepparton a dazzling premiership double by just a solitary goal.

The Murray Football Netball League will be the first cab off the rank this year with a standalone fixture on March 30 between Finley and Rumbalara before all other leagues begin on April 6,

Cover picture: It was Anthony Andronaco and his Shepparton Bears’ time to shine in the Goulburn Valley League grand final last season.

For which team will the premiership clock strike 12 this year?

and both disciplines are currently under the dominion of dominant dynasties.

Nathalia is aiming for a five-peat of flags on the football field, while Moama will search for a third netball crown in a row this season.

But as well as those teams competing in the GVL, MFNL, Kyabram District Football Netball League and Picola District Football Netball League, inside the magazine you will find season previews for the Murray Bushrangers, Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association, Shepparton District Junior Football League and Shepparton Netball Association.

Add to that a definitive list of familiar faces trying their hand at the big-time in the AFL and AFLW and you certainly will not be

Contributors: Tyler Maher, Alex Mitchell, Aydin Payne, Liam Nash, Tara Whitsed, Georgia Smith, Andrew Johnston, Fraser Walker-Pearce.

Photography: Ray Sizer, Julie Mercer, Holly Daniel, Luke Hemer, Alex Mitchell, Bruce Povey, Laura Briggs, Bruce McKean, Bethanie Sessions, Steve Huntley, Les Garbutt, Justine Sywak, David Callow, AAP.

getting from page 1 to 84 within the space of a single lunch break.

This publication is once again simply the starter's gun for another season brimming with premier local sporting coverage, with the Shepparton News Footy Show with Foxy and JR back by popular demand and many more exciting developments on the horizon.

So, pour yourself a cup of tea, grab some biscuits from the jar and flick onwards to consume unrivalled football and netball coverage for the Goulburn Valley region and beyond.

And while you're at it, strap yourself in for a huge winter ahead — it is going to be a monumental one.

TYLER MAHER SHEPPARTON NEWS SENIOR SPORTS JOURNALIST

Editorial design: Nathan Cook, Brendan Cain Sub-editing: Wendy Russell Advertising inquiries: Aaron Brown 5820 3187 Published by Shepparton News: Melbourne Rd, Shepparton | 5831 2312 | www.sheppnews.com.au facebook.com/SheppNewsSport | twitter.com/sheppnewssport

TIPSTERS Tyler Maher

Alex Mitchell

Aydin Payne

Shepparton News sports reporter

Shepparton News sports reporter

PREMIERS GVNL: Shepparton GVFL: Tatura MNL: Nathalia MFL: Cobram KDNL: Nagambie KDFL: Stanhope PDNL: Katunga PDFL: Waaia Morrison Medal: Jason Tutt (Tatura) Wellman Medal: Jessica Lallo (Seymour) GVFL leading goal-kicker: John Bradaric (Shepparton) Story of the year prediction: Kyabram’s supreme top-line talent will take it through the regular season undefeated once more, but after mounting injuries stretch the side’s depth in September a rising Tatura will stand up on grand final day and snatch the GVL crown.

PREMIERS GVNL: Shepparton GVFL: Euroa MNL: Moama MFL: Rumbalara KDNL: Nagambie KDFL: Tallygaroopna PDNL: Picola United PDFL: Katamatite Morrison Medal: JD Hayes (Euroa) Wellman Medal: Darcy Croxford-Demasi (Mansfield) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Brandyn Grenfell (Tatura) Story of the year prediction: Drought season is over — Tatura makes its first grand final in seven years but falls to Euroa playing its first in 14 — ending the second-longest active premiership drought in the GVL (29 years).

PREMIERS GVNL: Shepparton Swans GVFL: Echuca MNL: Numurkah MFL: Finley KDNL: Tallygaroopna KDFL: Stanhope PDNL: Tocumwal PDFL: Waaia Morrison Medal: Mick Mattingly (Kyabram) Wellman Medal: Olivia Mason (Shepparton Swans) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: The Ardmona Cats to win their first game of football since 2015, breaking one of the longest winless droughts in country Victoria football.

Liam Nash

Ashleigh Williamson

Ron Anderson

Shepparton News sports reporter

Shepparton News sports sub-editor

Shepparton News sports sub-editor

PREMIERS GVNL: Kyabram GVFL: Benalla MNL: Tongala MFL: Nathalia KDNL: Tallygaroopna KDFL: Stanhope PDNL: Katunga PDFL: Strathmerton Morrison Medal: Brandyn Grenfell (Tatura) Wellman Medal: Emily Hutchins (Mansfield) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: Benalla will recreate its famous grand final victory of 2015 over Kyabram, but this time around a Nick Warnock goal seconds shy of the siren will leave the Bombers without a flag.

PREMIERS GVNL: Seymour GVFL: Echuca MNL: Moama MFL: Mulwala KDNL: Stanhope KDFL: Nagambie PDNL: Katamatite PDFL: Strathmerton Morrison Medal: Lewin Davis (Euroa) and Matthew Rendina (Shepparton United) Wellman Medal: Meg Grbac (Seymour) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Ruory Kirkby (Echuca, 76 goals) Story of the year prediction: White knight Joey Perkovic returns home from Ocean Grove mid-season to rescue Shepparton East's senior fortunes and give the club hope for a successful rebuild in the future.

PREMIERS GVNL: Shepparton GVFL: Shepparton MNL: Numurkah MFL: Rumbalara KDNL: Lancaster KDFL: Stanhope PDNL: Picola United PDFL: Waaia Morrison Medal: Jason Cole (Seymour) Wellman Medal: Mia Fallon (Mooroopna) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: Lachlan Ash returns to Shepparton from the Murray Bushrangers for the GVL grand final and kicks the winning goal before being taken at pick No.1 in the AFL National Draft.

Gus Underwood

Andrew Johnston

Fraser Walker-Pearce

Kyabram Free Press sports reporter

Riverine Herald sports reporter

Riverine Herald sports reporter

PREMIERS GVNL: Echuca GVFL: Kyabram MNL: Moama MFL: Rumbalara KDNL: Nagambie KDFL: Tallygaroopna PDNL: Tocumwal PDFL: Waaia Morrison Medal: Andrew Browne (Mansfield) Wellman Medal: Emma Ryan (Kyabram) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: New Mansfield coach Andrew Browne to be dominant big man in competition who will help lift Mansfield to a premiership contender.

PREMIERS GVNL: Echuca GVFL: Echuca MNL: Moama MFL: Barooga KDNL: Nagambie KDFL: Girgarre PDNL: Deniliquin Rovers PDFL: Rennie Morrison Medal: Jason Cole (Seymour) Wellman Medal: Emma Ryan (Kyabram) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: The grand old green and white are GVL champions.

PREMIERS GVNL: Kyabram GVFL: Kyabram MNL: Moama MFL: Cobram KDNL: Stanhope KDFL: Stanhope PDNL: Waaia PDFL: Waaia Morrison Medal: Sam Sheldon (Kyabram) Wellman Medal: Emma Ryan (Kyabram) GVFL leading goal-kicker: Kayne Pettifer (Kyabram) Story of the year prediction: Kyabram bounces back and wins the 2019 GVL.

Shepparton News senior sports reporter

GVFL LADDER PREDICTIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Tyler Maher

Alex Mitchell

Aydin Payne

Liam Nash

Ashleigh Williamson

Ron Anderson

Gus Underwood

Andrew Johnston Fraser Walker-Pearce

Kyabram Echuca Tatura Shepparton Euroa Mansfield Seymour Rochester Benalla Mooroopna Shepp Swans Shepp United

Euroa Tatura Shepparton Kyabram Mansfield Echuca Seymour Rochester Benalla Shepp Swans Shepp United Mooroopna

Echuca Kyabram Shepparton Tatura Benalla Mansfield Seymour Euroa Shepp United Rochester Mooroopna Shepp Swans

Benalla Kyabram Shepparton Tatura Euroa Seymour Rochester Echuca Mansfield Mooroopna Shepp United Shepp Swans

Echuca Kyabram Tatura Shepparton Benalla Euroa Seymour Rochester Mansfield Shepp Swans Shepp United Mooroopna

Shepparton Kyabram Echuca Tatura Rochester Seymour Mansfield Shepp United Euroa Benalla Shepp Swans Mooroopna

Kyabram Tatura Mansfield Shepparton Echuca Rochester Euroa Seymour Benalla Shepp United Mooroopna Shepp Swans

Shepparton Kyabram Echuca Mansfield Benalla Tatura Rochester Euroa Seymour Shepp United Mooroopna Shepp Swans

Shepparton Kyabram Echuca Tatura Benalla Rochester Euroa Seymour Mansfield Mooroopna Shepp Swans Shepp United Football and Netball 2019 Page 5

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS: 2018: Shepparton 2017: Kyabram 2016: Kyabram 2015: Benalla 2014: Shepparton Swans 2013: Kyabram 2012: Tatura 2011: Shepparton United 2010: Shepparton United 2009: Mansfield

PAST MORRISON MEDALLISTS: 2018: Nik Rokahr (Shepparton) and Sam Martin (Benalla) 2017: Simon Buckley (Echuca) 2016: Simon Buckley (Echuca) 2015: Ash Watson (Rochester) 2014: Will Martiniello (Benalla) 2013: Luke Morgan (Benalla) 2012: Mark Blake (Mooroopna) 2011: Guy Campbell (Rochester) 2010: Kristian Height (Echuca) 2009: Brian Durbidge (Swans)

PREMIER 2018

Season far from a one-horse race I

f you stand in the middle of Deakin Reserve and concentrate hard enough, you can still feel the tremors caused by stampeding Shepparton fans after last year’s Goulburn Valley League grand final.

The emotional outpouring from the Bears’ faithful following the final siren last year was juxtaposed against the despair of Kyabram’s players and supporters after coming so close to immortalising themselves with a three-peat of undefeated seasons.

But the Bombers will be back with a vengeance this year and are sure to be even more ruthless on game

day with the likes of ruck hulk Jake Reeves and supreme utility Billy Burstin back on deck for season 2019.

The Bears will again be around the mark as they bask in their premiership glory but will want to prove that last year was no flash in the pan.

That task will be made harder by the loss of guns Nik Rokahr and Luke Smith, but there are plenty of players jostling for the pairing’s midfield minutes on Shepparton’s list.

Echuca pushed Kyabram on

multiple occasions last season and after bringing in VFL defender Peter Faulks full time — and welcoming Ruory Kirkby back from injury — could stake its claim for the GVL crown in earnest this year.

Tatura can claim one of the more exciting summers of the competition in terms of recruiting, adding supreme midfield depth to its squad in a bid to match it with the big boys of the GVL. Euroa has also targeted a specific area in its inclusions over the offseason, setting its sights high with

key position players boosting the average height at Memorial Oval significantly.

The likes of Mansfield, Seymour and Rochester will all hope to taste finals action this season, while Benalla’s younger players will again be called upon to stand tall after plenty of top-end talent moved on from the Saints during summer.

As has been the case during the past few seasons, Mooroopna, Shepparton United and Shepparton Swans will be fighting hard for every win, but all three outfits will certainly improve

after impressive recruiting hauls and could shock a few opposition sides this year.

The smell of round one action is firmly in the air — and no matter how well each of the 12 GVL sides think they fared over summer, once that first ball is bounced it all means very little.

As one coach notes in this magazine, the proof will most certainly be in the pudding — and we here at The News can’t wait for a taste of what is to come.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 7

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Benalla Saints FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1896 TO 1946, 1998 TO PRESENT NICKNAME: SAINTS GROUND: BENALLA SHOWGROUNDS COACH: JAMES MARTINIELLO PRESIDENT: LLOYD JOHNSON PREMIERSHIPS: 1940, 2015 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: T. PASQUALI (1999), R. PRIEST (2008 JOINT), L. MORGAN (2013), W. MARTINELLO (2014), S. MARTYN (2018 JOINT) 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (13–6) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: SAM MARTYN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: NICK WARNOCK (67)

H

Jamie Dunne

opes were high and spirits were intact.

That is how Benalla went into the 2018 finals.

And after 13 wins and five losses resulting in a top-three finish, you could see why.

But a first-round elimination encounter with Mansfield sent the Saints marching, losing by three points.

The situation was soured further by the departure of Morrison medallist Sam Martyn to the VFL, with coach Luke Morgan heading to the Wangaratta Magpies leaving the Saints looking for a new coach for the first time in six years.

Stepping up for the red, white and black was James Martiniello, the 150-game player and life member taking the reins with excitement.

“I’m at the stage where I’m waiting for the season to start to get a real feel for coaching,” Martiniello said.

The Saints have pulled off some impressive recruits during the offseason, while some of the club’s big names have also stepped aside.

Exiting with Morgan and Martyn is key duo James Marchbank and Tom Bennett, heading to Northern Football League club Diamond Creek.

But the biggest news for the Saints comes from the signing of Will Martiniello, brother of James and the 2018 Reynolds medallist, for his stellar season with Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District Football League.

Will is not the only Saint to return

“We finished third last year and I’m confident we are just as strong.”

– James Martiniello, Coach to the showgrounds, with former Barnawartha coach and 2015 premiership player Mitch Exton also returning.

They are joined by former Benalla All Blacks player Riley Moran, and ex-VFL and 2017 Ovens and Murray leading goal-kicker Stephen Murray.

“There has been a bit of a turnover, we have lost a couple and replaced them,” Martiniello said.

“Obviously Will comes with quite a high profile and Mitch will be a good role model for the club.

“Riley has come over from the All Blacks and I think will be a really good GV senior footballer.

“Patrick Warner is also one of our younger ones who played Bushies majority of last year, he’s had a great pre-season and we expect him to take the next step in being a great GV footballer.

“We are still a fairly young side.

“We have maintained our top aged thirds boys, there is about 10 or so stepping up to play seniors footy and will have the opportunity throughout the year.

“We finished third last year and I’m confident we are just as strong.

“Our first step is to play competitive football and then we’ll take it from there and hopefully make finals again.”

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE “We have maintained our top aged thirds boys, there is about 10 or so stepping up to play seniors footy and will have the opportunity throughout the year.”

– James Martiniello, Coach

BENALLA’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

EUROA (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

SEYMOUR (H)

APRIL 19

ROUND 4

MANSFIELD (H)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

ECHUCA (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

SHEPPARTON (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

ROCHESTER (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

KYABRAM (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

TATURA (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

MOOROOPNA (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

EUROA (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

SEYMOUR (A)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

MANSFIELD (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

ECHUCA (H)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

SHEPPARTON (A)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

ROCHESTER (H)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Will Martiniello

Nick Warnock

Will Martiniello

WHY THE SAINTS CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T:

Speed kills and new rules designed to let the game flow will have the Saints steaming from end-to-end like they’re running circle-work. A young core surprised many by finishing third last regular season and more games into that group will only improve them.

Martyn, Morgan, Bennett and Marchbank really are big outs and virtually rip the heart out of the team. The recruiting haul only replenishes what had already been lost while other finals contenders have loaded up. Hard to see how they have passed Kyabram, Echuca and Mansfield, teams that beat them last season.

Morrison and Reynolds medals make Martiniello one of the league’s most decorated players and his midfield presence will drive a young Saints’ line-up desperate for experience. If there is a player in Benalla that can fill the gaping hole left by Sam Martyn, it is this classy engineroom operator.

IN: Mitch Exton, Ben Kunkle, (Barnawartha), Will Martiniello (Maribyrnong Park), Riley Moran (Benalla All Blacks), Perry Knox (Goorambat), Stephen Murray (Bentleigh) OUT: Tom Bennett, James Marchbank (Diamond Creek), Sam Martyn (Williamstown VFL), Luke Morgan (Wangaratta Magpies)

SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SINCE 1981 Best of luck for the 2019 season!

Football and Netball 2019 Page 9

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Echuca Murray Bombers FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1909 TO 1942, 1974 NICKNAME: MURRAY BOMBERS GROUND: VICTORIA PARK CO-COACHES: ANDREW WALKER & SIMON MADDOX PRESIDENT: ASH BYRNE PREMIERSHIPS: 1977, 1979, 2001, 2002 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: S. EISHOLD (1995 JOINT), S. ORR (1997), C. SHOLL (2001), R. ARCHARD (2003 JOINT), C. DURIE (2006), K. HEIGHT (2010), S. BUCKLEY (2016–17) 2018 FINISH: THIRD (14–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ANDREW WALKER 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: TIM ALLAN (55)

T

here was always a belief Echuca was going somewhere.

From missing the finals in 2017 to getting within a few kicks of the 2018 GVL Grand Final, the Murray Bombers improved in leaps and bounds.

Now they must be looking to go even further in 2019.

“We learnt a lot about ourselves last year,” co-coach Andrew Walker said.

“Finishing 13–5 showed us more than anything what we are capable of when we play our brand of football.

“The group has come back firing, I’ve been able to step back and watch at times when they train and see just how committed they are to getting better and taking this side to the next level in 2019.”

Echuca’s side has improved, but very little of it has come from the outside.

The club has retained its under-18 premiership players, with many making the jump to senior football.

“Those guys have some premiership experience and their passion and understanding of finals is something they are showing to the senior group — which is further motivating them,” Walker said.

He said the growth and development of the club’s younger players had been huge already.

“They’ve had a really big pre-season,” Walker said.

“We set them a program to do outside their regular training over the break and they have done a great job with it. It has them a bit more physically prepared for the season,

Noah Wheeler

DRIVE GREEN

Angus Byrne but also shows their desire to play at that level.”

The team will regain Ruory Kirkby, who missed 2018 with a knee injury, and his return will bolster a young forward line that was a shining light for the Murray Bombers in 2018.

Echuca seemed to have all the injury bad luck in the world in the front half of the season — and a clean run of health may have the biggest impact of all.

Another huge impact will be Peter Faulks — the club’s marquee singing.

The former Fremantle and Williamstown defender will call

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ECHUCA

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Faulks was dominant in his sole appearance for Echuca last year, and his intercept marking will combine well with an emerging backline.

The Murray Bombers are still a work in progress, and after years in the wilderness they have a taste of success — making them one of the sides to watch in 2019.

Potentially hurting them though is Angus Byrne, Noah Wheeler and Darby Henderson — a trio of the side’s best talents — earning places on VFL lists, meaning they may have more limited game-time in the GVL.

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE ECHUCA’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

ROCHESTER (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

SEYMOUR (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

TATURA (H)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

KYABRAM (A)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

BENALLA (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

MOOROOPNA (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

EUROA (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

SHEPPARTON (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

MANSFIELD (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

ROCHESTER (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

SEYMOUR (A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

TATURA (A)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

KYABRAM (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

BENALLA (A)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Noah Wheeler Darby Henderson

WHY THE MURRAY BOMBERS CAN WIN IT: Echuca made the final three teams last season and has lost no influential players, with a young core taking step after step forward. Brimming with X-factor talents like Walker, Wheeler, Henderson, Kirkby, Valentine and Faulks, it has match-winners on every line.

WHY THEY CAN’T: Faulks is a huge inclusion, and the reports on Kennedy are positive, but has it bolstered Echuca enough to stay with a Kyabram team that beat it by 71, 72 and 34 points last season? Again it will be a young side and that lends itself to inconsistency. Less than impressive in finals, it fell over the line against Tatura before losses to Kyabram and Shepparton.

While he is on the Northern Blues’ VFL list, if Wheeler plays with the Murray Bombers he will dominate, just like he did last season through limited opportunity while playing TAC Cup. For a teenager, Wheeler’s ability to rip the ball out of a pack and drive his team forward is amazing, while goal-sense makes him a constant threat to hit the scoreboard.

IN: Peter Faulks (Williamstown), Brock Kennedy (Melton) OUT: Lucas Denton (travel), Matt Dornauf (Macleod), Shaun Gannon, Liam Wilkinson (retired)

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 11

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Euroa Magpies FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1971 NICKNAME: MAGPIES GROUND: MEMORIAL OVAL COACH: SCOTT ROWAN PRESIDENT: SCOTT WATSON PREMIERSHIPS: 1971, 1990 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: A. BAKER (1998) 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (9–9) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BEN HARRISON 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: CRAIG BAMFORD (26)

W

ith new coach Scott Rowan at the helm, Euroa seems poised to rocket from missing the finals straight to the Goulburn Valley League’s upper echelon.

An injury-plagued list from last season has been pumped full of new talent, addressing the Magpies’ need for some tall timber.

Pre-season expectations were high before last campaign and only heightened by a scintillating roundtwo showing against Kyabram, but they lost six of their last nine games to finish seventh.

Rowan, who replaces JD Hayes as coach as the star midfielder steps back to focus solely on playing, said ruck presence along with increased depth immediately made a return to finals his side’s minimum expectation.

“We had (ruck presence) but we lost it, we lost Johnny (Ikupu) and Macca (Will McFarlane) in the one game against Shepp — we were seven goals up but we lost those two and it was essentially season over,” he said.

“Last year the main things for us were injuries, and a lack of depth. With eight quality players added to the list it’s really added to that depth and we can cover a run of injuries.”

But injuries bring opportunities with them: a young group of talents getting a taste of senior football and impressing.

Leading the way was the electric Robbie Paradzayi, the blue chip prospect’s scintillating form earning him a mid-season Murray Bushrangers call-up, while Jake Penman and Tom Panuccio also impressed in the seniors.

Robbie Paradzayi “They were the first group of guys we targeted to keep at the club, along with Andrew Crosbie, Marcus Heritage and Bryce Frost, who didn’t play seniors last year,” Rowan said.

“Right there, there’s six or seven blokes pushing through and adding to our depth, and it’s really helping the

development of our younger kids.”

Climbing on board is ruck hulk Jacob Brereton, former SANFL wing speedster Lewin Davis and defensive keys Adam Giobbi and Tom Garside, with familiar faces Robbie Wilson, Brayden Frost and Trent Storer among an impressive recruiting class.

“Originally it was all about height; as you know with guys like JD we’ve got some class in the midfield, but we really needed to bolster our spine,” Rowan said.

“We got Trent Storer back on board after playing with his brother last season. Jacob Brereton is going to

help Johnny out in the ruck, and Adam Giobbi too is around that 191–192 cm mark.”

Rowan said quick ball-movement combined with a genuine scoring presence up forward could make his side particularly dangerous.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE “Last year the main things for us were injuries, and a lack of depth. With eight quality players added to the list it’s really added to that depth and we can cover a run of injuries.”

– Scott Rowan, Coach

EUROA’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

BENALLA (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

ROCHESTER (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

MANSFIELD (A)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

SEYMOUR (A)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

KYABRAM (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

TATURA(A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

MOOROOPNA (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

ECHUCA (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

SHEPPARTON (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

BENALLA (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

ROCHESTER (A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

MANSFIELD (H)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

SEYMOUR (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

KYABRAM (A)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

TATURA (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

MOOROOPNA (A)

AUGUST 24

IN: Hapeo Bobogi (AFL Queensland), Jacob Brereton (Alexandra), Lewin Davis (Port Adelaide SANFL), Brayden Frost (Harcourt), Tom Garside (St BedesMentone), Adam Giobbi (Noble Park), Caleb Gray, Lee Hutchins (Brigades), Ashley Hobbs, Robbie Wilson (Violet Town), Trent Storer (Tyntynder)

JD Hayes

Jake Penman

OUT: Adrian Karatzas (Old Melburnians), Jamison Shea (Southport Sharks), Jack Tate (Parkside)

WHY THE MAGPIES CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T:

GAME CHANGER: JD Hayes

The key position additions of players like Giobbi, Garside and Storer will bolster the Magpies in a serious way, giving both their young and elite players plenty of support. Hayes, along with Jayden and Jacob Gleeson, makes any team midfield-relevant, and Ikupu and Brereton will be feeding the ball down their throats all year.

All the pieces are there but they would all need to click seamlessly — and quickly — for the Magpies to come from outside the top six to win the flag. After top-line talent their midfield could be found wanting, and it remains to be seen if their promising kids can make an impact in a premiership side.

The midfield jet might not be huge but what he lacks in height he makes up for with pace, heart and precision ball-use. With his mind taken off coaching, Hayes’ impact this season could be absolutely anything with plenty more targets to hit up forward. One of the competition’s best talents.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Kyabram Bombers FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BOMBERS GROUND: KYABRAM RECREATION RESERVE CO-COACHES: PAUL NEWMAN & SAM SHELDON PRESIDENT: MARK SCHUMANN PREMIERSHIPS: 1919, 1921, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1948, 1950, 1958, 1975, 1996, 2013, 2016, 2017 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: J. COOPER (1958, 1961), C. STEWART (1963), R. CLAY (1964), P. GITTOS (1987), B. GUGLIOTTI (1993) 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (20–1) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: LIAM OGDEN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KAYNE PETTIFER (106)

R

ocked by a two-point grand final loss, Kyabram Football Club once again has put the foundations in place for a fairytale season.

It’s Paul Newman’s swansong — and what better way to celebrate that than with one more flag?

Despite losing more than 20 senior and reserves players in the off-season, the Bombers have recruited vigorously to bring in top-end talent and once again look to be GVL title contenders.

The club has a new-look coaching setup too — Newman has been joined by co-coach Sam Sheldon with the idea of retiring at the end of the year and Sheldon taking over as head coach.

Newman said he saw the changing of the guard as a positive for the club — working closely with Sheldon and their assistants as the season progresses.

“As it progresses I guess he takes more control leading into 2020 and I start taking a step back,” Newman said.

“Having assistants also helps spread the load so this will be something of a learning experience for us all.

“That said, I am absolutely convinced the future of the club is in great hands.”

In the 2018 pre-season the Bombers brought in just two fresh faces — Mick Mattingly and Bailey Bell — but this time around have thrown the net much wider to bolster the ranks, particularly after the departure of influential midfielder Liam Ogden.

“I believe we will have our strongest team for some time, having kept all

Kayne Pettifer

“That said, I am absolutely convinced the future of the club is in great hands.”

– Paul Newman, Coach our key players and picked up a few new ones along the way,” Newman said.

“We also have some exciting talent moving up through our reserves and thirds and will be looking at ways to bring them on to the level required.

“I believe we have added some real depth and strength to the team we played in 2018 — some of that is from proven players coming back after a break, or having been away with work, and others are new to the side.”

Jake Reeves has returned from Geelong and a season in the AFL Barwon, while Jack Sheldon has touched down from a stint in the American college football system.

Reid Crowe has also made the move from Chelsea and should be an influential midfielder for the red and black.

“After the grand final the players took a break to get over that, over the end of the streak, and they have come back pumped and ready to go,” Newman said.

“We will continue to evolve our game plan, and at the same time are hoping it will be a more even competition this year, the kind of games everyone likes to play; no-one likes a flogging — whether you are giving it or receiving it.”

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE KYABRAM’S SEASON FIXTURE

Jake Reeves

Sam Sheldon

ROUND 1

TATURA (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

SHEPPARTON (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

ROCHESTER (A)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

ECHUCA (H)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

EUROA (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

MANSFIELD (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

SEYMOUR (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

BENALLA (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

MOOROOPNA (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

TATURA (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

SHEPPARTON (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

ROCHESTER (H)

JULY 21

ROUND 15

ECHUCA (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

EUROA (H)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

MANSFIELD (A)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

SEYMOUR (H)

AUGUST 24

WHY THE BOMBERS CAN WIN IT:

IN: Billy Burstin (Sunshine), Reid Crowe (Chelsea), Jake Reeves (Torquay), Jack Sheldon (Central Michigan) OUT: Liam Barrett (Golden Square), Adam Lovison (Tongala), Liam Ogden (Pascoe Vale)

GAME CHANGER: Jake Reeves A monster performance from Shepparton’s Ash Holland clearly identified Kyabram’s need to get stronger in the ruck department, and there was no better way to address that than with the return of Reeves from Torquay. The ruck hulk has multiple grand final best-on-ground medals with the Bombers and will feed the ball down the throat of an Ogden-less midfield.

Premier or not, Kyabram has won 62 of its past 63 games, many by huge margins, with one grand final loss by just the two points. It remains one of country football’s greatest sides and is almost as formidable as ever, and Reeves, Burstin, Sheldon and Crowe add to the already stacked line-up. Once again, the Bombers start the year as favourites.

WHY THEY CAN’T: Viewed as invincible in previous seasons, that is no longer a psychological factor the Bombers can rely upon with that aura shattered by the Bears last September.

Ogden − severely underrated despite being the most influential player throughout the winning streak − departing leaves a huge hole in the midfield that must be filled.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 17

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mansfield Eagles FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1998 NICKNAME: EAGLES GROUND: MANSFIELD RECREATION RESERVE COACH: ANDREW BROWNE PRESIDENT: DENNIS SHEAHAN PREMIERSHIPS: 2004, 2009 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: T. HOTTON (2007) 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (10–1–9) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: PATTY MARKS 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAMIE SHEAHAN (49)

M

ansfield has lured a former AFL-listed footballer back home to the Eagles’ nest this season in an effort to return to the Goulburn Valley League decider.

Former Richmond ruckman Andrew Browne has landed back in his junior colours in a bid to lead his home club deeper into finals.

Browne has spent the past six seasons playing for Essendon Districts powerhouse club Keilor FC and sees 2019 as the best time to help bring success back to the high country.

“I’ve always wanted to come back and play at Mansfield, the town put so much into my career and I felt that the time was right now,” Browne said.

The 203 cm ruckman spoke about his first pre-season as coach, revealing who has impressed within the training group, highlighting Brett Mahoney and Lachie Christopher’s summers as the best of the group so far.

“Brett and Lachie have just been superb all summer, they’ve definitely set the benchmark throughout the group,” Browne said.

“We haven’t worried too much about time trials, we’ve held a training camp which everyone bought into and we all had a blast which was great.

“It has been tricky coming in and adjusting to having a new coach and new players, but it’s been a good summer and we can’t wait for the practice matches coming up.”

Browne has spent six seasons learning and playing under prominent coach Mick McGuane, and said he would try to use certain aspects from

his mentor’s repertoire.

“Hopefully I can use some of his knowledge and try and translate that to this group of boys, because as we all know, Mick is a sensational coach,” he said.

