WHO WILL BE THE BEST OF THE DISTRICT PLAYERS?
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Aidan Johnson. Those in the Hume League rave about his ferocity at the ball. He's only a kid, albeit a big one, and it's rare to see a teenager throw his weight around like Johnson. Plenty say if he gets serious, he could play VFL.
WILL MATT PENDERGAST GET TO GAME 300?
Every person involved in the league is hoping it's yes. The likeable Pendergast broke his leg last May and had just started running in mid-January. He's always vowed to play but, at that time, indicated he would be satisfied if he never played again. When a footballer makes peace with his retirement, it's time. At 36, married with three children and having, in recent years, started a new job, requiring a physical element, I'm not sure we'll see 'Pender' again.
SHOULD COACH SIMON CURTIS PLAY FORWARD AT SOME STAGE?
Yes. If he plays forward, Lavington probably beats Yarrawonga in last year's elimination final.
Wodonga Raiders' superstar Brodie Filo and Curtis are the best kicks in the comp, by a long way.
Filo plays in the midfield, but still kicked 26 goals last year either from there or when he drifted forward.
Curtis kicked five.
The former Ainslie player feels more comforable marshalling team-mates from the back, but when you have a weapon, use it. It could be the difference in a final.
WILL NICK MEREDITH BE A BETTER PLAYER?
The former Werribee VFL player should be one of the league's best players, but it was hard watching him last year because he just tried so hard, trying to fill a number of positions.
He'd star in defence, but would then try and beat four players, simply because he felt as though he had to for the team to thrive.
Let's hope Meredith has more support down back because if he has the confidence in his team-mates and not do the unselfish thing, he'll be even better. If the Panthers are to push into the top three, he'll need to.
RELATED:
Q&A with Aidan Johnson
Q: What was the injury you suffered which derailed your plans to play with the Murray Bushrangers?
A: I was just out at mum and dad's place and was just walking around the property with a mate. I stood in a hole and broke my foot.
Q: The Bushies decided not to pick you up, did that hurt?
A: Yeah, it was pretty devastating. I thought that I was a bit of a chance to get in, or even the squad, so it
hurt. I thought, 'ah well, if I'm not going to get picked, I'll try and show them why they should have picked me'.
Q: You're the 'king of casualness' I'm told, do you take your footy seriously?
A: With my footy, I like to switch on, but other than that I just cruise through it (life).
Q: What are some of the major differences between training at Hume League level and the O&M?
A: The skill level's higher, fitness-wise it's tougher and the drills are quicker.
Q: What's your goal for the season?
A: Just to play senior footy I guess. I don't want to put my expectations too high in my first year of O&M footy.
Draw
Season Opener: North Albury (h)
R1: Wodonga (a)
R2: Albury (h)
R3: Wodonga Raiders (h)
R4: Wangaratta Rovers (a)
R5: Wangaratta (a)
R6: Yarrawonga (h)
R7: Corowa-Rutherglen (a)
R8: Myrtleford (h)
R10: Albury (a)
R11: Wodonga (h)
R12: Wodonga Raiders (a)
R13: Wangaratta Rovers (h)
R14: Yarrawonga (a)
R15: Wangaratta (h)
R16: North Albury (a)
R17: Myrtleford (a)
R18: Corowa-Rutherglen (h)
2018 BEST & FAIREST
1st: Simon Curtis
2nd: Nick Meredith
3rd: Nick Holman
2018 MOST GOALS
1st: Adam Prior 37
2nd: Brant Dickson 28
3rd: Adam Flagg 26
ARRIVALS
Andrew Mackinlay, Brad Carman (Holbrook), Dylan Pettingill (Jindera), Connor Meredith (Thurgoona), Shaun
Mannagh (North Albury-VFL), Aidan Johnson (BB Saints), Grange McMahon (Eastlake)
DEPARTURES
Jono Spina (Canberra Demons), Adam Prior (Culcairn), Jack Harland (Moama), Noah Amery (Wangaratta
Rovers), Andrew Dess (Holbrook), James Saker
VFL-LISTED PLAYERS
Shaun Mannagh (Richmond)
THE A-TEAM
B: Chris Annett, Brant Dickson, Stephen Leitch
HB: Kris Holman, Aidan Johnson, Simon Curtis
C: Jack Kirley, Tom Hargreave, Liam Ross
HF: Andrew Mackinlay, Luke Garland, Nic Holman
F: Marty Brennan, Adam Flagg, Dylan Pettingill
Foll: Tim Hanna, Nick Meredith, Grange McMahon
Inter: Connor Meredith, Brad Carman, John Hunt
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