THE MPNFL Nepean Division football kicks off this Saturday.
As we approach the 2009 season start, the No.1 question is: who can beat the reigning premier?
Sorrento: There are many around MPNFL traps who believe it's going to be a tall order for most clubs to knock over the reigning premier, but those connected with the Sharks scoff at such a suggestion.
Warwick Scanlon, Dion Phillips and Doug Scott are three players who will be running around at MacFarlan Reserve this year. Scanlon and Phillips return from knee injuries and Scott returns to where footy life began when he was a youngster. The Sorras have also picked up a former country league medal winner, Michael Pudney, from Foster. He is a key forward or swing ruckman.
The only guaranteed loss for the Sharks early in the new year was Sam Edmond, whose commitment as a journalist became too great.
If the year of Sorrento was the main question during the pre-season, surely the impact of Hastings in a new division was the next question on the lips of Nepean Division supporters.
The Blues finally conceded that for long-term success in the MPNFL, they needed to give their youngsters the opportunity to be in a position to win games and develop their football. They'll get that opportunity in the Nepean Division.
Former Geelong Reserves player Cameron Roberts is on board to assist the Blues. Often asked how I believe they will go, my opinion is that Hastings will push the top bracket and even sneak in there should they have the same list they assembled at the start of 2008. The likes of Colin Glass will tear this competition apart, as will Colin McVeigh, who has returned from Edithvale. The Blues may have been an easier target in Peninsula Division, but they'll be tough to beat in the Nepean.
Frankston Bombers have been the most-talked-about club in the competition during the off-season. A lot of this has to do with the fact that Tony Blackford, one of the most popular men in MPNFL history, is back at home.
Blackford, who played a pivotal role in Sorrento's success last season, is also a two-time premiership coach at Sorrento and Berwick. He is a better coach now than when he was at the helm of Sorrento, having spent the past three seasons as assistant at Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.
He has added Nick Graf (Mt Eliza), Nathan and Ryan Lonie (Port Adelaide and Collingwood), Josh Collie and Geoff Hibbert (Somerville), Matt Eady (Mornington), Matt Doyle (Seaford) and James Degenhardt (Dolphins) to a side that almost made the grand final last season.
Owen Uaongo is another player to keep an eye on, a well-built ruckman in the same mould as Seaford's Don Epa. The Bombers are Sorrento's biggest challenge.
Pearcedale is another side that will push for the top three. Under the guidance of coach Jason Chapple, the Dales have been shrewd with their recruiting again in 2009, securing Gary Carpenter, Kain Baskaya and former Chelsea midfielder Joey Garner. The Besley brothers, Jack and Daniel, are also expected to make an impact.
Dromana made the grand final last season and has a new coach in Damon Lawrence. 'Rocky' did extremely well in tough circumstances at Hastings and will have a impact as a player and coach at the Tigers. The loss of Simon Goosey means the deficiency up forward is further exacerbated, but the recruitment of Justin Norton will assist. In the forward line is where improvement is needed. The Tigers have a number of quality players who did not play a lot of footy last season and have had tremendous pre-seasons.
This time last year Rye was redeveloping and building on its youngsters for a sustained future. Wind the clock forward 12 months and the Demons are recruiting hard to fight their way back up the ladder. Mark Chaffey (Richmond) and Adam Kirkwood (Dolphins) are significant recruits, while some new faces from the Eastern Football League (Ringwood in particular) are sure to add firepower. They have picked up Adam Parsons, Ben Holmes, Clint Kennedy, who can play at either end, centre half-back Michael Blake, Yarra Valley's leading goalkicker James Keane, Ash Midland (Ringwood) and Shane McIntosh (Gippsland Power). Rye has recruited an entire goal-to-goal line and coach Steve Ryan is expected to play on a forward flank or pocket. Former Rosebud coach Damien Hardwick is the new assistant at the Demons.
Somerville has a new coach in Brett Anthony and he will be the third chief in as many years. He's a former player and will understand the club's workings. The most noticeable recruit is Nick Brown from YCW.
Down the road at Tyabb, there has been a real hush around the Yabbie pond and many believe they will hold up the rest of the ladder.
Depth will always be a problem for the Yabbies but with their best on the paddock, they have proven to be a tough nut to crack. They have picked up a couple of players from the QAFL.
Crib Point has recruited well and is determined to capitalise on good juniors, the return of some players and a few new ones from 'up town'. The Magpies were very good in quarters last season but rarely put in a four-quarter performance.
The fact the Pies have been able to add some depth of talent and experience will ensure they improve.
"We're looking pretty good," president Tim Verhaaf said. "Luke Herrington, Shane Murdoch, Troy Darling, Andrew Dowey, Duane Annable and Cord Humphries [kept from Darwin] are all back playing at Crib Point. Dean Funstan [Warrnambool, played Vic Country in '06] is a new recruit and we're excited about what he can offer."
Up the road, Red Hill will be keen to build on what was a good year for the club.
The Hillmen were more competitive last year than they have been for many years and this was a result of a change of direction for the club. Red Hill is determined to concentrate its efforts on talented teenagers and should be applauded for doing so. It's certainly working in their favour and will continue to do so in 2009.
Email a friend