01. Brendan FEVOLA

(Yarrawonga)

LOVE him or loathe him, it’s undeniable that Fev’s the best player in this competition and by quite some distance. Rightly, or wrongly, much of the preseason hype and controversy surrounding Fev’s arrival has taken away from his freakish on-field ability. Should still be playing in the AFL and would still be close to the best forward in the game if he was. The dual Coleman medallist can, and will, kick in excess of 10 goals against any side on any given day. Sit back and enjoy the ride folks.

02.

Patrick ROSE

(Wodonga Raiders)

THE Raiders’ star signing will prove a constant pest up forward all season and, barring injury, should become the first player since Lavington’s Chris Stuhldreier to break the 100-goal barrier. Was the leading goalkicker in the VFL last season with 79 majors and judging by his five-goal grand final performance for Port Melbourne, has little trouble handling the pressure of the big stage. At 25, the former Western Bulldogs rookie enters the league at the peak of his powers.

03

Shaun DALY

(Albury)

LAST year’s Morris medallist would have been No.1 any other year. In fact, I was almost tempted to put him there anyway such was the nature of his season last year. Versatile and damaging, there aren’t many better country footballers going around. If you stood Daly and any other player in the competition 10 metres apart from each other and dropped a footy between them, the star Tiger would emerge with the pill every single time.

04

Karl NORMAN

(Wangaratta Rovers)

ONE of the few true utilities in the league and would be close to a walk up start at any non-AFL club in the country. Was the most valuable player in the competition to his side last year in my eyes and how he didn’t win the Hawks’ best and fairest still has me baffled. The former Blue can play any position on the ground and play it darn well. He’s a freak, basically.

05

Chris HYDE

(Albury)

WAS No.1 at this time last year and finding an excuse to de-throne the top Tiger was awfully hard. Not only is the former Richmond wingman extremely damaging by foot, he has a valuable knack of getting forward and kicking goals on a regular basis which is what separates good midfielders from great ones.Somehow still hasn’t managed to win a Morris medal since joining the Tigers which, considering his achievements at Tigerland, is a mystery in itself.

6.

Ed BARLOW

(Wangaratta)

LIKE Norman, the star Wangaratta recruit shapes as a man for all seasons.

Will spend time forward, on the ball and possibly in the ruck. Spent five years in the AFL system and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Norm Minns Oval. Is still only 25 and after playing eight AFL games with the Western Bulldogs last year, he simply has to be good. Has the potential to upstage Rose and Fevola as recruit of the season.

07

Craig EDNIE

(Yarrawonga)

I’M the first to admit I’m an unabashed member of the little master fan club.

He might be ageing and he might have returned to the league in questionable circumstances but he’s close to the most talented footballer I’ve ever seen. Deserves to retire with another premiership medal around his neck but as we all know, what people deserve and what they end up with are two different things.

08

Ben DAVIES

(Wodonga Raiders)

THE Raider recruit certainly held his own at AFL level when at Collingwood and North Melbourne and joins the Ovens and Murray as one of the VFL’s prime movers.

Racks up disposals at will and is a genuine “footballers’ footballer”. Has forever had question marks on his disposal but those problems shouldn’t be as pronounced at this level. Will win plenty of footy and is my early Morris medal tip.

09

Luke GARLAND

(Lavington)

DEAD set gun. Won Lavington’s best and fairest award in his first season back on the Border last year and now that he is settled, should take his game to yet another level this campaign. Has a unique frame and moves awkwardly but is one of the most damaging players in the competition. Played a massive role in the Panthers’ resurgence last year.

Brilliant left foot kick.

10

Michael STEVENS

(Yarrawonga)

SOME players are blessed with skill, others make up for it with hardness and courage. Stevens has the rare gift of excelling in both areas. In my opinion is the best kick in the league and the gun Pigeon could have easily added a second Morris medal to his name last year. His scintillating interleague performance last year was a true show of character.

11. Stephen TILLER (Corowa-Rutherglen)

THE late arrival of the former Western Bulldog has flung the Roos into finals contention in the eyes of many and with good reason.

The 191cm utility was recruited by the Bulldogs from West Adelaide with pick No.54 in the 2004 draft and played 15 senior AFL matches before being cut in 2010.

Can play at either end of the ground, however, looks set to be used in defence by his new coach Shaun Mooney.

Will be a genuine star of the competition and has perhaps snuck under the radar since arriving at John Foord Oval.

12. David STRETTON (Wodonga Raiders)

ARRIVING alongside Ben Davies and Patty Rose, the former Williamstown ace is another who has probably unfairly slipped under the radar.

The robustly built runner is made for explosive passages of play and has a skill set to rival anyone else in the competition.

Is composed and, more importantly, effective in traffic.

Will cause havoc if left unchecked.

13. Jamie ALLAN (Wangaratta)

IF it wasn’t crystal clear already, the fact that the 2010 Morris medallist is sitting at thirteen shows just massive this off-season has been for the league.

Runs all day, regularly collects more than 40 disposals and has started to kick goals on a regular basis too.

Doesn’t say a lot on the field but his football more than does the talking.

Still needs to work on his defensive game.

