The RDFNL takes a look at all the RDFNL Senior football and netball teams as the 2017 season is ready to launch into action.
To start the action off, the reigning defending 2016 Senior football premiers Diggers Rest will be first to hit the ground running.
The RDFNL takes a look at all the RDFNL Senior football and netball teams as the 2017 season is ready to launch into action.
To start the action off, the reigning defending 2016 Senior football premiers Diggers Rest will be first to hit the ground running.
Football
The Burras achieved one of the finest wins in RDFNL history by taking out the 2016 premiership over arch-rivals Riddell in extra-time, the first of its kind since the rules changed.
The Burras had lost its previous five Grand Final appearances (three to Riddell/ two to Romsey).
The club welcomes former Hawthorn Rookie Lachlan Langford, and Tommy Taylor.
Luke Smailes has moved to Sydney, premiership hero Jason Williams has relocated to Keilor, Col Laurie has moved to Port Douglas, Tom Evans has moved to Rockbank while Shane Marchewka has retired.
Shaun Sims will coach again after leading his team to the promise land last season. He has coached in a Grand Final in his first three seasons, can he make it a fourth?
The club's expectations haven't changed from last season, it expects to be a well-run and competitive club across all areas.
The club wants to place itself in the best position to play finals each year.
"We pride ourselves and always have on the club being an inclusive and enjoyable place to be," Sims says.
"We work very hard at this and have one of the best cultures of any sporting organisation in the area."
"Players football and netball come and don’t want to leave."
As a whole, the club has worked hard to take the time to build a strong committee, something that takes years to build and the club is lucky to have that.
Football has changed over the last decade but the club has adapted and changed with it.
"You only have to look at the strength of our seconds, who are the heart beat of the club to see what a good place it is to be," Sims says.
Chris Lawton and Corey Wright are the two players to watch out for in 2017. These two young guns have come along in leaps and bounds in recent seasons and is a fine sample of its home grown talent.
Lawton played almost every Senior game last year after coming back from the Calder Cannons. He has bulked up in the off-season and is setting himself up for a big year. He was a clear stand-out in last year's Reserves premiership win.
Wright had another pre-season at the Calder Cannons and is good shape for the midfield.
"We have had a group of players who have now hit that 25 age who are all regular senior players. Now we are looking for that group to start to take over the team and give it leadership and direction," Sims says.
Diggers Rest expect Macedon to be one of the big teams to beat this year. The Cats recruited strong again."They had one of the best lists last year and we all heard about their injuries and should be one of the favourites this year with the amount of talent they have," Sims says.
Wallan is expected to be up there this year after Dan Nolan recruited well to build a strong foundation for the club for the future. Sims paid credit to the administration and the coaching staff for its efforts.
Rupertswood will be high on the list of challengers this year on the back of its Under 18.5s winning the premiership last year.
Sims also feels that Sunbury Kangaroos, Riddell and Romsey will all challenge again.
Netball
The Burras pulled of the recruiting heist of the summer with former Australian netballer Natasha Chokljat-Lew joining the squad over the summer. She plays in the mid-court and won a Silver medal at the World Championships with the Australian side in 2003. She has incredible experience and knowledge.
Amy Carroll takes on the role of Senior coach again in her third season. She has been with the club over four seasons and will work towards getting the club as a powerhouse of the competition inside the top three.
The Burras finished sixth last season and showed that the list has potential to go that extra step this season.
Maggie Payne is one of the young guns to watch out for in 2017. She has great potential, has a willingness to learn and is a big team player.
Diggers Rest expected Macedon to be the opposition to look out for in 2017.
Last Modified on 03/04/2017 12:45