The Eagles will welcome another ex-Richmond player for the upcoming season, with Tas Clingan arriving from Lake Bolac from the Mininera and District League as well as welcoming Corowa-Rutherglen big man James Lawton.

However, the Eagles have lost star forward Ben Fagan, who has headed north to Queensland.

Browne acknowledged Fagan would be sorely missed but was optimistic the two recruits would fill the hole left from his departure.

“Benny’s a big omission, he’s a great footballer but Jimmy Lawton and Tas will slot right in and cover his loss,” he said.

The Eagles featured in last year’s finals series with a win over Benalla in the elimination final but fell to the eventual premiers in the semifinals.

They have retained the majority of their list, with best-and-fairest winner and half-back flanker Patty Marks, forward Jamie Sheahan and on-baller Mahoney all suiting up again.

Looking into the crystal ball for the upcoming season, Browne believes anything less than finals would be a fail in his first year as coach.

“Finals is a pass mark, we’ll be disappointed with anything less,” he said.

Patty Marks

AYDIN PAYNE

“It has been tricky coming in and adjusting to having a new coach and new players, but it’s been a good summer and we can’t wait for the practice matches coming up.”

– Andrew Browne, Coach

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE “Finals is a pass mark, we’ll be disappointed with anything less.”

MANSFIELD’S SEASON FIXTURE

Brett Mahoney

– Andrew Browne, Coach Jamie Sheahan

ROUND 1

SEYMOUR (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

MOOROOPNA (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

EUROA (H)

APRIL 19

ROUND 4

BENALLA (A)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

KYABRAM (A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

TATURA (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

SHEPPARTON (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

ROCHESTER (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

ECHUCA (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

SEYMOUR (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

MOOROOPNA(A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

EUROA (A)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

BENALLA (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

KYABRAM (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Andrew Browne The ex-AFL player will bring a large presence to Mansfield and the GVL competition this season, not only with his tall 203 cm frame. He’s spent the past six years learning and honing his skills under Mick McGuane. At age 28, Browne is still in the prime years of his career so expect an influential year from the big man.

IN: Andrew Browne (Keilor), Tas Clingan (Lake Bolac), James Lawton (Corowa-Rutherglen) OUT: Ben Fagan (Labrador)

WHY THE EAGLES CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T:

The Eagles have retained most of the list that won an elimination final last year while bringing in three key recruits. Browne’s admission allows for Jamie Sheahan to stay forward and replicate his goal-kicking form from last year, while Mahoney’s gamechanging ability makes him one of the competition’s most dangerous talents.

Mansfield only added a couple of recruits to its list and probably needed to add multiple others to help it push deep into finals territory. It might have finished fourth but there is an inconsistent streak that needs to be ironed out of the Eagles’ game, with losses to Rochester, Euroa and Seymour last season, all teams that missed finals.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 19

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mooroopna Cats FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: CATS GROUND: MOOROOPNA RECREATION RESERVE COACH: DALE OSBORNE PRESIDENT: BILL DOWLING PREMIERSHIPS: 1894, 1895, 1896, 1907, 1923, 1924, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1985, 1986 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: L. DWYER (1936), B. MCCARTY (1962), R. WILLETT (1965, 1967, 1968), D. BUX (1972, 1973), G. SAUNDERS (1977), B. OUGH (1979), G. COOPER (1983, 1985), M. BLAKE (2012) 2018 FINISH: 11TH (1–17) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: CLINT RILEY 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ASH HOCKEY (18)

“I’ve been really happy with the calibre of players we’ve gotten in to the playing group.”

— Dale Osborne, Coach

M

ooroopna is intent on clawing its way back up the table this Goulburn Valley League season.

Bayden Fallon

Page 20 Football and Netball 2019

The Cats have only won four games across their past three campaigns — but with an envious list of inclusions coming to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve over summer, this could be the year the club’s fortunes turn around.

“I’ve been really happy with the calibre of players we’ve gotten in to the playing group,” Mooroopna coach Dale Osborne said.

“We want to be competitive this year. We think we underachieved massively last year so we’re hoping that we can be on the winning side of things a lot more than in the past.

“The group is super fit and really looking forward to having a crack at Shepparton under lights in round one.”

Key forward Hudson Thomas — who will also fill the position of playing assistantcoach — key defender Kyle Gray and electric midfielder Kai Love-Linay will all quickly become household names across Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway, while the likes of Tyson McKenzie, Will Hetherington and Max Daunt also have Osborne excited for the year ahead.

“Hudson is a big key forward and

that is really what we’ve been crying out for,” Osborne said.

“He played VFL footy with Kyle Gray at Frankston and they will both add a lot to our group along with Kai. “Kyle’s going to be an absolute champion in the league, and I think Will is going to dominate the comp as well coming across from Inverloch.”

Back-to-back best-and-fairest winner Clint Riley will leave a massive hole in Mooroopna’s midfield as he returns to play football in Tasmania, while the likes of Ajak Dang, Aaron French and Trent Herbert have moved on from the Cats.

But Osborne is confident in his list and its ability to cover the losses.

“All the players are wanting to push the club forward towards the success it definitely deserves,” he said.

“There are a few new faces around, Bill Dowling has come on board as president and I think the club is in a really good position.

“Everyone is working in the same direction, which is great.”

Matt Deane is “absolutely flying” on the track according to Osborne and will captain the Cats this season.

TYLER MAHER

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE MOOROOPNA’S SEASON FIXTURE “We want to be competitive this year. We think we underachieved massively last year so we’re hoping that we can be on the winning side of things a lot more than in the past.”

— Dale Osborne, Coach

Nathan Turner

Matt Deane

Mooroopna has added something of almost everything this season — a key forward, premium defender and top-line midfielders — and will be stronger on every line.

WHY THEY CAN’T: The Cats are coming from a long way back and will be much more focused on development than attempting a flag heist this season. Osborne’s troops will be hoping for a minimum of four victories, with anything more than that a bonus.

SHEPPARTON (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

MANSFIELD (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

APRIL 25

ROUND 5

TATURA (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

SEYMOUR (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

EUROA (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

ECHUCA (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

ROCHESTER (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

BENALLA (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

KYABRAM (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

SHEPPARTON (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

MANSFIELD (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

TATURA (A)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

SEYMOUR (A)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

EUROA (H)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Kyle Gray

Matt Deane

WHY THE CATS CAN WIN IT:

ROUND 1

A huge inclusion for the Cats, Gray brings almost 100 games of combined Dandenong Stingrays and VFL experience to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve. The key defender is one of many top-line stars heading to Mooroopna this season, but his role in defence will be as much about stopping goals as teaching the younger talent around him how to do the same.

IN: Hudson Thomas (Noble Park), Kyle Gray (Edithvale-Aspendale), Kai Love-Linay (East Brighton), Tyson McKenzie (Warburton-Millgrove), Will Hetherington (InverlochKongwak), Michael Coad (Stanhope), Max Daunt (East Point), Tom Brennan (injury) OUT: Clint Riley (Tasmanian State League), Ajak Dang (Rushworth), Aaron French (East Malvern), Malcolm Hedges (Kyabram), Trent Herbert (Katandra), Ash Hockey (Undera), Rob Osborne (retired)

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Watch the Shepparton News Footy Show at foxyandjr.sheppnews.com.au every Thursday.

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LOYALTY, RESPECT, PASSION, DETERMINATION AND INTEGRITY

JOIN US AT

RUMBALARA Rumbalara FNC & Kaiela Institute, gundja wamadaman woka Kaielthban, Yorta Yorta

I am proud to be patron and number one ticket holder of the Rumbalara FNC — an organisation that changes attitudes and transforms lives. The Rumbalara FNC has for over 20 years, nurtured reconciliation and well-being for the Goulburn Valley’s Aboriginal community and during that time has been a strong advocate for social inclusion for the diverse range of people living in the region.

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Rumbalara FNC & Kaiela Institute resides on lands of the Kaielthban of the Yorta Yorta

– The honourable Linda Dessau AC

2019 rumbalara home games Round 1: April 6 It’s a great community. It brings us all together.

My kids love it. We all love Rumba!

– Jess Bamblett

Rumbalara v Congupna

Round 4: April 27

Rumbalara v Cobram

Round 6: May 11

Rumbalara v Deniliquin

Round 9: June 8

h

Rumbalara v Numurka

Rumba brings the best out in people. It provides a safe place for all. It gave me a strong backbone and teaches young people about respect.

At Rumbalara we know that coming together through sport is important but there are so many more rewards. Rumbalara is also a family club where everyone in the community can feel welcome and connected. These links strengthen culture, self-esteem, health and wellbeing for everyone.

– Uncle Alf Turner

– Chris Egan

Round 11: June 22

Rumbalara v Barooga

Round 14: July 20

Rumbalara v Katandra

Round 16: August 3

Rumbalara v Moama

Round 17: August 17 afl collingwood player

Rumbalara v Tungamah

Round 18: August 24 Rumbalara v Finley

We welcome people from all backgrounds. Please call us on 5822 4364 to talk about joining our club. admin@rfnc.com.au 5822 4364 www.rfnc.com.au

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Rochester Tigers FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1913 TO 1914, 1973 TO PRESENT NICKNAME: TIGERS GROUND: MOON OVAL COACH: JAMES FLAHERTY PRESIDENT: MAX HANN PREMIERSHIPS: 1914, 1992, 1999, 2008 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: M. KEENAN (1988), P. MORGAN (1994), G. CAMPBELL (2011), A. WATSON (2015) 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (8–10) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: DOUG WREN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: STEVEN STROOBANTS (54)

W

ith an influx of new and exciting players donning the black and yellow this season, hopes are high at Rochester.

After what most in town called a disappointing 2018 season, the Tigers will be out to prove a point this year — starting with their round one match against their old foe, Echuca.

Tigers coach James Flaherty, in his fifth year at the club, has high hopes for his team this year, pointing to the addition of quality midfielders and young guns as the reason it will play finals.

The club has been steadily dropping down the Goulburn Valley League ladder since its second place finish in 2016, where Rochester lost the grand final to Kyabram by an agonizing 13 points.

Since then the Tigers have finished fifth (2017) and eighth (2018).

But Flaherty said he had a plan to halt the downward trend — music, no doubt, to the ears of the Rochester community.

“We are trying to improve our ball movement and ball use as best we can, and we were happy with some boys who came into the midfield last year, the likes of Jackson McEwen who was up there in our best and fairest count,” he said.

“It’s always hard to tell what other clubs have done in the off-season, but we expect Kyabram and Shepparton to be really strong this year, so we just worry about ourselves and what we can influence, really.

“We hope to improve on our record last year, 8–10, because finals is something we expect out here and we want to improve that and get back to where we want to be.”

Flaherty said the team would be far more settled and regimented this season than it had been in previous years.

“We were going through a fair changeover last year and we started the season well, and finished well too, it was just the middle part where we lost three or four games by a few goals that let us down,” he said.

“If you win those matches you’re in finals. So with that, we were disappointed not to play finals.

“We are pretty happy with our recruiting, it’s the complete opposite to last year, where last year we lost quite a few, but we’ve done the opposite and kept everyone and gained four or five this year.

“We’ve got a few thirds coming up, but in terms of coming in from outside the club, we’ve got a few making the step up to the GVL this year and some returning to the club.”

“We were going through a fair changeover last year and we started the season well, and finished well too, it was just the middle part where we lost three or four games by a few goals that let us down,” – James Flaherty, Coach

James Gledhill

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROCHESTER’S SEASON FIXTURE

“We hope to improve on our record last year, 8–10, because finals is something we expect out here and we want to improve that and get back to where we want to be.”

– James Flaherty, Coach

Nathan Marrone

ROUND 1

ECHUCA (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

EUROA (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

KYABRAM (H)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

TATURA (A)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

BENALLA (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

SHEPPARTON (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

MOOROOPNA (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

MANSFIELD (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

SEYMOUR (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

ECHUCA (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

EUROA (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

KYABRAM (A)

JULY 21

ROUND 15

TATURA (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

BENALLA (A)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Doug Wren Pocketed a best-and-fairest in his first season at Rochester, stepping up from the KDFL to GVL with ease and quickly becoming one of the side’s most vital midfielders.

As reliable as the day is long, Wren will again be a key cog in the Tiger machine, with ball-use a strength for the emerging star.

Jackson McEwen

IN: Liam Bartels (South Bendigo), Mitch Bright, Dan Hill (Colbinabbin), Callum Doyle (Moama), Mitch McEwen (LeitchvilleGunbower), Isaiah Miller (South Bendigo), Dan Russell (Heathcote) OUT: Dylan Cuttriss (retired)

WHY THE TIGERS CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T:

Clearly Rochester got its recruiting right last season with Wren and Jackson McEwen instant stars, so there’s no reason this year’s crop — Mitch McEwen, Isaiah Miller and Callum Doyle — can’t prove exactly the same. Flaherty and Gledhill is one of the best defensive pairings in the league and Stroobants remains a reliable goalkicker.

Only won eight games last season and finished eighth on the ladder — there is a lot of ground to make up. Lost four games by 14 points or less, so its youngsters need to learn how to win and might lack the forward line power to kick winning scores.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 25

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Seymour Lions FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1940; 1976 TO PRESENT NICKNAME: LIONS GROUND: KINGS PARK CO-COACHES: JASON COLE & BEN CLIFTON PRESIDENT: GERARD O’SULLIVAN PREMIERSHIPS: 1976, 1981, 1982, 1991, 2005, 2006, 2007 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: C. FROELICH (1940), G. LIDDELL (1978), J. SOLOMON (1989), S. SCHOTTNER (2004) 2018 FINISH: NINTH (7–11) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JASON COLE 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: HARLEY TAYLOR-LLOYD (31)

Jason Cole

T

here is a buzz of excitement around Seymour, with several new players set to call Kings Park home.

The Lions are heading into their first full season under the wings of co-coaches Jason Cole and Ben Clifton, after the duo gained a feel for the role last year.

Tom Freeman, Lachlan Waite and Nick Clydesdale are returning to the den, while former Coburg and Aberfeldie players Tom McConville and Harrison Wade have also signed on.

Tom Hedley will also be returning after a stint at Castlemaine.

Clifton said their additions along with the continued development of existing players was a good recipe for enthusiasm.

“Tom (Freeman), Lachlan and Nick have all played numerous senior games at the club and all versatile in their ability to play all over the ground,” Clifton said. “(McConville and Wade) will bring knowledge and leadership to the Lions and will give extra depth to the midfield and surrounding positions.

“Jordan Hockley will also be like a new recruit for us this year since going through an ACL reconstruction after injuring his knee in a practice match last year and missing the entire season.

“Jordan is as keen as mustard and his dedication to rehab and training will surely see him have a great season back in the Lions’ jumper.”

Although finals were not on the cards for Seymour in 2018, the season was not without highlights.

Co-coach Cole showed the league

he was a force to be reckoned with, racking up a rare 61 possessions and six goals during a round 12 encounter with Benalla.

Cole was looking like a firm Morrison Medal contender, before injury stopped him and several team mates in their tracks.

Injuries took a toll on the Lions, with 41 players rotating through the team by the close of the season.

“Last year the injury list was bigger than the team at one stage, we had players getting injured constantly,” Clifton said.

He too fell to injury, however with time healing wounds, the injured Lions are set to be back out on the field in 2019.

“This year, having a healthy list, we will have more of a selection, which will be healthy for the club with people earning their spot in the team,” Clifton said.

Seymour has also said goodbye to Harry McLean to Avenel and Jay Edgar to Yea. Clifton said his youthful side’s biggest goal was to show improvement on last season.

“I think we won games that we shouldn’t have won and lost games we shouldn’t have lost,” Clifton said.

“Jason and I took over once the season had started so it was hard to implement the things we wanted.

“Now that we are in control of the overall structure we want to be more organised with our midfielders, forwards and backline so that we all know what to do.

For all the latest and breaking rural news

.com.au Page 26 Football and Netball 2019

GEORGIA SMITH

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEYMOUR’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

MANSFIELD (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

ECHUCA (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

BENALLA (A)

APRIL 19

ROUND 4

EUROA (H)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

SHEPPARTON (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

MOOROOPNA (A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

KYABRAM (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

TATURA (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

ROCHESTER (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

MANSFIELD (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

ECHUCA (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

BENALLA (H)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

EUROA (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

SHEPPARTON (H)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

MOOROOPNA (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

KYABRAM (A)

AUGUST 24

GAME CHANGER: Jason Cole If Seymour is getting back into finals this season maestro Cole will be leading the way. The magician wins the ball for fun, covers ground like no other and disposes of the ball with serious precision. He is the complete midfield package and one of the best players in country football.

Lachie Waite

IN: Nick Clydesdale (Strathfieldsaye), Tom Freeman (Prahran Assumption), Tom Hedley (Castlemaine), Tom McConville, Harrison Wade (Aberfeldie), Lachlan Waite (Glenroy)

Kyle Winter-Irving

OUT: Harry McLean (Avenel)

WHY THE LIONS CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T

Any side with Cole can win any game on any day, but the side is much more than just a one-man team. The forward line, spearheaded by Kyle Winter-Irving and Harley TaylorLloyd, is capable of big scores, while young players have another 15-odd games under their belts. Clifton and Hockley off injuries are big inclusions along with Waite.

The midfield depth below Cole is questionable, particularly when trying to match it with some of the competition’s stacked groups. Other teams have taken huge steps forward and while Waite is a big inclusion, it is hard to see how the Lions have made up the ground they need to after a 7–11 season.

SATURDAY MARCH 30 SHEPPARTON

|

LAVERTON

|

GEELONG

Football and Netball 2019 Page 27

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Shepparton Bears FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BEARS GROUND: DEAKIN RESERVE COACH: SEAN HARRAP PRESIDENT: WILL PHILLIPS PREMIERSHIPS: 1899, 1903, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1920, 1925, 1929, 1934, 1952, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2018 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: E. JAMES (1935–37), J. DALGLEISH (1960), D. CODE (1980–81), G. REESE (1982 JOINT), S. ASH (2000, 2003 JOINT), M. BYERS (2005), N. ROKAHR (2018 JOINT) 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (17–5) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: NIK ROKAHR 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: LUKE SMITH (66)

S

hepparton crested Mount Everest last September in the most heartstopping fashion possible — and the task now is to head back down to base camp and do it all again.

The Bears enter the new campaign with the coveted tag of reigning premiers but a new-look line-up will have to take it to another level to avoid being knocked off that desirable perch.

Five members of their grand final line-up have departed Deakin Reserve, a list co-headlined by Morrison Medal winner Nik Rokahr and leading goalkicker Luke Smith, the duo earning contracts from Geelong’s VFL side.

But premiership coach Sean Harrap said it was up to this year’s group to seize the opportunity in front of it and not leave the 2018 success as a flash in the pan.

“We’ve just got to keep them on the go and be open and honest about it — my big direction is not to be happy with 2018,” he said.

“We’ve retained a lot of our players but guys leaving gives others an opportunity.

“We want to see natural progression of five to 10 per cent improvement from all our guys and new blokes come in with fire in the belly; 2019 is another year and another challenge.”

Also departing are regular seniors Stuart Hobijn-Allen and Jordan McGregor with grand final hero Jordon Butts drafted to Adelaide’s rookie list, but the toughest assignment will be replacing the impact of Smith and Rokahr, two of the league’s top-10 players.

Joel Brett

HSA FORKLIFTS • • • •

HSA HSA HSA HSA

Harrap said the return of Tom Thorsen and Mitch Trevaskis along with the addition of VFL-listed Nathalia key position prospect Tom Boyd would help address the situation.

“Tom Thorsen has gone away and really matured since he was last here in 2014,” he said.

“He will play a mid/forward role and he’s a different type to Smithy, but he will hit the scoreboard and can play that role.

“Rokes as a Morrison medallist and what he’s done the last three years, that’s very hard to replace. But it does create opportunities for others, whether it’s an (Anthony) Andronaco, a Liam Duguid or even a Ted Lindon getting on-ball a bit.”

Remaining is a core of consistent contributors including premiership players Nick Allan, Ash Holland, and Mitch and Joel Brett, with the side to need more from emerging weapons Andronaco, Duguid and Jonty Wardle.

Whether or not the Bears can go back-to-back, Harrap felt his task was to continue to push his talented group as hard as possible to extract everything from it.

“I’m a second-year coach now, I’m not reinventing the wheel or anything but you can’t do the same old things that brought us a premiership last year,” he said.

“It might be a different dynamic but when teams come and face the Shepparton footy club, we want them to know they’ll be in for a tough day.”.”

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Page 28 Football and Netball 2019

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAME CHANGER: Joel Brett The young talent added grunt to his already silky game last season and proved influential in the Bears’ premiership.

Learned how to hit the scoreboard with 38 goals for the campaign including 11 in four finals outings. Brett is a genuine candidate to fill either the Rokahr or Smith role, such is his versatility and potential.

SHEPPARTON’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

MOOROOPNA (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

KYABRAM (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

APRIL 19

ROUND 4

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

SEYMOUR (H)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

BENALLA (A)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

TATURA (H)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

ROCHESTER (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

MANSFIELD (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

ECHUCA (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

EUROA (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

MOOROOPNA (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

KYABRAM (A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

SEYMOUR (A)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

BENALLA (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

TATURA (A)

AUGUST 24

WHY THE BEARS CAN WIN IT:

Anthony Andronaco

“We’ve just got to keep them on the go and be open and honest about it — my big direction is not to be happy with 2018.”

– Sean Harrap, Coach

They did it last year, and they’re the champions until someone knocks them off. Many of last year’s keys — think the Bretts, Andronaco, Duguid, Wardle and Boyd — are young and improving, and will now play with the confidence of premiership players. Surprised plenty last season, so why can’t they do it again?

Jonty Wardle IN: Tom Boyd (Nathalia), Lenny O’Sullivan, Kane Thompson (Dookie United), Tom Simkin (Strathmerton), Tom Thorsen (Labrador), Mitch Trevaskis (Tongala) OUT: Jordon Butts (Adelaide AFL), Stuart Hobijn-Allen (Pascoe Vale), Jordan McGregor (Strathmore), Nik Rokahr, Luke Smith (Geelong VFL)

WHY THEY CAN’T: If you take the top-two in any side’s best and fairest out of the line-up it will go backwards. After a premiership that magical, it is fair to wonder where the motivation to do it all again comes from, particularly for veterans like Allan, Hiscock and O’Sullivan who have now achieved the ultimate.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Shepparton Swans FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1946 (AS LEMNOS FOOTBALL CLUB) NICKNAME: SWANS GROUND: PRINCESS PARK COACH: PAUL HAWKE PRESIDENT: RICHARD BELL PREMIERSHIPS: 1959, 1960, 1970, 2014 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: B. TYQUIN (1949), R. ORRMAN (1951, 1954, 1959), N. SMITH (1975), M. LAMBOURN (1996), ALL AS LEMNOS; J. SUTHERLAND (2002), B. DURBRIDGE (2009) AS SHEPPARTON SWANS 2018 FINISH: 12TH (2–16) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ROB STAFF 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAMES BENNETT (EIGHT)

“We’re not setting any goals, we don’t want to cap our performance at a number of games won,”

Rob Staff

– Paul Hawke, Coach

I

t’s back to the future for the team at Princess Park this year.

The Shepparton Swans will welcome back multiple 2014 premiership-winning players to the fold including Nathan Barolli, Tom Preece, Mitch Bell and Quade Johnstone.

The Swans’ coach Paul Hawke re-committed in July last year along

with 2014 premiership star Bell, showcasing the determination and hunger to bring the once mighty club forward to the future.

“We have had fantastic numbers across the pre-season, averaging around 30 players at training and the thirds have been getting plenty to training too,” Hawke said.

“Our main focus is working on skill

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and game-style scenarios, it’s a facet of our game that we need to improve.

“We’ve also wanted to improve running and fitness by 10–30 per cent, because so much hinges on fitness these days.”

As well as the 2014 premiership stars, the Swans have lured back former co-captains Preece and Andrew Riordan, in a bid to mix the

old dogs with the young pups.

The Swans were unable to win a game last year as they were planted to the bottom of the ladder, but one would think that looking back to the glory of 2014 helps erase the tough years they’ve endured recently.

“We’ve got a great blend of past and new players at the moment with the

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Page 30 Football and Netball 2019

returning blokes and the youngsters coming through,” Hawke said.

“Hopefully the experience we’ve brought in can set the standard for the younger fellas on and off the field.

“Also, having a great crop of thirds kids will create a competition for spots, which is healthy for a senior side.”

A number of Swans players have re-committed to the club this year, with Jimmy Bennet, Rob Staff, Mitch Small, Tyreece Collison, Andrew Marshall and Jared Service all returning.

Looking at the season ahead, Hawke highlighted the club wasn’t going to set a goal, or a total of games won that it would like to reach. Instead, the second-year coach wants to see improvement in other areas that won’t be recorded.

“We’re not setting any goals, we don’t want to cap our performance at a number of games won,” Hawke said.

“But if we can be competitive, if the youngsters can develop into great senior footballers, then hopefully it puts us within striking distance of the rest of the competition.”

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE Quade Johnstone

Mitch Bell

SHEPP SWANS’ SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

BENALLA (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

MOOROOPNA (A)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

SHEPPARTON (H)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

ROCHESTER (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

ECHUCA (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

MANSFIELD (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

SEYMOUR (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

KYABRAM (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

EUROA (H)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

TATURA (A)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

BENALLA (A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

MOOROOPNA (H)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

SHEPPARTON (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

ROCHESTER (H)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

ECHUCA (A)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

MANSFIELD (H)

AUGUST 24

IN: Nathan Barolli (Shepparton East), Mitch Bell (Whitsunday Sea Eagles), Ian Fry, Darby Walsh (Picola United), Quade Johnstone (South Bendigo), Isaiah Jones, Jack Threlfall (Congupna), Tommy Magee (Peel FNL), Tom Preece (North London), Andrew Riordan (Katandra) OUT: Rhys Healey, Romain Grenville (Elmore), Mitch Hough (Castlemaine)

WHY THE SWANS CAN WIN IT: GAME CHANGER: Mitch Bell The 2014 premiership star player has returned after a stint with AFL Mackay side, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles. The star ruckman will help improve the depleted tall-timber stocks at the Swans and will be influential across the ground with his big pack marks.

The Swans have a great blend of experience and freshness that should mix well together and potentially see the 2014 premiers climb off the bottom of the ladder. The players that have returned are all talented footballers and would walk into a number of GV senior sides, while young talents have another year of senior football under their belts

WHY THEY CAN’T: It’ll be a tough process manoeuvring up from the bottom of the ladder and into finals contention all in the space of one year. You have got to appreciate Hawke’s realistic views for the season ahead, and if it is not this year bet your money they can do it the next.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Shepparton United Demons FAST FACTS >> JOINED LEAGUE: 1950 NICKNAME: DEMONS GROUND: DEAKIN RESERVE COACH: STEPHEN SCOTT PRESIDENT: CRAIG BLIZZARD PREMIERSHIPS: 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1967, 1974, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2010, 2011 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: J. WILLIAMS (1984), P. FOOTT (1992) 2018 FINISH: 10TH (4–14) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: SHANE NEAVES 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JACK NORMAN (24)

S

hepparton United has welcomed back an influx of former club greats to Deakin Reserve during the summer in a bid to guide its youngsters forward.

Matt Rendina

GAME CHANGER: Matt Rendina The former Demon is in the prime of his career and is coming off a club best and fairest with Shepparton East last year. We know the class that Rendina will bring to the table, having won a premiership at United already.

The off-season recruits have all had substantial roles at the club in years past, with premiership players Matt Rendina, Dwain Vidler, Shannon Campbell and Tim Looby all returning to the Demons’ lair.

Vidler joins from Shepparton East — after five years coaching at the Eagles which involved one premiership — and will assist secondyear coach Stephen Scott.

Matt Rendina won the club best and fairest at Shepparton East last year and shows no signs of slowing down, with plenty of great football left in the system.

Scott revealed the reason for the bigname returns and said their experience would be instrumental to the development of the younger players at the club.

“Those [returning] fellas feel the time is right to come back to a place that’s special for them and they will all bring plenty of experience along for the youngsters,” Scott said.

“Especially the guys under 21 years of age, they’re all enthusiastic at training and ready to learn.”

Scott said the seniors had given excessive running the boot during the pre-season, opting instead to incorporate as much ball use as possible.

“We’ve tried to stray away from time trials and that type of stuff this summer.

“Instead, we’ve been focusing on

“Our main aim this year is to just be competitive and not have blowouts like we did last year,” – Stephen Scott, Coach skill use and doing training drills that involve both footies and running,” the second-year coach said.

“The younger guys at training have been fantastic, they’re training the house down and have brought into the whole process.”

Many of the players from last year thirds side who made it to the final have stuck around and will be pushing for senior selection throughout the year.

United finished the season last year in 10th position — picking up four wins — but was dealt numerous heavy defeats, like the 198-point drubbing at the hands of eventual premier Shepparton.

“Our main aim this year is to just be competitive and not have blowouts like we did last year,” Scott said.

“We were competitive for a majority of the games, but the end scores did not reflect our efforts.

“If we can be competitive for four quarters of footy, hopefully the results come our way.”

United suffered an agonising blow at the start of March, with VFL-listed youngster Angus Hicks suffering a broken leg.

Hicks had committed to his junior club for 2019 but this injury setback points to an indefinite return for the talented youngster.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE UNITED’S SEASON FIXTURE

Shane Neaves

Jack Norman

ROUND 1

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

TATURA (A)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

SHEPPARTON (A)

APRIL 19

ROUND 4

MOOROOPNA (H)

APRIL 25

ROUND 5

MANSFIELD (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

ROCHESTER (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

ECHUCA (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

EUROA (A)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

SEYMOUR (H)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

KYABRAM (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

BENALLA (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

SHEPPARTON SWANS (A)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

TATURA (H)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

SHEPPARTON (H)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

MOOROOPNA (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

MANSFIELD (H)

AUGUST 3

ROUND 17

ROCHESTER (H)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

ECHUCA (H)

AUGUST 24

IN: Shannon Campbell, Tom Campbell, David Gillespie, Duane Hueston, Matt Rendina, Brendan Scott, Angus Sutherland, Dwain Vidler (Shepparton East), Angus Hicks (Old Melburnians), Tim Looby (Myrtleford).

