Season preview, players to watch: Your ultimate guide to the 2023 AFL Riverina senior men’s season
The AFL Riverina competition is back for another year with aspiring AFL young guns mixing it with some of the state’s best veterans. We preview all nine teams in our ultimate guide to the season.
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THE AFL Riverina brings together some of the best players in country NSW for one of the state’s top-rated competitions.
We take an in-depth look at all nine senior men’s teams battling it out for the right to be crowned as the kings of the country.
Collingullie GP Demons
Coach: Nick Perryman
Captain: Matt Klemke
Players to watch: New player Kane Flack is a hard-running midfielder who has spent time in the GWS Giants Academy. He’s a big kick and club officials are hoping he can have a big impact coming across from North Wagga. Fergus Inglis makes the journey across from Narrandera and is a tall utility player that can perform well at either end of the field. Sam Durnan is another new face who is a key position player, and can also play in the ruck too. He looks set to shine Collingullie colours.
Surprise packet: Brodi Williams comes to the club and has impressed coach Perryman with his application. Is looking to crack it for the GWS in the big league, and is a promising wing or half-forward.
Biggest strength: The use of the ball and run of the side. They’re hoping to play a bit of an attacking brand of football this year and they want to use that improve on how they went last year.
Why they will be competitive: Everyone within the playing group is pretty determined to improve on last year. Overall there is plenty of youth in the side, and with the addition of a few experienced players, they hope that can work in their favour. With natural improvement from last season, they’re confident that can get back into the finals picture, and they believe they’ve done a good job at replacing those who departed, with some poised to take their game to the next level.
Last season: Second
Coolamon Rovers
Coach: Jake Barrett
Captain: Jake Barrett
Players to watch: Tim Oosterhoff comes to the Rovers from the Black Diamond League and has looked really good in their pre-season games, kicking a bag every time he has stepped out. His bodywork is strong and he has a bit of speed that he can carry over into the season. Max Hillier is coming back from Coleambally and has been very impressive in the process. Works hard through the midfield and is an elite kick. Braeden Glyde is another midfielder who is showing a lot of promise with officials very keen to see what he can do in the regular season.
Surprise packet: There’s a number of fringe players looking to crack into the top grade, such is their depth. Bayden Leary is in the good books with the way he is having a go this pre-season. He’s taken the next step and looks poised to carry that on in 2023.
Biggest strength: The depth. They have a good roster and that’s what is needed when coming into a country league like this. They have a game plan that they want to stick to and hopefully for them it works. They haven’t changed too many things and have some good replacements on deck should injuries strike.
Why they will be competitive: The last two years they’ve made the finals and been bounced out in the prelims. That has put a fire in their belly that is reflected upon their training to get to this point. They’re consistently getting over 50 on the training paddock and they’re looking to rectify their hurt from the past two years. They’re building on that and determined to go one better this time around.
Last season: Third
GGGM Lions
Coach: Sam Martyn
Captain: Ben Walsh
Players to watch: The Lions have recruited Zac Braine who comes back to the club after a year off. He brings great experience and leadership to the forward line and is more than capable of playing at the high levels. Matt Hamblin is another phenomenal player who is looking to back up his 2022 form which landed him in the Team of the Year, despite suffering injuries throughout the year. His coach thinks if he keeps to his full potential he can be moving onto bigger and better things in the future.
Surprise packet: Kai Watts is one of the young x-factor talents at the club. A crafty forward with unlimited potential, skilful and competitive with a great knack for the game.
Biggest strength: Coach Martyn identified the community aspect of the club as what sets the Lions apart from other teams. The volunteers and community involvement around the club sustain an excellent club culture that reflects in the way the side plays on the field.
Why they will be competitive: From the hunters to the hunted, the Lions enter the season well aware of how much stronger the competition has gotten, with coach Martyn recognising there could be up to seven teams challenging for the premiership this season. Martyn believes the off-season business of the club has been strong, with departing players replaced with young and hungry talent, a testament to the youth system at the club. The Lions are excited at the prospect of going back-to-back and they have the mindset that they can do so.
Last season: Premiers
Griffith Swans
Coach: Greg Dreyer
Captain: Jack Rowston
Players to watch: Kahlan Spencer is club junior who has risen the ranks and is set for a big year. A midfielder who has been looking fit in the pre-season and moving well through the middle of the park. Nicco Conlan is another young gun looking to cement his name this year, having finished last season strong. He was a part of the GWS Giants Academy in the U18s and operates as a halfback flank.
Surprise packet: Oliver Bartter comes to first grade having played in the premiership winning U17s side last season. He has already dabbled a little bit in the seniors, but is now a bit older and with a bit more confidence, which will no doubt help him in the midfield.
Biggest strength: Coach Dreyer think the harmony and camaraderie of his team is their biggest strength right now. Everyone gets on like brothers which has really helped them in the pre-season, so hopefully that carries through to round one.
Why they will be competitive: Coach Dreyer recognises that his side were a fair way off the pace last season, but believes the attitude in the pre-season has signified a shift in intention for his side. With the majority of his squad retained, they now have significantly more experience in their ranks and are feeling much more confident that they can go far in the competition.
Last season: Seventh
Leeton Whitton Crows
Coach: Thomas Groves
Captain: Thomas Meline
Players to watch: A talented youngster looking for a big year is Angus Crelley. Having been plagued by a few injuries last year, the midfielder is back and looking strong this year. Captain Thomas Meline will also be looking for a big year as he steps into the assistant coach role as well as captain. Strong on and off the field, leading through action, the centre halfback will be looking to take his game to the next level this season.
