THE Smithy’s VFL season finally kicks off on Friday afternoon, with 21 clubs playing 18 games each across 22 rounds.
And there’s plenty to get excited about with as many as five or six premiership contenders and at least 16 a big chance to taste finals action.
As with every year, there has been a huge turnover of players, and the likely continued impact of Covid means it is hard to predict just how everyone will go, but Werribee is looking in a strong position to push for an end to its 29-year premiership drought, although last year’s unbeaten minor premier Footscray, Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons and even Southport will have a lot to say about that.
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Let’s take a look at how your team is shaping up in 2022.
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
2021 Record: 8-2 (3rd)
Fixture: Collingwood (A), Carlton (H), Sandringham (H), bye, Coburg (A), Casey Demons (H), Essendon (A), Richmond (H), bye, Gold Coast (A), North Melbourne (A), Port Melbourne (H), bye, Footscray (A), GWS (A), Southport (H), Werribee (H), Northern Bullants (A), bye, Frankston (A), Geelong (H), Sydney (H)
Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Arrivals: Jake Arundell (Rowville/Northern Knights), Sam Butler (Lake Wendouree/GWV Rebels), Ben Cavarra (Western Bulldogs AFL), Liam Coghlan (Doncaster), Luis D’Angelo (Traralgon/Gippsland Power), William Garner (Katandra/Murray Bushrangers), Brady Grey (Perth), Max Hall (Montrose/Oakleigh Chargers), Mason Hawkins (Glengarry/Gippsland Power), Flynn Lakey (Gisborne/Calder Cannons), Ned Long (Fitzroy/Northern Knights), Max Lynch (Collingwood), Connor Macdonald (Doveton/Dandenong Stingrays), James O’Connor (Vermont/Eastern Ranges), James Parsons (Carlton), Jed Rule (Boroondara/Oakleigh Chargers), Will Sexton (Yarrawonga/Oakleigh Chargers), Mitchell Sruk (Rowville/Eastern Ranges), Jaylon Thorpe (Williamstown), Campbell Tweedie (Old Brighton), Max Walton (Phillip Island/Gippsland Power), Josh Ward (Fitzroy/Northern Knights), Lachlan Wynd (Rowville).
Departures: Chayce Black (Wandin), Riley Bowman (Southport), Keegan Brooksby (South Adelaide), Shaun Burgoyne (retired), Jon Ceglar (Geelong AFL), James Cousins (Williamstown), Jesse Cucinotta (Port Melbourne), Josh Deluca (East Doncaster), Mackenzie Doreian (Northern Bullants), Damon Greaves (East Perth), Oliver Hanrahan (Werribee), Michael Hartley (Collingwood VFL), Brayden Kilpatrick (South Croydon), Trent Mynott (Frankston), Tim O’Brien (Western Bulldogs), Harry Pepper (delisted), Tyler Sonsie (Richmond), Lachlan Walker (Coburg), Adrian Kalcovski, Elliot Le Grice, Josh Le Grice, Jamieson Rossiter, Trent Warren, Mihaele Zalac.
Summary: The Hawks just go about their business with little fanfare, and you can be surprised when you look at the ladder and see them at the pointy end. They won their last seven games last year by big margins and can again be expected to challenge. Ex-AFL players Cavarra, Parsons and Grey will be massive while it will be great to see Jaylon Thorpe re-establish himself at the level. Cousins, Hanrahan, Kilpatrick and Deluca (although he didn’t play much last year) will be missed, but it is hard to see Box Hill not being there at the business end.
Prediction: 2nd
2021 Record: 3-7 (17th)
Fixture: Carlton (A), North Melbourne (H), Geelong (A), bye, Port Melbourne (H), Sydney (A), Coburg (H), bye, Williamstown (H), Southport (A), Northern Bullants (H), Frankston (A), bye, Collingwood (A), Footscray (H), bye, GWS (A), Gold Coast (H), Richmond (A), Werribee (H), Sandringham (A), Casey Demons (H)
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Essendon
Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Victoria 6
Arrivals: Will Ashcroft (Brighton Grammar/Sandringham Dragons), Wylie Buzza (Werribee), Nathan Colenso (Southport/Morningside), Mitch Cox (Frankston), Jaspa Fletcher (Sherwood), Will Fletcher (Sherwood), Darcy Fort (Geelong AFL), Riley Green (Southport/Sherwood), Jackson Hille (Sandringham), Kai Lohmann (Lake Wendouree/GWV Rebels), Patrick McCarthy (Aspley), Luke O’Sullivan (Aspley), James Tunstill (East Perth), Darcy Wilmot (Montmorency/Northern Knights)
Departures: Connor Ballenden (WWT Eagles), Grant Birchall (retired), Jack Briskey (Port Melbourne), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (retired), Tom Joyce (East Fremantle), Archie Smith (retired), Brock Smith (delisted), Will Tasker (North Adelaide), Connor Bulley, Shatna Cashen-Harris, Saxon Crozier, Hugh Fidler, Lochlan Harrop, Jacob Langborne, Daniel Lanthois, Will O’Dwyer, Tom Wischnat.
Summary: Entering the second year of a complete reset at State league level, the Lions can expect to be more competitive. Copped some nasty hidings last year as they got games into their youngsters, which will only benefit them this season. A win and a close loss against Southport – which handed them two of those hidings in 2021, bodes well for an improved showing, while Buzza and Cox will bring plenty to the table and Lions fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing boom father-sons Ashcroft and Fletcher later in the year when their underage commitments come to a close. The exits of best-and-fairest winner Ballenden and ruckman Archie Smith leave big holes.
Prediction: 16th
2021 Record: 4-5 (12th)
Fixture: Brisbane Lions (H), Box Hill Hawks (A), Gold Coast (A), Richmond (H), Werribee (A), North Melbourne (H), Frankston (A), bye, Sandringham (H), Northern Bullants (A), bye, Essendon (A), Footscray (H), Coburg (H), bye, Port Melbourne (A), Geelong (H), GWS (H), Williamstown (A), bye, Casey Demons (A), Collingwood (H)
Doesn’t Play: Southport, Sydney
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1
Arrivals: Dom Akuei (Northern Knights), Ned Cahill (Essendon AFL), Joshua Cripps (East Fremantle), Hayden Gill (Macleod/Northern Knights), Jesse Glass-McCasker (Footscray), Hugh Hamilton (Colbinabbin/Bendigo Pioneers), Will Hayes (Western Bulldogs), George Hewett (Sydney AFL), Tyreece Leiu (North Melbourne), Michael Lewis (St Bedes-Mentone/Sandringham Dragons), Charlie McKay (Old Melburnians/Sandringham Dragons), Mitch Moschetti (Phillip Island/Gippsland Power), Jesse Motlop (South Fremantle), Darcy Porter (Glenelg), Oliver Sanders (North Launceston/Tasmania Devils/North Melbourne), Hamish Sinnott (Camperdown), Archie Stevens (South Warrnambool), Lewis Young (Western Bulldogs).
