ELLINBANK – Position 1st (after H&A season) Last Year 6th - 2019 RUnners Up
Players used 36 – The number of players to play all games – 6
Leading goal kicker Mitch Cowan (31)
Superb effort from Coach Ben Wragg to take the Eagles from sixth to minor premiers and into the grand final. Also led by example. Ruckman Frank D ’Agostino never played a bad game, Josh Peterson, Mick Urie and Hayden Stagg drove the ball forward regularly, veteran forward Adam Cook showed he was still a big threat and was well supported by recruit Mitch Cowan and in the second half of the season by Ben Drew. Key defender Mark Vassett was outstanding in the stingiest defence in the league.
LONGWARRY – Position 2nd Last Year 2nd - 2019 - PREMIERS
Players used 32 – The number of players to play all games – 6
Leading goal kicker Braydon McHugh (45)
The Crows have lived up to pre-season favouritism. It has the most potent attack with Brayden McHugh, Coach Daniel Fry, Jedd Serong, who returned to the club and Tye Holland all genuine goal kicking options. Ruckman Nick Redley seldom lost a tap out, centreman Russell Lehman again proved a class act and Ben Cuckson, Nick Walsh and Justin McCleary led a miserly defence. Corey Lenders, Nathan Fry, Riley Rundell and veteran Danny Wells often shone when it counted.
NEERIM SOUTH – Position 4th (Preliminary finalist) Last Year 9th
Players used 33 – The number of players to play all games – 4
Leading goal kicker Tyssen Morrow (42)
With the return of many players it shifted up several gears. It was gallant in its 7 point preliminary final loss. Fans were treated to many heart stopping games. It had four wins and four losses in matches decided by 10 points or less. Had a good spread of performers across all lines. The mid-season return of Kody Wilson and Jack Ward put them in grand final calculations. Nathan Bayne, Dean Stringer, Chris Urie (35 goals), defender Cal Shiels and among the younger brigade Rhys George, Tyler Pratt, Ash Lockett and Isaac Fuller all showed good promise. Matt Laskey (24 goals) was a handy recruit. Such was their consistent team effort 18 players polled in the Alf Walton medal – the most of all clubs.
POOWONG – Position 3rd End of Season – Lost 1st Semi. Last Year 5th
Players used 34 – The number of players to play all games – 9
Leading goal kicker Jack Hazendonk (42)
Mixed feelings for the Magpies. In patches it appeared better than last year which was supported by the fact it averaged 16 points more per game but it also leaked more goals. Alf Walton League best and fairest Jack Hazendonk energised the midfield and forward line, Jayden Sullivan proved the best reader of the ball in defence in the competition, rover Tom Wyatt his usual creative self and Jai Newcombe despite still eligible for the U18s played like a seasoned recruit.
NYORA – Position 5th Last Year 2nd & Premiers
Players used 30 – The number of players to play all H&A games – 10
Leading goalkicker Ben Schultz (70) including finals.
The Saints were only a shadow of last year’s model. It only won two matches against the other top four sides. Had an over reliance on Ben Schultz and IIan Osman (39) to kick a winning score. Recruit Ben Arnold was perennial source of drive. Ruck Nick Carrigy a power in the second half of the season and midfielder Rhys Bancroft always solid. Badly missed Fia Too Too (only 6 games). Fell off the pace far too often in the second half of games. It won 24 first half quarters but only 15 in the second half to suggest its fitness was not at its 2018 levels.
BULN BULN – Position 6th Last Year 7th
Players used 34 – The number of players to play all games – 4
Leading goal kicker Hayden Baker (42)
Unlucky to miss the top five as it had three close losses. Showed a far better forward set up this year with the elusive Hayden Baker (42 goals), the vastly improved Sam Langford (29) who took some fantastic grabs and Adam Rakip (19 goals). Trent Baker was at his competitive best in and around the middle and evergreen ruckman Matt Gray again a marvel. With many fresh young faces the Lyrebirds have good reason to be optimistic in 2020.
CATANI – Position 7th Last Year 4th
Players used 35– The number of players to play all games – 9
Leading goal kicker Matthew Barrand (33)
The Blues disappointed. Ruck rover Paul Pattison winner of the Lang Lang Golf Club MVP had another outstanding season. Nick Visser was hard as ever at the ball and doubled as capable forward with 28 goals. Dylan Williams much improved and offered fantastic run out of defence but missed a number of games due to injury. The Barrands, Matthew and Daniel were good pick-ups. Missed key defenders Dale Johnson and Tom Van Diemen for a third of the season. Still look to have upward scope in ruck Jackson Caddy, defender Jason Cox and Liam Adams (16 goals).
LANG LANG – Position 8th Last Year 10th
Players used 43 – The number of players to play all games – 2
Leading goal kicker Josh Collie (25)
Coach Josh Collie, his brother Luke and Aaron Rose all proved very good midfield additions.
The Tigers were rocked with injuries from the start of the season. Gun recruit Ben Mitchell kicked 21 goals but only managed eight games while key defender Matt White was injured in the opening round and played no further. Former captain Josh Brown only managed seven games and Troy McPherson suffered a bad hand injury in the second half of the season. Will McGindle was consistent and youngster Rhys Simmons showed promise. Expect Lang Lang will be a reinvigorated club next year with the move to the new ground in Caldermeade.
YARRAGON – New to League. Last Year 7th in MGFL with 6 wins & 1 draw.
Players used 46 – The number of players to play all games – 2
Leading goal kicker Steven Dillon (21)
Tough initiation for first year coach Simon Noy who led well by example. The Panthers started well in many games but too often fell away in the second half. To cut them some slack it was riddled with injuries, departures including last year’s B&F Brad Wolf season and unavailability’s. Only Devin Pollock and James Harvey who both performed consistently - played all 18 games. Darcy Jones and Lachlan Shaw were terrific. Tip they will be far more competitive in 2020 and take a few big scalps along the way.
NILMA DARNUM – Position 10th Last Year 8th
Players used 42 – The number of players to play all games – 4
Leading goal kicker Patrick Chen (27)
By its own standards the Bombers would have disappointed. It fell away badly in the second half of the season losing six games by 10 goals or more. On the plus side it has a predominantly young side and got good game time into many which will hold it in better stead in 2020. Ben Campbell was by far its best. Veterans Chris LaRosa and Nick Murray showed they still had something to offer.U/18s Blake Cann & Korey Carrison both showed something in their senior appearances.
Last Modified on 17/09/2019 12:34