OUT: Samuel Burls (Cobram), Zachary Rundell-Gordon (Tyntynder).

WHY THE DEMONS CAN WIN IT: The return of multiple favourite sons could spur on the Demons this year. The returning players all ooze senior GVL experience, having won multiple flags. If they can mix that with the rising young talent at the club, look out for United to rise up the ladder.

WHY THEY CAN’T It is a big ask for United to flick the switch after one summer together with so many returning players. The returning players have a few winters under their belts. Plus, another season under the belt for the youngsters will do wonders for them in the long run.

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Tatura Bulldogs FAST FACTS >>:JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BULLDOGS GROUND: TATURA PARK COACH: JAMASON DANIELS PRESIDENT: JOHN MAHER PREMIERSHIPS: 1898, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1952, 1953, 1995, 1998, 2003, 2012 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: W. PRITCHARD (1947), J. GREENWOOD (1969, 1970), N. SMITH (1974), T. ESLER (1995 JOINT) 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (11–1–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: MITCH ELLIOTT & BRAD RYAN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: BRANDYN GRENFELL (57)

T

he price of entry at Tatura Park this season will be paid gleefully by all and sundry, just so they might catch a glimpse of one of the most tantalising midfield groups in recent Goulburn Valley League memory.

Brandyn Grenfell

The masses of Bulldogs fans ringing the oval will have plenty of fresh faces to cheer on in the senior side this year, with most of the recruits expected to slot straight into Tatura’s starting line-up.

Former Western Bulldogs and Carlton midfielder Jason Tutt is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, with Numurkah duo Nick Fothergill and Jordan O’Dwyer and returning pair James Sullivan (De La Salle) and Matt Shannon (injury) expected to feature consistently in an already-stacked on-ball brigade.

Add proven Blues defender Braydon Sutton and mentors Lucas White (assistant coach) and Paul Kirby (midfield coach) and the Bulldogs are primed for success in 2019.

But playing-coach Jamason Daniels is confident his side will not buy into the hype — preferring his charges to keep their minds firmly focused on the task at hand.

“It’s been good to get some quality guys on board and strengthen the coaching department as well,” Daniels said.

“As well as good midfielders we needed blokes who can go forward and kick goals — because that’s where we were exposed a bit last year — and those guys we’ve brought in can all do that.

“It’s been a big pre-season but at this time of the year everyone’s had a big pre-season.

The proof will be in the pudding once we step out there.

“The group’s got to jell together, the players have to buy in to the game plan and I don’t

care what anyone says, there’s no bigger test than playing Kyabram at Kyabram first-up in round one.”

Fothergill (Williamstown) and Shannon (Box Hill) will spend time in the VFL at stages this year, but with the likes of Mitch Elliott, Sean Martin, Jaydan Thewma, the evergreen Linc Wellington and Daniels himself jostling for midfield minutes there will be plenty of talent under the feet of premium ruckman Brandyn Grenfell all season.

As well as coaching the midfield group, Kirby’s return to Tatura will be crucial in providing guidance for budding big-man Aubrey Coote.

“We’re still in a real development phase with Aubrey,” Daniels said.

“There’s not too many 200-plus centimeter 18-year-olds who are ready to go at this level.

“Him and Kirby’s relationship has just blossomed already, and he’s going to have so much of an impact on him this year.

“The position we’re in as a club is that we don’t have one-pointers coming into the side, so we have to keep players, and when we recruit we’re doing it for the future as well as now.”

Former captain Tom Miller headlines a short list of outs for the Bulldogs, with the club favourite heading north to the Southport Sharks in the NEAFL. “We’re definitely going to miss Tommy,” Daniels said.

“He’s been a cherished and much-loved member of the Tatura footy club and the courage he always shows on game day will be sorely missed.”

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GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE “As well as good midfielders we needed blokes who can go forward and kick goals — because that’s where we were exposed a bit last year — and those guys we’ve brought in can all do that.“ – Jamason Daniels, Coach

TATURA’S SEASON FIXTURE ROUND 1

KYABRAM (A)

APRIL 6

ROUND 2

SHEPPARTON UNITED (H)

APRIL 13

ROUND 3

ECHUCA (A)

APRIL 20

ROUND 4

ROCHESTER (H)

APRIL 27

ROUND 5

MOOROOPNA (A)

MAY 4

ROUND 6

EUROA (H)

MAY 11

ROUND 7

SHEPPARTON (A)

MAY 25

ROUND 8

MANSFIELD (H)

JUNE 1

ROUND 9

BENALLA (A)

JUNE 8

ROUND 10

SEYMOUR (A)

JUNE 15

ROUND 11

SHEPPARTON SWANS (H)

JUNE 22

ROUND 12

KYABRAM (H)

JUNE 29

ROUND 13

SHEPPARTON UNITED (A)

JULY 6

ROUND 14

ECHUCA (H)

JULY 20

ROUND 15

ROCHESTER (A)

JULY 27

ROUND 16

MOOROOPNA (H)

AUGUST 10

ROUND 17

EUROA (A)

AUGUST 17

ROUND 18

SHEPPARTON (H)

AUGUST 24

IN: Matt Shannon (injury), Nick Fothergill, Jordan O’Dwyer, Braydon Sutton (Numurkah), Jason Tutt, James Sullivan (De La Salle), James Fraser, Lucas White (Stanhope), Anthony Miller, Anthony Walker, Keadin Ronnan (Rumbalara), Jai Utiger, Troy Scott (Tallygaroopna), Paul Kirby (Echuca United) OUT: Tom Miller (Southport), Dylan Minutoli, Mat Cornwall (Congupna), David Comi (Nagambie)

Nick Fothergill

GAME CHANGER: Jason Tutt

Linc Wellington

WHY THE BULLDOGS CAN WIN IT:

WHY THEY CAN’T:

An already stacked midfield group will welcome arguably an entire frontline on board this season with the likes of Nick Fothergill, Jason Tutt, Jordan O’Dwyer, James Sullivan and a healthy Matt Shannon staking their claim for minutes on the ball. Consistently winning the centre clearance count is a sure-fire way to taste deep September action.

Will too many cooks spoil the broth?

Trying to squeeze so many premium midfielders into the line-up could compromise the Bulldogs in other areas of the ground.

DRIVE GREEN

AFL experience is worth its weight in gold in country football circles — not just for the expected output on the field but the impact on impressionable young players around the signing. By all reports Tutt has already proved his importance to the Bulldogs without kicking a football in anger, leading from the front throughout the pre-season.

His sublime skills and goal-kicking prowess will be handy added bonuses too.

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ECHUCA

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Be part of the game Head to your regional news websites for all your football and netball updates

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JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Under-16 youth girls Finley

Junior competition continues to grow T

he upcoming 2019 Shepparton District Junior Football season is fast approaching and already the excitement is buzzing for a ripping installment.

Another year yields yet another inclusion into the Keatings under-16 competition, with the league welcoming Echuca United into the fold.

The Brokerhouse under-14 competition has not had to deal with any entries or exits from the league and will again be running with 12 teams. AFL Goulburn Murray’s junior competition and events co-ordinator Bree Boyle is excited to have Echuca United enter the under-16 competition.

“We welcome the inclusion of Echuca United into the league, which will now provide an opportunity for the league to split into two divisions,” Boyle said.

SDJFL president Mick Betson agreed on the anticipation surrounding Echuca United joining the competition this season and congratulated the growing participation numbers in the Echuca/Moama area.

“It’s great to have Echuca enter the competition in the under-16s, the number of youngsters playing football out there is terrific for the competition,” Betson said.

Boyle highlighted the continued growth in the junior girls, noting there will be two new sides enter the MBCM Youth Girls competition with Moama and Seymour entering the fray, however Euroa will not partake this season.

“The MBCM Youth Girls continue to go from strength to strength as we welcome Moama and Seymour to the league,” Boyle said.

“Numbers in the Campaspe region for youth girls is thriving with the addition of Moama to the youth girls, but also 30+ players still showing up to Echuca youth girls.

“Unfortunately, Euroa youth girls will go into recess this year, but they hope to come back bigger next year,” she said.

“The league wishes SGR Giants all the best, as they move their under-10 team to the Goulburn Campaspe JFL to join their under-12/14 teams in the one league.”

The seasons for the under-16 and under-14 age groups kick-off on April 7, and the under-12s and under-10s get under way on April 27.

AYDIN PAYNE

“The MBCM Youth Girls continue to go from strength to strength as we welcome Moama and Seymour to the league.”

– Bree Boyle

Under-14 Echuca Murray Bombers Football and Netball 2019 Page 37

AFL EXPORTS

Region well represented in AFL ranks

T

he Goulburn Valley’s invasion of the AFL ranks continued in last year’s National Draft with a whopping five talents jumping to the big league.

Leading the way was Mooroopna’s Laitham Vandermeer, heading to the Western Bulldogs at pick 37, joined soon after by Leitchville’s Marty Hore (Melbourne) and Moama’s Lachie Schultz (Fremantle) with picks 56 and 57 respectively.

Western Bulldogs’ VFL best-andfairest-winner and Euroa product Will Hayes headed to his club’s senior list at pick 78 — the last pick of the National Draft — before Shepparton Bears premiership player Jordon Butts was nabbed by Adelaide in the rookie draft.

Hayes and Vandermeer were joined by Deniliquin’s Sam Lloyd in heading to the Bulldogs, traded from Richmond to complete a quartet of GV talent with Seymour’s Josh Schache.

Last season proved a breakout campaign for Mooroopna midfield bull Clayton Oliver and he seems poised to take his game to the next level, while 2018 brought another trip to the big dance for Tallygaroopna’s Steele Sidebottom, albeit one that ended in a heartbreaking loss for his Collingwood side against West Coast.

Port Adelaide continues to look to local products to power its line-up with Echuca’s Ollie Wines stepping up to co-captain the side, joined by Katamatite’s Tom Clurey, Moama’s Aidyn Johnson, Benalla’s Tom Rockliff, Rochester’s Joe Atley and Deniliquin’s Todd Marshall.

Speedster Jarman Impey impressed in his first season at Hawthorn and Mansfield’s James Cousins was elevated to the Hawks’ senior list after an impressive campaign, Daniel Howe (Rennie) and Harry Morrison (Benalla)

Becky Webster

completing the local connection.

Seymour midfield veteran David Mundy will play yet another year with the Dockers while Kyabram’s Brett Deledio will aim for consistent footy after an injury-riddled 2018 in which he managed just 11 games.

Benalla’s Jarrad Waite called time on his storied career at the end of last season after 244 games with Carlton and North Melbourne, while Mooroopna’s Nathan Drummond and Shepparton’s Michael Barlow were both delisted.

Another Benalla product, silky half-back Becky Webster, joined the AFLW ranks, taken by Geelong with pick seven.

ALEX MITCHELL

Clayton Oliver

LOCAL AFL PLAYERS Jordon Butts — Adelaide (Shepparton) Alex Keath — Adelaide (Kialla) Caleb Marchbank — Carlton (Benalla) Flynn Appleby — Collingwood (Cohuna) Jamie Elliott — Collingwood (Euroa) Steele Sidebottom — Collingwood (Tallygaroopna) David Mundy — Fremantle (Seymour) Lachie Schultz — Fremantle (Moama) Tom Hawkins — Geelong (Finley) Esava Ratugolea — Geelong (Cobram) Will Brodie — Gold Coast (Shepparton) Jarrod Harbrow — Gold Coast (Mooroopna) Nick Holman — Gold Coast (Kyabram) Brett Deledio — GWS (Kyabram) Sam Reid — GWS (Echuca) Page 38 Football and Netball 2019

Daniel Howe — Hawthorn (Rennie) Harry Morrison — Hawthorn (Benalla) James Cousins — Hawthorn (Mansfield) Jarman Impey — Hawthorn (Shepparton and Shepparton Swans) Marty Hore — Melbourne (Cohuna) Clayton Oliver — Melbourne (Mooroopna) Jy Simpkin — North Melbourne (Mooroopna) Sam Wright — North Melbourne (Katamatite) Shaun Atley — North Melbourne (Rochester) Tom Rockliff — Port Adelaide (Benalla) Ollie Wines — Port Adelaide (Echuca) Tom Clurey — Port Adelaide (Katamatite) Todd Marshall — Port Adelaide (Deniliquin) Joe Atley — Port Adelaide (Rochester)

Aidyn Johnson — Port Adelaide (Moama) Will Hayes — Western Bulldogs (Euroa) Sam Lloyd — Western Bulldogs (Deniliquin) Josh Schache — Western Bulldogs (Seymour) Laitham Vandermeer — Western Bulldogs (Mooroopna)

AFLW Angela Foley — Adelaide (Shepparton) Reni Hicks — Carlton (Nathalia) Sarah Hosking — Carlton (former Euroa netball coach) Jess Hosking — Carlton (former Euroa netballer) Julia Crockett-Grills — Geelong (Kyabram) Becky Webster — Geelong (Benalla) Bonnie Toogood — Western Bulldogs (Mansfield)

UMPIRES

Rule changes keep umpires on their toes T

his year the region’s umpires will be faced with several tricky introduced rule changes that were brought in during the off-season.

Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association president Andrew Moore highlighted there was a bit of difficulty in wrapping their heads around the introduced rule changes.

“The eight new rule changes have kept us on our toes over summer, we’ve been trying to get stuck into those,” Moore said.

“The hands-in-the-back interpretation has been a difficult one, and so has been the updated 50 m penalty, but I’ve got great confidence in our crop of umpires.

“It’s definitely a challenge on our end but we’ve had Darren Meek helping out with coaching and providing his experience, which everyone appreciates,” he said.

It’s been another hot and tiring pre-season for the officials, but good attendance numbers across the training track have kept spirits high.

The GVFUA have been setting up training nights in Seymour, Echuca,

Kyabram and Shepparton, with great turnouts across the summer.

“Numbers have been good since we started in mid-January; we could always have more numbers but we’re more than happy with the input of everyone so far,” Moore said.

Moore has also been impressed with the number of women who have taken up umpiring.

“We’ve got quite a few women umpiring and it’s great having facilities that can provide for them, so hopefully we can see more arrivals enter the association.”

Moore encouraged those who had thought about becoming an umpire to jump in and give it a crack, with everyone welcome to join in and learn the art of umpiring.

“No matter your age, if you’re interested in becoming an umpire come on down, we encourage everyone to give it a go.”

Anyone who is interested in putting their hand up at being an umpire can phone the association on 03 5821 870.

AYDIN PAYNE

2018 GVL grand final umpires Football and Netball 2019 Page 39

SHEPPARTON NETBALL ASSOCIATION

Memorable year on and off the court L

ast year was a big one for Shepparton Netball Association.

President Tracey Toy was ecstatic with how the year went; in particular how the arrival of the state’s best young netballers to Brauman St brought the area into the spotlight in October.

“Hosting the Victorian State Titles definitely helped boost netball in the region. Netball Victoria were very pleased at how Shepparton ran the event as hosts. We couldn’t have asked for more, it was very successful

Page 40 Football and Netball 2019

and we will definitely put in a bid to have them back in 2020,” she said.

But not all the action took place on the court, as the head honchos of Shepparton Netball were “dunked” for a charitable cause.

“We did a Big Freeze event to raise awareness for MND, where the likes of Diane Orr and I were submerged under water which was probably the highlight for the year. It was so different and everyone loved being a part of it, we are talking about doing it again.”

Looking into the year ahead, it will no doubt be another year of fast paced action to occur on the concrete but Toy is excited to see another facet of the game blossom.

“As well as seeing plenty of youngsters out there on the court playing, it was great to see a lot of young umpires which was also a big highlight. We are really going to focus on nurturing them and teaching them the skills needed this year,” Toy said.

LIAM NASH

“As well as seeing plenty of youngsters out there on the court playing, it was great to see a lot of young umpires which was also a big highlight. We are really going to focus on nurturing them and teaching them the skills needed this year,” – Tracey Toy

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LEAGUE FIXTURESLEAGUE FIXTURES

GOULBURN VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE Round 1

April 6 Euroa v Benalla Seymour v Mansfield Shepp United v Shepp Swans Kyabram v Tatura Rochester v Echuca Mooroopna v Shepparton

Round 2

April 13 Tatura v Shepp United Shepp Swans v Benalla Echuca v Seymour Mansfield v Mooroopna Euroa v Rochester Shepparton v Kyabram Round 3 April 19 Easter Benalla v Seymour Shepparton v Shepp United April 20 Echuca v Tatura Rochester v Kyabram Mansfield v Euroa Mooroopna v Shepp Swans

Round 4 April 25 Anzac Weekend Shepp United v Mooroopna April 27 Benalla v Mansfield Seymour v Euroa Shepp Swans v Shepparton Tatura v Rochester Kyabram v Echuca Round 5

May 4 Mansfield v Shepp United Mooroopna v Tatura Echuca v Benalla Euroa v Kyabram Shepparton v Seymour Rochester v Shepp Swans

Round 6

May 11 Mooroopna v Seymour Kyabram v Mansfield Shepp Swans v Echuca Tatura v Euroa Shepp United v Rochester Benalla v Shepparton

GENERAL BYE May 18

Round 7

May 25 Euroa v Mooroopna Seymour v Kyabram Mansfield v Shepp Swans Shepparton v Tatura Echuca v Shepp United Rochester v Benalla

Round 8

June 1 Benalla v Kyabram Tatura v Mansfield Shepparton v Rochester Euroa v Shepp United Shepp Swans v Seymour Echuca v Mooroopna

Round 9

June 8 Queen’s Birthday Benalla v Tatura Mansfield v Shepparton Echuca v Euroa Kyabram v Shepp Swans Rochester v Mooroopna Shepp United v Seymour

Round 10

June 15 Mooroopna v Benalla Shepparton v Echuca Kyabram v Shepp United

Shepp Swans v Euroa Rochester v Mansfield Seymour v Tatura

Round 11

June 22 Shepp United v Benalla Mansfield v Echuca Euroa v Shepparton Mooroopna v Kyabram Seymour v Rochester Tatuar v Shepp Swans

Round 12

June 29 Benalla v Euroa Mansfield v Seymour Shepp Swans v Shepp United Shepparton v Mooroopna Tatura v Kyabram Echuca v Rochester

Round 13

July 6 Shepp United v Tatura Benalla v Shepp Swans Seymour v Echuca Mooroopna v Mansfield Rochester v Euroa Kyabram v Shepparton

Round 14

July 20 Euroa v Mansfield Tatura v Echuca Seymour v Benalla Shepp United v Shepparton Shepp Swans v Mooroopna July 21 Kyabram v Rochester

Round 15

July 27 Mansfield v Benalla Mooroopna v Shepp United Echuca v Kyabram Euroa v Seymour Shepparton v Shepp Swans Rochester v Tatura Round 16 August 3 Split round Shepp United v Mansfield Kyabram v Euroa Benalla v Echuca August 10 Tatura v Mooroopna Seymour v Shepparton Shepp Swans v Rochester

Round 17

August 17 Seymour v Mooroopna Mansfield v Kyabram Echuca v Shepp Swans Euroa v Tatura Rochester v Shepp United Shepparton v Benalla

Round 18

August 24 Mooroopna v Euroa Kyabram v Seymour Shepp Swans v Mansfield Tatura v Shepparton Shepp United v Echuca Benalla v Rochester

Finals

Elim & Qual Final August 31 & September 1 1ST & 2ND SEMI FINAL September 7 & 8 Preliminary Final September 15 Grand Final September 22

GENERAL BYE

July 13

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE Round 1

Round 4

April 6 Tallygaroopna v Dookie United Avenel v Lancaster Violet Town v Ardmona Merrigum v Girgarre Murch-Tool v Rushworth Longwood v Shepp East Stanhope v Undera Bye — Nagambie

May 4 Nagambie v Girgarre Dookie United v Murch-Tool Lancaster v Longwood Violet Town v Undera Merrigum v Stanhope Rushworth v Shepp East Tallygaroopna v Ardmona Bye — Avenel

Round 2

Round 5

April 13 Tallygaroopna v Nagambie Avenel v Dookie United Ardmona v Lancaster Girgarre v Violet Town Murch-Tool v Merrigum Longwood v Rushworth Undera v Shepp East Bye — Stanhope April 20:

Easter Weekend General Bye ROUND 3

April 27 ANZAC Weekend Nagambie v Avenel Dookie United v Ardmona Lancaster v Girgarre Violet Town v Murch-Tool Merrigum v Longwood Rushworth v Undera Shepp East v Stanhope Bye — Tallygaroopna

May 11 Ardmona v Nagambie Girgarre v Dookie United Murch-Tool v Lancaster Longwood v Violet Town Undera v Merrigum Stanhope v Rushworth Avenel v Tallygaroopna Bye — Shepp East May 18: Community Championships v Golden Rivers

Round 6

May 25 Murch-Tool v Nagambie Longwood v Dookie United Undera v Lancaster Stanhope v Violet Town Shepp East v Merrigum Girgarre v Tallygaroopna Ardmona v Avenel Bye — Rushworth

Round 7

June 1 Nagambie v Longwood Dookie United v Undera Lancaster v Stanhope Violet Town v Shepp East Merrigum v Rushworth Tallygaroopna v Murch-Tool Avenel v Girgarre Bye — Ardmona

ROUND 8

Round 10

June 22 Shepp East v Nagambie Rushworth v Dookie United Merrigum v Lancaster Stanhope v Tallygaroopna Undera v Avenel Longwood v Ardmona Murch-Tool v Girgarre Bye — Violet Town

Round 11

June 8 Queen's Birthday Weekend Undera v Nagambie Stanhope v Dookie United Shepp East v Lancaster Rushworth v Violet Town Longwood v Tallygaroopna Murch-Tool v Avenel Girgarre v Ardmona Bye — Merrigum

June 29 Nagambie v Rushworth Dookie United v Merrigum Lancaster v Violet Town Tallygaroopna v Shepp East Avenel v Stanhope Ardmona v Undera Girgarre v Longwood Bye — Murch-Tool

Round 9

July 6 Merrigum v Nagambie Violet Town v Dookie United Rushworth v Tallygaroopna Shepp East v Avenel Stanhope v Ardmona

June 15 Nagambie v Stanhope Dookie United v Shepp East Lancaster v Rushworth Violet Town v Merrigum Tallygaroopna v Undera Avenel v Longwood Ardmona v Murch-Tool Bye — Girgarre

ROUND 12 (split)

ROUND 12 (split)

July 13 Undera v Girgarre Longwood v Murch-Tool Bye — Lancaster

Round 13

July 20 Nagambie v Violet Town Dookie United v Lancaster Tallygaroopna v Merrigum Avenel v Rushworth Ardmona v Shepp East Girgarre v Stanhope Murch-Tool v Undera Bye — Longwood

ROUND 14

July 27 Lancaster v Nagambie Violet Town v Tallygaroopna Merrigum v Avenel Rushworth v Ardmona Shepp East v Girgarre Stanhope v Murch-Tool Undera v Longwood Bye — Dookie United

Round 15

August 3 Nagambie v Dookie United Tallygaroopna v Lancaster Avenel v Violet Town Ardmona v Merrigum Murch-Tool v Shepp East Girgarre v Rushworth Longwood v Stanhope Bye — Undera

Round 16

August 10 Ardmona v Violet Town Girgarre v Merrigum Undera v Stanhope

Bye — Murch-Tool, Avenel, Rushworth, Tallygaroopna, Longwood, Dookie United, Nagambie, Shepp East, Lancaster

ROUND 17

August 17 Nagambie v Tallygaroopna Dookie United v Avenel Lancaster v Ardmona Merrigum v Murch-Tool Rushworth v Longwood Shepp East v Undera BYE — Stanhope, Violet Town, Girgarre

Round 18

August 24 Dookie United v Nagambie Lancaster v Tallygaroopna Violet Town v Avenel Rushworth v Girgarre Shepp East v Murch-Tool Stanhope v Longwood BYE — Merrigum, Ardmona, Undera

Finals Elim & Qual Final August 31 & September 1 1st & 2nd Semi Final September 7 & 8 Preliminary Final September 14 Grand Final September 2

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COBRAM RURAL (03) 5871 3333 KAROOK ST, COBRAM, VIC 3644

LEAGUE FIXTURESLEAGUE FIXTURES

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE Round 1

Round 6

April 6 Yarroweyah v Tocumwal Katamatite v Jerilderie Rennie v Waaia Picola v Katunga Deni Rovers v Berrigan Strathmerton v Blighty Bye — Mathoura

May 18 Katunga v Jerilderie Deni Rovers v Tocumwal Blighty v Mathoura Strathmerton v Yarroweyah Berrigan v Katamatite Rennie v Picola Bye — Waaia

Round 2

Round 7

April 13 Mathoura v Katamatite Tocumwal v Rennie Jerilderie v Picola Berrigan v Waaia Katunga v Strathmerton Blighty v Deni Rovers Bye Yarroweyah April 19 Tocumwal v Berrigan

Round 3

April 27 Yarroweyah v Rennie Picola v Mathoura Strathmerton v Jerilderie Waaia v Blighty Deni Rovers v Katunga Bye — Katamatite, Tocumwal, Berrigan

Round 4

May 4 Jerilderie v Mathoura Waaia v Yarroweyah Katunga v Katamatite Rennie v Deni Rovers Blighty v Picola Berrgian v Strathmerton Bye — Tocumwal

Round 5

May 11 Tocumwal v Waaia Mathoura v Katunga Yarroweyah v Deni Rovers Katamatite v Blighty Rennie v Strathmerton Picola v Berrigan Bye — Jerilderie

May 25 Waaia v Deni Rovers Jerilderie v Blighty Tocumwal v Strathmerton Mathoura v Berrigan Yarroweyah v Picola Katamatite v Rennie Bye — Katunga

Round 8

June 1 Blighty v Katunga Strathmerton v Waaia Berrigan v Jerilderie Picola v Tocumwal Rennie v Mathoura Katamatite v Yarroweyah Bye — Deni Rovers

Round 9

Round 11

June 22 Strathmerton v Picola Rennie v Blighty Deni Rovers v Katamatite Yarroweyah v Katunga Waaia v Mathoura Tocumwal v Jerilderie Bye — Berrigan

Round 12

June 29 Berrigan v Rennie Katamatite v Strathmerton Blighty v Yarroweyah Mathoura v Deni Rovers Katunga v Tocumwal Jerilderie v Waaia Bye — Picola

Round 13

Round 16

July 27 Rennie v Yarroweyah Mathoura v Picola Berrigan v Tocumwal Jerilderie v Strathmerton Blighty v Waaia Katunga v Deni Rovers Bye Katamatite

Round 17

August 3 Mathoura v Jerilderie Yarroweyah v Waaia Katamatite v Katunga Deni Rovers v Rennie Picola v Blighty Strathmerton v Berrigan Bye — Tocumwal

Round 18

July 6 Picola v Katamatite Yarroweyah v Berrigan Mathoura v Strathmerton Blighty v Tocumwal Jerilderie v Deni Rovers Bye — Katunga, Waaia, Rennie

August 10 Waaia v Tocumwal Katunga v Mathoura Deni Rovers v Yarroweyah Blighty v Katamatite Strathmerton v Rennie Berrigan v Picola Bye — Jerilderie

Round 14

Finals

June 8 Deni Rovers v Strathmerton Katunga v Berrigan Waaia v Picola Jerilderie v Rennie Tocumwal v Katamatite Mathoura v Yarroweyah Bye — Blighty

JulY 13 Tocumwal v Yarroweyah Jerilderie v Katamatite Waaia v Katunga Bye — Rennie, Picola, Berrigan, Deni Rovers, Blighty, Strathmerton, Mathoura

Round 10

Round 15

June 15 Berrigan v Blighty Picola v Deni Rovers Katunga v Rennie Katamatite v Waaia Yarroweyah v Jerilderie Tocumwal v Mathoura Bye — Strathmerton

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

July 20 Katamatite v Mathoura Rennie v Tocumwal Picola v Jerilderie Waaia v Berrigan Strathmerton v Katunga Deni Rovers v Blighty Bye — Yarroweyah

Elimination finals August 17 & 18 Qualifying finals August 24 & 25 Semi finals August 31 & September 1 Preliminary finals September 7 & 8 Grand final September 14

From Round 7 March 30 Finley v Rumbalara

Round 1

April 6 Moama v Tongala Deniliquin v Echuca United Rumbalara v Congupna Katandra v Barooga Cobram v Nathalia April 7 Tungamah v Mulwala Numurkah v Finley

Round 2

April 13 Tongala v Numurkah Echuca United v Rumbalara Mulwala v Katandra Congupna v Deniliquin Barooga v Tungamah Finley v Cobram Nathalia v Moama Round 3 April 19 Easter Moama v Echuca United Tongala v Nathalia Mulwala v Congupna Deniliquin v Finley Numurkah v Rumbalara April 20 Tungamah v Katandra @ Mulwala Cobram v Barooga

Round 4

April 27 Echuca United v Tongala Congupna v Moama Finley v Tungamah Rumbalara v Cobram Katandra v Deniliquin Barooga v Mulwala April 28 Nathalia v Numurkah

Round 5

May 4 Tungamah v Rumbalara Deniliquin v Barooga Tongala v Congupna Cobram v Katandra Moama v Finley Nathalia v Mulwala Numurkah v Echuca United

Round 6

May 11 Congupna v Tungamah Barooga v Moama Rumbalara v Deniliquin Finley v Nathalia Mulwala v Numurkah Echuca United v Cobram May 12 Katandra v Tongala

SHEPPARTON RURAL (03) 5832 3500 21 TELFORD DR, SHEPPARTON, VIC 3630

GENERAL BYE

Tongala v Moama Barooga v Nathalia Tungamah v Finley

MAY 18

Round 7

May 25 Moama v Mulwala Deniliquin v Tungamah Katandra v Echuca United Nathalia v Barooga Numurkah v Congupna Cobram v Tongala

Round 8

June 1 Finley v Katandra Mulwala v Echuca United Tungamah v Cobram Moama v Deniliquin Congupna v Nathalia Barooga v Numurkah Tongala v Rumbalara

Round 9

June 8 Deniliquin v Tongala Cobram v Mulwala Nathalia v Tungamah Echuca United v Moama Katandra v Congupna Rumbalara v Numurkah Finley v Barooga

Round 10

June 15 Tongala v Finley Congupna v Cobram Mulwala v Deniliquin Barooga v Katandra Moama v Rumbalara Tungamah v Echuca United June 16 Numurkah v Nathalia

Round 11

June 22 Echuca United v Congupna Deniliquin v Numurkah Finley v Mulwala Cobram v Moama Rumbalara v Barooga Tungamah v Tongala Katandra v Nathalia

Round 12

June 29 Nathalia v Rumbalara Deniliquin v Katandra Barooga v Echuca United Moama v Tungamah Numurkah v Cobram Congupna v Finley Tongala v Mulwala

Round 13

July 6 Mulwala v Rumbalara Katandra v Numurkah Cobram v Congupna Echuca United v Deniliquin

GENERAL BYE July 13

Round 14

July 20 Nathalia v Echuca United Numurkah v Moama Congupna v Tongala Rumbalara v Katandra Cobram v Tungamah Finley v Deniliquin Mulwala v Barooga

Round 15

July 27 Echuca United v Finley Moama v Nathalia Tungamah v Numurkah Deniliquin v Cobram Katandra v Mulwala Congupna v Rumbalara Tongala v Barooga Round 16 August 3 Split round Mulwala v Tungamah Finley v Tongala Nathalia v Congupna Echuca United v Katandra August 10 Numurkah v Deniliquin Rumbalara v Moama Barooga v Cobram

Round 17

August 17 Congupna v Katandra Deniliquin v Nathalia Cobram v Finley Numurkah v Mulwala Tongala v Echuca United Moama v Barooga Rumbalara v Tungamah

Round 18

August 24 Barooga v Congupna Mulwala v Cobram Echuca United v Numurkah Nathalia v Tongala Finley v Rumbalara Tungamah v Deniliquin Katandra v Moama Elim & Qual Final

August 31 & September 1 1st & 2nd Semi Final September 7 & 8 PRELIMINARY Final September 15 Grand Final September 21

WEBSITE WWW.RURALGROUP.COM.AU Football and Netball 2019 Page 43

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Ladder predictions

PREMIER 2018

Can any team stop the Purples?