Departures: Eddie Betts (retired), Lachlan Bond (Sandhurst), Ed Delany (Old Xaverians), Michael Gibbons (Yarrawonga), Will Golds (Essendon), Daniel Guccione (Coburg), Liam Jones (Palm Beach-Currumbin), Dale Marshall (East Keilor), Marc Murphy (retired), James Parsons (Box Hill), Fraser Phillips (Williamstown), Sam Petrevski-Seton (West Coast), Sam Ramsay (South Adelaide), Ryley Stoddart (Frankston), Ben Caluzzi, Lachlan Gawel, Ben Nikolovski, Lachlan Potter, Harry Reynolds.
Summary: The Blues look like being in a similar position to last year – good enough to beat just about anyone, but capable of losing them all too. Ben Crocker is all class, while Hayes will play his 100th VFL game early in the season and is a huge signing. The returning Glass-McCasker will be important, as will fellow recruit Cahill, while Toby Wooller and Cody Hirst are keys and the development of Stefan Radovanovic, Cooper Stephens and Patrick Cripps’ brother Josh will be worth following. How they replace Parsons and Stoddart will go a long way to determining their fate.
Prediction: 14th
2021 Record: 7-2 (5th)
Fixture: Sandringham (H), Essendon (H), Williamstown (A), Coburg (H), Richmond (A), Box Hill Hawks (A), Southport (H), North Melbourne (A), bye, Frankston (A), Sydney (H), Collingwood (H), bye, Gold Coast (A), Port Melbourne (H), Geelong (A), bye, Footscray (A), Northern Bullants (H), bye, Carlton (H), Brisbane Lions (A)
Doesn’t Play: GWS, Werribee
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2
Arrivals: Matt Buntine (GWS), Reece Conca (Fremantle), Luke Dunstan (St Kilda), Tyler Edwards (Rowville), Blake Howes (Mordialloc-Braeside), Ryan Koo Kwet Kim (Devon Meadows/Dandenong Stingrays), Jack Lonie (St Kilda), Tommy Macrae (Devon Meadows), Judd McVee (East Fremantle/Geraldton Rovers), Bryce Milford (Beaconsfield/Dandenong Stingrays), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (Nightcliff/Thunder Academy), Callum Moore (Wangaratta), Sam Reid (GWS), Roan Steele (Frankston YCW), Ryan Valentine (Old Scotch/Oakleigh Chargers/Collingwood), Jacob van Rooyen (Claremont/Wembley Downs), Taj Woewodin (East Fremantle/Booragoon), Wal Wuol (Berwick), David Zaharakis (Essendon).
Departures: Jaxon Briggs (Cora Lynn), Andrew Courtney (Northern Bullants), Kye Declase (Werribee), Zac Foot (Southport), Marty Hore (North Melbourne), Nathan Jones (retired), Mitchell Lewis (Port Melbourne), Jack Hutchins (Mansfield), Jay Lockhart (Southport), Cory Machaya (Cora Lynn), Tom McCaffrey (Werribee), Lachie Modica (Port Melbourne), Aaron Nietschke (Central District), Cory Stockdale (Norwood SA), Aaron Vandenberg (Old Xaverians), Nathan Heath, Hunter Howden, Nick Lowden, Ryan Sparkes, Jaxon Stuart.
Summary: One of the teams right in the premiership window, especially if Melbourne remains healthy. Buntine, Conca and Lonie are terrific inclusions, Dunstan gives the AFL midfield even more depth that will improve the VFL equivalent, and being able to call on Zaharakis, Moore and Reid will also be a luxury. They’ve farewelled heart-and-soul ex-skipper Hutchins, plus quality in Lewis, Lockhart and Foot, while McCaffrey, Stockdale, Machaya and Briggs will also be missed. With captain Mitch White, who is within reach of 100 games, Jimmy Munro and Majak Daw still around and Corey Ellison improving all time, they will take a lot of pulling up.
Prediction: 3rd
2021 Record: 3-7 (16th)
Fixture: bye, Port Melbourne (H), GWS (A), Casey Demons (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), Collingwood (H), Brisbane Lions (A), bye, Sydney (H), Essendon (A), Frankston (H), bye, Richmond (H), Carlton (A), Gold Coast (H), Werribee (A), Sandringham (H), bye, Geelong (A), Footscray (A), North Melbourne (H), Southport (A)
Doesn’t Play: Northern Bullants, Williamstown
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Harry Andronaco (East Brighton/Calder Cannons), Flynn Gentile (Airport West/Calder Cannons), Daniel Guccione (Carlton VFL), Josh Kemp (Essendon), Tom Jepson (Old Carey), Riley Mason (Broadford/Calder Cannons), Sam McLarty (Essendon VFL), Ethan Penrith (West Preston-Lakeside), Ethan Redcliffe (Wodonga), Bailey Ryan (Hillside), Edyn Sibbald (Werribee), Dylan Thomas (Collingwood/Oakleigh Chargers), Max Thompson (Old Carey/Oakleigh Chargers), Lachlan Walker (Box Hill Hawks), Trent Warren (basketball), Josh Watson (Fitzroy/Northern Knights).
Departures: Sam Binion (Montmorency), Sam Clohesy (Werribee), Jackson Davies (Richmond), Kyle Galloway (St Mary’s Geelong), Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne), Marcus Lentini (Port Melbourne), Jackson McDonald (East Fremantle), Nathan Mullenger-McHugh (Heathmont), Tyson Old (Hurstbridge), Bailey Thompson (Bundoora), Tye Browning, Dinny Cleary, Lochlan Dickson, Nelson Lane, Athan Tsialtis.
Summary: Would have been in the top eight last year if they could win close games, and that will remain a King Kong-sized gorilla on the back until they land one – and then they’ll be away. The departure of Lentini costs them enough disposals for two men, but it will allow the likes of Charlie Thompson and Sam Lowson to receive more midfield time. Mullenger-McHugh will also be missed, but the return of Adam Swierzbiolek from injury gives them the genuine ruckman they need, skipper Peter McEvoy continues to inspire and backmen Jack Maibaum and Harry Nolan will again be hard to get past. McLarty provides a target up forward. Natural progression has them right in contention to break a long finals drought, but they will have to make it happen themselves.
