After the long slog of pre-season, it’s finally time for the talk to stop, and for the action to begin in the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL). Who can challenge Berwick’s reign of football dominance? The Gazette’s SEFNL writer, NICK CREELY, takes a look at each club’s prospects for the season ahead….
BEACONSFIELD
President: Troy Robinson
Coach: Leigh McQuillen
Last premiership: 2014
2017
Finished: 4th – 10 wins, 8 losses
Best and fairest: Jake Bowd
Key ins:
Sean Dwyer (Casey VFL); Matthew Homfray (Noble Park); Luke Marchetti (Red Hill); Mitch Wallace (Red Hill); Nathan Langley (Cora Lynn); James Munro (Mazenod OC); Jacob Patullo (Leongatha); Harrison Paul (Hampton Park); Hayden Brough (Hampton Park); Riley Welsh (Yarrawonga)
Key outs:
Daniel Battaglin, Troy McDermott (Nar Nar Goon); Jake Aarts (Noble Park); Daniel Galante, Beau Dowler, Jordan Roberts, Kieran Roberts (The Basin); Troy Aust (Devon Meadows)
We say: The Eagles have chopped and changed their list quite a lot, but have managed to bring in some high quality talent from rival clubs, which will ultimately make them a premiership threat once more. Champion goal machine Troy McDermott departs the club, but the addition of superstar full forward Nathan Langley should ease that pain slightly in the attacking department. The Eagles also bring in former Hampton Park midfielders Harrison Paul and Hayden Brough, who by all reports are extremely exciting young talents, while Lang Lang and Casey jet Sean Dwyer adds instant class to the line-up. Roberts brothers, Jordan and Kieran, depart the club and do leave a bit of a hole in their key defensive stocks, but they have recruited smartly, bringing in talented pair Mitch Wallace and Jacob Patullo. While the Eagles will look different in terms of personnel, expect them to be one of few sides that can seriously threaten Berwick’s reign of dominance.
The burning question: Can the Eagles kick enough goals to challenge for a flag?
First game: vs Berwick, 7 April at Edwin Flack Reserve
Prediction: Runners-up
BERWICK
President: Glenn Gambetta
Coach: Stewart Kemperman
Last premiership: 2017
2017
Finished: Premiers – 18 wins, 0 losses
Best and fairest: Madi Andrews
Key ins:
Travis Tuck (Goodwood Saints); Daniel Jackson (Templestowe); Matthew Young (returning)
Key outs:
James Harrison (Pakenham); Michael Harold (retired); James Magner
We say: It was one of the great local football stories in recent memory, the mighty Wickers going through undefeated in 2017 to completely dominate the competition and set such a high standard of the way team sport is supposed to be played. But an even scarier thought is the fact that the club hasn’t lagged in the pre-season, and with former AFL midfielder Travis Tuck in the fold and by all accounts fitting in seamlessly, the Wickers are going to take a lot of beating once again. Wickers coach Stewart Kemperman confirmed that James Magner will have a year off, legend Michael Harold won’t continue his illustrious career, while premiership player James Harrison returns to Pakenham after a brilliant season. But it won’t really matter, and with stars such as Madi Andrews; who will captain again; his deputy Bryce Rutherford, the brilliant Ash Smith, Brody Connelly, Luke Sheppard and Michael Riseley all fit and firing, the Wickers possess a glittering list that shows no signs of slowing down its pursuit for more silverware.
The burning question: How do the Wickers continue to stay one step ahead of the competition?
First game: vs Beaconsfield, 7 April at Edwin Flack Reserve
Prediction: Premiers
CRANBOURNE
President: Gerry Kelly
Coach: Stephen O’Brien
Last premiership: 2016
2017
Finished: 3rd – 14 wins, 5 losses
Best and fairest: Dillan Bass
Key ins:
Clayton McCartney (Doveton); Kyle Nunn (Seaford)
Key outs:
Jayden Sullivan (Poowong); Michael Thompson (Officer); Mat Fletcher (Devon Meadows); Max Gearon (Mornington); Keenan Hughes (Yallourn Yallourn North); Khaled Kandakij (Oakleigh); Dylan Barfoot (Cora Lynn)
We say: The most difficult scenario for football clubs is how to develop young players and still remain competitive in the search for silverware – that is the exact situation that Cranbourne faces this season. While the Eagles are thrilled to have the seasoned Steve O’Brien take over as senior coach in a coup for the club and its future, quality has walked out of the door at an alarming rate, which in the end, could see them drop away. The losses of Mat Fletcher, Max Gearon and leading goalkicker Khaled Kandakij are going to have an impact, but the return of gun playmaker Clayton McCartney will bring some excitement to the Eagles, as he looks to bring his best football to his home club. O’Brien will field a young side in the opening round, with plenty of talent standing out over the pre-season. Legendary goal machine Marc Holt is also training the house down after a broken leg hampered his 2017 campaign, and will be a virtual recruit for the Eagles as they look to keep pace with premiers Berwick. But expect the Eagles to be jostling for a spot in the top four with a couple of other clubs.