14. Daniel LESLIE (North Albury)

THE star Hopper had no doubt one of his more frustrating years last season and will be out to make amends this year.

Leslie’s form slump was the topic of many a discussion last winter and the North Albury captain was no doubt a victim of his own high standards.

But champions have a habit of proving their doubters wrong and Leslie is a champion.

Is the premier forward in the competition when on song.

15. Joel MACKIE (Albury)

THE triple-premiership Tiger will be gunning for an astonishing fifth straight senior premiership this year after his 2008 success at Jindera.

Tough and brilliant, the hard nut again battled admirably through a grand final with a damaged shoulder.

Polarises opinion among fans but has everyone’s respect on the field.

Like Michael Stevens, gave his absolute all for the O?and?M last year which you can’t help but admire.

16. Scott MEYER (Wodonga Raiders)

AT home in the ruck, forward or defence, Meyer is a player every coach would love to have on their magnet board.

Even with the Raiders host of star arrivals, the big man still remains Corey Lambert’s most important player.

Has an Aaron Sandilands type presence in that if he makes a contest, he generally comes out with the ball.

The former VFL ruckman is at his most dangerous when pushing forward from the ruck.

17. Brant DICKSON (Lavington)

ARRIVES at Lavington Oval with big wraps and standing at 196-centimetres and 95-kilograms, there’s little doubt that Dickson is a monster of a man.

Lavington’s marquee signing is the key forward the Panthers have been chasing ever since Tim Sanson’s retirement and with around 50 games of senior VFL experience, Dickson will more than provide a quality contest in the Panthers’ forward half this year.

Dickson’s presence up forward should make the likes of Chaz Sargeant and Myles Aalbers better players.

18. Mark DOOLAN (Wodonga Raiders)

THE Raiders’ skipper could be the big winner out of his club’s recruiting spree.

The arrival of Davies and Stretton, along with the improving form of existing mids Schilg and Bryant, means Doolan could be given more leeway by opponents than he has in years gone by.

If that happens, the results could be devastating.

Has won five best and fairest awards for good reason.

19. Charles GAYLARD (Albury)

THE new Albury skipper continues to improve at an alarming rate and if he isn’t there already, the reliable flanker is on the verge of becoming one of the competition’s absolute elite.

Loves the big stage as shown by winning last year’s Did Simpson medal and is understandably held in high regard by his teammates at Tigerland.

Is certain to attract a little bit more attention from opposition clubs this year and how he handles that added pressure will determine where he ranks at the end of season.

20. James SAKER (Lavington)

WHILE it’s team success he is chasing, the youngest coach in the competition will more than likely make his mark on the league this year individually.

Fit and talented, the former VFL player will be out to lead by example at both training and on gameday.

Is more than at home in defence, however, expect to see Saker dashing down a wing on plenty of occasions for the Panthers this year.

21. Daniel MAHER (Albury)

THE deadly left-footer just keeps on keeping on.

The star Tiger plays with a minimum of fuss across half-back and makes a mistake with the ball about as often as Albury loses a game.

Was one of the Tigers’ best in Paul Spargo’s last game as coach and how Maher’s new coaching role affects his form is one of the great unknowns of the season ahead.

Unbelievably efficient.

22. Mathew GROSSMAN (Wangaratta)

YET another Seagull to land in the Ovens and Murray over the summer.

Quick and athletic, Grossman will break lines for the Pies this season and by the looks of things will have a fairly impressive individual highlight reel by year’s end.

Has exceptional versatility and is at home on both talls and smalls.

Will help offset the loss of Daniel Boyle and just like the man he is replacing did, Grossman will put plenty of opposition defences under pressure with long kicks into Wangaratta’s forward 50.

23. Harley RYAN (Myrtleford)

ARRIVED from Pascoe Vale as a virtual unknown but looked a star little more than a quarter into his first game at his new club.

Romped home in the Saints’ best and fairest award last year and shocked plenty by finishing fourth in the Morris medal.

Gives Myrtleford an unbelievable amount of drive from half-back and don’t be fooled by the blonde locks, he has a crack.

Make no mistake, the classy left-footer is an absolute jet.

24. Andy HILL (Wangaratta Rovers)

IS the Hawks’ version of Mr. Fix-It.

Can be thrown almost anywhere on the ground and is coach Mick Caruso’s first port of call if the Rovers need a spark.

Won an amazing fifth club best and fairest award last year and aside from Karl Norman, is the Hawks most important player.

One of the best overhead marks in the competition and will fly for mark of the year at least once a game.

25. Matt PENDERGAST (Lavington)

ALMOST impossible to split ‘Penda’ and his sidekick Kade Stevens so I went along with the Panthers’ best and fairest count from last year.

Finished second behind star teammate Luke Garland in the club’s top award last year which came as little surprise considering how consistent the midfield general is.

Was unbelievably unlucky not to pinch a memorable debut victory as inter-league coach last year.

26. Kade STEVENS (Lavington)

IT seems like the Lavington veteran has been around forever but the classy midfielder could remarkably still have plenty of good football ahead of him.

Has poise when others crumble and is the type of player every side would love to have in the heat of finals.

