By Nick Creely
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Victorian home-and-away football has officially been cancelled in AFL Outer East Division 1 for the 2021 season,
While the league is hopeful of a form of finals series – with the Outer East’s roadmap indicating that it’s now may only be possible to return for a grand final, with the latest date to play the decider being 10 October – it spells the end of yet another disappointing season for the remaining five clubs who are officially done for the season, with Officer and Gembrook Cockatoo not officially ruled out prior to the Gazette going to print.
Nick Creely takes a close look at those teams who we know will definitely put their feet up for good this season, starting with Seville..
SEVILLE (FIFTH)
Players Used: 34
Played Every Game: 8
Shots at Goal Created: 228
Shots at Goal Converted: 52.19 per cent
Top-3 Goalkickers: Leigh Williams (31), Nathan O’Keefe (27), Dom Aloi (14)
Best Performance: Round 11 – defeated Mt Evelyn 13.7 (85) to 10.5 (65)
Worst Performance: Round 9 – lost to Officer 6.7 (43) to 8.3 (51)
Summary
A fifth-placed finish caps off a fairly successful first season in Division 1, testing itself against some quality opposition and coming away with a 5-4 record. While there’s work to do in bridging the gap between their best and worst footy, the Blues were ruthless at times, particularly through the lethal combination of Leigh Williams and Nathan O’Keefe who kicked 58 between them. Another few recruits, a strong pre-season and there’s no reason why the club can’t push even further up the table in 2022 and make a splash in finals.
Best and Fairest Contenders: Deng Nai, Nathan O’Keefe, Rob Petracca, Leigh Williams
EMERALD (SIXTH)
Players Used: 27
Played Every Game: 14
Shots at Goal Created: 192
Shots at Goal Converted: 49.47 per cent
Top-3 Goalkickers: Patrick Chin (26), Jake Pedder (12), Lachlan Hoye (11)
Best Performance: Round 11 – defeated Gembrook Cockatoo 12.10 (82) to 8.12 (60)
Worst Performance: Round 6 – lost to Monbulk 6.5 (41) to 13.7 (85)
Summary
It was an interesting season for the Bombers. After a slow start, the club was always struggling to really nudge the top-four, but put together some strong wins against Gembrook Cockatoo and Seville which is a strong indicator that they’re not too far away. But the club will take great confidence out of qualifying for finals, having a 4-4 win-loss record and plenty of building blocks for 2022. Patty Chin had a cracking season up forward for the Bombers, Jake Pedder was consistent, while the likes of Nick Jansen, Ty Ellison and Matt Livermore stood up all season.
Best and Fairest Contenders: Nick Jansen, Patrick Chin, Jake Pedder, Dale Karacsonyi
HEALESVILLE (SEVENTH)
Players Used: 33
Played Every Game: 8
Shots at Goal Created: 116
Shots at Goal Converted: 45.68 per cent
Top-3 Goalkickers: Rodney Woodford (17), Cody Anderson (5), Shane Mansfield (5)
Best Performance: Round 2 – defeated Belgrave 14.12 (96) to 9.9 (63)
Worst Performance: Round 5 – lost to Officer 4.0 (24) to 32.18 (210)
Summary
A seventh-placed finish from the Bloods, with a 2-6 record was about where the club was expected to finish in Division 1 this season, but buoyed by some promising performances, particularly against Monbulk and Seville early in the campaign and two strong wins against Belgrave. Scoring was certainly an issue and one that needs to be addressed this off-season, but Rodney Woodford still made the most of limited opportunities to have a strong season. Defensively, the Bloods held up well for the most part, and have plenty of promise heading into 2022. Nick Mende was an absolute standout and big man Will Kristelly-Kelety showed plenty of class in his debut season at the club.
Best and Fairest Contenders: Nick Mende, Rodney Woodford, Will Kristelly-Kelety, Shaun Donkin
BERWICK SPRINGS (EIGHTH)
Players Used: 38
Played Every Game: 8
Shots at Goal Created: 145
Shots at Goal Converted: 48.96 per cent
Top-3 Goalkickers: Thomas Nelson (10), Ryan Ladd (8), Blake Simondson (5)
Best Performance: Round 1 – defeated Belgrave 12.16 (88) to 9.11 (65)
Worst Performance: Round 4 – lost to Monbulk 5.1 (31) to 29.15 (189)
Summary
Judging the debut season of the inaugural Berwick Springs’ senior group was never going to be about the raw numbers, or the wins and losses, but about how the club embraced their surroundings and established a reputation. That, as a basis of judgment, is a mighty success. The Titans exposed 38 players to senior footy in 2021, played some attacking and stylish football, and have all the hallmarks of a side to watch under senior coach Rodney Benstead in the coming years. Off-field, the new facility of Mick Morland Reserve is outstanding, and in a growth corridor of the south-east shouldn’t have too many issues attracting players. With an exciting crop of kids showing strong signs, a strong core group and two wins in their first season, there’s so much to build on.
Best and Fairest Contenders: Aidan Nelson, Dysan Morris, Nick Rattle, Bailey Delves
BELGRAVE (NINTH)
Players Used: 44
Played Every Game: 3
Shots at Goal Created: 104
Shots at Goal Converted: 47.11 per cent
Top-3 Goalkickers: Reece Piper (6), Joshua Richmond (4), Robbie Bertalli (4)
Best Performance: Round 2 – lost to Healesville, 9.9 (63) to 14.12 (96)
Worst Performance: Round 12 – lost to Seville 2.2 (14) to 24.29 (173)
Summary
A really tough, testing season for the Magpies, there’s no doubt about it. All season, the Magpies struggled to find any momentum in their game, with 44 players used and just three playing every game. The loss of key players hurt the club, resulting in a particularly gruelling campaign after two competitive losses to start the season. But it’s now about how the club bounces back and recruits as it looks to put 2021 behind them and forge forward with renewed optimism.
Best and Fairest Contenders: Guy Chuol, Robbie Bertalli, Joshua Richmond, Jayden Wood
2021 Ladder
Monbulk
Mt Evelyn
Gembrook Cockatoo
Officer
Seville
Emerald
Healesville
Berwick Springs
Belgrave
