By Nick Creely
PREMIER DIVISION
Former AFL players, and class footballers from both the south-east and the Yarra Valley have been featured in a star-studded Gazette Team of the Year, which comprises of a mixture of some of the competition’s rising stars as well as some of the usual names that are inked in on almost a yearly basis.
The inaugural Premier Division season has highlighted that the top end talent is any good as any in local football in Victoria, making selection for the Team of the Year all the more difficult.
With almost every club represented in the Gazette’s side, powerhouse clubs Berwick and Narre Warren lead the way with four selections, while Woori Yallock and Beaconsfield were also represented well.
In the back half, Cranbourne defender Jordan Bertrand enjoyed a superb year as the Eagles battled manfully despite a fair share of injuries, Woori Yallock pair Michael Batten and Michael Riseley were rock solid all season, Thomas Hinds led the way down at Wandin, while running defenders Jake Bowd and Ash Smith were also standouts once again.
The star-studded midfield – the hardest position to slot into in this side – saw Narre Warren stars Dylan Quirk and Nathan Foote rewarded for their brilliant years, Wandin gun Patrick Bruzzese is a serious talent, while champion Wickers Lucas Jellyman-Turner and Madi Andrews have been in top form in 2019, particularly in the back half of the season. Woori Yallock big man Zach Monkhorst takes the number one ruck role after a dominant season for the Tigers.
In the forward line, Narre Warren great Michael Collins relished a move down forward to enjoy a great season, leading goal kickers Harry Money and Justin Van Unen were obvious selections, Beaconsfield forward Matthew Johnson came on in leaps and bounds and helped win the Eagles a couple of games, while his teammate Riley Verbi was all class when available. Olinda Ferny Creek star Lachlan Taylor also deserves his spot after a remarkably consistent season.
Rounding out the side is Berwick pair Travis Tuck and Tim Gunn on the bench, Woori Yallock gun Hayden Smith, Narre Warren duo Trent Cody and big man Jake Richardson, as well as Healeville’s Nick Mende, who shone in a tough year for the Bloods.
Here is the side:
DIVISION 1
It’s the mark of a healthy and sustainable competition that all eight Division 1 clubs were able to have at least one player feature in the Gazette’s 2019 Team of the Year, which comprises of plenty of young talent, as well as a few old heads and even a former AFL premiership star.
The AFL Outer East’s inaugural season has not come without its critics, and it’s certainly had some up and down moments, but the Division 1 year has been one of intense moments swings week-by-week, high quality football, as well as some nail biting clashes that have helped shape the season.
That’s what makes the Team of the Year such a difficult task. The evenness of the competition has been one of its most impressive qualities, and that extends to the playing lists for each club.
In the back half, Pakenham’s Liam Tyrrell and Chris Cardona were sublime all year for the Lions, Officer pair James Waldon and Jake Ingaliso held things together for the most part of the season, while Monbulk defender Dylan Werts and Mount Evelyn star Callum Urquhart were two key cogs all season for the club.
In what is a hugely versatile midfield group, Doveton pair Matthew Boyd and Lachie Batten starred on-ball and on half-forward when required this season, Tyler Clark picked up mountains of the football for Officer, while Monbulk’s Glenn Strachan and Pakenham jet Stephen Morey shone all year. Taking out the number one ruck mantle is Kangaroos big man Sean Roach, who lifted to another level in the second half of the season.
With no clear standout in terms of goal kicking, the forward line also has plenty of versatility and star factor, Shane Williams and Daimon Kift were instrumental for Monbulk and Mount Evelyn respectively, Matthew Clarke’s impact on Officer was vital, Emerald big man Jake Pedder was a beacon of consistency and topped the goal kicking, while Doves forward Mitchell Pierce and Belgrave’s Josh Richmond led the way goal kicking wise for their clubs.
Taking out the bench spots is Emerald star Josh Rich, much improved Lion Kane Tyrrell, Doveton pair Jake Basa and recruit James Gascard, while Liam Barnard was superb in the bottom side, Warburton Millgrove. Monbulk big man Michael Langworthy takes out the second ruck spot after a brilliant year for the Hawks.
Here is the side:
**Please note that these are the Gazette’s ‘Team of the Year’, and not official AFL Outer East selections. The official sides will be announced at Wednesday night’s league awards.