Prediction: 9th
2021 Record: 6-3 (7th)
Fixture: Box Hill Hawks (H), Geelong (H), Northern Bullants (A), GWS (H), Essendon (A), Coburg (A), bye, Footscray (H), bye, Werribee (A), Gold Coast (H), Casey Demons (A), bye, Brisbane Lions (H), Richmond (A), North Melbourne (H), Port Melbourne (A), bye, Southport (H), Williamstown (H), Sydney (A), Carlton (A)
Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Sandringham
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
Arrivals: Braden Andrews (Old Carey/Oakleigh Chargers), Viv Blackmore-Moore (Ivanhoe), Adam Carafa (Banyule), Nick Daicos (Kew Rovers/Oakleigh Chargers), Charlie Dean (Williamstown), Billy Drake (Redland-Victoria Point), Arlo Draper (South Adelaide), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Richmond AFL), Bassirou Faye (Senegal basketball), Harvey Harrison (North Adelaide), Neville Jetta (Melbourne AFL), Max Kennedy (Ormond), Nathan Kreuger (Geelong AFL), Patrick Lipinski (Western Bulldogs), Zach Molloy (Whittlesea), Ben Moyle (Surrey Park/Oakleigh Chargers), Chad Mulvogue (Langwarrin), Cooper Murley (Norwood SA), Liam Purcell (Parkdale), Jack Raines (Pascoe Vale), Matt Wetering (Springvale Districts)
Departures: Youseph Dib (North Melbourne), Levi Greenwood (retired), Mark Keane (Ireland), Chris Mayne (Perth), Jay Rantall (Norwood), Scott Selwood (Ivanhoe), Brayden Sier (Heidelberg), Cody Stackelberg (Port Melbourne), Josh Thomas (retired), Anton Tohill (Ireland), Ryan Valentine (Casey Demons), Sam Collins, Will Geurts, Will Hart.
Summary: The Magpies are as excited about their prospects as anyone in the competition as their young group continues to develop together. Daicos is unlikely to be seen at VFL level given how good his AFL debut was last week, but fellow recruits Dean and Kreuger (if they can’t break in), Jetta and Eggmolesse-Smith will be terrific inclusions. Sier was a mainstay and will be missed, while Stackelberg did well in defence last year. It will be interesting to see how suburban goalkicking gun Wetering handles the step up – he’ll get plenty of good supply.
Prediction: 7th
2021 Record: 2-8 (20th)
Fixture: Geelong (A), Casey Demons (A), Frankston (H), Port Melbourne (A), Collingwood (H), Footscray (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), bye, Richmond (A), Coburg (H), bye, Carlton (H), Sandringham (A), Williamstown (A), Sydney (H), bye, Gold Coast (H), Southport (A), North Melbourne (H), GWS (A), Werribee (H), bye
Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Northern Bullants
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Arrivals: Cooper Anderson (Labrador), Ben Archard (Melton), Tom Baker (Old Melburnians), Jacob Brown (East Point), Ronald Fejo Jnr (West Adelaide), Joel Fitzgerald (Whittlesea/Northern Knights), Josiah Garisto (Avondale Heights), Lachy Godden (Doncaster), Will Golds (Montmorency/Carlton), Maclyn Hallows (Lavington/Murray Bushrangers), Austin Harris (Gold Coast), Will Hoare (Pascoe Vale), Ben Hobbs (Horsham Demons/GWV Rebels), Josh Iacobaccio (West Preston-Lakeside), Ben Jolley (Essendon), Jake Kelly (Adelaide), Dylan Landt (Glenelg), Anthony Larkey (Old Trinity), Alastair Lord (Norwood SA), Nick Martin (Subiaco), Garrett McDonagh (Richmond), Shaun McKernan (St Kilda), Cam McLeod (St Patrick’s/Albury/Murray Bushrangers/Giants Academy), James Peters (Williamstown), Lockie Rayner (East Keilor), Declan Tully (Doutta Stars), Patrick Voss (Turvey Park/Giants Academy), Tex Wanganeen (Mitcham), Kyle Weightman (Strathmore)
Departures: Kobe Brown (Northern Bullants), Charlie Byrne (Geelong), Ned Cahill (Carlton), Dylan Clarke (WWT Eagles), Kyle Dunkley (Northern Bullants), Martin Gleeson (University Blues), Cale Hooker (retired), Lachlan Johnson (Richmond), Josh Kemp (Coburg), Sam McLarty (Coburg), Irving Mosquito (Halls Creek), Sam Paea (Werribee), Brady Rowles (Werribee), Edyn Sibbald (Coburg), Josh Smithson (Adelaide), Zac Taylor (Adelaide), Josh Tynan (St Kevin’s), Danny Younan (Bundoora), Patrick Ambrose, Jack Evans, Sam Graham, Jack Hickman, Jake Hobbs, Bruno Laguda, Ben Morgan, Nick O’Kearney, Fraser Robertson, Daniel Thompson.
Summary: The Bombers have farewelled plenty of VFL regulars, with co-captain Younan, fellow 100-gamer Tynan, star swingman Ambrose, ball-winners O’Kearney, Clarke and Cahill, defender Gleeson and big man McLarty all to be missed. They’ve brought in some experience in the returning McKernan, ex-Coburg player Iacobaccio, former Hawk Golds and country star Archard. Then there is the great Ben Jolley, who will finish his career where he started, hopefully by playing the 13 games he needs to become likely the last man to reach 300 VFL matches, and then the extra three to become the grand old league’s games record holder. He is the big watch at Windy Hill.
Prediction: 20th
2021 Record: 10-0 (1st)
Fixture: Sydney (H), Northern Bullants (H), Richmond (A), North Melbourne (A), Southport (H), Essendon (H), bye, Collingwood (A), Gold Coast (H), Williamstown (A), Geelong (H), bye, Carlton (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), Brisbane Lions (A), Sandringham (A), bye, Casey Demons (H), Werribee (A), Coburg (H), bye, GWS (A)
Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Port Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Arrivals: Angus Bade (Warrnambool/GWV Rebels), Jamieson Ballantyne (Portland/GWV Rebels), Ben Bozinovski (Keilor/Calder Cannons), Hugo Bromell (Glen Iris/Oakleigh Chargers), Josh Chatfield (North Ballarat City), Luke Cleary (Beaumaris/Sandringham Dragons), Sam Darcy (Glen Iris/Oakleigh Chargers), Joel Garner (Port Adelaide), Luke Goater (Sunbury Lions), Ethan Hunt (Palm Beach-Currumbin), Arthur Jones (Claremont), William Lewis (Old Brighton), Charlie Macisaac (Old Xaverians), Tim O’Brien (Hawthorn), Charlie Parker (Sturt), Josh Patullo (Sturt), Kyle Stretton (St Bedes-Mentone), Bailey Young (Darley).