The burning question: Can the Eagles remain in the premiership hunt this season after so many key losses?
First game: vs Doveton, 30 March at AJ Robinson Oval
Prediction: 4th
DOVETON
President: Aaron Henwood
Coach: Daniel Charles
Last premiership: 2005
2017
Finished: 5th – 8 wins, 9 losses
Best and fairest: Russell Gabriel
Key ins:
Sam Ellis (Lyndale); Jake Dermott, Riley D’Arcy, Matt Stapleton (Rowville); Alex Mastromanno (Collingwood VFL); Ariek Lual (Port Adelaide Academy); Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs AFL)
Key outs:
Lachlan Batten (Edithvale-Aspendale); Nick Battle, Ryan Hendy (Doveton Eagles); Jake Blackwood (Nar Nar Goon); Frank D’Agostino (Ellinbank); Sam Raru (Springvale Districts); Clayton McCartney (Cranbourne); Michael Henry, Ashley Scott, Cam Williamson, Harley Primrose, Travis Davis (Hampton Park)
We say: One of the most talked about clubs in the competition over the off-season; mostly for the amount of players that have walked to rival clubs; the Doves will just want to get the season started and end the chatter. Under new coach and legendary Doves figure Daniel Charles, everyone is in the dark about exactly where the Doves sit in the pecking order, are they on the level of Berwick, Beaconsfield and Narre Warren? The club is delighted to welcome back Jake Dermott, and are expecting strong years from the likes of recruits Matt Stapleton, former Dandenong Stingray Riley D’Arcy, Alex Mastromanno, Sam Ellis and prized recruit Matthew Boyd, who will play depending on his AFL coaching commitments with Collingwood, but will need to turn to some of its youngsters to offset the losses of some star quality in Nick Battle, Sam Raru, champ Ryan Hendy, Michael Henry and Clayton McCartney.
The burning question: Do the Doves have enough depth to challenge for the flag?
First game: vs Cranbourne, 30 March at AJ Robinson Oval
Prediction: 6th
NARRE WARREN
President: Stuart Stephenson
Coach: Matt Shinners
Last premiership: 2013
2017
Finished: Runners-up – 14 wins, 6 losses
Best and fairest: Josh Tonna
Key ins:
Harrison Coe (Cora Lynn); Brenton Wells (Noble Park); Trent Shinners (Norwood); Brayden Hunt (Trafalgar); Brad Scalzo (Warragul); Patrick Tatt (Black Rock)
Key outs:
Nathan Allen (Bunyip); Dale Gawley (Montrose); Dean Kelly, Andrew Hunter (Mooroolbark); Sam McLean (Endeavour Hills); Jack Wheeler (Noble Park); Andrew Ray (Garfield); Jack Soroczynski (Stony Creek); Mitch Cox (Perth)
We say: If one thing is for certain, expect a new look Magpies. While returning coach Matt Shinners anticipates more youth as some depth moves out of the club, there is no shortage of quality at his disposal. The Magpies add Warragul superstar Brad Scalzo back to the club in a homecoming of sorts, while Trent Shinners adds plenty to the tall stocks in his return to the club. Shinners was best afield in a Magpies premiership in his last stint at the club, and has the potential to take the competition by storm once again. Some talent has walked out of the door, with Dean Kelly, Nathan Allen, Jack Soroczynski and Dale Gawley all joining rival clubs, which does hurt the overall depth of the list. The Magpies are a club that breeds success, and will be looking to bridge the gap on last year’s grand final defeat to Berwick, but will be relying on its youngsters to take a major leap.
The burning question: Will it be short term pain for long term gain?
