2 April 2015
Football is back, the preseason toil and sweat having been set aside, plans are in place, all clubs charge into season 2015 with hope and expectation The West Coast Hawks look to defend their title, but five other clubs all wanting the party for themselves. What are your team’s prospects?
West Coast Hawks
The Hawks loom once again as the major threat, though their repeated presence in major finals ensures that they must continue to evolve game plans and strategies to keep ahead. Everyone is watching them! Successful premiership coach Dillon Montgomerie steps down this year with Club legend, Port Adelaide AFL and SANFL star Paul Evans taking over. Shaun Trevellion stays on as B Grade coach and Brenton Goosay takes over from Dylan Kelsh leading the colts.
To win a premiership in Mid West, you must beat the Hawks, not unlike AFL really! Always fit and well drilled, it is expected that this will be even more so in 2015. Club inward player movements to date include James Westley – Langhorne Creek, Daniel McIntyre – RSMU in the NEFL and Nathan Woolford – Victor Harbour. Clearing outwards are Mace VanWeenan and Max Shaw, both to Pinaroo FC. At this early stage, club stalwart Kirk Montgomerie has withstood serious “in-laws” recruitment pressure to join a black and gold western club!
Fresh from summer stints in the NTFL Darwin are Dylan Kelsh, Cam Montgomerie and earlier Dale Montgomerie. Cam’s situation is unclear, residing in Adelaide for now, he is likely to appear later in the season. .
Steed Sutherland is back from overseas and will re-join a poised and confident outfit with strength on every line Big seasons expected of Jake McEvoy , Joe McInnis, Corey Cabot and Kyle Tucker. No longer playing as up and coming youngsters with potential, these blokes are first pick A Grade premiership players who will be there for the next decade and hopefully representative honours also. No doubt Brent Bascombe will have scorched the grass in pre season, his presence as a key forward and back man is crucial, even more so when the tight tough contests come around.
The Hawks are well settled and boast a good blend of youth and experience, they play an entertaining and fast style of football, no doubt will be playing very late into 2015. Last having missed a grand Final in 2004, winning five out of the past six premierships, less than a 2015 grand final appearance would not be a pass mark at all
Central Eyre
The Bulldogs suffered a horror run on the injury front late 2014, but battled on bravely to be in the Grand Final to the very end. A highly talented group, they loom as the biggest threat to ongoing Hawks dominance. Wade O Brien stays as A Grade coach, Jeremy Wagner the reserves coach and Jared Sampson continuing as colts coach this year.
Boom recruit, Jesse Stringer, returning home from AFL powerhouse Geelong. Jesse brings more than midfield strength back, having played at elite level, game systems and player management regimes will see improvements at the Kennel this year. The second “boom” recruit is Jake Bruce, Mail Medals in 2102 and 2013, he was sidelined for most of 2014 with a chronic hamstring.
Centrals have retained their full playing list for 2015 and boast strength on every line, the biggest issue is really only injury. If they stay fit and on the oval, there is no doubt the Bulldogs could well be barking at 5.00pm Grand Final day. Jared Sampson, 2014 Mail Medallist, Ty McKenna and veteran Kane Sampson are silky smooth operators. Big seasons are expected from young guns Brett McComb, Shaun Murphy and Connor Dowden. The key Centre Half Forward role will be commanded by Hayden Heath, who enjoyed a real break out season in 2014. Centrals carry heavy expectation with such a strong list, and will kick some big scores as they mount another genuine challenge for silverware.
Elliston
The rollercoaster continues, 2011 last, 2012 premiers, 2013 last, 2014 a couple of kicks off of a grand final, 2015?. No club travels further on the Eyre Peninsula to play. The Roosters are capable of amazing bursts of adrenaline filled, fast, productive football. These bursts are very hard for opposition clubs to contain. Chad Fleming continues as A Grade coach, B Grade – Peter Dowden and Colts –Tim Kierse.
2014 saw the Roosters play 70 players through their A Grade side and with this level of change, consistency is hard to achieve, Chad does an amazing job in managing the ongoing team change. The biggest issue is the loss of some quality players, none more so than legend Tom Rumbelow, heading over to Blyth Snowtown. Other key losses are Aaron Castley, Adam Hurrell, Adam Haarsma, James Bascomb, Kane Tiller, Aaron Hand and Dean Wanganeen. In comes Rory Sheehy and Ciaren Sheehy, both from Wayback FC, Luke Falciani and Joel Paech both from Cummins Kapinnie.