Had a terrific year last season, finishing third in the Panthers’ best and fairest, and from all reports is relishing under new coach James Saker.

27. Matt SPENCER (Myrtleford)

DIDN’T quite have the impact at McNamara Reserve many thought he would last year but finished the season as one of the most in form players in the competition.

If the likeable utility can keep that form going this year, the hype surrounding the former Geelong tall will have been justified.

Spends the majority of his time up forward for the Saints but looked more than at home in defence when representing the league.

28. Chaz SARGEANT (Lavington)

THE Greater Western Sydney representative was primed for the best season of his career last year before partially tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in round one.

Still managed to play 17 games but was clearly hampered by the injury late in the year.

Has had an interrupted preseason this year and may start the season slowly, but once he is up and going could become one of the most dangerous players in the competition with more help up forward this year.

29. Daine PORTER (Wangaratta)

THE quietly spoken midfielder enjoyed undoubtedly his best season at Norm Minns Oval last year.

Deservedly collected the Pies’ best and fairest award and has been promoted to club captain this year.

Became the youngest ever player to play 150 games for Wangaratta last season at 25 years of age.

Tenacious at the ball and ridiculously consistent.

30. Sean O’KEEFFE (Wangaratta Rovers)

IN what was no doubt a disappointing season for the Hawks last year, the former Carlton onballer was one of the few shining lights.

Alongside Karl Norman and Andy Hill, O’Keeffe was in the Rovers’ best players almost every single week.

Uses the ball well and his height makes him extremely difficult to match up on.

Should benefit from the arrival of Sam Caruso and John Pratt at the W.J Findlay Oval over the summer.

31. Nathan LYONS (Wodonga)

ADMITTEDLY, I haven’t seen much of the South Adelaide star but what I have seen, I’ve liked a lot.

Strong over the ball and looks to have excellent skills and plenty of pace.

Still only 23 and should be a real player for Wodonga.

Will be the first midfielder opposition clubs look to curtail when playing the Dogs this season.

32. Drew BARNES (Yarrawonga)

THE Yarrawonga co-coach is one of the most influential players in the competition.

Whatever the Pigeons need, Barnes more often than not provides.

Can be thrown into a range of varying shutdown roles just as easily as he can pinch hit in the ruck or accumulate possessions on the ball.

Runs in straight lines and loves impacting a contest with his solid frame.

33. Tyson HARTWIG (Wangaratta Rovers)

HAS said he returns to the league a better player than he left it and if that’s the case — look out.

The former O?and?M defender is strong in the air and competes to within an inch of his life.

Wants to get his hands on the ball more this year and the burly defender’s form will be crucial as to whether or not the Hawks challenge for finals this year.

Will get all the big jobs in defence.

34. Judd PORTER (Wangaratta)

NOBODY questions his courage but the Wangaratta coach is often underrated a player.

Rarely makes a mistake with the ball in his hands and is always committed to the contest.

His elimination final performance in a losing cause against Wodonga Raiders was, in my eyes, as good a game anyone played during last year’s finals series.

35. Sam CARUSO (Wangaratta Rovers)

FIT as a fiddle and a true accumulator of the ball.

Won’t necessarily hurt you with one brilliant passage of play, rather kill you with a thousand cuts.

Has worked heavily on his defensive game while at Williamstown and has the potential to rival the likes of Jamie Allan for total possessions this season.

Runs all day.

36. Marcus MCMILLAN (Yarrawonga)

CONTINUALLY maligned by plenty but is borderline unstoppable when he’s at his best.

Kicked three in a hot patch during last year’s grand final.

One of those players who always leaves you wanting more.

On ability, should be higher.

37. Aaron HENNEMAN (Corowa-Rutherglen)

THE former Essendon tall returns to John Foord Oval this year and from all reports in great condition.

Has shown form during the preseason and at 31, should still be able to provide a quality contest up forward.

How well the former Bomber plays could be the difference between finals or no finals for the Roos this year.

Back at his home club for the right reasons.

38. Joel COOMBES (Myrtleford)

FREAKISHLY talented forward-cum-midfielder who gives the Saints serious X-factor.

He’s by no means a downhill skier but you get the feeling he’d be an absolute star if he played at Albury or Yarrawonga.

Kicked 34 goals last year and provided he gets a clean run of health, should kick more than 50 this year as the Saints continue to improve.

Virtually unstoppable at his best.

39. Charlie MCADAM (North Albury)

SILKY, smooth and terrifyingly efficient.

The son of former St Kilda champ Gilbert is all class when he gets the ball in his hands.

Deceptively quick and one of the hardest players to tackle in the league.

Has slowly, but surely, adjusted to the bash and crash style of O?and?M footy.

40. Joel SMITH (Yarrawonga)

UNLIKELY to play a great deal of football this year and contemplated leaving him out.

But as we all saw late last year, if Smith is fit and firing when the whips are cracking, the former All-Australia is nothing short of a match-winner.

I have no doubt the prospect of Smith and Craig Ednie crumbing at the feet of Brendan Fevola would already be affecting the sleeping patterns of opposition coaches.