N

athalia proved unstoppable in the Murray Football League once again last season — but can the Purples stay atop the competition for another year?

Last year’s premiership made it nine flags in 14 seasons for Nathalia, with two remarkable four-peats bookending that stretch.

The quest for a five-peat this campaign looks likely to be even tougher though, with challengers coming at the Purples thicker and faster than they have before.

Cobram looms as the massive mover after adding class and experience to its list of exciting rising stars, while Rumbalara will have June 29 circled in its calendar as it looks to get one back on the reigning premiers — who despite not scoring in the first half of the preliminary final rose from the canvas to extinguish Rumba’s grand final hopes.

Barooga has lost a host of top-end

talent but will be backing its juniors and unheralded stars to step up this year, with Numurkah also hoping departing players do not affect its ability to finish high on the table once more.

The next bunch of teams is where the Murray league will come alight this season.

The likes of Echuca United, Tongala and Congupna are all backing themselves to be big movers after brilliant summers, while Finley, Mulwala, Deniliquin and Moama will all hold hopes of playing finals football as well.

But only eight sides can squeeze their way into the post-season, and as always there will be a few unlucky outfits come September.

Fresh faces Tungamah and Katandra are sticking around in the Murray ranks as well and will almost certainly improve upon last year’s output after a stable off-season on

the track.

Shepparton East though has departed for the Kyabram District Football Netball League, bringing the number of teams in the Murray league to 14.

Every single one of them will believe it is their year to shine on that last day in September — but only time will tell whether any can halt Nathalia’s dynasty of dominance.

TYLER MAHER

1

Cobram

2

Rumbalara

3

Echuca United

4

Nathalia

5

Numurkah

6

Tongala

7

Congupna

8

Barooga

9

Finley

10

Mulwala

11

Tungamah

12

Deniliquin Rams

13

Moama

14

Katandra

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST 10 PREMIERS 2018: Nathalia 2017: Nathalia 2016: Nathalia 2015: Nathalia 2014: Rumbalara 2013: Echuca United 2012: Nathalia 2011: Deniliquin Rams 2010: Moama 2009: Tocumwal

PAST O’DWYER MEDALLISTS 2018: Brodie A’Vard (Barooga) 2017: Rhys Archard (Moama) 2016: Ned Morrison (Finley) 2015: Rhys Archard (Moama) 2014: Marcus Smith (Barooga) 2013: Ash Morris (Deniliquin Rams) 2012: Rowan Priest (Echuca United) 2011: Ryan Bongetti (Cobram) 2010: Ryan Bongetti (Cobram) 2009: Lee Warnett (Tocumwal)

Page 46 Football and Netball 2019

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Barooga Hawks FAST FACTS >> COACH: JAMES HAZELMAN MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (18–3) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BRODIE A’VARD 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: MATT DEMAIO (41) GROUND: BAROOGA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: HAWKS

A

fter falling to Murray Football League powerhouse Nathalia in last year’s grand final, Barooga has had somewhat of a reset over summer.

The Hawks have lost a large amount of top-end talent in the likes of Brodie A’Vard, Tyrone Downie, Matt Demaio, Will Gorman and Billy Andrew — but may go close to balancing the recruiting scales thanks to some hefty inclusions.

Brad Oats, Logan Morey, Dwyane Wilson, Zac Brain and Michael Sumner will prove more-than-handy additions to James Hazelman’s squad — and the playing-coach is confident the rest of the slack can be picked up by some rising stars of the competition.

“We have obviously lost quite a few players, which will hurt — it’s probably the biggest turnover in my time at the club,” Hazelman said.

“But we have been able to recruit really well and have worked hard to develop the younger talent, so I’m still pretty confident we can push up the top of the table.

“Lachlan Brown will step up and help cover the loss of speed from guys like Will and Billy, as will Zac Brain coming in.

“Wilson and Oats have SANFL experience, Morey has VFL

experience and has won a best-andfairest at Yarrawonga and Sumner is a former best-and-fairest winner for us — so we have lost a few but we’ve been able to get guys back to the club who have played good footy for us in the past or played junior footy with us before heading to a higher level.”

The large changes across the squad mean that despite making the last day in September last season the Hawks will present as an unknown quantity this year — but that does not bother Hazelman and his charges.

“In my previous years as coach I’ve known exactly where we sit and where we want to finish,” Hazelman said.

“This year’s a bit exciting because it’s a bit of an unknown, but the rest of the competition still has to make up that ground on us and Nathalia.

“We’re not going to be happy with falling off the face of the earth, because we didn’t put all of that hard work in over the past three or four years especially just to let it slip.

“I think we can still do some real damage.”

James Hazelman

Lachlan Brown

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: Logan Morey A former junior with VFL experience, Morey has cut his teeth as one of the premier defenders in the Ovens and Murray Football League — even winning Yarrawonga’s best-and-fairest award in 2016. His return to Barooga Recreation Reserve will not only help plug a hole across half-back though, with Morey set to dominate among the Murray ranks.

IN: Brad Oats (Mypolonga), Dwayne Wilson (Sturt), Zac Brain (Labrador), Logan Morey (Yarrawonga), Michael Sumner (Tailem Bend), Nick Macheda (Yarroweyah) OUT: Brodie A’Vard (Wodonga Raiders), Billy Andrew, Will Gorman (Yarrawonga), Cameron Cloke (Jacana), Matt Demaio (Cobram), Tyrone Downie, Brent Downie, Tim Brooks (Mitiamo)

SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOTBALL & NETBALL SINCE 1981 Best of luck for the 2019 season!

Football and Netball 2019 Page 47

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cobram Tigers FAST FACTS >> COACH: JOSH NOONAN MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1947, 1948, 1955, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1969, 1974, 1984, 1985, 1998. 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (13–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TYRON BADEN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DARCY MCCORMACK (45) GROUND: SCOTT OVAL NICKNAME: TIGERS

C

obram’s straight-sets exit from the Murray Football League finals last season could yet prove the catalyst for future success.

Injuries forced the Tigers’ coach Josh Noonan to draw upon his talented crop of junior footballers for clashes against Nathalia and Numurkah — but the experience gained from those defeats will surely hold the side’s next generation of senior footballers in great stead moving forward.

“Those last two games in finals, for what we wanted to get out of the year, ticked all the boxes,” Noonan said.

“We knew we had a shallow list in terms of depth, but I had no hesitation in playing those kids and I’ll do the same again this year. We’re in a good space with our juniors and are just starting to see it come to fruition.”

There will certainly be no questions over Cobram’s squad depth this season after a summer of supreme signings — with the club adding class on every line with the likes of Sam Burls, Tim Garlick and Matt Demaio.

Paul Diretto, Steven Stallion, Nick

Wines and the returning Andrew and Dylan Ryan are also among the inclusions at Scott Oval — with only Tom Ryan and Alex King heading out.

“Sam has played over 100 games of GVL footy and is going to add a little bit more polish, and Matty’s come over as one of the top-10 goalkickers in the comp,” Noonan said.

“After a bit of to-and-fro Tim’s decided to come back and play his footy locally, which is awesome for us.”

Diretto will add pace on the outside for the Tigers, with Stallion strengthening the back-half and Wines set to provide plenty at the coal face.

With star Tyron Baden as captain and Sam Beasley as his understudy, it gives Cobram a solid platform from which to launch an even deeper finals run this season.

“The biggest thing for me so far is how much the group is selfdriven compared to previous years,” Noonan said.

“Overall the pre-season has been really positive.”

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: Tim Garlick Garlick will again be one of the premier midfielders in the competition after returning to Scott Oval. The former co-coach of the Tigers will focus solely on playing this year and could help lead Cobram into the final weekend of September. Before he went down with a season-ending knee injury in early 2017 he was in his side’s best every round; expect that kind of form again.

Tim Garlick IN: Tim Garlick (Tocumwal), Sam Burls (Shepparton United), Matt Demaio (Barooga), Paul Diretto (Wodonga), Steven Stallion (Fitzroy Stars), Nick Wines (East Geelong), John Lucas (Waaia), Andrew Ryan, Dylan Ryan OUT: Tom Ryan (Katandra), Alex King (university)

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Congupna The Road FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: DAVID GEE & JOSH CHAPMAN MFL PREMIERSHIPS: NONE 2018 FINISH: 11TH (5–13) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BJ SQUIRE 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DANIEL SCHAPER (34) GROUND: MEMORIAL PARK NICKNAME: THE ROAD

C

ongupna has again come out in front during the off-season in terms of recruiting — setting the Murray Football League outfit up for a renewed push towards finals action.

With only a few regular senior footballers departing and more than a handful who will be walkup selections coming into the club, The Road is again bullish about its chances of improving its win-loss record this season.

“We’ve been training since early November, we’ve had great numbers and the boys are really, really fit,” coach David Gee said.

“While there were plenty at the club who were happy with five wins last year, our playing group were really disappointed that we let a really good opportunity to play finals slip.

“We’ve kept our core of senior players and core of really good junior players who will play senior footy this year, and we’re really looking forward to it.

“If we don’t make finals we’ve probably failed as a club this season.”

Gee will coach alongside Josh Chapman, who is stepping up from an assistant’s role last year.

“The club goal was always to get him

into a joint role and it will be really beneficial for the club,” Gee said.

“We complement each other well and he’s played so much footy and brings so much experience to the table.”

The likes of Mat Cornwall and Dylan Minutoli come to Congupna from Tatura this season, while Clinton Lambert and Tate Mifka are among the former players returning to the club.

“We’re really happy with the guys we’ve got in, they’re not just good footballers but good people as well,” Gee said.

“We’re still a really young side but have started to play a lot of games together now, and to play in the Murray league we have to start to be a bit more consistent and win the close games.

“One game or percentage might be the difference between playing finals or not, so you have to be right on your game from the start of the season.

“We’ll be striving to tick all of those boxes.”

Josh Chapman

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: BJ Squire While it is an obvious pick, it would be a blight against Squire to not name him the game changer. The silky midfielder has taken to eating best-and-fairest awards for breakfast after snaring another at The Road last season — his fourth in a row following three with Shepparton Swans. When Squire is on fire, so is Congupna.

IN: Tate Mifka (Inglewood), Mat Cornwall, Dylan Minutoli (Tatura), Clinton Lambert (Shepparton), Zavia McPhee (Undera), Dillon Hammer, Zac Treacy (injury) OUT: Jack Threlfall (Shepparton Swans), Jack Egan (Maffra), Liam Quibell, James Woods (Katandra), Chris Grant (retired)

Congupna proud Chris Drum was a prominent local footballer playing 284 games with Congupna Football Club and coaching.

He has held many positions at Congupna including Club President for sixteen years and has also been a board member of the Murray Football League for twenty years and currently is Vice President of the League.

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228-232 Wyndham Street Shepparton (03) 5821 8388 | 1-3 Melville Street Numurkah (03) 5862 2611 Football and Netball 2019 Page 49

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Deniliquin Rams FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: TROY BARTLETT & SAM HALL MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1957, 1966, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011 2018 FINISH: 15TH (2–16) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TODD GALLAGHER 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ADRIAN PAPPIN (21) GROUND: HARDINGE ST OVAL NICKNAME: RAMS

Anthony Bull

he Deniliquin Rams will look to youth and a handful of returning past players to turn their fortunes around.

The club collected its first wooden spoon in living memory last year and has appointed former premiership players Troy Bartlett and Sam Hall as non-playing co-coaches in a bid to move up the ladder.

The duo has retained the core playing group and welcomed back Anthony Bull, Josh Whelan and Nick Howe who they played in a flag with in 2011.

Other notable inclusions are midfield runners Ryan Brunker and Dylan East from Deniliquin Rovers.

Hall said they would continue to promote youth into the senior side as part of a longer-term plan.

“Our club traditionally has survived and thrived on playing our kids, so we won’t be changing that,” he said.

“We did bring back some experienced heads to add some body strength around the ground, which we probably lacked last year.

“We have guys like Will Shaw, Jake McManus, Ryan MacDonald, John Bowie and Kyle Elphick coming out of the thirds and have had a big preseason. They all look ready for senior footy which is great for the club.

“Will (Shaw) and Ryan (MacDonald) did the full pre-season

GAME CHANGER: Anthony Bull Bull by name and nature, the return of the key defender to Deniliquin’s squad is a massive plus for the Rams — who were regularly out-muscled by opposition sides last season. There will be much less of that this year with Bull charging in, and he will help give young defenders around him confidence to crack in hard themselves.

T

with the Bendigo Pioneers which will no doubt improve their footy, and Will was selected in the final squad which is great.

“We have our core group from last year — guys like Ash Morris, Ricky Gittens, Todd Gallagher and John Anstee who are all class players.

These blokes are all part of our leadership group and Anstee will captain the side.”

Hall said there wasn’t any “soul searching” during the summer months but more so a real commitment from the playing group and club to look to the future and not dwell on the past.

“To be honest, last season’s finish had probably been coming for a couple of years but as a club we just couldn’t stop it for various reasons,” he said.

“But to the playing group and club’s credit, they’ve just got on with the job and we’ve put some structures in place to hopefully ensure we’re heading in the right direction.

“Troy and I are already really proud of our players and how they’ve responded over summer — it’s a credit to them. Hopefully we’ll see that reward for effort during the season, without setting any lofty goals.”

IN: Anthony Bull (Wycheproof-Narraport), Ryan Brunker, Scott Atley, Dylan East, Blair Sartore, Brodie McQuie, Logan Ives (Deniliquin Rovers), Nick Howe (South Bendigo), Josh Whelan (Doncaster), Henry Johnstone (year off), Hamish Ross (Henty), Joel Park (Wagga CSU) OUT: Sid Pearn (university)

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Echuca United Eagles FAST FACTS >> COACH: GUY CAMPBELL MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 2013 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (8–11) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: NIC DENAHY 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: FARRAN PRIEST (41) GROUND: ECHUCA SOUTH RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: EAGLES

E

chuca United is already naming a top three-finish as the benchmark in the Murray Football League.

And with more than 20 new recruits joining the seniors and reserves ranks, the Eagles have more than enough firepower to attain their lofty goal.

The key, Eagles coach Guy Campbell said, was the progress made during the past two seasons as the club worked its way towards a double chance in finals.

Those foundations, along with a whole host of new faces, he said, were the reason the Eagles would take the MFL by storm this year.

“The last two years have been not necessarily successful in the way of winning premierships — a lot of people base success on that — but they have been successful in setting that foundation for this season and the seasons to come,” Campbell said.

“The more you play together, the more you grow as a team. I’m hoping that (Tom Curnow) brings a different lot of skills to the team.

Tom has leadership which will be critical, and his experience in big games and living the occasion is hugely important.”

Spectators at Echuca South Recreation Reserve can expect an “explosive” and “exciting” style of play from the Eagles in 2019.

“We’re going to play a really exciting brand of footy, we’ve been working hard in pre-season to be fit and healthy, so it’ll be a quite explosive game this year,” Campbell said.

“It’s something I wanted to implement in my first year but you really have to have the right players on the paddock to do so, and I think we do now.”

United starts its season on April 6 against Deniliquin away from home — a side that, despite its bottom-of-the-ladder finish, beat United during the normal season.

“The first thought that comes to mind with that game is taking points, but in saying that, we struggled against them last year and lost to them at home. I’m hoping we have no problems there this time,” Campbell said.

“We’re gunning for a top-three finish this year. To do that we have to keep our list healthy, any list in country footy you have to maintain the top five or six players.”

GAME CHANGER: Josh Mellington Adding AFL experience to a Murray Football League club is a sure-fire way to boost morale over summer, and Mellington’s impact in Echuca United’s forward half could be huge this year. The Benalla product played six games for Fremantle from 2011–2013 and is fresh from a 58-goal season for Caroline Springs.

Tom Curnow

IN: Josh Mellington (Caroline Springs), Reece Blake (Pyramid Hill), Cameron Brownhill (Tongala), Jordan Burgess (Huntly), Ash Carmody, Lachie Carmody (Waaia), James Deighton, James Hayes, Zac Lucic, Phil Hubbard (returning), Ben Fulford (Canberra), Matthew Nettlefold, Nick Kellow (Elmore), Charlie McLay, Tom Curnow, Andrew Pryde (Kyabram), Jack Ogilvie (Moama), Rowan Priest (Girgarre), Luke Schwenke (Mathoura), Chevy Williams (Trentham), Patrick Murphy (Sawtell Saints) OUT: Jack Hajro (Undera), Paul Kirby (Tatura), Robert Kirby, Reyd Thorpe (Huntly)

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 51

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Finley Cats FAST FACTS >> COACH: TOM DOYLE MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1952, 1954, 1958, 1971, 1981, 1982, 1988 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (13–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: LACHY SMALL 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: MAT WILSON (37) GROUND: FINLEY RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: CATS

F

inley’s straight sets exit from last year’s Murray Football League finals series was only a small footnote to an extraordinary season from the Cats.

After winning just one match in 2017, Finley went 13–5 in the regular season to finish third before running into Barooga and a red-hot Rumbalara, and new coach Tom Doyle is hoping his charges can harness that huge momentum once more this year.

Doyle is stepping up to the plate at the helm of the Cats after Rob Daniel handed over the reins during the off-season but will not be wiping the chalkboard clean and starting again with the club’s strategy on the field.

“Rumba is the sort of side that if you let them get on top early they’ll just put the foot down and run away with it,” Doyle said.

“So we won’t specifically be looking to change our style because of that one loss, it’s just about getting good habits like using the ball well going forward and better decision-making into the young kids and going from there.

“The backbone is there from

Rob — especially defensively — so I don’t need to change too much.”

The loss of captain Lachy Small — as well as the likes of Angus and Nick Robertson — will hurt the Cats, but the weight of numbers heading either into or back to Finley Recreation Reserve is a hugely positive sign.

Among those inclusions is big ruckman Tim Robertson, as well as exciting prospects Liam Hickey and Kial Crowe to name a few.

Doyle is most bullish though about Finley’s youth, with retention of under-17 players especially at an all-time high.

“We’ve retained pretty much every one of our thirds from last year, which is great,” Doyle said.

“There’s a little bit of a changing of the guard in the side with a few of those coming through, but there won’t be wholesale changes.

“Because we struggled a couple of years ago all of these boys have had a taste for senior footy and it will hold them in great stead this year.

“We’re building from the ground up, but I think we’ve still got the right list to make finals.”

Tim Robertson

TYLER MAHER

IN: Liam Hickey (East Geelong), Chris McAllister (Deniliquin Rovers), Troy Poynton, Mitch Reilly (Tocumwal), Kial Crowe, David Conrick (injury), Jeremy Robertson, Callum Robertson, James Bramley, Callum Campbell, Tim Robertson OUT: Lachy Small (AFL Queensland), Angus Robertson (Claremont), Nick Robertson (Birchip-Watchem), Brad Fyffe (Howlong), Liam Osborne (Blighty)

GAME CHANGER: Tim Robertson Finley coach Tom Doyle is excited to have this particular Robertson back on board, with the genuine ruckman now able to take the reins in the middle of the ground.

While having Robertson will give the Cats even more potency at the centre bounces, it will also free up Doyle to use his talents elsewhere on the field.

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Katandra Kats FAST FACTS >> COACH: RAMADAN YZE MFL PREMIERSHIPS: NONE 2018 FINISH: 14TH (3–15) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: WILL JEFFERY 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: COREY HICKFORD (34) GROUND: KATANDRA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: KATS

T

here will be no unknown quantity for Katandra this season in the Murray Football League — the Kats know exactly what they need to do to win games.

As is the case every summer, fitness has been a huge focus during the off-season for Ramadan Yze’s troops, but this time around it is even more important to be flying on the track due to the wide expanses of grounds across the Murray ranks.

“We know what we’re up against now and how to prepare a bit better,” Yze said.

“We know exactly what fitness and strength levels we need to be at.

We’re under no illusions — it’s still going to be tough against the top sides — but we’re up for the fight.”

The Kats certainly showed they were up for the fight last season but faded out of games late across the year on a regular basis.

Yze hopes the addition of players with Goulburn Valley League experience — including Trent Herbert, Ryan Sarkady and the return of James Clee — along with Tom Ryan, Liam Quibell and James Woods will help even out his side’s performances.

“We’ve got more depth and some quality young kids coming to the club which is always a positive sign,” Yze said.

“Last year we were in games for a half or three quarters but then got blown out, so hopefully we can play four quarters of football and get a few more wins on the board.”

Riordan brothers Andrew, Matt and Brenton are huge losses for Katandra, but with some of the best facilities in the region to offer, Yze is hoping for a few more signatures to help fill the gaps before the season starts.

“Losing the Riordans and their experience is hard to replace, but hopefully a few of the young boys can step up,” Yze said.

“We’ve got a superb surface and facility out there and we’re always looking for more juniors and players to come out and have a kick.

“Things are definitely looking bright.”

Yze is expecting another big season out of the likes of Corey Hickford, Will and Tom Jeffery and Aaron Muntz to help steer the Kats to more than last year’s tally of three wins.

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: Corey Hickford

James Clee

IN: Trent Herbert, Ryan Sarkady (Mooroopna), James Clee (Shepparton Swans), Tom Ryan (Cobram), Liam Quibell, James Woods (Congupna), Alex Zinonos (Oak Park) OUT: Andrew Riordan, Ty Grinter (Shepparton Swans), Brenton Riordan (Redan), Matt Riordan (Colbinabbin)

Hickford — along with the likes of Will Jeffery and Aaron Muntz — took the huge step up into the Murray ranks in their stride last season and will only be better for it this year. Hickford’s 34 goals came mostly in the first half of last year but expect a huge finish from him this campaign in front of the big sticks.

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Moama Magpies FAST FACTS >> COACH: LUKE ELDRIDGE MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 2010 2018 FINISH: NINTH (8–10) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: RHYS ARCHARD 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ANGUS GRIGG (50) GROUND: MOAMA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: MAGPIES

N

inth seems a long way from anywhere when it comes to footy and finals.

And Moama knows that feeling too well.

But the club has not panicked after a disappointing 2018 — it was only percentage out of the finals and knows it could, and should, do better.

It wants to get better in 2019 and has decided to look inwards to the stars coming up through its junior ranks.

There’ll be no blowing the budget chasing big names from the footballing community — the club is going to be focusing on its own.

“We’re looking at a different approach this season,” coach Luke Eldridge said.

“We’ve become more focused on those junior players. We have about eight senior recruits, but for the most part we’ve looked at the under-17 side and tried to make sure we can keep them around Moama.

“There isn’t as much of a focus on instant success right now, it’s about the future. We have a big hole between 23 and 28 (years old) for locals. So we are looking at longterm filling that gap.”

But, while planning its future, the present has taken a big hit with the departure of goal machine Tyler

Jones and star Rhys Archard.

“Tyler and Rhys were huge for us in 2018 but that also creates opportunities,” Eldridge said.

Jones, Archard and Angus Grigg were the three most dominant players in the Moama side in 2018, a fact about which Eldridge is keenly aware.

“They scored most of our goals, but we were also relying on them in the midfield as well,” he said.

“We had a solid backline and we have retained that, but our forwards and mids need to be a better spread this year.”

For Eldridge the focus is structure and game plan, making sure the team is able to play the same style across all three levels of football.

“We haven’t so much discussed our goals (at the time of writing) but more we have certain KPIs for the season, and we are going to work towards achieving those as the year goes on,” he said.

“Where we finish up is unclear, but we need to get everything else right.”

“We’re looking at a different approach this season,” - Luke Eldridge, Coach

IN: Jake Ellery (Boort), Jack Harland (Lavington Panthers), Daine Lowry (Maiden Gully), Layton McCann (Tongala), Sam Youngman (Old Geelong) OUT: Tyler Jones (Leitchville-Gunbower), Rhys Archard (retired), Tom Campbell (Wedderburn Redbacks), Callum Doyle (Rochester), Alex Daniels (Huntly), Jeremy Pain (East Keilor)

Angus Grigg

GAME CHANGER: Angus Grigg Grigg made a huge impact upon his return to Moama last season, notching up a half-century of goals and looking dangerous all year. As one of the best mid-sized forwards in the competition, Grigg’s ability to match it with defenders of all sizes holds him in great stead against any outfit. Will be crucial for the Magpies this campaign.

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mulwala Lions FAST FACTS >> COACH: JASON SANDERSON MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1990 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (10–9) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: JACKSON GASH 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ASH FROUD (47) GROUND: LONSDALE RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS

M

ulwala will look to its youth to spearhead the club’s senior side this season after a number of experienced heads moved on over summer.

Star forward Ash Froud hung up his dangerous boots after snagging 160 goals across two campaigns with the Lions, while the likes of Ross Ansaldi, Dylan Robinson and Nathan Cook will ply their trade elsewhere.

But Mulwala coach Jason Sanderson is confident his young group — along with a few familiar faces returning to Lonsdale Reserve — can keep the outfit in the top half of the Murray Football League table.

“We’re still a young group but it will be good to keep giving the local young kids an opportunity to play senior football,” Sanderson said.

“Hopefully we can be around the same mark and finals are definitely

the goal again.

“The endeavour of the young blokes has been a real standout over summer — they’ve had a really tough pre-season and have attacked it with both hands.”

Jackson Gash and Beau Clarke will lead the Lions as co-captains, with the pair also sure to be crucial to the side’s weekly performances.

Melbourne-based ruckman Hamish Hosking is also on board for another year in a great boost for the side.

“Hamish is pretty keen to stick around,” Sanderson said.

“He’s loved it up here and it’s pretty important for us to have a big bloke like him in the ruck because we’re light on in height otherwise.”

Dylan Flanagan will add firepower up forward for the Lions once more, while the likes of Eli Boyer and Jake Walker are also joining the outfit.

Sean Robinson

TYLER MAHER

IN: Dylan Flanagan (Tocumwal), Eli Boyer, Anthony Summit, Jake Walker OUT: Nathan Cook (Billabong Crows), Nathan McNair (Strathmerton), Dylan Robinson (Heathcote), Dylan Scott (Tungamah), Ash Froud (retired), Ross Ansaldi, Liam Russell

GAME CHANGER: Jackson Gash One of the most promising young midfielders in the Murray Football League is going around again as Mulwala co-captain alongside Beau Clarke, and he could take his game to yet another level this season.

Gash finished seventh in the O’Dywer Medal count last year and is a lock for the top five this time around.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 55

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Nathalia Purples FAST FACTS >> COACH: PHIL CARROLL MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1939, 1949, 1963, 1978, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (20–1) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BOWEN SMITH 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: BRODIE ROSS (69) GROUND: NATHALIA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: PURPLES

I

f it is at all possible to fly under the radar with nine of the past 14 Murray Football League premierships clogging up the trophy cabinet, then that is exactly what Nathalia is attempting this season.

The Purples have only one signing of note to announce — and granted, that is the silky and skilful Bailey Bell — but have lost premiership players from last year’s successful campaign.

Midfield maestro Bowen Smith departs to showcase his wares in the big smoke, as does Tom Boyd — who has signed with VFL outfit Werribee and Goulburn Valley League premier Shepparton.

Jared Laffy, Callum Harding-Davies and lively forward Ryan Butler have also exited stage left, but as usual the Purples − and newly-appointed coach Phil Carroll — are confident in their ability to reign supreme once more as they search for their fifth premiership in a row.

“It has been a bit of a changing of the guard,” Carroll said.

“We will have a lot of young kids and it will be a bit of a transitional period for the boys, but it’s just about making sure that they take the

steps needed to be the main players on the field.”

A number of seasoned stars are yet to decide on whether to lace the boots up again or hang them up for good, but once the smell of the season proper hits their collective nostrils they will surely be raring to go once more.