The Roosters enjoy a great home ground advantage, but the longer road trips challenge. Key movers this year will be Adam Green, Robbie Pickett, Tom Haarsma. A big welcome back to Jay Williams, missing 2014 with a shoulder reconstruction, his presence on the ground is valued for his leadership as much of his silky skills and gut wrenching running ability. Elliston must ensure that they win enough games to make the finals, and from there, they are able to launch with a surge. Desperately close to a Grand Final last year and who knows from there, the Roosters are always a danger
Western Districts
No side is better drilled than the Tigers, with a low risk playing style that values possession and defence. 2014 saw them beat both the Hawks and Bulldogs in the final round, their only insurmountable hurdle being the Roosters. Scott Feltus stays as coach of the A Grade with Myles Tomney and Trent Brace leading the Reserves and Colts respectively.
In to the side this year, Joseph, Chris and Charlie Wiliiams all from Ceduna Blues, Jake Barnett – Cowell, Zane Montgomerie – West Coast Hawks, Kirk Hull – Lock, Shane Matthews – Parndana, Mitchell Garrett and Brodie Falciani = Boston FC, Sam Wakefield – Lock, Luke Dempsey – Lincoln South, Jacob Brewster – Cummins/Kapinne. Losses include Ben Smith, Rhys Bawden and Justin Beard.
No doubt that Districts will again be strongly competitive, after huge promise, they will carry the relative disappointment of a fourth place finish in 2014 into 2015. The key for the Tigers is to find regular scoring avenues as they can restrict any side against them. Keys include Scott Feltus, age does not weary him!, Jerel Fromm, Braydn Hedley-King and Damon King-O’Loughlin. Lachy McInnis is a up and coming champion and Kade Gill ever reliable. Tigers love the close hard matches and will challenge again in 2015
Wirrulla
The Bombers narrowly missed finals in 2014, but have recruited well in the off season so will enter 2015 with high expectation. Mick Kessell retains the reigns as A Grade coach, with Andrew Patterson heading the Reserves for the premiership defence, and Shane Pittaway leading the Colts.
In comes David Vincenti – Toodyay FC, Paul and Shannon Haynes, William Mayhew – Koonibba FC, Rowan Chester – Strathalbyn, Adam Braendler – Waikerie/Glenelg FCs, Lachlan Ross and Kieran Patterson returning home. A big list of incoming quality. No outgoing transfers at this point.
Aside with the incoming talent, man mountain Jarden Stoetzer returns, Simon Webb, Andrew Bitmead are stars and big seasons are expected from Sam Kessell and Dion Pittaway. The Bombers could well be the big movers in 2015, a great blend of youth and experience, well coached and a renewed enthusiasm that comes with a solid recruiting drive. The bombers win the hard ball and boast plenty of scoring options, even better with SA State Country forward Adam Braendler on side. They look to have leg speed to burn and so long as they fitness levels remain high, Bombers will return to the finals this year. Early games against the Hawks and ‘dogs will indicate how far the Bombers can go, but finals are a must.
Wudinna United
The Magpies developed some young players in 2014 and made some excellent progress in this regard. Star centreline performer Heath Zwar takes over the A Grade coaching role, Shane Dupree the Reserves and club legend Simon Petty looking to defend the Colts premiership.
Some excellent inclusions in 2015, Tyler Ingliss, Luke Harradine – Kimba Districts, Scott Allan – South Clare, Brad Jericho back home from Boston FC, Tyson Jackson back from overseas and Hugh Walker – Eastern Ranges. Outward go Josh Mitchell, Tom DuBois, Josh and Izaac Boylan, Dan Haines, Tyson Scholz and Ricky Seal.
Wudinna United played some great games in 2014 losing by small margins then concentrating on development of young players later in the season. The work put into these younger players will start to pay some dividends this year and improvement is expected. Tyson Jackson is a great “recruit” with his ability to win the hard ball, Derick Williams, Mark North, Scott Williams and Matt Greatbatch set for big years. More A Grade experience for Ian Jericho, Sam Buckham and Harry Petty. The Magpies will have handy leg speed for the big home oval and will need to create regular scoring pressure. No doubt that they are heading in the right direction and will improve into 2015.
The Mid West season starts on Saturday 11th of April with the Grand Final at the new Streaky Bay Sports Complex on 5 September. Good Luck to all teams as they set sail for 2015 success
Last Modified on 08/04/2015 12:03