First game: vs Cranbourne, 7 April at Frenken Homes Oval
Prediction: 3rd
OFFICER
President: Nick McLennan
Coach: Doug Koop
Last premiership: 2002
2017
Finished: 7th – 6 wins, 10 losses
Best and fairest: Nick Redley and Matthew Jones
Key ins:
Ben Curtiss (Lalor); Stephen Hawkins (Skye); Stephen Heppel (Colac); Matthew Laskey (Meeniyan Dumbalk United); Michael Thompson, Blake Pearce (Cranbourne); Jayce Valentine (Beaconsfield); Brad Thompson (returning), Nick Schiano (Westbourne Grammarians)
Key Outs:
James Canty (Caulfield Grammarians); Dylan Chapman (Thomastown); Chris Larosa (Nilma Darnum); Brad Phillips, Cory Phillips (Hampton Park); Nick Redley (Longwarry)
We say: There’s no mistake about it, Officer enters the season under some pressure to end a finals drought that dates back to 2004. They certainly have the opportunity to push for that spot, with some sides that finished above them last year weakened slightly, but that’s easier said than done. After some key losses in Nick Redley, Chris Larosa and Dylan Chapman, the ‘Roos have lost a bit of class, but have managed to secure some handy names that should improve their depth. Silky half back Blake Pearce, goalkicking machine Nick Schiano, returning forward Stephen Hawkins and midfielders Michael Thompson and Ben Curtiss have all put pen to paper in 2018 which is exciting for the club. The likelihood is that the side is still a year off competing for finals, but that doesn’t mean they can’t give plenty of teams headaches throughout the season, with the ‘Roos set to play an exciting brand of football that is still a work in progress.
The burning question: Can the ‘Roos take the next step and push for finals?
First game: vs Doveton, 7 April at Officer Recreation Reserve
Prediction: 7th
PAKENHAM
President: Darren Sidebottom (acting)
Coach: Ash Green
Last premiership: 2009
2017
Finished: 8th – 2 wins, 14 losses
Best and fairest: Chris Cardona
Key ins:
Joseph Thomas-Baker (St Kilda AFL); Steven Dillon (Cora Lynn); James Harrison (Berwick); Rhiley Murphy (Rowville); Luke Harrison (Officer); Jeconiah Peni (Balwyn Tigers)
Key outs:
Sam Blackwood, Thomas Blackwood, Dean Blake, Jake Smith (Nar Nar Goon); Jayden Bootsma (Boulder City); Damien Holmes (Kilcunda Bass); Russ Lehman (Longwarry); Jack Muirhead (Longwarry); Dom Paynter (Kooweerup)
We say: While it would be a long shot to suggest the Lions are in the finals mix, coach Ash Green wants to earn some respect back in the competition, and start to become a harder, more competitive side to play against. The Lions really struggled in attack last year, something Green is hoping can be improved by a different style of ball movement, as well as some new goal kickers in the forward half. The Lions have welcomed back former junior James Harrison back to the club with open arms and he’ll instantly add some class and leadership, and are buoyed by how Joe Thomas-Baker and Jay Jay Peni are settling into the playing group. But the list of outs doesn’t make for pretty reading, and while Green conceded there is a long way to go for his group to truly click, he is adamant that the club is not in dire straits as many are suggesting from outside their four walls.
The burning question: Can the Lions regain some respect around the competition?
First game: vs Tooradin-Dalmore, 7 April at Toomuc Reserve
Prediction: 8th
TOORADIN-DALMORE
President: Greg Kelly
Coach: Lachie Gillespie
Last premiership: 1997
2017
Finished: 6th – 6 wins, 10 losses
Best and fairest: Nick Lang
Key ins:
Dean Warry, Matt Sloper (Crib Point); Dylan Wilson (Lang Lang); Nathan Goodacre, Kyle Robb (Hastings)
Key outs:
Nick Jansen (Emerald); Josh Muling (Mazenod OC); Nathan Page (Caulfield Grammarians); Aisakie O’Hailpin (work); Setanta O’Hailpin (work); Luke Edmonson (Seaford); Travis Puntaroni (Karingal); Michael Wallace (Garfield)
We say: 2018 presents an interesting opportunity for the ‘Gulls, who will be confident they can bridge the gap between sixth and fifth and break through to earn themselves a spot in the finals. With coach Lachie Gillespie tinkering slightly with the game plan to becoming more unpredictable, and hopefully earn more respect from the competition, the side will enter the year with even more expectation than in 2017. The club is relying on its local young talent to take a leap forward with the likes of Nick Jansen, Josh Muling and Nathan Page all departing the club. Aisakie O’Hailpin was one of the dominant ruckman in the competition this season, but is unlikely to feature at all in 2018, but Gillespie has plenty of developing ruckman to take his place, and will have plans in place to cover his loss.
The burning question: Are the Gulls capable of breaking through for a finals appearance?
First game: vs Pakenham, 7 April at Toomuc Reserve.
Prediction: 5th