“There will be some guys who will start the season a bit later,” Carroll said.

“But we’ll be timing our run and making sure we’re playing our best footy come finals time.

“Especially with the top eight system, we found that it didn’t really matter whether you finished first or fourth as long as you got that double chance.”

In fact, throughout the Purples’ extraordinary dynasty — which includes a pair of four-peats — the club has prided itself on winning the flag from anywhere on the table, not just the safety of the upper-echelon.

It means that as long as Nathalia finds itself tasting September action it will certainly remain favourite to snare another premiership victory.

Tom Nihill

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: Tom Nihill With Bowen Smith departing Nathalia, his midfield mate Tom Nihill will have to shoulder a larger load this season — but the young skipper is certainly up to the task. Nihill has a perfect mix of flair outside the contest and grunt within it, making him one of the toughest match-ups for opposition sides in the Murray Football League.

Page 56 Football and Netball 2019

IN: Bailey Bell (Kyabram) OUT: Tom Boyd (Werribee), Ryan Butler, Callum Harding-Davies (Girgarre), Jared Laffy (Elmore), Bowen Smith

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Numurkah Blues FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: JYE WARREN, BEAU MCKEOWN & BRAD DOBSON MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 1932, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1962, 1970, 1977, 1979, 1999, 2000 2018 FINISH: THIRD (14–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: NICK FOTHERGILL 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: NATHAN HICKS (44) GROUND: NUMURKAH SHOWGROUNDS NICKNAME: BLUES

I

t will be a very different Numurkah side that takes to the field in the Murray Football League this season.

While the key posts along the Blues’ corridor will again be filled by the likes of Luke McKeown, Grant Gallus, Mitch Price, Nathan Hicks and Michael Griffiths, the positions around the taller timber are almost all up for grabs heading into the year.

Midfield stars Nick Fothergill, Jordan O’Dwyer, Brad Vassal and Mitch Jones have all departed from Numurkah Showgrounds, but there is a large swathe of young talent keen to sink their teeth into starting roles.

There has also been a change at the helm with a rare three-pronged coaching unit set to take charge this season, with playing coaches Jye Warren and Beau McKeown ably supported on the sidelines by Brad Dobson.

“Beau and I have been mostly running pre-season with Will Arnel as strength and conditioning coach, but Dobbo has been pulling blokes aside who need a bit more one-onone work,” Warren said.

“He has been unreal in that aspect, and he’ll be the general on the bench during the season because Beau and

I can only see so much as playing coaches.”

Matt Smyth has returned to Numurkah after expanding his reputation at Waaia, but Warren is winding back the expectations on his young group to focus on the processes rather than the results.

“We’re going to be a different side this year,” Warren said.

“It’s going to be hard to tell where we sit, but we’re going to be confident in what we put out each week and we have full faith in our list.

“We’re going to play fast-flowing and exciting footy and hopefully fly under the radar and surprise a few sides.”

Among the rising stars who will have more responsibility this season are Josh Hoffmann, Jamie Fulton and Josh O’Dwyer.

TYLER MAHER

IN: Matt Smyth (Waaia) OUT: Nick Fothergill, Braydon Sutton, Jordan O’Dwyer (Tatura), Brad Vassal (AFL Queensland), Mitch Jones (Katunga), Shannon Emmett, Travis Down (Strathmerton), Ben Wellington (Tallygaroopna)

GAME CHANGER: Mitch Price The Price is certainly right for Numurkah’s number one ruckman to take up the mantle as the premier big-man in the Murray Football League with the departure of reigning O’Dwyer medallist Brodie A’Vard from Barooga. Price and teammate Michael Griffiths provide the Blues with a powerful one-two punch in the middle and in front of goal.

Mitch Price

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 57

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Rumbalara FAST FACTS >> COACH: KANE ATKINSON MFL PREMIERSHIPS: 2014 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (14–7) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: NATHAN TERLICH 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: VAASILI TUIFAO (57) GROUND: MERCURY DRIVE SPORTS COMPLEX NICKNAME: RUMBA

R

umbalara has its sights set on returning to the pinnacle of the Murray Football League once more this season.

The senior group which could almost taste a grand final berth when it kept Nathalia scoreless in the first half of the preliminary final last year has mostly stuck together over summer — and coach Kane Atkinson hinted that the fires of revenge are burning bright inside of his charges.

“Obviously getting knocked out in the prelim hurt, but we’re coming back hungry this year,” Atkinson said.

“It was definitely a big positive last year to take it right up to Nathalia, but we just couldn’t quite get there in the end.

“We had a fair few young boys and it was a good learning curve for them, they were devastated but they’re pretty hungry now and putting in a lot of hard work this pre-season.”

Not every Rumba player will take to Mercury Dve again this season — with the likes of Djaran Whyman, Anthony Miller, Anthony Walker and Tuifao brothers Vaasili and Peter exiting the club — but Atkinson is confident his side’s list of inclusions will help the outfit go at least one better this time around.

David Smith, Nathan Kerr and Ty Parsons are all back on deck, while Jayk Papoulis will join the Rumba ranks as well.

But perhaps the side’s biggest recruit is yet to be confirmed, with an initial clearance request for former premiership coach Damian Cupido denied by Hume Football League club Henty.

“It would be a huge inclusion if we got him over the line,” Atkinson said.

“But if we don’t there’s a lot of boys there ready to step up.

“We’re looking forward to the season and we really want to keep taking the game on and using the ball to our advantages.”

Teenager Kian Wise is one forward who could help cover the weight of goal-kicking power leaving the club, with 29 goals under his belt last year in his first Murray league season.

TYLER MAHER

GAME CHANGER: Nathan Terlich Terlich was a huge addition to Rumbalara’s side last season and will only get better this year. The speedy winger came into his own in the Murray Football League finals series — especially against Finley where he brought his own football to the outer wing — and is exactly the big-game player Rumba needs to go deep into September action again.

IN: David Smith, Nathan Kerr (Deniliquin Rovers), Jayk Papoulis (Mooroopna), Ty Parsons (Merrigum) OUT: Anthony Miller, Anthony Walker, Keadin Ronnan (Tatura), Vaasili Tuifao, Peter Tuifao (Red Cliffs), Djaran Whyman (Deniliquin Rovers), Josh Baginski (Ardmona), Tom Higgins (Picola United)

Nathan Terlich

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Page 58 Football and Netball 2019

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MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Tongala Blues FAST FACTS >> COACH: JORDAN SOUTER MFL PREMIERSHIPS: NONE 2018 FINISH: 13TH (5–13) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: MICHAEL PRYDE 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: COREY NEXHIP (23) GROUND: TONGALA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BLUES

T

he young blood of Tongala started to come to the fore as the season went on in 2018.

But the big question of 2019 is, have they come far enough?

The Blues were already one of the youngest sides in the competition and while they have brought a lot of talent into the club, they have stayed pretty young.

That’s far from a concern for club coach Jordan Souter.

“The key thing with young players is getting them to fit in with the team,” he said.

“Fortunately, the guys have come in and really taken on the challenge.

“They’re doing the hard work that comes with a pre-season, and that’s the expectation we have as a football club.

“They’ve embraced the culture and how we want them to be as Tongala footballers, and that’s exactly what we want from them. The guys are all looking forward to a good season.”

The club is still working on what its goal is going to be for the 2019 season, with Souter admitting that will shift as the year goes on.

But as with all football clubs, Souter is eyeing September

action — preferably this year.

“Every football club is aiming for finals. That’s what we all play football for — to be there at the end of the season competing for a premiership,” he said.

“We haven’t necessarily set a fixed goal like that for our team for this year as yet.

“I think all we want to do is improve week by week and have a better season in 2019.

“The younger players started to really come into their own in the later stages of 2018, and we were able to produce some pretty good performances on the field.

“For now, our goal is to continue to get the best out of those young guys and hope to see them play some good football.”

Good football for the Blues will certainly come in the form of NT Thunder legend Cameron Ilett — who could be the biggest signing the Murray Football League has seen for some time — while Souter has also secured the services of a host of Kyabram reserves players itching at the chance to prove themselves at senior level.

GAME CHANGER: Cameron Ilett

Coby McCarthy

Ilett will lead Tongala up the table in no time. One of the most credentialed footballers to never reach the AFL, Ilett is the most decorated player in NT Thunder history and will surely add more awards this year if he plays even a handful of games. Opposition sides beware — if Ilett doesn’t get you, Souter will.

IN: Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder), Adam Lovison, Kyle Fitzgerald, Coby McCarthy, Kyle Halliwell, Brad Power, Makenzie Ryan, Dom Watt, Matt Wild (Kyabram), Caleb Smith (Echuca), Jonathan Pearson, Drew Wileman (Stanhope), Josh Berry, Luke Donnell (Lancaster), Jayden Tucker (Girgarre), Zane Kreymborg (Laurimar) OUT: Joel Regan (Laurimar), Mitch Trevaskis (Shepparton), Bailey Waasdorp (Darley)

LARGEST STOCKISTS OF THE BEST BRANDS

SHEPPARTON - 87 Benalla Road Ph: 5821 6400 Email: shepparton@totaltools.com.au Football and Netball 2019 Page 59

MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Tungamah Bears FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: BODHI BUTTS & DAVID PUTAMORSI MFL PREMIERSHIPS: NONE 2018 FINISH: 12TH (5–13) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: BODHI BUTTS 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ASH SAUNDERS (53) GROUND: JUBILEE PARK NICKNAME: BEARS

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here has been a change at the top for Tungamah ahead of the upcoming Murray Football League season.

Superstar Bodhi Butts has stepped into a coaching role alongside the returning David Putamorsi.

A position at the helm of the Bears is certainly not unfamiliar to Putamorsi, who was playing coach of Tungamah from 2004 to 2007 and is looking forward to calling Jubilee Park home once more.

“Once you’re involved with Tungamah, you’re in for life,” he said.

“It’s always really easy to bring boys back to the club.”

Getting the band back together has again been a key part of Tungamah’s recruiting strategy, with former Bears scattered among the list of inclusions.

“Bodhi has had a lot to do with recruiting and we’ve targeted a few players from around the area and who have played with the club

before,” Putamorsi said.

“We’re looking at stepping up this season and our goal is to play finals.

“After talking to a lot of the guys they said the bigger grounds and a lot more running was something that they noticed last year, so fitness has been a real key.”

Dylan Scott brings Murray league experience from Mulwala across to the Bears, while the likes of Nick Lawless and Jake Maconachie have been plying their trade in the Ovens and Murray ranks.

But Tom Irvine is one star on the rise who Putamorsi feels is ready to take the Murray league by storm after a ripping pre-season on the track.

“We’re really eager for the season to start,” he said.

“It’s at that time of the year where we’ve got our list sorted and we’re ready to get into it.”

TYLER MAHER

IN: Tom Irvine, Jake Sampson (Berrigan), Dylan Scott (Mulwala), Daniel Ellis (Strathmerton), Nick Lawless, Jake Maconachie (Yarrawonga), James Reilly (Wangaratta), Brady Bartlett, Jacob Bartlett (Wahgunyah) OUT: Braden Einsporn (Yarrawonga)

GAME CHANGER: Bodhi Butts There are no buts about it — Bodhi Butts is by far the Tungamah machine’s most important cog. The premium midfield commodity polled enough votes in last year’s O’Dwyer Medal count to win the previous two editions and was only denied the gong by a historymaking Brodie A’Vard season. Butts will go even closer to adding the award to his trophy cabinet this time around.

Page 60 Football and Netball 2019

Bodhi Butts

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Redlegs looking to add to their tally

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ome excellent off-season recruiting has garnered fresh excitement throughout the KDFNL as we head into another action-packed year of football.

The recruits haven’t been limited to just players and coaches either, as the league welcomes newcomer Shepparton East to its ranks after the Eagles moved away from the Murray Football League.

The introduction of Shepparton East and the merry-go-round of coaches adds complete ambiguity to the makeup of the KDFNL season.

Tallygaroopna enters 2019 as the team to beat after it defeated Nagambie in last year’s decider by 21 points and in the process denied the Lakers a third flag in a row.

It will be intriguing to see if Nagambie will once again dominate the league and feature in the premiership decider, especially after saying goodbye to goal-kicker Mathew Waterson to North Bendigo.

However, the rise of the Redlegs will no doubt inspire many others to follow suit and change the tide of the KDFNL senior football ladder.

Finishing second last year, Stanhope has assigned Cobey Aynsley to senior coach, as it looks to bring home its first flag since 2008. The Lions are hoping a big-name player like Jamie Spencer can fill the holes left by its key departures.

Avenel has brought on Kasey Duncan for the 2019 season and the first-year coach is tipping his side to be wedged in the top-two positions come August.

Big things are brewing over at Lancaster as the Wombats look to improve on last year’s effort.

Corey Carver’s men were eliminated by Dookie United by a single point and will be hungry to rectify that loss.

Dookie United has a big hole in its forward line with the departure of leading goal-kicker Wayne Pavitt. First-year coach Brendan McMullan expects his side to feature in the finals again, but they will sorely miss golden boot Pavitt.

Expect Merrigum to stay within contention of the post-season, having retained many of its players from 2018 and having Steve Lawlor stay on as coach.

Murchison-Toolamba has secured former East Shepparton footballer Nick Iorianni as its coach for the upcoming season. The Grasshoppers have no departures yet and, like Merrigum, will hope consistency will pay off.

Girgarre will have its work cut out this year, having lost two-time league best-and-fairest winner Jake Hyland and veteran Rowan Priest.

Undera has brought Mick Kyle across from Mooroopna to catapult the Lions back into finals action in their 10-year anniversary of the last senior premiership.

Violet Town was disappointing last year after making the grand final in 2017 and has acted on its slip to have Tim Ross join Sean Horsburgh as co-coach for this year.

Longwood and Rushworth will be hoping that senior coaches Mick Galvin and Brett Pateman can get through the year by grooming the youngsters and finding a core group of players who can carry their respective sides into the future.

Ardmona will be out to win its first game of senior footy since 2015, with first-year coach Graham Briggs signing a large contingent of players in a hope of lifting them off the bottom and rebuild the club as a whole.

AYDIN PAYNE

8 1 0 2 R E I M E R P

Tallygaroopne

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS: 2018: Tallygaroopna 2017: Nagambie 2016: Nagambie 2015: Merrigum 2014: Nagambie 2013: Murchison

2012: Violet Town 2011: Lancaster 2010: Nagambie 2009: Undera 2008: Stanhope 2007: Stanhope

PAST McNAMARA MEDALLISTS: 2018: Kaine Herbert (Undera Lions) 2017: Sam Poole (Violet Town) 2016: Kasey Duncan (Avenel) 2015: Don Stirling (Avenel) 2014: Mick Shiels (Nagambie) 2013: Josh Pell (Merrigum) 2012: Russell Lee (Violet Town) 2011: Steve Thomson (Lancaster) 2010: Troy Snelson (Girgarre) 2009: Paul Burnett (Lancaster) 2008: Mark Young (Ardmona) and Chris Eddy (Lancaster)

Ladder predictions 1

Stanhope

8

Shepparton East

2

Tallygaroopna

9

Violet Town

3

Nagambie

10

Girgarre

4

MurchisonToolamba

11

Undera

12

Merrigum

5

Avenel

13

Rushworth

6

Lancaster

14

Ardmona

7

Dookie

15

Longwood

TALLYGAROOPNA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: KEVIN O’DONOGHUE 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (19–1–0) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: TYSON SIDEBOTTOM 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: DYLAN SIDEBOTTOM (56) GROUND: TALLYGAROOPNA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS

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ast year brought about an extraordinary campaign for Tallygaroopna, as it remained undefeated in a season where everything seemed to click as it steamrolled its way to a premiership.

Jesse Beckhurst IN: Ben Wellington (Numurkah), Josh Wellington (Numurkah), Daniel Burness (Katunga), Eamon Reeves (Katunga) OUT: Lachlan Sidebottom (Bendigo), Dylan Sidebottom (Katunga), Mitch Sidebottom (Katunga), Tim Belford (Waaia)

Coach Kevin O’Donoghue’s first year in charge heralded a fresh approach where each game was played on its individual merits, and he intends to take the same stance this year.

“We had no expectations in the lead-up to the season and that seemed to do us well in the end, and we’ll do the exact same this year,” he said.

“We will give our best and just try and win as many as we can.”

Last year’s leading goal-kicker Dylan Sidebottom departs for Picola outfit Katunga, taking his brother Mitch with him − which will leave some work to do for the remaining talls. However, the Redlegs will certainly not be lacking in firepower as a new set of siblings join the ranks in the form of Josh and Ben Wellington from Numurkah.

“Obviously with the losses of the Sidebottom boys we’ve lost a lot of height, so we will have to modify our game plan around that. But the new boys that have come in will bring lots of experience with them; they’ll be very good for us. We have got strength in the midfield department, so we’ll look to play a lot of contested footy this year.”

LIAM NASH

Football and Netball 2019 Page 61

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

ARDMONA

AVENEL

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: GRAHAM BRIGGS, ROD BRIGGS & LUKE TREVENA 2018 FINISH: 14TH (0–1–17) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: AARON MCKAY 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: PETER LUMSDEN (9) GROUND: ARDMONA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: CATS

I

f a long list of player signings is anything to go by, 2019 could be the year that the Ardmona Cats begin to turn things around.

The Cats have had a tough run in the past couple of seasons — they have not won a senior game since 2015 — but new coach Graham Briggs believes this year could be different.

“We’ve been averaging 35 players to preseason training on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday night, it’s been great to see the new faces down at the club,” Briggs said.

The once powerhouse club of the KDFNL is about to enter its 99th year as an entity and Briggs sees it as a terrific opportunity to turn its luck around and change the losing culture out at Ardmona.

“Our goal this year is to reinstate the winning culture, provide a great environment for families and to try to get back to the Ardmona of old.

“With the club’s centenary fast approaching next year, now is the perfect time to change things around and roar into the 2020 season,” he said.

The Cats will be hoping that the talent they’ve brought in during the summer will be

FAST FACTS >> COACH: KASEY DUNCAN 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (10–9) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: MICHAEL TINKLER 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: CAEL MCCARTHY (66) GROUND: AVENEL RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: SWANS

IN: Cory Lucas (East Keilor), Jarrara Atkinson (Old Marcellin), Jordan Lampi (North Footscray), Brendan Lucas (North Footscray), Che Bonini (Booroondara), Ray Young (returning), Andrew Sutton (GVFL), Cobie Spaul (returning), Muthi Charlie (Seymour), Mascot Solomon (Seymour), Tyson Briggs (Rumbalara), Charles Jackson (Rumbalara), Joshua Baginski (Rumbalara), Harry Taylor (Albion) OUT: Trent Corby (Katunga), Benjamin Mahoney (Strathmerton)

able to adhere to Briggs’ words.

Cory Lucas joins the club from Essendon District Football League side East Keilor.

The hulking forward represented the EDFL at interleague level and is set to bring muchneeded experience to the Cats’ line-up.

Another welcome addition to the side is youngster Jordan Lampi, who arrives at the cattery via North Footscray. If pre-season results are anything to go by, Lampi will be a handful for many opposition sides, using his pace to break the lines.

AYDIN PAYNE

DOOKIE UNITED

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BRENDAN MCMULLAN 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (12–6) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: ANDY O’CONNOR 2018 LEADING GOALKICKER: WAYNE PAVITT (75) GROUND: DOOKIE RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: THUNDER

Will Patone

Page 62 Football and Netball 2019

Newly appointed coach Kasey Duncan has taken the reins from Don Stirling for the 2019 season and has big expectations for his side, having full confidence that Avenel will deliver this year. “Anything other than a top two finish will be considered as a failure,” Duncan said.

The Swans have been getting busy with recruiting in the off-season, adding muchneeded squad depth and giving Duncan a plethora of options all over the oval. The high-profile signing of Port Melbourne Colts star Dean Giles will surely bring an element of class to the Kyabram District Football League, meanwhile forward Harry McClean will take the pressure off Cael McCarthy in front of the sticks.

“We are extremely pleased with the signing of Dean Giles and have no doubts he will be amongst the top-ranking players come season’s end. As well as Dean we have got Harry

GIRGARRE

Don Stirling IN: Kyle Maynard (Mitta), Harry McClean (Seymour), Sam Durnan (Winchelsea Blues), Dean Giles (Port Melbourne Colts), Mason Vearing (Violet Town), Jack Myers (Longwood), Micheal McKenzie (Diamond Creek), Jeremy Meek (injury), Chris Burns (Dookie), Todd Heaysman (Bonnie Doon), Lachy Drummond (year off), Josh Mabon (time away), Scott McKenzie OUT: Don Stirling (Perth), Xavier Dowling

McLean in from Seymour who is an ace goalkicker,” Duncan said.

The Swans will certainly be ones to watch this year, and with the number of new recruits to join the ranks they will be sure to bring electricity to the competition. “With these new signings, we have a Goulburn Valley Football League quality backline,” Duncan said.

LIAM NASH

Antonio Barca

FAST FACTS >> COACH: SHANNON TUCKER 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (9–9) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: JAKE HYLAND 2018 LEADING GOALKICKER: ROWAN PRIEST (38) GROUND: GIRGARRE RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: KANGAROOS

hannon Tucker’s thirst for a premiership flag has gone unquenched during the past few seasons, but the burning desire for a grand final victory remains ever-present in his thoughts. Last year’s mid-table finish left the Kangaroos’ coach with a mixed bag of emotions to accompany it.

ast year was a case of what could have been for Dookie, with absences hampering the side’s performance during crucial parts of the season leaving key areas unfilled. After wearing a number of hats for the Thunder over the years, veteran Brendan McMullan will take the reins for 2019 which will make for a campaign worth watching.

LIAM NASH

venel has been somewhat of a sleeping giant during the past couple of years and is looking to build on last year’s sixth place finish and stake its claim for a league title this season.

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“I thought the boys put in a pretty solid full season, we dropped off midway through the season with a few boys missing and we possibly could have gone further. But we brought it together towards the end of the season with a few big wins. Heading into the season, the boys can’t put a foot wrong on the track at the moment; we have been getting good numbers along to pre-season training so I think there is a lot of potential this year,” McMullan said.

Dookie will have to adapt its tactics after losing golden boot Wayne Pavitt to Port Douglas in the off-season, but McMullan thinks his squad will be dextrous enough to make up for what is lost.

“Wayne is a big loss to the club being our top goal scorer last year, but we have a few small forwards who can chip in. Hopefully we won’t rely on just one bloke to kick all the goals this year,” he said.

“I’d like to think we will be in with a shot this year; we don’t want to go backwards. I know every other team says it but finals are the goal.”

A

IN: Karl Thompson (Shepparton East), Harry Ukich (Cobram), Ryan McKenna OUT: Wayne Pavitt (Port Douglas), Connor Hayes, Kane Thompson, Luke Johnson (retired)

“I think we under-achieved and were very inconsistent, we showed that we could match it with the top sides as well as beat the lower sides but we didn’t finish were we wanted and that all comes down to consistency,” Tucker said.

The relocation of veteran midfielder Rowan Priest and two-time league best and fairest Jake Hyland must be noted as significant departures, but Tucker is certain that the players he has added will fill the gaps at the club.

“Jake and Rowan are big losses and will be missed, but I have full confidence in the personnel we have brought in. I think we have definitely picked up more than we have lost. I don’t want to single anybody out as we are a team but I think that each of the new additions will bring something different to the camp,” he said.

“We have to concentrate on winning each game at a time, and make sure that everyone’s effort levels are at 100 per cent.

“Obviously our aim is to play finals, and each year we have been improving.”

LIAM NASH

IN: Hayden Phillips (Craigieburn), Matthew Tyler (Old Scotch), Matthew Nunan (year off), Nathan Kavanagh (year off), Daniel Kelsey OUT: Jake Hyland (North Bendigo), Rowan Priest (Echuca), Jayden Tucker (Tongala)

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

LANCASTER

LONGWOOD

FAST FACTS >> COREY CARVER 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (14–5) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ZAC CERRONE 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ZAC CERRONE (63) GROUND: LANCASTER RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: WOMBATS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MICK GALVIN 2018 FINISH: 12TH (2–16) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: DUSTIN BAKER 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ANTHONY TAUTALA (34) GROUND: LONGWOOD RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDLEGS

C

T

It was agony in the elimination final for Lancaster last season as it went down to Dookie United by one painful point to finish in fifth spot, its best finish in recent years.

Coach Corey Carver admitted that his side had valuable lessons to take away from the disappointing result.

“We have to realise that a game of footy lasts for 100 minutes, not just 80,” Carver said.

Carver has been busy filling the void of the men who have left and is confident that the new recruits will deliver the goods this year.

“We brought in a few boys from Kyabram who were not getting a lot of minutes, so we’ll look to incorporate them as much as we can,” Carver said.

But with its young side only growing in stature, Lancaster will no doubt look a formidable force in the upcoming Kyabram District Football League season.

“We had a really young squad made up of

Galvin was rushed into the role of senior coach in the first week of the new year, after the departure of Brown to Shepparton East.

Longwood has yet to feature in the finals campaign of the KDFNL since joining the league nine years ago, and with the inclusion of a new coach in emergency circumstances that wait may continue.

“I got the job back at the start of January, so we’ve been a bit behind the eight-ball but we’re beginning to hit our straps a little bit now,” the former North Bendigo player said.

“I loved the feel of the club when I first arrived, everybody was very welcoming.”

Longwood has been dealt some keydepartures; most noticeable is Anthony Tautala. The midfield bull has followed former coach Brown to Shepparton East, along with four others.

“It’s been hard with a lot of fellas following Browny across to Shepp East, but we play them round one so that may start a bit of a rivalry, we’ll wait and see,” Galvin said.

orey Carver’s debut season as Lancaster coach in 2018 showed promise as the Wombats went from strength to strength with one of the youngest sides in the competition, and this year he will look to build on that and take his side all the way to its first premiership flag since 2011.

he Redlegs’ stadium has seen the arrival of new coach Mick Galvin for the upcoming season after a shock exit from Nick Brown during summer.

Corey Carver IN: Idi Besim (Kyabram), Billy Ryan (Kyabram), James Ross (Kyabram), Rob Salter (Swans), Steve Thompson OUT: Drew Barrett (Bendigo), Luke Donnell (Tongala), Michael Hill (ret), Chris Eddy

20–21-year-olds and with them being a year older now it is exciting to see how far we can go.”

LIAM NASH

MERRIGUM

IN: Daniel Gordois (Campbell Creek), Mitch Lane (Keilor Park), Michael Quine (Seymour) OUT: Ben Tautala (Shepparton East), Anthony Tautala, Josh Brown, Daniel Freeman, Josh Dohnt

The first-year coach conceded that during his debut year in the role the focus would be to find a core group of players and to work on building towards something special.

“Our aim this year is to build a base and look for a group of players who will stick together and push through to next year,” he said.

“We’re not out here expecting miracles.”

AYDIN PAYNE

MURCHISONTOOLAMBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: STEVE LAWLOR 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (10–8) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: JAKE ROSS 2018 LEADING GOALKICKER: JOSH SMITH (41) GROUND: MERRIGUM RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BULLDOGS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: NICK IORIANNI 2018 FINISH: NINTH (7–11) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: ASHTON CASHION 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JAMES PECK (27) GROUND:

T

he Bulldogs got off to a flying start to their campaign last year, breezing their way through the first five rounds, with a wealth of young players bursting through the ranks and hinting at the philosophy coach Steve Lawlor is looking to implement.

To label the season as a mid-table finish would be painting it with a broad brush, as Lawlor looks to continue laying the groundwork for a premiership push in the upcoming years.

“As a whole, I think seventh was a reasonable outcome for the season. We did have injuries but that is just a part of the sport. In saying that, it gave some other the other guys the opportunity to step up and they will serve as a platform heading into the future,” Lawlor said.

Kane Turdie and Ryan Mangan will lend their services to the Bulldogs for 2019, adding some extra pace to their already impressive roster of talented youth.

“Kade is someone who we have been trying to get a hold of for a few years now, he is young and quick and will do all sorts of damage for us, and Ryan is also very athletic,” Lawlor said.

Henry Peni

MURCHISON RECREATION RESERVE

NICKNAME: GRASSHOPPERS

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urchison-Toolamba fell away from the pack last season.

Daniel Clarke IN: Kane Turdie (Marcorna), Ryan Mangan (NTFL) OUT: Ty Parsons (Rumbalara), Liam Cross (Undera)

“What is most impressive is our retention of our players, we are trying to set a culture of success without a high turnover of players. We have a few really good young talents who fly under the radar who will definitely be playing some senior footy this year.

“We don’t have any expectations marked out, our perspective changes every game. We will try to improve on individual performances as well as moving forward as a collective.”

LIAM NASH

But now, with the addition of former Glenelg footballer Nick Iorianni as coach, it will look to work on its younger players coming through the ranks and put its name back into finals contention in 2019.

Iorianni has experience coaching Tatura thirds and served as assistant-coach last season at Shepparton East.

The Grasshoppers’ first-year coach has been rapt with what he’s seen so far and can’t wait to get stuck into the season.

“I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve been seeing over summer; the boys are hungry and committed to the year ahead,” Iorianni said.

“Our goal this year will be to play finals.

The reason we play the game is to play finals, so that’s our goal.”

Murchison-Toolamba has been able to lure across Shane Kay from Tatura, Dylan Moncur from Stanhope and Steve Devlin from Congupna.

“Shane is a really smart half-back flanker and we’ll be looking for him to set up plays, and Dylan is a quick outside runner with a penetrating kick,” he said.

So far this off-season there have not been any departures from Murchison-Toolamba, evidence that players have bought into the direction the club is heading under Iorianni.

“All reports from the club is that nobody has left, and we should be able to retain every player,” he said.

“We’re looking to continue what Milney [previous coach James Milne] started with the boys, focusing on discipline and nailing the simple things.”