Departures: Nick Baltas (Caulfield), Darcy Cassar (Werribee), Ben Cavarra (Box Hill Hawks), Will Hayes (Carlton), Lin Jong (Montmorency), Corey Preston (Williamstown), Tate Short (Caulfield), Reuben William (Werribee), Easton Wood (retired), Lachlan Dawson, Charlie Langford, Liam Nash, Lachlan Stephens.
Summary: How do you go better than an unbeaten season? That is the challenge for the Bulldogs, and they will be hunted fiercely. They’ve lost experience in Cavarra, Hayes and William, and will be relying on skipper Lachie Sullivan, best-and-fairest Robbie McComb and the experienced Mitch Wallis continuing to lead from the front, although the latter two will be hoping to break into the powerful AFL team. There is also huge upside in Bailey van de Heuvel, Cody Raak and Riley Garcia. They will still take a power of stopping.
Prediction: 4th
2021 Record: 6-5 (10th)
Fixture: Werribee (H), GWS (H), Essendon (A), bye, North Melbourne (H), Sandringham (A), Carlton (H), Williamstown (A), bye, Casey Demons (H), Coburg (A), Brisbane Lions (H), bye, Southport (A), Geelong (H), Gold Coast (A), Northern Bullants (H), Sydney (A), bye, Box Hill Hawks (H), Port Melbourne (A), Richmond (A)
Doesn’t Play: Collingwood, Footscray
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Austin Bradtke (Melbourne), Jeremy Burton (Mt Eliza), Josh Butland (Frankston YCW), Jimmy Cahill (Mt Eliza/Dandenong Stingrays), Josh Clarke (Rowville/Eastern Ranges), Taylin Duman (Fremantle), Angus Grant (Old Mentonians), Khyal Jacobson (Pines), Lochy Jenkins (Old Grammarians/Oakleigh Chargers), Marc Massarotti (Lilydale/Eastern Ranges), Tom Murphy (West Adelaide), Trent Mynott (Box Hill Hawks), Colby Nayna (Carrum-Patterson Lakes/Dandenong Stingrays), Jai Neal (Noble Park/Dandenong Stingrays), Lachy Riley (Old Haileybury/Sandringham Dragons), Pierce Roseby (Sydney), Ned Shannon (St Mary’s Geelong), Ryley Stoddart (Carlton), Will Walker (North Melbourne), Bayleigh Welsh (Mt Eliza).
Departures: Anthony Brolic (Rowville), Mitch Cox (Brisbane Lions), Joel Crocker (Southport), Riley D’Arcy (Karingal), Nathan Freeman (Adelaide SANFL), Austin Johnson (Richmond VFL), Callum Jones (St Kevin’s), Ash Krakauer (retired), Billy McCormack (Central District), Jack Mentha (Geelong VFL), Al Richards (St Kevin’s), Nathan Scagliarini (Mt Eliza), Tylar Young (Richmond VFL), Jack Berry, Josiah Duncan, Jeremy Goddard, Ben Jacobs, Alfie Jarnstrom, Harry Loughnan, Brett O’Hanlon, Angus Styles.
Summary: Made huge strides last year, but they have lost some big names from that team who will be hard to replace. None bigger than Freeman (how do you cover 37 disposals per game?) and new Brisbane Lions Mitch Cox, while Brolic, Mentha, Berry, Loughnan, Young, Styles, Crocker and Krakauer were all senior regulars last year. Former AFL-listers Duman, Stoddart, Murphy, Walker and Bradtke will be terrific inclusions, while a fit Will Fordham will be a bonus after he missed half of last year. Depth will appear to be their greatest problem, but they are developing a good home ground advantage and should continue to improve.
Prediction: 11th
2021 Record: 7-2 (4th)
Fixture: Essendon (H), Collingwood (A), Brisbane Lions (H), Southport (A), bye, Williamstown (H), North Melbourne (A), bye, Northern Bullants (A), GWS (H), Footscray (A), bye, Werribee (A), Richmond (H), Frankston (A), Casey Demons (H), Carlton (A), bye, Coburg (H), Sandringham (H), Box Hill Hawks (A), Port Melbourne (H)
Doesn’t Play: Gold Coast, Sydney
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1
Arrivals: Brett Bewley (Fremantle), Angus Byrne (Echuca), Scott Carlin (Nirranda), Jon Ceglar (Hawthorn), Kade Chalcraft (Shepparton United/Murray Bushrangers), Toby Conway (St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons), Billy Crofts (Melton), Oliver Dempsey (Carey Grammar), Thomas Feely (Leopold), Tom Gillett (Grovedale), Hunter Gottschling (Wangaratta/Murray Bushrangers), Cooper Jones (Strathfieldsaye), Mitch Knevitt (Grovedale/Geelong Falcons), Flynn Kroeger (Wandin/Eastern Ranges), Matthew Ling (Sydney), Ben Lloyd (Bell Park), Fraser Marris (South Warrnambool/GWV Rebels), Liam McCarthy (Colac), Jack Mentha (Frankston), Thomas Panuccio (Euroa/Murray Bushrangers), Blake Reid (Newtown & Chilwell/Geelong Falcons), Tyson Stengle (WWT Eagles), Lachie Waddell (Hamilton), Tylar Watts (Werribee), Cooper Whyte (Grovedale/Geelong Falcons), James Willis (North Adelaide).
Departures: Aaron Black (Modewarre), Oscar Brownless (South Adelaide), Nick Burke (Port Melbourne), Jordan Clark (Fremantle), Charlie Constable (Gold Coast AFL), Darcy Fort (Brisbane Lions), James Gow (St Joseph’s), Lachie Henderson (Labrador), Jed Hill (Sebastopol), Ben Jarvis (Norwood SANFL), Josh Jenkins (retired), Nathan Kreuger (Collingwood AFL), Darcy Lang (Colac), Trent McMullan (St Mary’s), Callum Mitchell (St Joseph’s), Stefan Okunbor (Ireland), Cameron Taheny (Norwood SANFL), Charlie Breuer, Will Christie, Adam Garner, Jordan Johnston, Blake Reid, Lachlan Smith, Luke Smith, Jackson Thurlow, Zach Walter, Charlie Wilson.
Summary: It’s a big watch on the Cats, who have lost quality on every line, including their entire first-choice midfield of Fort, Constable, Brownless and Clark; key defenders in captain Aaron Black and Lang, and goalkickers in Jenkins, Jarvis and Kreuger. New co-skipper Ling deserves a clean run with injury, Bewley will be huge if they get him to spend most of his time at the Cattery, Mentha can bring goals and it will be great to see former Port Melbourne big man Waddell back in the VFL. I don’t feel comfortable predicting a slide, but it seems others may have jumped them.
