KYABRAM DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREDICTING TOP SIX ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE
PAST PREMIERS
Has there ever been more excitement surrounding the start of a Kyabram District League season? Shane Crawford has Ardmona Recreation Reserve buzzing, while a host of inclusions at Violet Town – including another former AFL face in Jared Brennan – should have the Towners right up the top of the table. But across the entire competition squads look to have strengthened, leaving the task of predicting a top six an almost
impossible one at this stage of the season. In the netball ranks Stanhope should again be the benchmark that all other teams look to meet, even without superstar Chicky Barr on board. Watch for Girgarre to climb the table after a huge recruiting spree, while perennial finalists Nagambie and Tallygaroopna will
again present a tough challenge for opposition sides every week. The junior ranks of the league are also set to swell with the addition of under-12 football and under-11 netball competitions, a positive sign for the health of the KDL moving forward. – TYLER MAHER
2019: Nagambie (football) and Stanhope (netball) 2018: Tallygaroopna and Nagambie 2017: Nagambie and Nagambie 2016: Nagambie and Avenel 2015: Merrigum and Nagambie 2014: Nagambie and Lancaster 2013: Murchison and Rushworth 2012: Violet Town and Nagambie 2011: Lancaster and Stanhope 2010: Nagambie and Lancaster
WARREN MEDALLISTS 2019: Chicky Barr (Stanhope) 2018: Chicky Barr (Stanhope) 2017: Sharni Lloyd (Nagambie) 2016: Kathryn Hard (Avenel) 2015: Renee Lea (Merrigum) 2014: Ellie Lothian (Lancaster) 2013: Sharni Lloyd (Rushworth) 2012: Gemma Barry (Nagambie) 2011: Michelle Hill (Lancaster) 2010: Sharni Lloyd (Nagambie)
MCNAMARA MEDALLISTS Nagambie
Stanhope
ARDMONA
NETBALL
The excitement Shane Crawford has brought to Ardmona Recreation Reserve over summer has certainly spilled over to the netball ranks. Jimmie Trazzera will take charge of the A-grade side this season and is looking forward to a more competitive year on court across the grades. “We are averaging 25 to 30 seniors at training each week,” Trazzera said. “We have picked up some great players in the off-season and our teams are looking a lot stronger and hopefully will be very competitive this season. “We are looking forward to a good year.” The Bush Cats will test themselves against Violet Town in round one.
Katherine Bice
FOOTBALL
Ardmona’s prayers were answered late last year when it was reinstated into the Kyabram District League. Now, ahead of the club’s centenary season and with 1999 Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford on board, the real hard work begins. “I’m just pumped for everyone involved with the club,” Crawford said when the good news broke. “They’re so passionate and they wanted to stay alive so much, so that was nice for them. “Especially to happen just before Christmas and now we can be chasing players right over Christmas.” But although a first senior football victory since July 2015 is what everyone involved with the Bush Cats craves, Crawford knows that reality may still be a while away yet.
2019: Kaine Herbert (Undera) 2018: Kaine Herbert (Undera) 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)
“It’s not necessarily about trying to win as many games as possible, it’s about how we can get back on track and hold the club in good stead to make sure it’s around in another 100 years,” he said. “From the league’s point of view, I do understand it, they’re doing their best to make the league function. “Ardmona needs to lift, but I think everything is in place. We just want to have some good fun, and everyone is welcome at the club. “I’m very aware (about the hard work ahead), but I’m looking forward to it, it’s exciting. “I’m in a position to be able to do it, it’s the first time after my football career I’ve been in a position to dedicate myself to being involved with the football club. “I’ve watched them for about four years, and I’ve been very curious, but it’s now or never.
LADDER PREDICTION FOOTBALL 1: Violet Town 2: Avenel 3: Lancaster 4: Girgarre 5: Nagambie 6: Murchison-Toolamba 7: Merrigum 8: Tallygaroopna 9: Rushworth 10: Stanhope 11: Dookie United 12: Undera 13: Shepparton East 14: Longwood 15: Ardmona
NETBALL 1: Stanhope 2: Nagambie 3: Dookie United 4: Girgarre 5: Merrigum 6: Tallygaroopna 7: Murchison-Toolamba 8: Shepparton East 9: Lancaster 10: Undera 11: Avenel 12: Violet Town 13:Rushworth 14: Longwood 15: Ardmona
“I don’t like losing very much, so that will be rough, but we just need to try and be more competitive. It needs to be a fun destination where players can learn. “Let’s not just blaze away, let’s play with a system and a team-first attitude, and try and kick some goals and compete a bit better.”
– TYLER MAHER
PLAYER CHANGES IN: Shane Crawford (Aldinga), Brenton Northausen, Joel Bunce (Girgarre), Will Bryant, Trent Corby (Tallygaroopna), Aaron McKay, Travis Sinclair, Toby Engledow (Shepparton East), Elijah Firebrace (Rumbalara), Declan Connors (Katandra), Tyler Stevens (Mooroopna), Shaun McAllister (Katunga), Damien Carmody (Colbinabbin), Cameron Hall (Fitzroy Stars), Frank Guligo (Glenrowan Kelly Tigers), John Creighton OUT: Riley Dryden (Undera), Daniel Hatton (Bonnie Doon), Frederick Maclean NETBALL COACH: JIMMIE TRAZZERA 2019 FINISH: 15TH (0–16)
60 Football and Netball 2020
Tim Keegan
FOOTBALL COACH: SHANE CRAWFORD 2019 FINISH: 15TH (0–16) 2019 BEST-AND-FAIREST: CAINE ATKINSON 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: CAINE ATKINSON (10) GROUND: ARDMONA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: BUSH CATS