If you were framing a market for coach of the year, first-year mentors Jake Sharp (Myrtleford) and Daryn Cresswell (Wangaratta Rovers) would be the obvious standouts.
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Myrtleford posted four wins last year and is a now a genuine top three contender. Rovers didn't win a game and could play finals.
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But don't discount Lavington's Simon Curtis.
The former ACT star has transformed the club from a defensive outfit of two years ago to today's free-scoring unit.
Last year, the Curtis-coached Lavington averaged 86 points per game. After the home and away season, minor premiers Albury had scored 764 more points, or seven goals per game.
Fast forward and the Panthers are shock leaders, averaging 116 points, or five goals better than last year.
How have they done it?
Firstly, Curtis has changed the players' thinking. They now think attack.
James Saker was a fine player and good coach, but he had a defensive mindset and game plan.
When Curtis was appointed almost two years ago, he spoke of improving the attacking flair.
It was always going to take at least 12 months to adopt the different style and that's why, when under pressure last year, the Panthers would go back to a defensive mindset.
Now, the ball moves quicker and there's more space created as a result.
Secondly, the forward line is smaller and quicker. There's a better team balance.
Adam Prior had been a wonderful O and M player, while Andrew Dess also represented the league but in this era of pressure forwards, the pair lacked the pace to hunt down runaway defenders.
Brock-Burrum recruit Aidan Johnson is also a 'big', but his acceleration is more like a mid-sized player.
Of course, there's other reasons as well.
Shaun Mannagh from Richmond's VFL is a fair start. And stars Marty Brennan, Luke Garland and Brant Dickson are playing regularly after injury-interrupted seasons.
But it's the attack first mentality from Curtis which has driven the Panthers.
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