Prediction: 10th
2021 Record: 4-6 (14th)
Fixture: Northern Bullants (H), Sydney (A), Carlton (H), Sandringham (A), bye, Werribee (H), Williamstown (A), bye, Footscray (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), Collingwood (A), bye, GWS (H), Casey Demons (H), Coburg (A), Frankston (H), Essendon (A), Brisbane Lions (A), Port Melbourne (H), bye, Southport (H), North Melbourne (A)
Doesn’t Play: Geelong, Richmond
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Victoria 7
Arrivals: Mac Andrew (Berwick/Dandenong Stingrays), Sandy Brock (Palmerston), Levi Casboult (Carlton), Mabior Chol (Richmond), Charlie Constable (Geelong), Malachi Dumas (Palm Beach-Currumbin), Morgan Ferres (Sturt/Payneham Norwood Union), Lawsen Ford (Thuringowa), James Frawley (St Kilda), Brinn Little (Palm Beach-Currumbin), Jye Lockett (North Ballarat/GWV Rebels), Connor Matheson (Surfers Paradise), Jonah Semmler (Broadbeach), Riley Stone (Surfers Paradise/Palmerston), James Tsitas (WWT Eagles).
Departures: Will Brodie (Fremantle), Aiden Fyfe (Southport), Hugh Greenwood (North Melbourne), Jarrod Harbrow (Broadbeach), Austin Harris (Essendon), Tom Hofert (Port Melbourne), Jack Hombsch (Gold Coast), Jack Johnston (Port Melbourne), Jordan Murdoch (Glenelg), Max Pescud (Southport), Bailey Reeves (Central District), Zac Smith (retired), Luke Towey (Ireland), Jacob Townsend (Southport), Jackson Hamann, Tom Hofert, Lachlan McDonald, Ryan Pickering, Alex Rayner, Mackenzie Riddle, Lachlan Ritchie, James Smith, Shaye Walsh, Jack Willis, Riley Winter.
Summary: The Suns will be relying on their Academy to do the bulk of the work at this level, with the most experienced player on their VFL list being Will Bella, 19, who played four games in his debut season last year. They will need to stay extremely healthy at AFL level to make a big impact in the second-tier competition. It’s going to be hard to replace the likes of 2021 VFL regulars Harbrow, Townsend, Brodie and Hombsch. I’m looking forward to seeing how Jye Lockett, the nephew of the incomparable Tony, fares in his debut season.
Prediction: 21st
2021 Record: 7-4 (8th)
Fixture: Port Melbourne (H), Frankston (A), Coburg (H), Collingwood (A), Sandringham (H), Northern Bullants (A), bye, Southport (A), Werribee (H), Geelong (A), bye, North Melbourne (H), Gold Coast (A), bye, Box Hill Hawks (H), Williamstown (A), Brisbane Lions (H), Carlton (A), Sydney (A), Essendon (H), bye, Footscray (H)
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Richmond
Interstate Trips: Queensland 2, Victoria 6
Arrivals: Leek Aleer (Central District), Jarrod Brander (West Coast), Brandon Clark (East Coast), Nathaniel Cooper (Darwin Buffaloes), Cameron Edwards (East Coast), Nick Eynaud (Pennant Hills), Sam Eynaud (Pennant Hills), Luke Fellows (Turvey Park), Jordan Foote (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Hamish Gilmore (Wagga Tigers), Ethan Grace (East Coast), Ryan Hebron (Sydney), Mackinley Miller (Belconnen), Wilson Mudge (Pennant Hills), Sebastian Quirk (Belconnen), Brad Rauter (Queanbeyan), Brodie Romensky (Maribyrnong Park), Bailey Stewart (East Coast).
Departures: Angus Baker (Wodonga), Matt Buntine (Casey Demons), Wade Derksen (Peel Thunder), Jack Driscoll (Werribee), Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide), Tom Hutchesson (delisted), Cameron McLeod (Essendon), Shane Mumford (retired), Patrick Parnell (Adelaide), Sam Reid (Echuca/Casey Demons), Nick Shipley (Sydney), Alex Smout (Wodonga), Tom Stapleton (North Adelaide), Matthew Ackland, Scott Brown, Joel Dunstall, Kel Evans, Jack Field, Tim Garvey, Fraser Kelly, Lucas Lam, Josh Lee, Matt McGrory, Rhys Pollock, Liam Ross, Nathan Smith, Airi Wolff.
Summary: The only team to beat Southport last year and one of only two to roll Casey, the Giants must be taken seriously at all costs. They do have to replace some talent with Smout, Buntine, Shipley and Baker having played a lot at the level last year, with Foote likely to be a key factor and Hebron and Stewart bringing plenty of State league experience. As with the now AFL-listed James Peatling and Josh Fahey, the development of the Academy boys will again play a big role in how far they go.
Prediction: 8th
2021 Record: 4-6 (15th)
Fixture: Williamstown (H), Brisbane Lions (A), bye, Footscray (H), Frankston (A), Carlton (A), Geelong (H), Casey Demons (H), bye, Sandringham (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), GWS (A), bye, Northern Bullants (H), Werribee (A), Collingwood (A), Richmond (H), bye, Essendon (A), Sydney (H), Coburg (A), Gold Coast (H)
Doesn’t Play: Port Melbourne, Southport
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1
Arrivals: Josh Alford (Seymour), Miller Bergman (Berwick/Dandenong Stingrays), Floyd Bollinghaus (Strathmore), Jacob Boyd (Launceston), Josiah Burling (Launceston), Jaryd Cachia (St Kevin’s), Callum Coleman-Jones (Richmond), Sam Collins (Templestowe/Oakleigh Chargers/Collingwood), Paul Curtis (Melton South/Western Jets), Youseph Dib (Blackburn/Oakleigh Chargers/Collingwood), Josh Goater (Sunbury Lions/Calder Cannons), Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast), Josh Guthrie (Coburg), Connor Hinkley (Blackburn), Marty Hore (Melbourne), Jason Horne-Francis (South Adelaide), Tom Howard (Old Brighton), Jack Lipscombe (Aspley), Tom Lynch (Adelaide), Max Mitchell-Russell (Port Melbourne Colts), Zach Monkhorst (Woori Yallock), Zach Morris (Launceston/Tasmania Devils), Bode Stevens (Strathfieldsaye/Bendigo Pioneers), Michael Stingel (North Launceston), Dylan Stone (Northern Bullants), Connor Weightman (East Ringwood), Alec Wright (Launceston).