AYDIN PAYNE

Jacob Ewert IN: Dylan Moncur (Stanhope), Steve Devlin (Congupna), Adam MacGibbon (Glenmore Bulls), Shane Kay (Tatura) OUT: nil Football and Netball 2019 Page 63

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

NAGAMBIE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ANTHONY HAYSOM 2018 FINISH: RUNNER UP (17–4) 2018 BESTAND-FAIREST: ANTHONY HAYSOM 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: MATHEW WATERSON (78) GROUND: NAGAMBIE RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: LAKERS

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agambie has a habit of never straying too far from the premiership spotlight and last year it came painstakingly close to another flag, falling at the final hurdle to Tallygaroopna.

The Lakers’ best and fairest for 2018, Anthony Haysom, is taking the reins for the upcoming season and hopes to get his squad back up on top of the ladder.

“The season didn’t go quite as we had liked obviously, last year we went in without a ruckman which made it hard. We have got Dave Price back who has won premierships with us as

Ben Hutton well as a best and fairest medal, so all in all we are shaping up nicely. The boys are all ready to go,” Haysom said.

Daryl Harrison has hung up his boots and called time on an illustrious career, and Mathew Waterson’s expertise with the Sherrin will be sorely missed as he departs for North Bendigo.

“Mathew Waterson has been our biggest out in the off-season, it’s tough to replace 78 goals but it will give some of the other blokes a chance to have a go,” Haysom said.

“We have a few tall rucks which will provide a target.

“Next step is to win the flag, which is easier said than done; a lot of the other clubs have been out recruiting, so hopefully the competition has gone up a gear.”

IN: Dave Price (Oak Park), Steven Barber (year off)

LIAM NASH

OUT: Mathew Waterson (Bendigo), Daryl Harrison (retired)

RUSHWORTH

Ajak Dang

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BRETT PATEMAN 2018 FINISH: 13TH (2–16) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: JORDAN HAGEMAN 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: JACOB THORNE (13) GROUND: IRONBARK STADIUM NICKNAME: TIGERS

I

t’s been a difficult summer for those involved at Ironbark Stadium.

IN: Ajak Dang (Mooroopna), Travis Johnstone (Strathfieldsaye), Kade Dearing (Merrigum) OUT: Hayden Firmer (Girgarre)

The Rushworth Tigers cut ties with their former coach during the Christmas break, throwing the mighty Tigers into turmoil.

However, in the search for a new leader, Rushworth opted to bring back the coach who led the club in its first years of KDFNL existence. Brett Pateman will coach the side for the 2019 season, more than 20 years since his first stint as senior coach.

“I’ve been around the club for a long time.

After what happened over summer I felt I couldn’t just sit by and watch,” Pateman said.

“I’ve been thrust into the role, so it has been

a hard few months, but pre-season has been going really well with who we’ve had on the track.

“Ajak Dang has really impressed so far, he’s an extremely talented kid and he’ll be a great pick-up,” he said.

Pateman also revealed that the Tigers had acquired multiple players from interstate who will be pulling on the yellow and black jumper this year.

Looking at the season ahead, Pateman acknowledged it would be a tough outing after everything that has transpired, although he was looking to the future for his club.

“It’ll be tough going but if we could win half a dozen games I’d be happy,” he said.

“We need to rebuild the list and get some culture back at the club for the future of the club.”

AYDIN PAYNE

SHEPPARTON EAST

FAST FACTS >> COACH: NICK BROWN 2018 FINISH: TENTH (6–12) IN MFL 2018 BESTAND-FAIREST: MATT RENDINA 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: MATT RENDINA (30) GROUND: CENTRAL PARK NICKNAME: EAGLES

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nother year and another league change for the side from Central Park, crossing to its third league in the space of three seasons.

This year, Shepparton East faces a long list of departures. Most notable of the players to depart the Eagles nest is best and fairest winner Matt Rendina. Dwaine Vidler, the Eagles’ coach in 2018, has also left the club to take up a position as assistant coach with Shepparton United.

But a mass exodus of players has allowed Shepparton East to recruit plenty of old faces back to the club, with the number one target being former Longwood coach Nick Brown.

Brown has focused on youth and bringing back familiar faces to Central Park in a bid to reinstate

Page 64 Football and Netball 2019

club culture and help settle the landscape.

“We’re really focusing on the youth this year and bringing back former players to the club,” he said.

“We’ve got an exceptional group of young fellas in the thirds; we hope to bring them up through the ranks and make sure they gain some experience. The club hasn’t had this opportunity with youngsters before, so it’s an exciting time.”

Brown’s decision to return to the Eagles has been helped by the generosity of those around the club and being able to see his family more.

“I’ve got a lot of support from those around me and I also get to spend heaps more time with the kids, so it’s been an easy transition,” he said.

Looking to the season ahead, Brown said the priority was youth and returning players.

“There hasn’t been one conversation about wins and losses for the year ahead.”

AYDIN PAYNE

IN: Josh Brown (Longwood), Jai Simmie (Mooroopna), Anthony Tautola (Longwood), Ben Tautola (Longwood), Josh Dohnt (Longwood), Daniel Freeman (Longwood), Jye Burgess (Shepparton Swans), Sam Maitlan (Caroline Springs), Daniel Freeman (return), Peter Fantini, Trevor Graham

Jai Simmie

OUT: Matt Rendina (Shepparton United), Shannon Campbell (Shepparton United), Angus Sutherland (Shepparton United), Jamie Spencer (Stanhope), Brandon Corish (Stanhope), Simon Russell (Strathmerton), Jeremy Fraser (Southern Football League), David Gillespie (Shepparton United), Joseph Perkovic (AFL Barwon), Robert Osborne (Shepparton Swans), Nathan Barolli (Shepparton Swans)

KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

STANHOPE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: COBEY AYNSLEY 2018 FINISH: THIRD (16–1–3) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: DANIEL FLYNN 2018 LEADING GOALKICKER: ROHAN BALDOCK (68) GROUND: GILL COCHRANE OVAL NICKNAME: LIONS

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ith Robert Montgomery and Troy Auld steering the ship in 2018 the Lions looked fierce during the regular season, but the side couldn’t quite pull it together heading into finals and fell short of capturing the flag. Ace Cobey Aynsley will step in to lead the side this year and will hope to breach that elusive final hurdle and bring the club a taste of premiership glory for the first time since 2008.

“Obviously it was disappointing to go all season having barely lost a game and not perform in the finals. As far as expectations go we will try and win as many as we can and try and string the wins together. In saying that, it will be in the back of the boys’ heads how many games we must win to make finals,” Aynsley said.

Several key squad members have left the Lions in the off-season, including the likes of talented forward Rohan Baldock who heads back to Tasmania, as well as Robert Montgomery and Ryan Emmett who are ending their careers in the sport.

“Obviously you can’t replace boys like Rohan Baldock and Robert Montgomery, with them being a massive part of the journey last year. But it would be incredible for the club if Rob had a change of heart and decided to throw on the guernsey for another year,” he said.

But with the departure of key members brings an influx of talent from rival clubs such as Jamie Spencer and Brandon Corish from Shepparton East.

“The boys that have come in from Shepparton East are obviously held in high regard and I think they will be big for us this season. But as well as them it will be exciting to see the other young blokes get a run out there and show what they can do.”

LIAM NASH

Nathan O’Reilly IN: Braydon Kearns (Longwood), Jamie Spencer (Shepp East), Brandon Corish (Shepp East), Dayne Webber (Longwood), Alec McGuire (Macorna), Rob Aynsley (Pambula), Ryan Barassi (Longwood), Drew Haebich (Tungamah) OUT: Rohan Baldock (Tasmania), James Fraser (Tatura), Lucas White (Tatura), Robert Montgomery (retired), Ryan Emmett (retired), Michael Coad (Mooroopna), Alex O’Reilly (Melbourne), Josh Evans (Picola)

UNDERA

Kaine Herbet

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MICK KYLE 2018 FINISH: 10TH (6–11) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: KAINE HEBERT 2018 LEADING GOALKICKER: SHAUN STANDLY (39) GROUND: UNDERA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS

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ick Kyle has packed up his bags at Mooroopna and headed 15 minutes’ drive down the road to take over the reins at Undera this year.

IN: Jack Hajiro (Echuca United), Liam Cross (Merrigum/year off), Ash Hockey (Mooroopna), Shaun Wilson (Katunga), Tom Deward

The first-year coach is excited to head out to the Lions’ den after years of involvement in the Goulburn Valley League.

“It’s always the unknown coming into a new club but I’m really looking forward to the club building,” the former Cats player said.

The Lions will be looking to jump a few spots on the ladder this year, having finished the 2018 season four games out of finals.

“We’ve got some exciting products coming

to the club, and we should have plenty of depth, so I’d love to double the wins this year,” Kyle said.

“It’s the middle of February and we’ve been getting 25–30 players at training; back when we had those really hot periods in January we’d be lucky to reach 15,” he said.

The Lions have gained much-needed firepower to assist reigning McNamara medallist Kaine Herbert.

“We should have plenty of depth this year.

The ressies look like they will have a strong side; everyone has bought into the system, which is great,” Kyle said.

“It’s the 10-year reunion since the last senior premiership, so if we could feature in finals to commemorate that occasion it would be perfect.”

AYDIN PAYNE

OUT: Joshua Henry (Mooroopna)

VIOLET TOWN FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: SEAN HORSBURGH & TIM ROSS 2018 FINISH: 11TH (4–14) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: PAT HORSBURGH 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: ASHLEY HOBBS (23) GROUND: VIOLET TOWN RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS

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ast year the boys from Violet Town were unable to re-capture their blistering form of the 2017 season, slipping from being runnersup to settling for 11th spot on the KDFNL ladder in the space of one season.

The Lions will be hoping they’re not in for a replay of that outcome, but with three highprofile senior players leaving the club, it will have some work to do.

“We’ve lost three top-quality players in Sammy (Poole), Pat (Horsburgh) and John (Woodcock) to Katamatite, they’re going to be hard to replace,” Horsburgh said.

But Violet Town has pulled off multiple key-player signings, bringing in Jett Bewick

from Airport West and Nick Abley from Maribyrnong Park.

“We’ve been able to pick up a few boys from down Melbourne way and they have fitted in nicely to the club,” Horsburgh said.

“We have a lot of work to do; last year was disappointing so we’re hoping to be competitive throughout the club this year.”

Horsburgh welcomed the addition of friend Tim Ross as co-coach for the 2019 season.

Ross had been stepping up to the role unofficially in previous seasons.

“We’ve been good mates for a long time, he’s always helped out during the years and acted as a co-coach with me, so it was a no-brainer to give him the official title this year,” Horsburgh said.

“It will be good to have him share the load this season; it can be a fairly taxing gig.”

AYDIN PAYNE

Sean Horsburgh

IN: Nicholas Abley (Maribyrnong Park), Jett Bewick (Airport West), Jake Cullen (Epping), Todd Rogers (Benalla), Jarrod Fox (Glen Orden), Jayden Guppy (Ovens & King FL), Luke Murphy (East Keilor) OUT: Patrick Horsburgh (Katamatite), Samuel Poole, John Woodcock, Mason Vearing (Avenel), Robert Wilson (Euroa), Jake Cowman (Inglewood)

Football and Netball 2019 Page 65

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE Ladder predictions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Waaia Strathmerton Katamatite Deniliquin Rovers Blighty Picola United Rennie Berrigan Katunga Yarroweyah Mathoura Jerilderie Tocumwal

8 1 0 2 R E I M E R P

Rennie

Nothing if not entertaining

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he drama-filled league that is the Picola and District Football League produces storyline after storyline — which side will drive the narrative this season?

Will it back-to-back reigning premier Rennie which last year added the unified belt to its 2017 south-east crown, seeing off 2017 northwest premier Picola United in the decider by 38 points?

Or can one of the field of emerging contenders — including United, Waaia, Katamatite or Strathmerton — make their move and take down the Hoppers?

One thing is for sure — the ‘favourite’ tag rests heavily on the shoulders of Waaia, unthinkably beaten by Rennie in last season’s preliminary final after a destructive campaign,

RENNIE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CRAIG EDNIE 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (15–7) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: CHASE STRAWHORN GROUND: RENNIE RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: GRASSHOPPERS

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wo years in a row Rennie has shocked the Picola league — and you would be foolish to think the Hoppers aren’t planning yet another raid.

In 2017 they won the premiership off the back of a winless 2016, before storming home in almost unthinkable fashion last year to win from sixth on the ladder.

Huge factors in last season’s run — Brad Murray and Judd Porter — will not begin the season with the Hoppers but young contributors like Joel O’Dwyer, Jack Kennedy and Sam Ferguson will be front and centre as they aim for a historic three-peat.

Coach Craig Ednie said there was no specific motivation for the side outside of helping its next generation of stars emerge.

“There’s no motivation as such, we just hope to keep developing a few of those younger boys like we did last year,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple more coming through Page 66 Football and Netball 2019

smashing all in its path before missing the chance to play in the decider.

The Bombers’ elite core — including Pearce medallists Ash Thompson and Matt McCarty — has returned for a crack at redemption and is the pre-season fancy to make it a September to remember.

Bolter Katamatite also has the PD nation talking after adding McNamara medallist Sam Poole as well as a pair of Violet Town teammates, the Tigers well positioned to jump inside the top four from last season’s ninth.

Strathmerton has loaded up too with Connor Hargreaves and Shannon Emmett headlining its list; rival Picola United has gone young to replace some senior players; and ex-AFL talent

Djaran Whyman might take the Deniliquin Rovers to the promised land.

Katunga has lost some stars but gained lightning-quick Mitch Jones and Sidebottoms Dylan and Mitch, the trio to guide a plethora of young talent along with new coach Damien Kennedy.

Towards the rear of the table, which of last season’s strugglers — namely Tocumwal, Mathoura, Yarroweyah and Jerilderie — will find another gear and continue their progression back to the league’s elite?

Grab a bucket of popcorn and get ready for some serious drama — it is time for the Picola league to rip into action.

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH-EAST PAST PREMIERS: 2018: Rennie 2017: NW: Picola United 2017: SE: Rennie 2016: NW: Picola United 2016: SE: Shepparton East 2015: NW: Strathmerton 2015: SE: Tungamah 2014: NW: Jerilderie 2014: SE: Tungamah

PAST PEARCE MEDALLISTS: 2018: Ash Thompson (Waaia) and Mark Ryan (Picola United) 2017 NW: Jed Brain (Blighty) 2017 SE: Bodhi Butts (Tungamah) 2016 NW: Andrew May (Deni Rovers) and Dave Daniel (Picola United) 2016 SE: Matt Rendina (Shepparton East), Eamon Reeves (Katugna) and Matt McCarty (Waaia) 2015 NW: Paul Massingham (Berrigan) 2015 SE: Matt McCarty (Waaia) and Nick Doyle (Tungamah) 2014 NW: Andrew May (Jerilderie) 2014 SE: Luke Minogue (Katandra) and Tyson Saunders (Katamatite

ALEX MITCHELL

the thirds, and Jake Rhodes is back at the club too. They’ve brought a bit of youth, fun and laughter to the boys.”

Yarrawonga trio Reid Clarke, Matt McCabe and Cory Pearn are inclusions along with returning talent Cam Sudholz, with Rhodes’ family connection at the club making him a perfect fit.

Ednie, who will again be one of the competition’s most influential players despite his veteran status, said a top-four finish was the goal.

“Realistically if you want a crack at a premiership you have to try and finish in the four,” he said.

“I think Waaia, Strathy and Berrigan will be the top three, they’ll be up there and we’ll be pushing for there as well.”

IN: Reid Clarke, Matt McCabe, Cory Pearn (Yarrawonga), Cam Sudholz (Barooga), Jake Rhodes OUT: Ryan Forsyth, Brad Murray, Judd Porter

Leon Wolfe

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

BERRIGAN

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LEE SCHMIDT 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (11–8) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: MARK MCQUALTER GROUND: BERRIGAN RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: SAINTS

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errigan will look to announce itself as a real contender in the unified Picola league this season after handing out quite a few scares last campaign.

The Saints were always on track for a finish in the lower runs of the top eight but pulled off a trio of late-season upsets — against Deniliquin Rovers, Strathmerton and Blighty — before a first-round finals exit at the hands of Rennie.

But the task this season looms as a difficult one, with influential players Jye Adamson and Tom Irvine departing the club for Whittlesea and Tungamah respectively, while ruckman Phillip Murrawood has retired.

It leaves a series of big holes in a talented side that could be filled by the next generation of Saints; Fraser Haintz, Berrigan’s under-17 best and fairest-winner and runner-up in the league medal, steps up to seniors and takes fellow rising stars Riley Dempster and Mason Peters with him.

Other young talents include Angus Coldwell

and Kyle McQualter, who has been tearing up the track in pre-season after missing plenty of games last season through injury.

A limited list of recruits includes the arrival of Will Robinson from Yarrawonga, having played 12 games with the Pigeons’ reserves last season and kicking five goals.

BLIGHTY

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JACK TYNDALL 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (14–7) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: SAM SINGLETON GROUND: BLIGHTY RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: REDEYES

B

lighty will never know what last season could have been, given a string of key injuries — but success this season would make that disappointment a distant memory.

Superstar Jed Brain, the 2017 Pearce medallist, has departed to play Brainball with brother James, who coaches Chelsea in the Mornington Peninsula league, but the huge loss is covered by the arrival of an exciting young core of players.

Young Murray league talents Dylan Maxwell, Liam Osborne and Darcy Morris all have the potential to excite the Redyes’ faithful and returning coach Jack Tyndall said it was taking the side to the next level.

“We wanted a bit of youth, we’re all relatively young but with a core of 18 to 19-year-olds, it puts a bit of pressure on the older guys because they’re really keen and the type of blokes that don’t miss a training,” he said.

Tom Beams

IN: Will Robinson (Yarrawonga)

IN: Kevin Kerr (Wakool), Dylan Maxwell, Liam Osborne (Finley), Darcy Morris (Deniliquin Rams), Tyler Amor-Beale, David Chalmers, Charlie Simpson

OUT: Jye Adamson (Whittlesea), Tom Irvine, Jake Sampson (Tungamah), Phillip Murrawood (retired)

OUT: Jed Brain (Chelsea), Ryan Chadderton (Deniliquin Rams)

The Redeyes’ squad is jammed full of talent with Matt Jackson, Sam Singleton and Tyndall to benefit from the presence of Judd Barnes, Dane Maxwell and Jake Platfuss, injuries curbing their influence last campaign.

They were handily beaten in the preliminary final by Picola United after a 13–5 regular season.

“Injuries probably stuffed us; I thought we had a side that could give it a good crack, but Waaia blew us out of the water and Picola beat us as well,” Tyndall said.

“We just want to be healthy and have a full list to choose from. At stages last year we had 10 senior players out.

“We’re excited and there’s a good feel around the club. Top four is the goal, but hopefully we can just stay healthy.”

Lenny Clarke

DENILIQUIN ROVERS

JERILDERIE

I

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FAST FACTS >> COACH: JOSH BODE 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (14–6) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: ANDREW MAY GROUND: MEMORIAL PARK NICKNAME: ROVERS

f you’d told the Deniliquin Rovers 14 games into last season they wouldn’t make the grand final, they probably wouldn’t have believed you — and if you’d told the 13–1 side they wouldn’t even win a final they would have laughed in your face.

The Roos lost five of their last six games for a straight-sets finals exit, and returning coach Josh Bode stuck his hand up to take the blame despite calling it a positive year.

“As a game plan, I was really happy with the defence and the midfield, but our forward entries were just terrible,” he said.

“It wasn’t the forwards’ fault, we got into bad habits and we weren’t kicking straight, and it snowballed.

“I take most of the blame for that because I wasn’t really disciplined enough when we were winning. Winning was definitely hiding a few faults.”

But the huge inclusion of former AFL player Djaran Whyman from Rumbalara along with Josh Flight and Rhys McCulloch leaves the side poised to head straight back to the top four. “(Flight) has seriously filled out into a man mountain, he’s a big boy and he’s showing a fair bit in pre-season,” Bode said.

“Rhys McCulloch’s record speaks for itself,

he’s one of our youngest best and fairest winners and is elite.”

Bode said defensive general Des Morgan was in the shape of his life and poised for a huge year that would cover the exits of Dylan and Nathan Kerr and Dave Smith.

“It sounds silly saying it at 33 years old, but Desi Morgan has lost 15 kilos, and I reckon pencil him in for top three in the league best and fairest,” Bode said.

James Gilligan

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CHRIS MARSHALL 2018 FINISH: 13TH (1–17) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: CHRIS MARSHALL GROUND: JERILDERIE RECERATION RESERVE NICKNAME: DEMONS

erilderie is looking for progress this season after a disappointing 2018 saw it win just its first game of the season before 17 straight losses.

The inexperienced Demons just could not stay with some of the Picola league’s more dangerous sides, but have added a dynamic quintet of talents designed to see them shoot up the ladder.

Culcairn’s Hayden Smith is joined by locals Dave Gregory, Sam Sleigh, Marc Shaw and Jye Holcombe in heading to Demon-land, and playing-coach Chris Marshall said it would keep the team in games for longer.

“We’re very excited for this year, we haven’t lost anyone, we’ve kept our entire list and recruited five players, four of them being exlocals,” he said.

“It’s mainly about keeping our confidence up. Even though we only won one game we were in most games until half-time, threequarter-time.

“That lack of depth and rotations really hurt us but adding four or five more guys gives us the ability to rotate a bit more, which is exciting.”

Along with gun midfielder Marshall, who finished seventh in the Pearce Medal count,

young Demon talents including runner-up best and fairest Nick Parker, Jordy Armstrong, Grant Patrick-Smith and Mitch A’Vard.

Marshall hoped a bolstered midfield would prove a strength and get the side back inside the top eight.

“We’d love to be even in the top six or top five, whether or not that’s realistic you have to be aiming there,” he said.

Chris Marshall

IN: Josh Flight (Wakool), Rhys McCulloch (overseas), Djaran Whyman (Rumbalara)

IN: Hayden Smith (Culcairn), Dave Gregory, Jye Holcombe, Marc Shaw, Sam Sleigh

OUT: Adam Bodey (overseas), Nathan Kerr, Dave Smith, Dylan Kerr (Rumbalara)

OUT: nil Football and Netball 2019 Page 67

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KATAMATITE FAST FACTS >> COACH: JEDD WRIGHT 2018 FINISH: NINTH (7–11) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: TOM BUZZA GROUND: KATAMATITE RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: TIGERS

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nother stellar recruiting class along with the emergence of talented youngsters makes Katamatite an absolute bolter heading to the new season.

McNamara medallist Sam Poole joins from Violet Town bringing Pat Horsburgh and John Woodcock with him, with Brad Parnell, Trent Steers and Zach Gawen also loading up the roster.

They join best-and-fairest winner Tom Buzza, Harris Dickason and Tom Pendlebury as recent additions to the club, potentially completing coach Jedd Wright’s build from struggler to title challenger.

“It’s hard to say, we’re coming from a long way back,” Wright said.

“For us, we just need to get into the frame of mind that we can win every game we play.

We’re not aiming too high just yet, we’re aiming for finals.”

A lack of depth halted the Tigers’ finals push last season as they finished with a 7–11 record, but the team seems poised to leap into serious contention.

“Last year we probably lacked a little bit of depth, our best 22 was pretty handy but when injuries hit we struggled,” Wright said.

“We identified our midfield as an area that

could use a boost, and with those three alone (Poole, Horsburgh and Woodcock), we go from probably one of the weakest midfield groups to one of the strongest.

“They’ve been fantastic and brought real leadership. Sam is as silky as they come, Pat’s a real bull and John is a very solid ruckman.”

Evenness across the field appears a strength of the Tigers, along with the midfield power to match it with any side.

Joe Wilkie

IN: Aaryn Cormican (Dookie United), Zach Gawen (North Wangaratta), Pat Horsburgh, Sam Poole, John Woodcock (Violet Town), Brad Parnell (White Hills), Trent Steers (Barooga) OUT: Shankus Ryan (Strathmerton)

KATUNGA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DAMIEN KENNEDY 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (8–11) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: JOSH SMITH GROUND: KATUNGA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: SWANS

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atunga will be searching for a new crop of stars to announce themselves this season after many key talents headed away from the club.

Last season’s co-coaches Dan Burness and Eamon Reeves have gone to Tallygaroopna along with Josh Wellington, while ex-AFL duo Callum Wilson and Tom Derickx also will not return.

It leaves a gaping hole in a side that battled hard to play finals last season before being smashed by Strathmerton in the first week.

Taking the reins is Katamatite premiership player and coach Damien Kennedy, who saw plenty of positives in the Swans’ playing group.

“You always think about coaching and the quality appealed, there are some really talented kids but the challenging part is the major reshuffling of the list,” he said.

“The Melbourne group has all moved on so IN: Matt John, Austin Jones, Mitch Jones, Brad Millen (Numurkah), Dylan Sidebottom, Mitch Sidebottom (Tallygaroopna) OUT: Dan Burness, Eamon Reeves, Josh Wellington (Tallygaroopna), Tom Derickx, Alistair Gillespie, Scott Lardi, Callum Wilson

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DARCY ROBINSON 2018 FINISH: 11TH (3–15) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: ANDREW EVANS GROUND: MATHOURA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: TIMBERCUTTERS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JON VARCOE 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (17–4) 2018 BESTAND-FAIREST: BLAKE JORGENSEN GROUND: PICOLA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BLUES

M

P

Blake Jorgensen

icola United continued to build its reputation as a powerhouse club with another trip to the grand final last season and will be out for more this campaign.

athoura has not played finals since 2011 and will be out to break that drought this season.

Page 68 Football and Netball 2019

we’ve really peeled it right back.”

Tallygaroopna premiership duo Dylan and Mitch Sidebottom strengthen the list as does electric Numurkah midfielder Mitch Jones — ranked 35 in Tyler Maher’s Murray league pre-season top 50 last year.

But it is a young core — including Kevin van den Goor, Josh Howden, Trent Baker and Max Hendy — that will determine the team’s future.

“Those boys have been thrown to the wolves a bit, but it just gives them that grounding, they’ve come through it and they’re ready to front up,” Kennedy said.

“Any experience is good experience, and a few losses helps you learn to be quite competitive and dig in.”

Kennedy said developing the kids was the first priority this campaign with a finals appearance an added bonus.

PICOLA UNITED

MATHOURA It seems a tough ask for a side that has won seven of its last 44 games, but coach Darcy Robinson said motivation among the group was high.

“It’s massive how the boys have responded on the back of a three-win season, we needed the group to respond and they’ve come back way fitter on their own,” he said.

“They’ve come back in better shape, that’s started things off on a really positive footing, and that makes everything so much better from there.”

The list has been bolstered with experience with the additions of Moama speedster Zac Cockayne and Reagan Hamilton catching the eye, the calm heads required around the football to stop small losses becoming massacres.

Midfielders Sam McHale, Jack Keogh and Jack Hughes will be vital in winning the ball in the trenches, while Robinson asked for more of the same from a backline that has stood up under immense pressure in recent times.

“From a coaching point of view, you never want to set off with unrealistic goals because that can set you up for failure, and create a really bad tone by round four or five,” Robinson said.

Dylan Sidebottom

Jack Keogh “If you asked me now, yes, we will play finals; but I don’t think any coach would say their side can’t. It’s all about our goals within games, if we keep ticking them off we will play finals football.”

IN: Wade Austin, Stuart Day (Echuca United), Zac Cockayne, Beau DugganHulands, Keana Hall (Moama), Reagan Hamilton, Calum Lindberg, Matt Sparey (Wakool), Aaron Patterson (Deniliquin Rams) OUT: Tyler Beasy (Woorinen)

Outplayed by Rennie on grand final day in a 38-point stifling, the Blues’ coach Jon Varcoe hoped his side’s strong structures combined with some new faces would get the side back to the competition’s pointy end.

“Everyone was disappointed but that’s long gone, it’s a new season and a new opportunity,” he said.

“We’re looking to prepare well and focus on getting some early results. We think our list has a fair bit of potential.”

But making a fourth consecutive grand final will require new contributors, with midfield bulls Ian Fry and Darby Walsh, forward Taylor Beard and captain Rhys Woodland among those departing.

Joining in their absence is half-back Tom Higgins, young midfielder Lachie HarveyHawkins and Lancaster trio Matt James, Jordan Lothian and Dean Moore, with Lee Solar and Matt Atkinson returning to the club.

United has won 51 of its past 57 games in

becoming a competition benchmark, and Varcoe said unselfish football was the key to adding to that impressive record.

“There’s a good core of young players that have been training hard. We’re looking for them to develop and play good senior football,” he said.

“We keep our standards high and put the emphasis on team football. If we do that, we feel we can give the best performance we are capable of.”

IN: Lachie Harvey-Hawkins (Nathalia), Tom Higgins (Rumbalara), Matt James, Jordan Lothian, Dean Moore (Lancaster), Craig Loomes, Lee Solar, Matt Atkinson OUT: Taylor Beard, Jeremy Salinger, Ash Weldon (Marong), Ian Fry, Darby Walsh (Shepparton Swans), Rhys Woodland (Lockington-Bamawm United)

PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

STRATHMERTON

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: TIM BRAMICH & SHANNON EDGAR 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (12–8) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ADRIAN CRESTANI GROUND: MEMORIAL PARK NICKNAME: BULLDOGS

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fter missing out on a grand final for the first time since 2012, Strathmerton is looking to once again reach its lofty standards this season.

Beaten in the semi-final by Blighty last season, the Bulldogs have added Shannon Edgar to their coaching set-up to co-coach with stalwart Tim Bramich, who said improved depth would take his side forward this campaign.

“Because we haven’t lost anyone but added six or seven guys plus got another three come up from the thirds, there’s going to be a fair bit of competition for spots,” he said.

“We probably haven’t had that for a while, it’s been a bit like if you’re fit you can play.”

Headlining a quality list of recruits is key forward Connor Hargreaves, who along with Numurkah duo Shannon Emmett and Travis Down will try to address a clear need for extra scoring punch.

But just as important will be the graduation of under-17s players into the senior ranks, the thirds having claimed last year’s grand final by beating the previously undefeated Katunga.

