After months of pre-season training the East Gippsland Football Netball League competition will get underway with a full range of matches this weekend.
Defending champion Wy Yung, who were all conquering last year, have lost several players and what looked like a possible start of a dynasty at last season’s end will now come under strong attack from both Lucknow and Boisdale Briagolong.
Lucknow has recruited strongly and looks to have assembled a premiership list. Its greatest problem may be looking to fit them in under the points scale.
Boisdale Briagolong has lost last season’s leading goalkicker, Caleb Calwyn, to Maffra, but looked to have re-bolstered their forward strengths to again be towards the pointy end of the ladder.
Orbost Snowy Rovers made the top four last year and with a similar list will be looking to go better than the elimination final in 2023.
Paynesville has a new coach in Darren Vickery, who has added plenty of players to the list who looked cohesive in a recent practice match against Rosedale.
Lindenow will be hoping the nucleus of last year’s thirds winning premiership side can take the next step and become regular senior players under new coach Brett Waddell.
Ben Rotheram will be hoping for similar at Lakes Entrance with the club looking to unveil high profile recruit, Tom Hudson, in this week’s match against the reigning premier, meanwhile Stratford, under new coach Gavin O’Shannassy, look poised for another finals tilt.
Here is how each club is shaping up.
WY YUNG
2023: Premiers.
Coach: Rodney Bills
Ins: Mitchell Dewar (Springvale Districts), Ridge Peters (Bairnsdale), Joel Waters (Swan Reach), Josh Broome and Nathan Dennison (Bairnsdale).
Outs: Jet Kellow (Bundoora), Mitch Toms, Nicholas Ward (both Bairnsdale), Marcus Hottes (Creswick), Dylan Wilson
(Emerald), Chris Wheeler (Omeo Benambra), Jovi Kellow (Maffra), Jayke Andrews (Maffra), Jobe Somerville (Laurimar), Jan Cabaybay, Matt Arnold (Bruthen) and Angus Burchall (Cairns).
From the coach: “We have suffered some significant losses but are happy with what we have picked up, have recruited methodical and not just for the sake of it. Our guys are all a year older and stronger, with most still having plenty of scope for improvement. Our midfield looks strong and again will drive us forward. Can’t wait to get started.” – Rod Bills
Player to watch: Nate Somerville.
BOISDALE BRIAGOLONG
2023: Runners-up.
Coach: Sam Bedggood.
Ins: Nicoll Sanderson, Trayvon Stretch (Halls Creek), Jesse Bedggood, Daniel Coridas (both Heyfield), Will Brunt, James Whelan (both Maffra), and Jackson Glenane (Sale).
Outs: Caleb Calwyn (Maffra) and Ben Wilkinson (South Mildura).
From the coach: “Expect we will be similar to last year, obviously Caleb Calwyn is a big loss but we have worked hard to add some experienced quality role players. Matt Wilkinson is back and available for the whole season, expecting Jesse Bedggood and Jackson Glenane to be key players, Nicoll Sanderson and James Whelan will have delayed starts due to injury. Looking forward to seeing Trayvon Stretch play, he’s tall with an outstanding leap.” – Sam Bedggood
Player to watch: Jackson Glenane.
ORBOST SNOWY ROVERS
2023: Fourth.
Coach: Peter Seal.
Ins: Ash Jonkers (returning) and Brayden Fenner (Bairnsdale)
Outs: Jessie Pescod (Lucknow), Aiden Giove and Sam Thomson (both left region).
From the coach: “As a team I think our fitness and skill level is certainly improved from last year and hopefully that will translate to our on field performance. We have worked hard keeping the legs ticking over during the off season and look in pretty good shape heading into another big season. We have really concentrated on what we can control, you hear murmurings about the other sides but until you meet them it’s a big unknown.” – Peter Seal
Player to watch: Wes Russell.
LAKES ENTRANCE
2023: Seventh.
Coach: Ben Rotheram.
Ins: Tom Hudson (Bairnsdale), Lucky Whelan, Brendan Bassett (both Swan Reach), Jordan Clarke (Bairnsdale), Sam East (Northern Territory), Ben Purnell (Lucknow) and Thomas Crellin (Swifts Creek).
Outs: James Gibbs (Omeo Benambra), Bryce Collings (Moe), Sam Nickless (knee reconstruction), Jarrod McDonnell and Liam Carroll Jnr (Springvale Districts).
From the coach: “We have worked hard in the off season and we are certainly looking to improve on last year. There’s plenty of young talent around the club that will be encouraged and get their opportunity. Happy with what we have picked up and hoping for a great start to the season in round one.” – Ben Rotherham.
Player to watch: Tom Hudson.
STRATFORD
2023: Third.
Coach: Gavin O’Shanassy
Ins: Will Webb (Lindenow), Alex Morcom (Overseas), and Chris Webb (Woodside).
Outs: Nil.
From the coach: “It’s been a good build up, have really enjoyed the pre-season and the attitude and aptitude of our players. I’ve come on board with a blank canvas and look forward to where this journey might take us.” – Gavin O’Shannassy
Player to watch: Lachlan Channing.
PAYNESVILLE
2023: Eighth
Coach: Darren Vickery.
Ins: Oscar Pike (Bairnsdale), Elliott Thomas, Teakin Challis, Tristan Noy, Jack Mayes, Ivan Hood, Nathan Wilson, Boris Byrant, Jordan Ray, Troy Brown, Caleb Crofts (Bairnsdale), Harry Saunders and Ben Bockman.
Outs: Scott Joustra (Lucknow)
What to expect: Have certainly added plenty of numbers and the vibe of the place is strong. Will certainly be competitive and time will tell whether they are ready to contest the finals in 2024.
Player to watch: Alex McLaren.
LINDENOW
2023: Sixth
Coach: Brett Waddell.
Ins: Lucas Lakey, Cassidy Stewart, Brett Waddell (all Bairnsdale), David Donchi (returning) and Darren Allen (Lucknow).
Outs: Luke Dyer (Maffra), Josh Lando (Bairnsdale), Will Webb (Stratford), Bailey Croucher (Lucknow) and Norman Barry (Lang Lang),
What to expect: Brett Waddell has plenty of keen young talent to work with including a young star in Peter Harrison, whose combination with Justin Gould and David Donchi through the middle could be the start of something special at the cattery. Expected to improve as the season progresses.
Player to watch: Peter Harrison.
LUCKNOW
2023: Fifth.
Coach: Shaun Mooney.
Ins: Jake Green (returns), Jessie Pescod (Orbost Snowy Rovers), John Gooch, Andrew Nelson, Nicholas George (all Bairnsdale), Scott Joustra (Paynesville), Tyron Turner (Bairnsdale) and Bayley Croucher (Lindenow).
Outs: Darren Allen (Lindenow), Rhys Robinson (Bairnsdale), Keenan Hynes (Cockburn Lakes, WA), Ben Purnell (Lakes Entrance) and Jamie Seymour (Corowa-Rutherglen).
From the coach: “We have had a great pre-season with consistent numbers, which has made training enjoyable. We have added some experienced players, which was our aim, with the departure of Seymour and Hynes. Expect Orbost to be a test early on their home patch, then we can get a gauge where we are at.” – Shaun Mooney
Player to watch: Jake Green.
THIS WEEK’S MATCHES
Boisdale Briagolong v Lindenow
Orbost Snowy Rovers v Lucknow
Paynesville v Stratford
Lakes Entrance v Wy Yung