Departures: Flynn Appleby (retired), Shaun Atley (Rochester), Curtis Brown (Whittlesea), Tom Campbell (St Kilda), Josh Clayton (Wodonga), Trent Dumont (Port Adelaide), Taylor Garner (South Belgrave), Harrison Gunther (North Adelaide), Charlie Ham (Werribee), Jacob Heron (Southport), Tyreece Leiu (Carlton), Jye Menzie (South Adelaide), Ryley Monkhorst (Mooroolbark), Ben Speight (retired), Robbie Tarrant (Richmond), Will Walker (Frankston), Logan Young (West Coast), Mark Baker, Connor Byrne, Tom Donnelly, Connor Menadue, Alex Polidoros, Elijah Reardon, Tyler Roos, Jake Steele.
Summary: Quite a bit of quality has disappeared from the VFL list, headed by captain Appleby, Clayton, Speight, Heron, Menadue, Roos and Will Walker. Lynch, Hore, Guthrie and Cachia will go some way to fixing that, while Dib will excite Kangaroos fans up forward and young Tasmanian Stingel looks the goods. Looking forward to seeing how Jacob Edwards develops, while Mat Walker deserves a clean run from injury to show off his talents. Capable of surprising, but not sure they’re ready to challenge just yet.
Prediction: 19th
2021 Record: 3-7 (18th)
Fixture: Gold Coast (A), Footscray (A), Collingwood (H), Sydney (A), bye, GWS (H), Sandringham (A), Port Melbourne (H), Geelong (H), Carlton (H), Brisbane Lions (A), bye, Southport (H), North Melbourne (A), Williamstown (H), bye, Frankston (A), Box Hill Hawks (H), Casey Demons (A), Richmond (H), bye, Werribee (A)
Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Essendon
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Kobe Brown (Essendon), Jaden Collins (Eltham), Andrew Courtney (Beaumaris/Casey Demons), Matthew Day (Essendon), Ben De Bolfo (Northern Knights), Mackenzie Doreian (Box Hill Hawks), Kyle Dunkley (Essendon), Peter Gentile (Narre Warren), Josh Klaromenos (East Keilor), Liam Kolar (Bundoora), Sean Martin (Tatura), Ben Nikolovski (Heidelberg/Carlton), Ethan Penrith (West Preston-Lakeside), Will Richards (Old Melburnians), Brodie Tonkin (Old Trinity).
Departures: Paul Ahern (Pascoe Vale), Kieran Collins (Tatyoon), Jeremy Goddard (University Blues), Hisham Kerbatieh (Sunshine), Finbar O’Dwyer (Williamstown), Arion Richter-Salter (Old Scotch), Dylan Stone (North Melbourne), Glenn Strachan (retired), Oskar Manton, John Roumeliotis, Ayce Taylor, Cameron Wild, Lachlan Wilson.
Summary: Snuck under a few teams’ guards last year, which won’t happen again, but there is plenty of natural improvement to be expected – and as new boss Hart said this week, the benefit of a full pre-season focusing on playing footy rather than just getting a team on the park will be a big advantage. Untried big man Courtney and youngster Liam Podhajski should take pressure off talisman Danny Hughes, while Dunkley fills the hole left by Ahern. A lot of experience and leadership has gone with Strachan, but Tom Wilson is an inspirational captain and there will be improvement in Will Mitchell, Jack Boyd, Mutaz El Nour and Billy Murphy. Liam Mackie is suspended for a third of the season from a pre-season incident and that will hurt, but the Bullant spirit will sting unwary rivals.
Prediction: 18th
2021 Record: 1-8 (21st)
Fixture: GWS (A), Coburg (A), Sydney (H), Essendon (H), Brisbane Lions (A), bye, Richmond (H), Northern Bullants (A), Southport (H), bye, Williamstown (H), Box Hill Hawks (A), bye, Werribee (H), Casey Demons (A), Carlton (H), Collingwood (H), Sandringham (A), Gold Coast (A), bye, Frankston (H), Geelong (A)
Doesn’t Play: Footscray, North Melbourne
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Joseph Ayton-Delaney (Old Xaverians), Jack Briskey (Brisbane Lions), Nick Burke (Geelong), Zane Carter (Chelsea), Jared Crosbie (North Heidelberg), Jesse Cucinotta (Box Hill Hawks), Lachy Dawson (Ballarat/Footscray), Tom Hofert (Gold Coast), Paul Hunter (St Kilda), Jack Johnston (Gold Coast), Marcus Lentini (Coburg), Mitch Lewis (Casey Demons), Archi Manton (Werribee), Lachie Modica (Casey Demons), Oscar Morrison (St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons), Will Reinhold (Temora), Cody Stackelberg (Collingwood), Nick Stuhldreier (Bacchus Marsh), Cody Szust (Wodonga), Jackson Weidemann (North Albury).
Departures: Matt Arnot (Vermont), Mackenzie Bristow (Wangaratta Rovers), Isaac Conway (Oakleigh Districts), Liam Delahunty (Wodonga Raiders), Harry Hunt (Old Haileybury), Chris Jansen (Norwood SA), Ben Jolley (Essendon), Pat Kerr (St Kevin’s), Liam McKenna (Rosebud), Zak Pretty (Peel Thunder), Declan Watson (knee), Jayden Eales, Cameron Hodges, Jeromy Lucas, Mitch McCarthy, Matt McGannon, Harry Minton-Connell, Tom Jnr O’Sullivan, Kyle Reid, Jackson Starcevich, Nick Stathopoulos.
Summary: Everything that could go wrong in 2021 went wrong, so surely the Borough is due a change in fortunes. Hunter’s arrival gives them a huge presence in the centre circle and a great mentor for Hotchkin, who was one of last year’s shining lights. Lentini’s arrival will also improve their centre clearance rate out of sight while Lewis brings experience. On the other foot, Jansen and Jolley will be sorely missed, and while injury meant they didn’t see the best of Kerr and Watson, their departures leave holes. I suspect new coach Skrobalak is playing the long game, but underestimate this club at your peril.
Prediction: 17th
2021 Record: 4-5-1 (11th)
Fixture: Southport (H), Sandringham (A), Footscray (H), Carlton (A), Casey Demons (H), bye, Port Melbourne (A), Box Hill Hawks (A), Essendon (H), Sydney (A), bye, Werribee (H), Coburg (A), Geelong (A), Collingwood (H), bye, North Melbourne (A), Williamstown (H), Brisbane Lions (H), Northern Bullants (A), bye, Frankston (H)
Doesn’t Play: Gold Coast, GWS
Interstate Trips: NSW 1
Arrivals: Sam Banks (Clarence/Tasmania Devils), Jackson Bowne (Bundoora/Northern Knights), Tom Bracher (Wodonga Raiders/Murray Bushrangers), Tom Brindley (Greensborough), Tom Brown (Mooroopna/Murray Bushrangers), Lachie Carrigan (Hampton Rovers/Sandringham Dragons), Judson Clarke (East Ringwood/Dandenong Stingrays), Massimo D’ambrosio (Point Cook/Western Jets), Jackson Davies (Coburg), Misilifi Faimalo (St Kilda City), Josh Gibcus (East Point/GWV Rebels), Austin Johnson (Cheltenham/Frankston), Lachlan Johnson (Essendon), John Jorgenson (Bundoora), Mykelti Lefau (St Kilda City), Jack Sexton (Yarrawonga), Tyler Sonsie (Rowville/Eastern Ranges), Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Tylar Young (Frankston).