The Bulldogs will again look to smoothmoving Adrian Crestani, while Theo Thomas and Zack Betson return after shining in their

first year at the club.

Bramich said the pre-season aim was to get back to the promised land with a squad packed full of potential.

“Every side is hoping to get back there, but it’s hard to say,” he said.

“First thing’s first, making finals is a priority; and, as we saw with Rennie, once you’re there anything can happen.”

Jordan Crestani IN: Travis Down, Shannon Emmett (Numurkah), Connor Hargreaves (Yarrawonga), Nathan McNair (Mulwala), Shankus Ryan (Katamatite), Simon Russell (Shepparton East) OUT: Tom Campbell (Shepparton United)

TOCUMWAL FAST FACTS >> COACH: DAVID BATE 2018 FINISH: 10TH (3–15) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: TIM GARLICK GROUND: TOCUMWAL RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BLOODS

New Tocumwal coach David Bate is the man tasked with helping the club find a bigger spread of contributors.

Last year’s coach Tim Garlick — who has left the club for Cobram — won the best and fairest with 102 votes by a whopping margin of 69 votes, showing too much was left to the midfield master.

Bate, who coached the reserves last season, said limiting the amount of thrashings and building a solid foundation was his goal.

“Our goal at least at the start is to turn 30goal hidings into 10 or 15-goal losses, try and halve that margin,” he said.

“We’ve picked up a few recruits which is what we need, we’re coming from a pretty low base, we had a bit of an ordinary season and we’ve got a lot of work to do.

“My main goal is to try and build a platform by the end of the season and see how we go after that.”

Former Shepparton and Barooga forward Dion Metzner is a big addition along with

on-baller Trent Boglis, who made an impression in a short time playing four games with the Bloods in 2013.

“We’re not concerned with anyone other than ourselves, the big focus is being better than us,” Bate said.

“Wins are great but from a spectator and member point of view we just need to be more competitive.

“I’m sure everyone can tolerate a loss if we’re really having a crack and the game style stacks up.”

Oliver Rennie

IN: Tim Arklay (Bannockburn), Hugh Haynes (retirement), Robbie Hermann (Nar Nar Goon), Dion Metzner (Barooga), Alex Saraikin (Lang Lang), Trent Boglis OUT: Tim Garlick (Cobram), Dylan Flanagan, Mitch Wright

WAAIA

YARROWEYAH

I

T

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: GEOFF BENSON & ANDY JONES 2018 FINISH: 12TH (2–16) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: SHAUN GREENWAY GROUND: YARROWEYAH RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: HOPPERS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MATT BROWN 2018 FINISH: THIRD (19–1) 2018 BEST-ANDFAIREST: SHAYNE LYNCH GROUND: WAAIA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BOMBERS

f ever a side can use finals heartbreak for pre-season motivation it is this overwhelmingly talented Waaia group.

Formidable throughout last season, the Bombers lost just one game for the year by just one point — the preliminary final against eventual champion Rennie after leading the contest virtually all day.

Matt Brown returns as the side’s coach along with the vast majority of the list — a huge sign his troops are hell-bent on redemption and hoisting the cup.

“I’m very happy with the list, obviously last year still hurts a little bit but guys were coming to us and committing to play on the spot,” he said.

“Guys were being offered incentives to play but they took a bit less with us so we could squeeze one or two more in.

“It’s shown me a fair bit about the group, I thought it was great everyone wanted to stick around.”

Ex-Mooroopna ruckman Jesse Webster, who Brown said was training the house down, replaces Matt Smyth, with Tim Belford and Dan Clarke other inclusions.

This complements a simply loaded squad with players such as Pearce medallist Ash

he Hoppers’ slow build to relevance will again by led by co-coaches Geoff Benson and Andy Jones, the side coming off a two-win season last year that included a few heavy defeats.

Charlie Burrows Thompson, Shayne Lynch, league-leading goalkicker Charlie Burrows, Matt McCarty and Shane Richardson.

Brown said premiership or not, the club was positioned to be relevant for years going forward.

“I don’t think we need to tweak too much, I feel we have all the tools and our game plan was pretty effective. We lost one game by one point, we weren’t blown out of the water,” he said.

“There’s a group of 10 to 12 local kids here aged 17 to 22 who we’re really looking to keep around, for this year and the next five.”

But another haul of talent as well as games in a young group will be their plan to jump to the next level.

“We’re definitely building towards something, and all the boys are pretty confident I reckon,” Jones said.

“We’ve added 10 to 12 guys from last season, we’re building from the bottom but we’re getting quite a bit of confidence, and definitely aiming to see if we can play finals.”

The biggest inclusion is St Albans ruckman Tim Albans who will look to feed the ball down the throats of an emerging midfield group, with best-and-fairest winner Shaun Greenway tipped to take his game to the next level.

“The big one was getting in a ruck. We lost our ruckman from last year and we got Tim Atkins pretty early, he’s played with Keegan Oliver and is a premier ruckman,” Jones said.

“We also felt we were a bit light on in the

midfield so we’ve picked up a couple there too.

“Shaun Greenway was great last year, and with a gun ruckman I could see him stepping up another level and becoming one of the premier players in the competition.”

Jones said five or six wins was an attainable target for his side.

Keegan Oliver

IN: Tim Belford (Tallygaroopna), Dan Clarke (Merrigum), Jesse Webster (Cobram)

IN: Tim Atkins (St Albans), James Sim, Corey Percy (Barooga), Hayden Mende, Ian Oliver (Strathmerton), Matt Toohey (Tocumwal), Sam Chatfield, Matt Leadingham

OUT: Ashley Carmody, Lachie Carmody (Echuca United), Matt Smyth (Numurkah)

OUT: Nick Macheda (Barooga), Christian Duhring Football and Netball 2019 Page 69

GOULBURN VALLEY NETBALL LEAGUE

8 1 0 2 R E I M E R P Echuca

Challengers throw their hat in ring A

nother rollercoaster ride of a Goulburn Valley League netball season is in the books — and now another story will be written.

After Echuca’s emotional triumph — a one-goal win against a previously-undefeated Shepparton — a more sensational season might be impossible, but the region’s best netballers will give it a fair dinkum shake.

The reigning champion will be out to do it again but will attack the season without some of its premiership stars, signalling to competing teams that the flag is up for grabs.

Can Shepparton, so powerful through 2018 before one fatal stumble, get back to its best and take a further step, despite star goaler Kim Commane’s potential absence?

Down in Seymour, the Lions’ already dangerous array of talent has been given another boost with VNL player Jessica Lallo climbing aboard, with the side to be coached Page 70 Football and Netball 2019

by Elle McDonald and keen to make amends for its own finals misfortune.

Shepparton’s two other teams — the Swans and United — are again both looking to take another leap forward, with United’s group of elite young talent of particular interest after getting within four goals of Echuca in the preliminary final last year.

The darkest of horses is Kyabram, which after back-to-back premierships slid down the ladder to ninth.

With Wellman medallist Emma Ryan, Lauren Clymo, Eesha Clarke, Ash Mangan and Elle Groves all joining, the Bombers are heading up and the only question is, how high?

And the young talent factory that is Mansfield will finally get its VNL-level playing-coach Emily Hutchins on the court, inspiring belief this is the year the Eagles will take flight.

ALEX MITCHELL

PREMIERS: 2018: Echuca 2017: Kyabram 2016: Kyabram 2015: Seymour 2014: Shepparton United 2013: Shepparton Swans 2012: Kyabram 2011: Kyabram 2010: Shepparton United 2009: Shepparton United

Emma Ryan — Wellman medallist

WELLMAN FAMILY MEDALLISTS: 2018: Emma Ryan (Tatura) 2017: Steph Vick (Kyabram)

Ladder predictions

2016: Steph Vick (Kyabram)

1

Seymour

7

Mansfield

2015: Elle McDonald (Seymour)

2

Kyabram

8

2014: Jacinta Todd (Shepparton)

Rochester

3

Shepparton Swans

9

Mooroopna

4

Shepparton

10

Benalla

5

Shepparton United

11

Tatura

6

Echuca

12

Euroa

2013: Jade Heinrich (Mansfield) 2012: Ash Mangan (Kyabram) 2011: Kathryn Hard (Seymour) 2010: Ash Mangan (Kyabram)

GOULBURN VALLEY NETBALL LEAGUE

BENALLA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: GRACE WARNOCK 2018 FINISH: 11TH (2–16)

It is set to be a season of change for Benalla.

After last year provided growth and development for the club’s youth, the Saints have had a shake-up heading into the new season.

With premiership player-coach Pip O’Donoghue shifting her attention to B-grade this season, Grace Warnock has returned to the club after a year off to coach A-grade.

And after the Saints recorded just two wins in 2018, Warnock is hopeful the crop of local talent returning to the club will be enough to get Benalla back into the swing of things.

While Warnock will return to the court, she will also be joined by local Kate Symes.

Sisters Chloe and Bridget Hill are also set to be a force for the Saints’ defence, with Chloe taking out the club’s best-and-fairest last year and Bridget returning to the club after playing for Tongala in the MFNL. Benalla has also seen the exit of Kelsey Rigg and Meg Morrison at the close of the 2018 season.

“We’re very excited for this year, we have got a really good group of local girls and a lot of talent coming back into the club that have had a couple of seasons away,” Warnock said.

“Our team is quite different from last year, we have a few new players to freshen us up which

is exciting.

“We’ll have a very different show compared to last year for the other clubs to see.

“Like every team, we would like to make finals, so we’ll be trying to set our sights on making some sort of final and then go from there.”

already changed quite a bit from the side that won in 2018,” Pearson said.

“Every year I like to do things differently, looking at our players and adjusting around that,” she said.

“With the players that we’ve lost, we will be

playing a completely different style and I don’t think it will be until round six or so that we will fully know what that looks like.

“That has worked for us though. I’ve always said we need to win and keep improving, but we don’t need to hit our peak until finals.”

ECHUCA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: GINA PEARSON 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (18–4)

Gina Pearson has an attitude about her netball sides.

They don’t need to be their best in round one; but they need to be there on grand final day.

It led them to the premiership in 2018. So why change?

Echuca is going into 2019 with the same attitude — work hard, improve week by week, and be there at the pointy end when it matters.

“We are feeling pretty good about the side for 2019,” Pearson said.

“We’ve had fantastic numbers through that selection period, plenty of new faces as well as some returning ones.

“We’ve had a few members of our A-grade side move on, but some very good juniors are coming through which will be huge.”

The excitement of winning the premiership in 2018 is a feeling Pearson hopes her players never forget, but also one they are able to put to the back of their minds as the year begins.

“It’s a new season and a new group. We have

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GOULBURN VALLEY NETBALL LEAGUE

KYABRAM

FAST FACTS >> COACH: SARA KENT 2018 FINISH: NINTH (5–13)

Wellman medallist Emma Ryan’s arrival is a huge coup for what was in 2018 a struggling Kyabram, a shadow of its former self.

Incoming coach Sara Kent wants her side to recapture the winning culture the team once had, with back-to-back flags in 2016 and 2017.

“Certainly getting back to play-offs is the aim — the depth we’ll have, and the promotion of these players will help the club as a whole,” she said.

“Not only will it mean we’re successful, but we’ll have more longevity as a club as well. This year it’s certainly more about local talent and their family ties.

“Lauren (Clymo) and Emma Ryan already have partners here, so they were a good fit. Finals is a goal and is a real aim, and we hope that will filter from A-grade down to the juniors.”

It is a completely new-look Bombers side that will take to the courts this year, with only three 2018 players keeping their spots in the starting seven.

Shani Clark, Holly Butler and Heidi Morris will remain in A-grade, while the other four are likely to be filled by a combination of Ryan, Clymo, Ash Mangan, Eesha Clarke and Elle Groves.

“Most clubs have to rebuild again after they slope away from the top, where we were, and I just hope that this is our rebuild, and we can begin to climb the ladder once more,” Kent said.

“We really want to start our season on the right foot, so managing to have (Emma Ryan) around the club, and being the great player and person she is, we want to beat Tatura and get that on the board.”

MANSFIELD

FAST FACTS >> COACH: EMILY HUTCHINS 2018 FINISH: 10TH (3–15)

Laura Cole

EUROA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LEANNE HAMLYN 2018 FINISH: 12TH (1–17)

Having moved to Euroa midway through last year Leanne Hamlyn takes the reins of the Magpies, looking to help them fly up the ladder.

They will need to find some new contributors too, however, with A-graders Laura Emanuelli, Kali Frost, Jenna Langham and Jasmely Trotter not with the side this season.

Stepping up will be young guns Eliza Hoare and Hannah Broughton from the 17-andunder side, while GVL Rising Star runner-up Kelsey Moylan (Mooroopna) and Imogen Law will also be exciting to watch as the team looks to build on a one-win campaign.

Experienced coach Hamlyn said she was thrilled to guide the club’s under-17s last season — and just as excited to help the A-grade side find its feet.

Page 72 Football and Netball 2019

“It’s something I really enjoy doing, and when I relocated to Euroa from Melbourne I put the feelers out to see where I could get involved,” she said.

“I think those under-17s players will come through this season; the talent in the younger age groups is brilliant.”

Hamlyn said team chemistry on court was the first thing her side would need to develop to produce more competitive results.

“We’re looking for a bit more of a bond between the players out on court,” she said.

“Part of that is not having so many fill-in players, we need players that will be able to play every game.

“I’m quite happy with pre-season numbers and we should have strength across every grade.”

Jenni McCluskey has joined from Mooroopna to coach the B-grade side, with Sonia Makar (B-reserve), Emma Clignett (17-and-under) and Stasia Martin-Trotter (15-and-under) completing the coaching line-up.

Mansfield’s A-grade netball side will be virtually identical to last season — and that is a huge positive for a young Eagles group looking to take flight.

The Eagles won just three games last campaign, yet while seeking gold they found plenty of gems: Darcy Croxford-Demasi, Nelle Cousins, Ellie-Rose Kipping and Amy DixonRielly were just some of the youngsters who made good impressions.

One potential huge inclusion is playingcoach Emily Hutchins, the former VNL player returning to lower-grade action late last season after an ACL injury.

Heading into her third season as coach, Hutchins said improvement would start on the attacking end.

“We were able to see positive signs in our defence end, they really showed their strength and stepped up,” she said.

“We’re pretty stoked with that defence so the big focus now is on the attack end and getting that to the same stage.

“The next step for us is to get some goals on the board, and hopefully that will put some wins there too.”

Hutchins said Emma Egglestone could shift inside the ring to help a young line-up, the VNL-level attacker having joined the Eagles

through last season.

With four wins and one draw in the past two seasons, the coach was desperate for the side’s hard work to finally net some positive results.

“The big goal is to actually see some on-court success. I really think the girls deserve it after the last couple of years,” she said.

“We’re working to move up the ladder and we’re trying to win enough games for finals in the next couple of seasons.”

MOOROOPNA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DI HANSLOW 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (13–6)

A strong 2018 campaign for Mooroopna ended with an elimination final loss to Shepparton United, but the Cats have a quality platform on which to build.

Di Hanslow, who oversaw United to end the Cats’ season, will coach Mooroopna this year, replacing the late Jenny Barlow.

Netball co-ordinator Janene Gattuso said the side would continue to build towards a premiership tilt.

“The goal is to try and make finals again.

Obviously we had a great season with Jenny Barlow, and it’s going to be very different at the club without her,” she said.

“We’ve got a good coach on board in Di Hanslow and it’s fantastic she’s come across.”

Familiar face Maddi Wong is taking a year off to study, and Lacey Paaka will not be with the side, while Jenny McCluskey and Kelsey Moylan have headed to Euroa.

While new players will have to step up to keep the side in premiership contention, Gattuso was confident the Cats would remain in the mix.

“Di has enjoyed taking the reins, she has just a wonderful knowledge of netball. She has excellent credentials and we know we’re in good hands,” she said.

“She will continue to work on what JB had instilled in the girls.”

ROCHESTER

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LINDA RASMUSSEN 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (6–12)

A steadily improving Rochester looks set to continue its progress in the GVL this year.

And the Rochester community is ready to throw its support behind a team on the way up.

Coach Linda Rasmussen said her team was keen for a big year.

“Eighth was good (in 2018), it was an improvement on the year before. I think we still have a really strong side,” she said.

“We always want to win more than we lose and from that we’ll start to become a top-six side. First thing though, we will start being competitive with those top sides.

“We had a few close games which didn’t go our way last year, and I think that came down to a last quarter or last half push, which we are working on along with our team structure.”

But in pushing for a top six spot, Rochester must contend with a seemingly ever-changing A-grade squad due to work or education commitments.

“We’re trying to build every year, but at the moment we do struggle against the bigger clubs to get numbers and, in particular, players back

GOULBURN VALLEY NETBALL LEAGUE

Darcy Croxford-Demasi from university in Melbourne. We don’t have the pulling power that a football club might have,” Rasmussen said.

“We’re definitely seeing some junior talent coming through and we’re really hoping for that talent to stick around the club for years to come.”

Star mid-courter Eesha Clarke has departed Tigerland for Kyabram.

SEYMOUR

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ELLE MCDONALD 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (13–7)

Seymour is coming into the 2019 season hot, with plenty of familiar faces set to remain at Kings Park.

The Lions will be looking to build on a solid 2018, which saw them squeeze into the top six and muster up a semi-final appearance against premier Echuca.

Wellman Family medallist Elle McDonald will steer the A-grade ship, taking the reins

Jacinta Todd

from Laura Carland.

While A-grade remains virtually untouched from last year, Seymour has a fresh face in VNL netballer Jessica Lallo.

“We are looking really good at the moment, our teams are mostly unchanged, except for a few new faces around,” McDonald said.

“In A-grade we have pretty much everyone returning.

“Meg Grbac will be back in defence, and her and Sarah (Szczykulski) are becoming a nice combination which will be great for us.

“It will be interesting to see how the new combination of Ellie (O’Sullivan), Jess (Lallo) and Laura (Carland) will work together in the goal circle this season.”

The Lions are again hungry for another finals appearance coming into the new season.

“I think finals is definitely in our sights, but as a coach I’m just trying to get everyone to play our best netball − and if we do that, I think it will be a successful season,” McDonald said.

“Last season set us up for hopefully a really

good year, so hopefully we can keep building and consolidating on playing well.”

McDonald will also remain an integral part of Seymour’s defence this season.

SHEPPARTON

FAST FACTS >> COACH: TRACEY BRERETON 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (20–1)

Shepparton Bears were dealt the most heartbreaking blow in last year’s decider against Echuca.

The Bears went through the home and away season undefeated and fell one goal short of an elusive A-grade premiership.

Coach Tracey Brereton revealed that the playing group sat down and spoke about the agonising defeat a few weeks into the preseason.

“A few weeks after the grand final we all sat down and had a chat; the consensus was the girls were hungry to get back in the same position,” Brereton said.

The runners-up will be fielding a different side to the one that narrowly missed handing them the title of premiers and champions.

Brereton acknowledged the need to jel as a team, and not run the risk of slipping up early in the season.

“It’s a different makeup on the court to what we had last year, we’ve got to make sure we can connect as a group early on,” Brereton said.

“We’ve been training twice a week now, and our side has been formalised since December, so we should be on the same page by now.”

The Bears have gained Ellie Dowling and Ash Bradley back from knee injuries, as well as Bree Robinson returning from a year off.

They will be without star player Kim Commane for the 2019 season, with the goal shooter currently playing in England.

Brereton said there was a possibility Commane could return at the end of the season in time to qualify for finals, but the Bears would not be relying on that outcome to help their chances.

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Football and Netball 2019 Page 73

GOULBURN VALLEY NETBALL LEAGUE

Elle McDonald

SHEPPARTON SWANS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DYLAN NEXHIP 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (13–6)

A change of scenery at the top is what could inspire the Shepparton Swans to take the next step and claim their first A-grade flag in fiveyears.

Although there’s been a change in coaches, the core group of players have stuck together and are ready to re-assess, according to first-year coach Dylan Nexhip.

“All the girls have been playing together for a while now and they all know how each other likes to play,” he said.

Nexhip spent last season out of the GV netball landscape coaching Tongala’s A-grade side but has returned to take the reins at Princess Park.

“The transition has been seamless. I’ve really enjoyed my time so far, and fingers-crossed we can enjoy some success this year,” he said.

“The Under-17 group are looking strong and they’ve been training alongside our senior girls.

I’m looking forward to seeing how they play this year.”

The Swans have lured Georgia Harrison from Shepparton United and both Liv Mason and Gemma O’Sullivan are returning to their Page 74 Football and Netball 2019

previous club. Mason will slot into attack and will be a key player going forward for the club.

The Swans have lost two players from last season, with Nat Simpson away on holidays and Sophie Atkinson stepping away due to family reasons. The Nexhip-coached side seems to be knocking on the door again and will push deep into finals.

SHEPPARTON UNITED

FAST FACTS >> COACH: TANIA ORCHARD 2018 FINISH: THIRD (13–8)

The young Demons are ready to burst onto the A-grade netball scene.

New Shepparton United coach Tania Orchard will be hoping that the young group of players can help muscle the side up the ladder in 2019.

Orchard brings with her a wealth of experience — having coached at Mooroopna and Shepparton Swans — and is ready to apply that knowledge to the Dees.

The Demons have brought over Numurkah mid-courter Tamara Skinner, and will expect to have her fit nicely to the line-up, but it’s the talent in the youth system that excites first-year coach Orchard the most.

“We have a fantastic group of young girls that

we hope will gain some experience and help the side contest for finals,” Orchard said.

“Laura Cole, Emma Cox, Dakoda Emering and Olivia Kirby have been training really well and three of those girls have been selected to play in the under-19 Bupa Victorian Netball League, which is a tremendous effort.”

Kirsty Hommes is out injured and will not feature this year but has instead decided to pick up the clipboard and pen next to Orchard as an assistant coach.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Kirsty, her knowledge and experience will help our defensive end,” Orchard said.

Looking at the season ahead, the Demons hope to be vying for a finals spot and, potentially, if all things click into gear, a topthree spot could be theirs.

TATURA

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: MOLLY BOYLE & GAYE EATON 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (8–10)

Tatura will be hoping that a long list of departures won’t stop it from continuing to climb the A-grade ladder.

The Bulldogs have jumped multiple spots each year in the past two seasons, and it’s something co-coach Molly Boyle hopes can continue.

“We’ve been improving over the last couple of years, so if we could improve again and play finals, that would top it off,” Boyle said.

“Finals is the goal but because we’ve had so many changes I’m not sure how the season will go, but finals is always what we’re aiming for and we just missed out last year.”

The Bulldogs have waved goodbye to Wellman medallist Emma Ryan who has transferred to Kyabram, with Emila O’Connor, Brylee Schache and Madison Davis also departing.

Joining the squad are Jacqui James (Moama), Steph Gorrie (Shepparton) and Alex Bertram (injury) and Boyle said they might have found the right mix.

“We think we’ve got the right balance now across the grades between non-playing and playing coaches and we’re always looking to build on our depth across all teams in all grades,” she said.

Boyle welcomes Gaye Eaton as co-coach this year and is looking forward to having a helping hand court-side.

“She’s been amazing to work with so far, it’s great to have that off-court perspective,” Boyle said.

“It will help me concentrate on my game on game day.”

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MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER 2018

BAROOGA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: SHARNI HAZELMAN 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (12–9)

Barooga stormed to a preliminary final berth in the Murray Netball League last season and playing coach Sharni Hazelman is keen to see her girls go even better this time around.

“We were really happy with how last season ended up,” Hazelman said.

“The goal was to make finals and we won two of them so obviously we’d love to build on that and we’ll strive to go further again.”

Hazelman will take on a sole coaching role at the Hawks this year due to sister Taylah’s long-term knee injury, and the overall squad will have a slightly different look as well with a few changes.

Abbey Jones (moved to Melbourne) and Brooke Williams (illness) will not appear for Barooga this year, but Aften Reweti-Kahuroa, Kelly Gibbs (both Yarroweyah) and Liana Bacchetto (Tocumwal) have all joined the Hawks as they look to stay near the pointy end of the table.

COBRAM

FAST FACTS >> COACH: KATE BIRD 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (11–8)

A freshen-up at the top should help Cobram build on last year’s Murray Netball League finals exit at the hands of rival Barooga.

Kate Bird has taken the reins at Tigerland and is looking to harness the energy of her young group and turn it into results on the court.

“The girls have had the same coaches for the past few years so it’s probably a good changeup for them,” Bird said.

Jo Bourke will be back on deck full-time for the Tigers this season after missing the latter half of last year, while Melissa Kelly will also take to the court.

Young-gun Lilieth Ukich will be one of many teens looking to cement their spot in the Tigers’ A-grade team.

“The team is pretty settled,” Bird said.

“But a lot of girls have gone off to uni, so it will make consistent training hard.

“We’re definitely trying to go at least one Page 76 Football and Netball 2019

Moama

better than last year though, Barooga just had too many tricks in their bag.

“We’ve done a lot of strategical work to help with that this pre-season — it hasn’t just been about fitness.”

Helen Bruni will be one name missing from the A-grade team sheet as she heads to B-grade to help nurture the next generation of Cobram superstars.

CONGUPNA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: PHIL BRYANT 2018 FINISH: 13TH (3–15)

Phil Bryant will step into the coaching chair at Congupna, taking over from departing playingcoach Samantha Gill.

The experienced netball mentor is hoping to help The Road make the jump back into the top half of the Murray Netball League table after a solid pre-season at Memorial Park.

“The players are all positive and all willing to learn,” Bryant said.

“We’ve lost a lot of players from A-grade, but we’ve brought in a few and will be competitive again — we’ll give as good as we get.

“We’ve kept seven or eight from the under-17s that have come up into the senior squads and that’s a real positive.”

Ash Warren (Mooroopna) and Jasmine Schubert (Shepparton United) will bring Goulburn Valley League experience to Congupna’s ranks this season.

than last year and I think we have the right ingredients to be right up there again.

“There are certainly plenty of really strong juniors coming through and the club’s plan is to continue to give them plenty of exposure at senior level again — it worked really well for us last year.”

Ella Harvey was one of those juniors stepping up last season and she will again be an important cog for the Rams, while the likes of Amelia Seignior, Eliza Eastman and Rachel Maher will look to have full seasons on the court this year.

ECHUCA UNITED

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LISA DRYSDALE 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (14–6)

Former Echuca player Lisa Drysdale has moved to Echuca South Recreation Reserve to take charge of the Eagles’ A-grade and B-grade squads.

The two teams are training together as one

FINLEY

FAST FACTS >> COACH: TO BE CONFIRMED 2018 FINISH: NINTH (9–9)

The exuberance of youth is what Finley will rely on in the Murray Netball League this season.

With almost the entire A-grade team departing from last year’s ninth-placed side, the Cats will again turn to the club’s rising stars to lead the way on the court.

An official mentor is yet to be determined, but Finley netball president Kerry McDonald is confident her team of teenagers can climb the table.

“The overall numbers have been really good, but we’ve lost seven of eight players from A-grade through university, pregnancy and other things,” McDonald said.

“Our top echelon will be filled with junior players, but we’re lucky that we’ve always had strength in the juniors and our B-grade side which played in the grand final last year was mostly juniors and they’ll step up this year.”

Savannah Wilson will be crucial for the Cats in the top tier, as will fellow teenagers Holly Robinson and Tiarna Burke.

DENILIQUIN RAMS

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: JODIE SEFTON & AMBER FARLEY 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (16–5)

One more step is all Deniliquin has to take to be crowned champion of the Murray Netball League once more after falling in last year’s decider.

Jodie Sefton will again take charge of the A-grade Rams, but this time Amber Farley will sit alongside her as co-coach.

“We had huge numbers at our selection trials which was great,” Sefton said.

“Obviously our objective is to go one better

outfit, and Drysdale said fitness had become a mainstay of her pre-season training regimes.

“General fitness in particular has been superimportant and things like fast-five games,” she said.

“So that whether we have low numbers or high, we still have a chance to get some court time.

“We’re still training as a large squad. I like to keep them together (A-grade and B-grade squads) so that it becomes more of a club feel at training.

“Last year United had a great core of players and I think we now have a really great injection of strength, coming from outside the club.

“We’ll look to introduce a fast rotating style of play, so keeping players fit and keeping the opposition on their toes is key.”

Amelia Brock, Tori Weaver, Jordy Holman, Breanna Bookham and Drysdale are among the inclusions to United’s squad this season.

Lisa Drysdale

MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE

MOAMA

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: CHARLOTTE LONG & ALEX DALY 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (20–1)

Paige Wade

KATANDRA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MICHELLE MCKAY 2018 FINISH: 14TH (1–17)

Katandra will look to storm up the Murray Netball League table this season.

Michelle McKay’s troops benefited greatly from the experience they garnered from last year’s campaign — even if they only managed to snare one victory — and have welcomed plenty of players back into the fold during summer.

“Things are really looking to improve on last season,” McKay said.

“Last year we only had a handful of senior players across A and B-grade and this season we have been able to fill both sides.”

Bree Dudgeon is retuning to the court from injury for the Kats, while Georgia Nelson and Chelsea Batey are among the other inclusions.

“Consistency is our focus, and so far we are hitting those targets early on,” McKay said.

“Our younger generation have secured senior positions after coming up from the under-17s and the talent and versatility is exciting.

“The girls know the hard work they have to put in and if they do we will reap the rewards.”

Steph O’Nial

Charlotte Long will return to coaching Moama and will be joined by teammate Alex Daly, who ran a number of games in 2018 due to the absence of coach Jacqui James.

Daly said a key to keeping the side motivated after back-to-back flags was some new blood coming into the system.

“We’ve kept the base playing group together, but we have also had a few girls come up from the under-17 system, as well as some new players,” she said.

“It holds everyone accountable.”

Apart from changes in personnel, there remains an expectation to do things the Moama way — maintaining the skill level and fitness that has become a staple of the most dominant side in the Murray league.

The goal is clear — Moama wants its threepeat.

“We’re not expecting it to just happen,” Daly said.

“We know we will have to work hard to get there, but that is absolutely the goal for us; to get the win again.”

