IT’S too early for predictions, but The Border Mail’s sports editor Brett Kohlhagen has cast a discerning eye over the Ovens and Murray clubs to assess their progress.
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It’s a mixed bag, but it’s clear all clubs will be working hard to find one more player who might make the difference.
ALBURY
IN A NUTSHELL:
Albury has had its biggest turnover of quality players in six years with Lonnie Hampton, Andy Carey, Matt Munro, Tom Yates, Luke Wells, Josh Robinson, Josh Maher, Dougal Howard, Toby Blissett and Josh Gaynor moving on. But the Tigers are the one club in the league who can suck it up and move on after their reserves won this year’s flag by a record 158 points. The arrival of monster ruckman Angus Graham and key backman Jay Koehler and the return of Jim Grills and Andrew Dennis from knee injuries won’t hurt either.
Dennis blitzed a recent 3 kilometre time trial while Grills, Lachie Dight and Jed Andrew have also impressed on the track.
WISH LIST:
Out of all the Tigers’ losses, Lonnie Hampton’s blinding speed on a wing will be missed the most. A quick running player to support the grunt of Joel Mackie, Brayden O’Hara and Joel O’Connell would be the icing on the cake.
YARRAWONGA
IN A NUTSHELL:
Despite all the doom and gloom about Yarrawonga’s most successful era being over, the Pigeons have done remarkably well to keep their list intact. The losses have been minimal with Jeremy O’Brien, Connor Hargreaves, Michael Handby and Luke Ednie confirmed departures while question marks hang over Brad O’Connor and Richard Handreck. Pigeon officials are becoming more confident by the day that Marcus McMillan will be staying instead of returning to Strathmerton.
WISH LIST:
Another key defender to cover Hargreaves and possibly McMillan. The return of Drew Barnes and Matt Dwyer from injury and the signing of Nick Lawless shouldn’t be understated.
LAVINGTON
IN A NUTSHELL:
The Panthers have shown faith in their list by being relatively tame in the recruiting stakes. They targeted Belconnen duo Matt Sharp and Andrew Dess early and have lost Adam Flagg and Jay Banks. Fringe player Joel Hartley has moved on to Brock-Burrum after being a loyal servant but won’t play for several months due to a knee injury. There has been far from movement off-field with Matt Pendergast and Kade Stevens stepping down as playing assistants for Brant Dickson and Matt Sharp. Former Culcairn, Murray Magpies and Wahgunyah coach Andrew Robertson is also on board as a non-playing assistant-coach.
WISH LIST:
A quick midfielder wouldn’t go astray to cover Banks.
WANGARATTA ROVERS
IN A NUTSHELL:
The Hawks have taken a pounding from virtually the moment last season ended with a host of big-name players leaving the club. Sam Carpenter was the first to leave followed by Jamie Sheahan and the Melbourne connection of Jarrad Boumann, James Mulligan and Daniel Archer. Unless the wheel turns in a hurry, coach Paul Maher could have a major rebuild on his hands.
WISH LIST:
Anyone over six foot.
COROWA-RUTHERGLEN
IN A NUTSHELL:
Corowa-Rutherglen didn’t want to undo all its good work last season with a slack off-season and it appears to have held its ground admirably. The focus has clearly been on bringing former players back to the club with Lee Schmidt, Sam Carpenter and Lachie Longmire set to play important roles. James Brain is also in training after injury ruined his 2014 campaign. The appointment of favourite son Matt Witherden as reserve grade coach is another positive.
WISH LIST:
The Roos don’t have the depth of the other top-five clubs and would love an injury-free run.
WANGARATTA
IN A NUTSHELL:
The young Magpies were physically exposed on occasions last season which has led to them spending much more time in the gym this occasion. “Our kids have talent but when you come up against players from South Australia and the VFL they were found out for strength,” coach Mark Knobel said. “We haven’t touched the balls a lot yet.” Xavier Norden and Justin Hoggan have had delayed starts due to foot and groin problems but are on the mend. Wangaratta has also welcomed man-mountain Tim Aumann back to the club from Bundoora.
WISH LIST:
Wins against Wodonga Raiders and North Albury in the opening two rounds.
NORTH ALBURY
IN A NUTSHELL:
The Hoppers have had a big focus on match simulation over the past month at Norris Park as coach Jason Akermanis attempts to hit the ground running in round one against Wodonga. Shaun Mannagh, Josh Minogue, Jack King and Ben Lloyd are trying out with the Murray Bushrangers while Isaac Muller and Mitch Mahady are assessing their study and footballing futures. Hue league recruits Kylin Morey and Tom Weldon have pushed up the average age of the league’s youngest side.
WISH LIST:
A fit Josh Lloyd. The young ruckman is back running after a knee reconstruction ruined his 2014 campaign and should be right to do competitive work after the Christmas break.
MYRTLEFORD
IN A NUTSHELL:
The changes continue on and off the ground at McNamara Reserve. Along with the Saints’ picking up seven recruits, they will also take a new-look board into 2015 with Michael Quirk taking over from Bill O’Donohue as president. Former players David Matassoni and Matthew Crisp are also on the board. Myrtleford is pushing through its toughest pre-season under the coaching of Brad Murray and Leigh Corcoran with Riley O’Shea the only player sidelined following a knee reconstruction. He is expected to resume mid-year.
WISH LIST:
The Saints would love another big forward to complement Jarrod Hayse. The small and middle-sized options look good inside 50 metres with Kristan Height, Brad Murray, Nathan Cossignani, Shannon Broadbent and Willie Thorne buzzing around.
WODONGA RAIDERS
IN A NUTSHELL:
Steve Jolliffe’s return to the training track has been a huge boost for the Raiders. While the Ovens and Murray representative’s energy levels are down after his cancer scare, he is making inroads and will be like a recruit for coach Daryn Cresswell. Matt McDonald has wasted little time setting an example at Birallee Park while young ruckman Nick Nott is proving a surprise packet on the track. Highly-regarded onballer is leading most of the running. The Raiders are looking for a football operations manager to work closely with Cresswell.
WISH LIST:
Todd Bryant to pack his bags in Queensland and come home.
WODONGA
IN A NUTSHELL:
Anyone who says Daniel Bradshaw’s return to the Ovens and Murray is a token gesture hasn’t been to training at John Flower Oval. “‘Braddy’ has been fantastic. I might have to remind him that the season only starts in April as he hasn’t missed a beat,” coach Dean Harding said. Another to shine is McKye Turner who looks hell-bent on making up for a lean 2014 season. The new faces include Dederang-Mount Beauty’s Joel Heiner, Mitta United’s Jamie Baude and Pennant Hills backman Daniel Keating. Matt Bradshaw will also play for the Bulldogs. Last year’s wooden-spoon isn’t blessed with A grade talent but is averaging 45 to 50 players at training.
WISH LIST:
John Pratt could do with some inside help.