Departures: David Astbury (retired), Callum Coleman-Jones (North Melbourne), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Collingwood), Ryan Garthwaite (South Adelaide), Bachar Houli (retired), Garrett McDonagh (Essendon), Patrick Naish (West Coast), Jake Soligo (Adelaide), Karl Worner (Fremantle), Flynn Maguire, Jack Scanlon.
Summary: The drop off in 2021 was alarming – at both levels – but improvement can be expected – at both levels. Having said that, losing a quality organiser like Garthwaite will take replacing, while Naish, Coleman-Jones and Eggmolesse-Smith were key part of this team last year. The strong AFL draft hand of five picks in the top 30 means plenty of young quality filters into the VFL, and it will be how quickly they find their feet that will determine how far the black sash can go. Expect there will be wild fluctuations, as shown in the pre-season when they thrashed Casey but got belted by Carlton in the space of a week.
Prediction: 13th
2021 Record: 4-5 (13th)
Fixture: Casey Demons (A), Richmond (H), Box Hill Hawks (A), Gold Coast (H), GWS (A), Frankston (H), Northern Bullants (H), bye, Carlton (A), North Melbourne (H), bye, Southport (A), Essendon (H), Sydney (A), bye, Footscray (H), Coburg (A), Port Melbourne (H), bye, Geelong (A), Brisbane Lions (H), Williamstown (A)
Doesn’t Play: Collingwood, Werribee
Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Arrivals: Oscar Adams (Glenelg), Tom Campbell (North Melbourne), Lewis Diggins (Beaumaris), Will Gown (Old Haileybury), Fitzroy Greenwool (Shepparton United), Matthew Harms (Beaumaris/Sandringham Dragons), Jack Hayes (WWT Eagles), Liam Hayes (Beaumaris/Dragons), Nick Hodgson (North Ballarat/GWV Rebels), Josiah Kyle (Frankston Bombers/Dandenong Stingrays), Jake Lohmann (Lake Wendouree), Oliver Lowe (Caulfield Grammarians), Ben Mansfield (St Kevin’s/Dragons), Joe Nowell (Ormond/Dragons), Mitch Owens (Beaumaris/Dragons), Jack Peris (Nightcliff/Dragons), Will Vesely (Caulfield Grammarians/Dragons), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg), Blake Watson (Whittlesea), Marcus Windhager (Beaumaris/Dragons).
Departures: Sam Alabakis (delisted), Nick Bufalo (Bentleigh), Jake Carlisle (Craigieburn), Magregor Cameron (Coburg), Oscar Clavarino (South Adelaide), Dan Coffield (Old Melburnians), Luke Dunstan (Melbourne), Jackson Hille (Brisbane Lions), Paul Hunter (Port Melbourne), Jack Lonie (Casey Demons), Shaun McKernan (Essendon), Kya Austin, Beau Bailey, Jesse Castan, Jackson Ross, Hedley Smith, Trent Thomas, Riley Thompson.
Summary: The Zebras are putting their faith in young talent, with plenty coming in from the best team in the NAB League at the moment in the Dragons. St Kilda replaced Hunter with Campbell as its back-up ruck, and he is proven to be above this level, but they will miss the likes of captain Coffield and centre half-back Clavarino. It depends on a healthy Saints list, experienced heads Dunell (depending on how many games he plays), Lok, Riordan and Carey standing up and last year’s breakout players Seaton (who has won the captaincy at just 22), Hipwell, Lewis, Bayne and Milne continuing on their trajectory
Prediction: 15th
2021 Record: 9-1 (2nd)
Fixture: Richmond (A), Williamstown (H), Werribee (A), Geelong (H), Footscray (A), bye, Casey Demons (A), GWS (H), Port Melbourne (A), Brisbane Lions (H), bye, Sandringham (H), Northern Bullants (A), Frankston (H), bye, Box Hill Hawks (A), Sydney (H), Essendon (H), Collingwood (A), bye, Gold Coast (A), Coburg (H)
Doesn’t Play: Carlton, North Melbourne
Interstate Trips: Victoria 8
Arrivals: Riley Bowman (Box Hill Hawks), Joel Crocker (Frankston), Jay Foon (North Launceston), Zac Foot (Casey Demons), Aiden Fyfe (Gold Coast), Jacob Heron (North Melbourne), Sam Hilton-Joyce (Surfers Paradise), Jay Lockhart (Melbourne), Jack O’Shea (Broadbeach), Max Pescud (Gold Coast), Tom Reeves (Labrador), Harrison Rowles (Broadbeach), Callum Searle (Port Melbourne), Max Spencer (Werribee), Jacob Townsend (Gold Coast), Boyd Woodcock (Port Adelaide).
Departures: Andrew Boston (Labrador), Nathan Colenso (Brisbane Lions), Dylan Fyfe (Lauderdale), Riley Green (Brisbane Lions), Josh Hall (retired), Brad Lynch (Broadbeach), Brodie Murdoch (USA), Brad Scheer (triathlon), Jamison Shea (Palm Beach-Currumbin), Jesse Travaglini (St Mary’s), Jed Turner (Ballina), Lukas Webb (Wangaratta Rovers), Oliver Burrows-Cheng, Ashton Crossley, Charlie Ford, Charlie Lang, Leigh Osborne, Ethan Reeves.
Summary: Made everyone sit up and take notice with their performances last year, and this year’s squad is stronger. Despite the retirements of co-captain Boston and ex-AFL players Webb, Murdoch, Scheer and Lynch, the Sharks have replaced them with a stunning amount of quality – Townsend, Lockhart, Woodcock and Fyfe are straight out of the system, Crocker, Foot and Spencer have been there and Searle and Heron have played good VFL football. The question mark is over the fact they didn’t get to play a team that finished higher than eighth last season – and it is a question they are asking themselves. We’ll know a lot more by Round 8, but expect them near the pointy end.