MULWALA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: BRE FLANAGAN 2018 FINISH: 10TH (8–10)

Mulwala is looking to put a tough season on the court behind it and attempt to climb the Murray Netball League ladder.

The Lions have entrusted the returning Bre Flanagan with the keys to the A-grade squad, and she will aim to wheel it out of the mechanic’s workshop before revving what should be a more well-oiled engine.

“Last year they finished with about five fit A-graders in the end,” Flanagan said.

“Pre-season has been really good this year across the grades and hopefully we can be a bit stronger.

“The main thing is to enjoy it and try to get everyone involved and having fun, but I do think we will be strong on the court.”

As well as Flanagan’s return to the court after a couple of years overseas, the Lions have snared the services of perennial premiership star Millie Ferguson.

Ferguson has been dominating the Picola District ranks with Tocumwal in recent years but is returning to Lonsdale Reserve this season — a place where she has also won A-grade flags.

NATHALIA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: EMMA MCDONALD 2018 FINISH: 15TH (0–18)

New year, new Nathalia.

That is the message incoming coach Emma McDonald is broadcasting out from Nathalia Recreation Reserve.

“Pre-season has been a little bit different this year,” McDonald said.

“We started very early in November, and we needed a bit of a revamp because we sort of got stuck in a bit of a rut.”

The Purples did not win a game last season but will almost be odds-on to make finals after a brilliant recruiting drive during summer.

As well as McDonald and fellow new-mum Lisa Kellow’s full-time return to the court,

the Purples have signed two-time Goulburn Valley League Wellman Family medallist Steph O’Nial, Waaia duo Blaise Mortimer (who played a handful of games for Nathalia last year) and Amy Brooks and Albury’s Georgia Saunders.

“Most of our A-grade side from last year has moved down to B-grade,” McDonald said.

“We’ve been working hard not only on set plays but jelling and getting to know how we all play together.”

NUMURKAH

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: TRACEY COMMADUER & MARY MORRISON 2018 FINISH: THIRD (15–6)

There has been a change in the coaching ranks at Numurkah.

Tracey Commaduer and Mary Morrison will share the duties at the helm of the Blues’ A-grade outfit this season, with nurturing youth a key factor for the Murray Netball League outfit.

“We are looking forward to developing some of our up-and-coming junior players which have shown promising talent at training to mix with our experienced players,” Morrison said.

“It will be an exciting year ahead.”

Eilish Judd is again expected to have a big season on the courts of the region, while Mel O’Dwyer will return to Numurkah’s mid-court set-up.

Whether the Blues can replicate their form of the past couple of seasons remains to be seen though, with a number of players departing the top tier squad at the club.

RUMBALARA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JESSICA BAMBLETT 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (16–4)

A straight-sets exit from last year’s finals series will not deter Rumbalara — the outfit is ready to go again.

Playing-coach Jess Bamblett is back for another season in charge and will also add the interleague coaching role to her resume this season.

But her focus will be firmly on ensuring Rumba can take a few more steps this year and return to the pinnacle of the Murray Netball League.

“Getting so close last season and losing in straight sets was disappointing, but we’re very confident this year,” Bamblett said.

“I think we were the hunted when we made finals but after going out in straight sets and with Moama going for their third flag in a row hopefully the focus will be on them and we can fly under the radar a bit.”

Brigitte Linares and Shadelle Hood are among the returning A-grade players, while Klarindah Hudson will play when not required in the VFLW with Darebin.

Jordan Kickett is one of Rumba’s star recruits this season, the shooter coming to Mercury Dve from the Ballarat area.

challenge of developing and nurturing a young squad, with the Blues sure to be exciting on the courts of the Murray Netball League this year.

Along with promoted junior Lilly Waasdorp and the inclusion of speedy attacker Tahlia Murray, there will be plenty of familiar faces on the court for the Blues in the A-grade and B-grade squads this campaign.

Grace Hammond, Paige Wade, Chloe Carr and Hannah Rose are all back after varying breaks from netball, while Stacey McGill will provide plenty of guidance to the group.

“Tahlia provides accuracy and patience when playing goals or midcourt,” Mulholland said.

“We look forward to watching her develop throughout the season.

“Lilly will provide a pillar of strength in the goal end and has great accuracy under the post.

“She made her A-grade debut last season and shone in the games she played in.”

Mikalah Hard, Emily Cox, Shanelle McGill, Kaitlyn Ohlsen, Maddison Tinning, Meg Storer, Grace Gale and Lori Auld will also look to help lead Tongala towards success.

TUNGAMAH

FAST FACTS >> COACH: DANIELLE O’SHEA 2018 FINISH: 12TH (5–13)

Tungamah is already in a better position to tackle the upcoming Murray Netball League season than it was at this time last year.

The Bears only knew they were taking on the Murray competition on the eve of the season last year, but now know exactly what they are up against.

“It’s nice to have a bit of stability in knowing what league we’re in and we’re looking forward to it,” coach Danielle O’Shea said.

“I think we were pretty happy with how we fared last year but we’re definitely looking to get more wins on the board.

“There were so many close games last year that we didn’t quite get over the line in, so we’re hoping to win a few more of those this season.”

It will be a fresh look in the A-grade side for the Bears this campaign though, with the likes of Molly Giggins, Adele Prescott, Amy Nunn and Molly Burke departing the team.

But MNL under-17 best-and-fairest winner Abbey Griffin is sticking around and will look to take her game to the next level in the senior ranks.

TONGALA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CADDISON MULHOLLAND 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (9–10)

After an injury-riddled 2018, Tongala and new coach Caddison Mulholland are keen for a fresh start this season.

Mulholland is looking forward to the

Ella Harvey Football and Netball 2019 Page 77

KYABRAM DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE

LONGWOOD

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ELLESHA BRISTOW 2018 FINISH: 12TH (3–15)

PREMIER 2018

ARDMONA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CHERRYN BRIGGS 2018 FINISH: 11TH (4–14)

Ardmona netball co-ordinator Taleah Briggs said the A-grade side would be under exciting new leadership this year with Cherryn Briggs. “(She) has brought a wealth of knowledge and change to the club. We are feeling so grateful for an amazing bunch of girls, both new and old,” Taleah Briggs said.

Numbers at the club are looking good ahead of the season but the A-grade side has had a shake-up.

“We lost most of our A-grade side at the end of last year except for three loyal ladies: Kathryn Bice, Kimberly Watkins and Sophie Winmar,” Briggs said.

With the new-look side, Briggs said they hoped to improve on last year’s 11th place finish.

“Last year was a tough year and in any case with any sport there is always room for improvement,” Briggs said.

Nagambie “This year after witnessing how involved everyone is and all the effort that has gone into organising and structuring this season, we are definitely putting Ardmona Football and Netball Club back on the map.”

AVENEL

FAST FACTS >> COACH: JACINTA JAMISON 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (12–7)

The Swans’ A- and B-graders will head into the season under the guidance of former player Jacinta Jamison.

Jamison has returned to the club as playingcoach after a few years off with children and said the club would field all netball grades this year.

“We’ve got the numbers for this year which is good for Avenel because they didn’t have a C-grade last year,” she said.

“We’ve got a few young girls coming back to the club.

“If we make finals it’s a bonus but we’re just looking to get the numbers back up.”

Jamison said they had picked up former Longwood defender Nicole Hanson as well as returning Swans player Nikki Lord.

Jamison will also be joined by her sisters: Michelle Jamison, and Katrina Jamison who has moved over from Nagambie.

DOOKIE UNITED

FAST FACTS >> COACH: TANYA CARUANA 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (13–6)

Prue Holmes Page 78 Football and Netball 2019

After moving into the Kyabram District league last season Dookie United is looking solid in terms of numbers this year.

Tanya Caruana will lead the charge for the A-grade and B-grade girls after assisting playing-coach Laura Moon last season.

“I haven’t coached A-grade for probably three years; I came to the club five or six years ago and just had a couple of years off,” she said.

Caruana was suitably impressed with the number of players turning up to pre-season training.

“We’ve got lots of girls coming out from some of the Shepparton clubs and ones that are new to Dookie as well,” she said.

“Some players that have been with the club before are coming back.”

With a solid top 16 players, Caruana was confident the Dookie United girls would have strong A-grade and B-grade sides.

GIRGARRE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CHLOE KAVANAGH 2018 FINISH: NINTH (7–11)

After narrowly missing out on a finals tilt last year, Girgarre’s A-grade and B-grade coach is confident her top side can get in the mix this season.

Chloe Kavanagh said they had welcomed a few new A-grade players this year, creating a slightly different-looking side.

“We’ve got (defender) Melissa Kelsey who has come over from Lancaster,” she said.

The side will also see the addition of Picola mid-courter Bianca Waters and former Kyabram young goaler Maddison Cooper.

“We’re definitely hoping to get back in the top six this year,” Kavanagh said.

“We’ve got a few new players that are quite good so we’re hoping to get back there.”

LANCASTER

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LEANNA COUSTON 2018 FINISH: 10TH (6–12)

Lancaster will return to the guidance of star goaler Leanna Couston after she stepped away to play at Undera last season.

Couston said the outlook was positive for the A-grade side ahead of this year’s season with a lot of young talented players stepping up to the plate.

“I think we can be quite a competitive side,” she said, although admitted it was difficult to gauge themselves against other sides with the addition of Shepparton East to the league this year.

“At this stage in the pre-season it’s a bit hard.

“After a couple of pre-season matches we’ll have a much better idea how we’re looking for the season.”

Couston was also positive in terms of the netball losses, with few stepping away from the club this year, and said they had spent quite some time in a rebuilding phase.

“I think we’re on the up and up now,” she said.

Longwood’s A-grade side will be under new leadership with Ellesha Bristow taking on the coaching role for the 2019 season.

Bristow said they’d had good numbers when it came to registrations.

With the appointment of Bristow, there will be several new players stepping into the mix.

Bristow will be joined by her sister Stephanie Bristow in the mid-court and goals.

Just three players − Toni Watson, Letitia McCrimmon and Jamie Francis — will return from last season’s A-grade side.

Other additions to A-grade include Leah Manson, Alex Hendren, Jammisyn Manns, Brooke Bennett and Jenna O’Grady.

“We are looking to have quite a skilled and versatile side this year with a few of our girls being able to play both ends of the court,” Bristow said.

After taking a couple of seasons off to have a baby, Bristow said she was looking to join a family-oriented club and help to build the netball culture.

“I want to build quite a strong bond and trust and build on the strong bond they had last year,” she said.

MERRIGUM

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LOUISE RICHARDS 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (9–9)

The Bulldogs’ A-grade side is set to have a strengthened attack after welcoming sisters Hannah and Maddie Egglestone.

The side will be under the leadership of playing-coach Louise Richards who hopes to see the girls improve on their efforts last season when they narrowly missed out on finals.

“We’ve picked up some great players which is definitely going to increase our strength and ability to get to finals,” Richards said.

While the front-end will receive a boost, the Bulldogs have lost defender Ebony Halliwell and Jorja Hoskin to university.

But the youngsters will be replaced by equally-as-eager junior players.

“We’ve brought some really strong juniors up,” Richards said.

The Bulldogs’ A-graders finished in the middle of the road last season with nine wins and nine losses on the board.

MURCHISONTOOLAMBA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ALICE CUNNINGHAM 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (14–6)

Murchison-Toolamba netballers are looking to build on last season, when they finished fourth in A-grade.

Netball co-ordinator Heather McDonald said the A-graders would be led by Alice Cunningham this year.

“Our playing group are feeling positive and looking forward to the start of the season,” McDonald said.

“We are excited to welcome another junior team to our ranks in our under-13 team.”

There will be several familiar faces returning to the court this year with a few new ones among the mix, according to McDonald.

“We have lost several players from our A/B

KYABRAM DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE Undera’s A-graders finished eighth on the ladder last year among 14 teams and Gledhill said they looked forward to the challenge of facing a new side when Shepparton East joined the mix this season.

“We’re looking forward to the new talent,” she said.

“I actually came from the Picola League so I’m quite excited to take them on.”

Gledhill — a former Katandra premiership player — joined Undera last year as A-grade coach.

VIOLET TOWN

FAST FACTS >> COACH: PRUE HOLMES 2018 FINISH: 14TH (0–18)

Katie Sullivan squad from last season through retirement, relocations and travel,” McDonald said.

With all three senior sides making it through to finals last season, McDonald said they hoped to improve and build on this great achievement for the club.

NAGAMBIE

FAST FACTS >> CO-COACHES: SARAH SANDERSON & BIANCA WILLIS 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (20–0)

Nagambie’s A-grade side is hoping to secure its third consecutive premiership this season.

After being under the leadership of two-time premiership coach Abby Misiti, netball coordinator Katie Sullivan said the sides would have new guidance this year.

Returning premiership coach and player Sarah Sanderson will join premiership player Bianca Willis coaching A-grade and B-grade this year.

After spending a couple of seasons with Shepparton Bears, defender Madeline Moore will return to the A-grade side.

“She’d been a junior player with us,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan, alongside players Rylee Alderton and Rachael Hall (Mundy), will also return after taking time off to have children.

“We’ve got five existing A-grade (players) from last year’s premiership side,” Sullivan said.

She was hopeful the side would be in the mix on grand final day given the depth across the grades.

RUSHWORTH

FAST FACTS >> COACH: NICKY CHILLINGSWORTH 2018 FINISH: 13TH (2–16)

Rushworth’s netball director Katherine Jamieson said its A-grade side would be much younger and fresher this season.

Also having appointed a new coach, Nicky Chillingsworth, the club is looking forward to hitting the netball court this season after a slight change-up.

“We’re changing the structure and dynamic up to give us a freshen-up,” Jamieson said.

“The club definitely improved in the atmosphere last year.”

Alice Cunningham After finishing 13th on the ladder out of 14 teams, Jamieson said the club would look to secure more wins on the court this year across all grades.

She said there would be a few familiar faces returning to the court this year.

“We’ve had a few previous players come back.”

There have also been a few losses due to players moving away.

The A-graders are coming off the back of a close tilt at a premiership, missing out in the grand final against Nagambie last year.

“We’ve got the same core group from last year that’s returned,” Gray said.

She said there was an air of positivity among the netballers again this year.

“We want to go deep into the finals, but you never know how the other teams are looking.”

SHEPPARTON EAST

TALLYGAROOPNA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ERYNN HUESTON 2018 FINISH: 11TH (5–13) IN MURRAY NETBALL LEAGUE

It will be a unique year for A-grade and B-grade coach Erynn Hueston and her troops, merging into the Kyabram District Netball League this year from the Murray Netball League last season.

“It’ll pretty much be a learning year,” Hueston said.

“We’re probably going to be more of a development side this year.”

Hueston said she would lead the charge for the new-look side after suffering from quite a few player losses across A-grade and B-grade due to various reasons.

“We’ve got lots of juniors willing to step up,” she said.

The transition to the KDNL follows the A-grade team’s 11th place finish out of 15 teams in the MNL in 2018.

“The Murray league is definitely a higher standard (than the KDNL),” Hueston said. “(The transition will) keep us in good stead.”

STANHOPE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: KERRIE GRAY 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (17–4)

Stanhope coach Kerrie Gray will be joined by new assistant coach Chicky Barr leading the A-grade side this season.

“We’re really excited she has jumped on as assistant coach; she has lots to bring to our club and our game,” Gray said.

“We’ll share the workload and she’ll bring some newness to the role and freshen things up a bit.”

FAST FACTS >> COACH: LISA HUESTON 2018 FINISH: THIRD (17–4)

The Tallygaroopna A-grade outfit will be a similar side to last season under the guidance of coach Lisa Hueston.

Operations manager Madison Brett said they had lost one A-grade player and gained a couple more.

“The club, as a whole, got 10 new girls,” Brett said.

Brett was pleased with the additional numbers due to this year’s introduction of a C-reserve competition.

The side is a regular when it comes to the finals series and this year Brett hoped it would be no different.

“We always usually finish in top five or six so we’d love to do that again this year,” she said.

The netballers are coming off the back of a great overall performance last season with three sides making it to the grand final and A-grade only just missing out.

The A-grade side will be led by playing-coach and gun midcourter Hueston once again.

While the Towners’ netball co-ordinator Jess Downie said the club struggled to field senior sides last season, she was positive about the season ahead.

“Last year it was quite evident we struggled with the senior sides, only fielding C and A-grades,” she said.

But with numbers on the up, the Towners will be represented across grades A to C. Downie said perhaps the most exciting appointment to the netball side of things was A-grade coach Prue Holmes.

“She played a few years ago and had time off with a baby and she decided to come back this year,” Downie said.

She said it was exciting to be under the leadership of the all-rounder playing-coach.

With the Towners fielding good numbers and under new leadership, the A-grade women will look to improve on their bottom-placed finish last season.

TARA WHITSED

UNDERA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: AMANDA GLEDHILL 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (8–10)

Undera’s A-grade and B-grade coach Amanda Gledhill is pleased with the number of netballers who turned out for trials.

“We’ve got some new faces this year and some returning faces,” she said, reluctant to single out individual players.

As a result, Gledhill said the A-grade side would be a slightly different-looking team this season and would be guided by returning players.

Leanna Couston Football and Netball 2019 Page 79

PICOLA DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE Former Shepparton Swans defender Leonie Rodgers has also joined the Tigers this season, making for greater depth within this year’s side.

“We’ve got a few girls sticking around from last year’s side and a few returning from university,” Hodge said.

“Last season we had quite a young side, so it was about development.”

Despite the young side, the Tigers still made it to finals and were competitive, according to Hodge.

She said the girls were excited to start the season and improve on their eighth-place finish last year.

KATUNGA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: AIMEE SIDEBOTTOM 2018 FINISH: SIXTH (10–1–9)

PREMIER 2018

BERRIGAN

FAST FACTS >> COACH: RORRI PHIBBS 2018 FINISH: 13TH (1–17)

Berrigan’s senior netballers will be led by head coach Rorri Phibbs from with the help of assistant coach Natalie Ferguson.

“Rorri was a latecomer in the 2018 season and ended up polling well in our A-grade count, finishing runner-up after only playing less than half of the season,” netball president Bec Ware said.

Ware said there was a growing sense of pride among the netballers with the new appointment as well as the installation of two new court upgrades during the off-season.

The side has lost last season’s coach Sabrina Finch who has relocated to Albury.

“We are hoping that she may still be interested in a run though,” Ware said.

The A-graders have experienced up-anddown seasons in recent years, not fielding an A-grade side in

Deniliquin 2016 and making finals in 2017.

“We’ve been definitely a work in progress last season − we only won one game and we are most certainly aiming way higher and looking at a finals berth once again,” Ware said.

BLIGHTY

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MOLLY COCHRANE 2018 FINISH: FOURTH (16–1–3)

Blighty’s A-graders are aiming for a finals tilt this year under the guidance of coach Molly Cochrane and fitness and mentor coach Gaye Maxwell. “(She) will be helping all coaches but especially myself throughout the year,” Cochrane said.

“Gaye helped towards the end of the season and throughout the finals last year and was a great asset to have and has an excellent netball brain.”

The senior squad will welcome new players Dora Miaoudis, Keeley Coates and Zoe Stephens with shooter Chelsea McNamara stepping away due to family commitments.

“Our side is looking good; we have some returning players like Nat Tremble who is always a dedicated player,” Cochrane said.

“We would love to finish in the top three again but our main focus will be to make finals.”

DENILIQUIN ROVERS

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CARISSA BULMER 2018 FINISH: PREMIER (17–5)

Molly Cochrane Page 80 Football and Netball 2019

Coming off the back of a superb 2018 season, Deniliquin Rovers’ netball co-ordinator Brian Purtill said the reigning premiers were tracking well this year.

“We’re looking all right; we’ve got good numbers,” he said.

The A-grade side is returning after a killer finals series where it climbed from fourth position on the ladder to take out the premiership.

“We’ve got a similar-looking side in the A-grade,” Purtill said.

“We’ve lost a couple of players that don’t live in Deniliquin anymore but there’s a few past players who might come back.”

Purtill said the club was represented across three netball grand finals last year — also making the C-reserve and under-15 grand finals.

JERILDERIE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CARSON THOMAS 2018 FINISH: 12TH (2–16)

Jerilderie’s A-grade side will be led by Carson Thomas with the help of assistant coach Keshia Marshall this season.

Netball spokesperson Megan Major said the girls were looking forward to the season ahead after taking part in a skills day with Ovens and Murray League coach Georgie Bruce.

She said they had lost Elise Watson to Echuca.

“But young gun Skye Nash who was instrumental in B-grade’s successful season — they won last year’s grand final and she was best on court − is an important inclusion for the team,” she said.

“Kendall Purcell has also returned from Deniliquin Rovers.”

While the A-grade side did not have an excellent season last year in terms of wins on the board, Major said many of the losses were due to a final quarter burn-out.

KATAMATITE FAST FACTS >> COACH: RIA HODGE 2018 FINISH: EIGHTH (7–12)

Katamatite’s A-grade side will present a much more mature outfit after picking up some new players.

Playing-coach Ria Hodge said the versatile goaler/defender Cassia Colbeck would return to the club as well as former Undera playingcoach Kate Murphy.

“She’s a strong defender,” Hodge said of Murphy.

With about 40 senior netballers registered, numbers are looking good at Katunga.

Netball spokesperson Dani Henderson said while they’d had to say goodbye to some players due to retirement or work commitments, they had also welcomed some new players who will be under the leadership of coach Aimee Sidebottom.

Sisters Lily and Grace Kennedy are among those who will join the side.

“Lily is better known for goals; Grace can pretty much play any position you can put her in,” Henderson.

At 14 years old, Grace Kennedy will become a development player in both under-17s and A-grade.

“She has a massive future … she can definitely hold her own,” Henderson said.

After narrowly missing out on a semi-final win last year, Henderson hoped the girls would be in the finals mix again this season.

“Everyone looks to go a bit further,” she said.

MATHOURA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: ROHAN STARKEY 2018 FINISH: 10TH (4–14)

After an inconsistent 2018 season, Mathoura’s A-grade side is looking to improve on last year’s 10th-place finish. “(We) finished below the top eight so we will definitely be looking to improve on that,” club secretary Nicole McCormick said.

Under the guidance of coach Rohan Starkey, the Mathoura girls are looking forward to their first match.

“Our numbers are looking good and all the girls are really eager to kick the season off,” McCormick said.

“They have been working hard during the pre-season so we will be looking to see positive results on game day.”

This year sees the return to the club of Shannon Mills, who claimed the league bestand-fairest in 2017 for the Timbercutters.

Former Echuca United player Gaby Murray will also join Mathoura’s ranks for the upcoming season.

PICOLA UNITED FAST FACTS >> COACH: EMMA GREAVES 2018 FINISH: SEVENTH (9–10)

While there will be plenty of youngsters donning the Blues’ dresses in the years to come, many netballers are out due to pregnancies this season.

PICOLA DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE “It’ll be good for the future of the club,” A-grade coach Emma Greaves said.

There have been a few new additions however, and despite many players being out with child commitments, Greaves was happy with preseason attendance numbers.

“It’s the best they’ve been for a long time which is really positive,” Greaves said.

The A-grade side will look to improve on its first-round finals position last season.

“We were about middle of the road last year; we made finals but went out in the first round so we’re definitely looking to improve on that,” Greaves said.

RENNIE

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CLANCY BIGGER 2018 FINISH: NINTH (7–11)

After playing with the Rennie girls on and off two years ago Clancy Bigger has returned to lead the A-grade charge this year.

“She’s a very talented girl,” netball president Megan McInnes said.

“She’s enthusiastic and very knowledgeable …

I think she’ll be fabulous.”

While Bigger will not take to the court, McInnes said Rennie had picked up a few new players.

“We’ve had really good numbers at training,” she said.

McInnes noted the Rennie A-grade side was quite young last season and therefore many players have left to go to university.

But the losses have not affected how the season ahead is looking.

“Things are looking good with numbers; there’s plenty of enthusiasm,” McInnes said.

Clancy Bigger

STRATHMERTON

Cassia Colbeck

FAST FACTS >> COACH: CAITLYN PRICE 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (14–6)

Strathmerton A-grade coach Caitlyn Price hopes to take her side further this year with the addition of some new players.

“We’re hoping the new players will take us through a bit further to the finals,” Price said.

The side just missed out on making the preliminary final last year.

Price said there would be a few new faces around the club this season.

“We’ve got a bit more versatility through some of the grades,” she said.

After starting pre-season training prior to Christmas, Price was pleased with the number of players who were turning up to train.

TOCUMWAL

FAST FACTS >> COACH: KYLIE HICKS 2018 FINISH: RUNNER-UP (18–3)

Tocumwal’s A-graders will be under new leadership this year with Kylie Hicks taking on the coaching role.

It will be the first time Hicks has taken on the top job after coaching the C-grade side a few years ago.

While Tocumwal is her home club, Hicks said she’d followed her daughter who played for Shepparton Bears in the Goulburn Valley League for the past few years.

“She decided this year that she didn’t want to travel so we’ve come back to Tocumwal,” she said.

While she did not coach last year, Hicks said she was pleased with how the season was shaping up.

She said they had been attracting good numbers to pre-season training ahead of tryouts.

The season came to a disappointing end for the Tocumwal A-grade girls last year when they were defeated by the Deniliquin Rovers in the grand final.

YARROWEYAH

Caitlyn Price

FAST FACTS >> COACH: MIRANDA BOND 2018 FINISH: 11TH (3–15)

Yarroweyah coach Miranda Bond is looking forward to a positive season.

“We’re ready to smash out personal bests,” she said.

While Bond said the A-Grade side had lost a couple of players, she said it had also picked up some valuable netballers.

“Our A-grade side was much stronger than previous years with stats showing we had one of the strongest defensive teams in the league,” Bond said.

“However we lost a few girls in the season to some serious injuries, forcing our B-grade girls to step up and play two games.”

She said they had worked hard this season to build strength and hopefully minimise the possibility of injuries.

“Pre-season is going well and all the girls are very excited for the upcoming season,” Bond said.

TARA WHITSED

WAAIA

FAST FACTS >> COACH: NIKKI FOSTER 2018 FINISH: THIRD (17–4)

The Waaia netball squad is entering the season with some of the lowest numbers it has had for some years.

“We’ve had a pretty big mass exodus with pregnancies, injuries and retirement and a couple of players who have chosen to go to other clubs,” A-grade and B-grade coach Nikki Foster said.

But Foster is eager to lead her team, not thwarted by the drop in player numbers.

“Sometimes that’s not a bad thing,” she said.

Foster is hoping to guide the A-grade and B-grade sides through to a finals tilt after all senior grades were among the top teams last year.

“Last year we made the finals in all of our senior grades and C-Grade went on to win the grand final,” she said.

While numbers were low, Foster said the squad was still looking solid ahead of the season.

“I’m excited for the year to come,” she said.

Gaby Murray Football and Netball 2019 Page 81

TAC CUP

Millie Brown

“There’s some real talent there, and from their perspective they’ve done everything possible so far to give them the best chance of getting drafted.

Jye Chalcraft

– Mark Brown, Coach

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS FAST FACTS >> JOINED TAC CUP: 1993 GROUND: NORM MINNS OVAL, WANGARATTA COACH: MARK BROWN TALENT MANAGER: MICK WILSON PREMIERSHIPS: 1998, 2008 GRAND FINAL MEDALLISTS: M. STEVENS (1998), S. SIDEBOTTOM (2008) MORRISH MEDALLISTS: D. MURRAY (1997), F. PRIEST (2008), C. OLIVER (2015) 2018 FINISH: FIFTH (10–8) 2018 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ELY SMITH 2018 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: HUDSON GARONI (38)

S

even Murray Bushrangers graduated from the TAC Cup ranks to an AFL or AFLW list last season, and the goal this campaign is to continue to turn the program into a bona fide talent factory.

Mooroopna’s Laitham Vandermeer and Shepparton’s Jordon Butts were drafted along with Ely Smith, Jacob Koschitzke, Mat Walker and Finn O’Dwyer — but none were taken higher than Benalla’s Becky Webster, selected by Geelong at pick seven of the AFLW Draft.

Prospects in both the under-18 boys’ and girls’ sides are bright this campaign, with Shepparton ace and AFL Academy member Lachie Ash Page 82 Football and Netball 2019

leading the charge.

Ash, the side’s runner-up best-andfairest last season as a 17-year-old, will be the Bushies’ midfield anchor, with fellow locals Jye Chalcraft (Shepparton United) and Jimmy Boyer (Congupna) also to lead the way.

Coaching will be Mark Brown, the Numurkah champion stepping up from his assistant coach post to replace the outgoing Leon Higgins.

Brown, who coached the side in Higgins’ absence through the National Championships rounds, expected a strong midfield group would drive the side through its campaign.

“It’s shaping up pretty similarly to previous seasons, we probably won’t be as tall this season,” Brown said.

“Traditionally we have a wealth of key position players, but this year we still have some very good ones but not the same extent. This year’s midfield has a really good spread of runners.”

Vital for the Bushrangers will be the progression of top-agers Ash, Chalcraft and Boyer, with Zane Barzen and Liam Fiore (both Shepparton United) to return as over-age players.

“There’s some really good talent in that top-age bracket, especially from the Shepparton area,” Brown said.

“There’s some real talent there, and from their perspective they’ve done everything possible so far to give them the best chance of getting drafted.

“The attitude of these boys in stepping up from bottom-age to topage has been first class.”

The coach said winning was almost nothing but a coincidental byproduct for a program focused purely on development.

“It’s a strange one but it’s all about development, getting kids to really learn the fundamentals of football that will stand up against elite opposition,” Brown said.

“They get that chance coming up

against the best young players in Victoria every week. Winning doesn’t come into it, but if they get those fundamental areas right, winning stems from that.”

The TAC Cup girls’ side is looking to build on last season’s seventh placing, with AFLW Academy member Millie Brown (Mooroopna) to captain it.

Tali Verhoeven, Teagan Brett (Shepp Notre) and Sophie Locke (Seymour) are other local products expected to make their presence felt.

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