Prediction: 5th
2021 Record: 2-8 (19th)
Fixture: Footscray (A), Gold Coast (H), Port Melbourne (A), Northern Bullants (H), bye, Brisbane Lions (H), Werribee (A), bye, Coburg (A), Richmond (H), Casey Demons (A), bye, Williamstown (H), Sandringham (H), Essendon (A), bye, Southport (A), Frankston (H), GWS (H), North Melbourne (A), Collingwood (H), Box Hill Hawks (A)
Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Geelong
Interstate Trips: Queensland 1, Victoria 8
Arrivals: Toby Alker (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Austin Ball (Inner West Magpies), Will Edwards (North Shore Bombers), Jordan Endemann (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Riley Fitzroy (Sydney University), Ciaran Flynn (Bulli), Luke Giacometti (North Shore), Peter Ladhams (Port Adelaide), Hugh McLeod (North Shore), Hugh Melville (UNSWES), Harrison Parker (St George), Kye Pfrengle (St George), Liam Puncher (North Shore), Lachlan Rankin (Beverley Hills/Oakleigh Chargers), Matthew Roberts (South Adelaide), Lenny Robin (UNSWES), Felix Rogers (North Shore), Angus Sheldrick (Claremont), Nick Shipley (GWS), Will Smit (Manly-Warringah), Corey Warner (East Fremantle).
Departures: Kaiden Brand (West Adelaide), Malachy Carruthers (Sturt), Jordan Dawson (Adelaide), Sam Gray (Port District), Pierce Roseby (Frankston), Sam Thorne (North Adelaide), Reed van Huisstede (North Adelaide).
Summary: Hard to get a read on the Swans, especially with little information provided on their Academy kids. More will be known today when they bring a strong team down to take on the best in Footscray. While they need to cover No.1 defender Brand and midfield ball magnet Gray, the depth appears better and the on-ball division (Sinclair, Taylor, Shipley and draftees Corey Warner and Roberts) looks healthy, as does a defensive unit full of AFL capabilities. The forward line might be a bit light on, but time will tell.
Prediction: 12th
2021 Record: 5-4 (9th)
Fixture: Frankston (A), bye, Southport (H), Williamstown (A), Carlton (H), Gold Coast (A), Sydney (H), bye, GWS (A), Collingwood (H), bye, Richmond (A), Geelong (H), Port Melbourne (A), North Melbourne (H), Coburg (H), Box Hill Hawks (A), bye, Footscray (H), Brisbane Lions (A), Essendon (A), Northern Bullants (H)
Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Sandringham
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Marty Brennan (Lavington), Darcy Cassar (Keilor/Footscray), Sam Clohesy (Calder Cannons/Assumption/Coburg), Sam Conway (Williamstown), Kye Declase (Melbourne), Jack Driscoll (The Rock-Yerong Creek/Albury/GWS Academy), Saad El-Hawli (Altona), Charlie Ham (North Melbourne), Oliver Hanrahan (Hawthorn), Ethan Jackson (Clarence), Tom McCaffrey (Casey Demons), Sam Paea (Aberfeldie/Calder Cannons/Essendon), Josh Porter (Wangaratta), Brady Rowles (Essendon), Reuben William (Footscray), Sam Witherden (Barwon Heads/Geelong Falcons).
Departures: Matthew Brett (Darley), Wylie Buzza (Brisbane Lions), Aiden Domic (Ballarat), Ryan Kemp (Swan Districts), Matthew Lobbe (retired), Archi Manton (Port Melbourne), Daniel Nielson (Werribee Districts), Ryan Pendlebury (Point Cook), Max Spencer (Southport), Tylar Watts (Geelong), Max Augerinos, Darcy Bennett, Darcy Chirgwin, Tex Korewha.
Summary: I tipped the Tigers to make the Grand Final last year and they were building nicely after a slow start when the season was abandoned. And they look even stronger this year. Losing Lobbe and Buzza stings but Conway and Driscoll are young ruckmen with big wraps and Garoni’s natural development plus the return of Porter should cover the big Queenslander. There is plenty of VFL quality in Hanrahan, William, McCaffrey and Ham, plus Declase will be better for his six months in the Melbourne system. And keep an eye on mature-aged midfielder Brennan – he can play and adapts very quickly to jumps in standard. Get excited, Werribee fans.
Prediction: 1st
2021 Record: 6-2-1 (6th)
Fixture: North Melbourne (A), Southport (A), Casey Demons (H), Werribee (H), bye, Geelong (A), Gold Coast (H), Frankston (H), Brisbane Lions (A), Footscray (H), Port Melbourne (A), bye, Sydney (A), Essendon (H), Northern Bullants (A), GWS (H), bye, Richmond (A), Carlton (H), Collingwood (A), bye, Sandringham (H)
Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Coburg
Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2
Arrivals: Liam Conway (Williamstown CYMS/Western Jets), James Cousins (Hawthorn), Jordan Davey (Maribyrnong Park), Noah Gadsby (Torquay/Geelong Falcons), Matthew Gaul (Maribyrnong Park), Matthew Gook (Sunbury Lions/Calder Cannons), Mitch Langan (St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons), Noah Lever (North Shore Geelong), Will Mayhood (Collegians), Charlie Molan (Mt Clear/East Point/GWV Rebels), Jack Noonan (Williamstown CYMS), Finbar O’Dwyer (Northern Bullants), Fraser Phillips (Carlton), Corey Preston (Footscray), Baker Smith (Clarence/Tasmania Devils), Eren Soylemez (Edithvale-Aspendale/Sandringham Dragons), Patrick Taban (St Albans/NT Thunder).
Departures: Nick Buykx (Point Cook), Sam Conway (Werribee), Charlie Dean (Collingwood), Jack Leslie (Sale), Adam Marcon (Aberfeldie), Luke Meadows (West Perth), Mitch Mellis (Boronia), Tom Mundy (Sunshine), James Peters (Essendon), Nick Rodda (Darley), Jaylon Thorpe (Box Hill Hawks), Nick Ebinger, Lucas Failli, Bailey Morrish, Daniel Mott, Josh Pickess, Nick Sing.
Summary: About 1250 games of experience lost last year, this year it is 600, including superstar captain Marcon, drafted key defender Dean, his mentor and ex-AFL backman Leslie, gun forward Rodda, star mid Meadows, the mercurial Ebinger, ever reliable Pickess and 100-game veteran Sing. Is there a tipping point? There was for Port Melbourne last year when injuries hit, but as long as this squad still has the likes of Mitch Hibberd, Jake Greiser and Nick Mellington, plus ex-AFL players Gallucci, Downie, new skipper Polson, Miles, Macreadie, Gown and Hawks recruit Cousins, and talent such as Hunt, Toner, Rich, Monk and Myers they will still be hard to beat, especially at home.
Prediction: 6th