Surprise packet: Dan Hillam is a footballer continually improving, having not been in the game for too long. Lots of pace and plenty of skills, he can be a utility for the side but will likely find himself in the midfield.
Biggest strength: The squad’s fitness has been a showpiece during their pre-season and their footy skills have been on the up as a result.
How competitive they will be: The Crows have a competitive nature in them and a desire to improve from a disappointing 2022. They know it won’t be easy in a tough competition this year but have showed plenty of resilience and character over the off-season to improve. It’s a young and promising group with plenty of potential for years to come.
Last season: Ninth
MCUE Goannas
Coach: Jeremy Rowe
Captain: Nelson Foley
Players to watch: Tristan Wheeler brings a lot of physicality to the side having played rugby league in the Group 9 competition. Playing in the back pocket, he brings a great game awareness, composure and defensive awareness and has massively exceeded expectations in the trials so far. Another to watch is Sam Male, brother of Jono Male who made the Riverina Team of the Year in 2022. Sam is yet to play senior footy having come from the U18s, but has matured physically and emotionally and is expected to flourish in the utility role this season.
Surprise packet: Lewis Pulver is a young talent expected to grow into a big role in the future for the Goannas. He debuted in first grade last year and played a few games having been a key forward for the U17s, with the club thinking internally he can jump out of the box this year and do some damage.
Biggest strength: Coach Rowe regards the hunger of his side as their biggest strength right now. The Goannas are ready to put their money where their mouth is, with great running power through midfield and an abundance of goal kickers at their disposal.
Why they will be competitive: Coach Rowe is optimistic about his side’s chances, but also wary that the league has greater depth than in years past, feeling there’s at least seven teams that can compete for the title. That being said, his team has showed strong form in their three trials so far, taking important lessons from their wins and losses. There’s been quite a lot of change to the roster, with long term servants moving on and fresh blood coming through the ranks, which is exciting for the side. Finals and beyond will be the target for the Goannas.
Last season: Fifth
Narrandera Imperials
Coach: Shaun Brooker
Captain: Luke McKay
Players to watch: The club has recruited the exciting brother pairing of Jack and Tom Powell from Ainslie Football Club in Canberra. Both middle forwards bring a great presence on the field and importantly some experience. They are both ball magnets and mature players who will look to guide the side this year. Jack also picked up BNF for Ainslie last season.
Surprise packet: Returning to the side this year is Kane Williams who had a 2022 season plagued with injury. The young halfback is looking to come back that bit stronger and more experienced in 2023 and make an impact.
Biggest strength: Captain McKay identified the side’s middles and how quickly they move the ball as their biggest strength, something which has really improved from last year.
Why they will be competitive: One thing the side definitely has going for them is the presence of captain Luke McKay, who was voted the best country football for NSW/ACT in 2022. According to captain McKay, “The boys are sick of losing.” There’s a new sense of motivation at Narrandera this year and a whole new look to the side, aided by their off-season recruitment of additional talent and experience. If they can maintain the way they started last season and avoid the drop off, they could be in business. Everyone is that little bit fitter and hungrier, so no doubt they’ll be eyeing off finals footy.
Last season: 8th
Turvey Park Bulldogs
Coach: Michael Mazzocchi
Captain: Josh Ashcroft
Players to watch: Josh is a local junior that moved away last year. He’s back permanently this year after taking on a part-coaching role during Covid. Brad Ashcroft is coming back from injury. He hasn’t played footy for a year and a half and was a good up and coming player. If he can get some luck, the 6’4 key forward will be one to watch. Callum Dooley won the club’s best and fairest last year, and has come back fit, and looks poised for another big season. A hybrid midfielder who can play inside or out and adds plenty of versatility to the side. Luke Fellows has been with the club for a few years after a stint with the Giants in the VFL. Is a very classy talent.
Surprise packet: Will Ashcroft is a young local junior who is the cousin of Brad and Josh. Played a handful of games last year but has looked really good in practice matches, including 14 shots on goal in one. Looks set to take the next step as a senior player.
Biggest strength: The run of the side. They’re a very young team with plenty of pace and they want to use their speed and engines. It’s a game plan they’re very excited to showcase to the competition.
Why they be competitive: Through natural improvement, they should be thereabouts once again. Last year they made the finals, won a game and now have the taste for it. With the same coach and same game plan, the continuity works in their favour. With an average age of around 24 years, they have plenty of players about to enter their prime. The majority of the group from last year has signed on, another great sign for the Bulldogs.
Last season: Fourth
Wagga Tigers
Coach: Murray Stevenson
Captain: TBA
Players to watch: Dylan Morton plays halfback and in the midfield. He has spent a bit of time playing in the SANFL, is a Tigers junior and the club is very excited to have someone of his calibre back. Shaun Flanigan is a midfielder who has been ultra consistent in his time with the club, and is someone who never has a bad game. Does a lot of the heavy lifting at key moments. Jesse Manton is a league medallist and a big game player who has done well in clutch games. Has got the ability to win a game off his own boot, and is a bit of a juggernaut both forward and in the midfield.
Surprise packet: Neither were pushing for a spot, but these two look poised to reach a new level. Harry Kelly played with the club in 2021 and is back after a year in Adelaide playing amateur footy. He’s put on a bit of size and his trial form has been promising. Jeremy Piercy crossed over from the Farrar League where he had a good year, and he wanted to go to a better standard of footy. Trained well during the pre-season and has impressed officials.
Biggest strength: A couple of things that have changed from last year are the togetherness of the group. They seem a lot closer, plus they have the attitude they are willing to work and show a bit more resilience than has been displayed in the past years.
Why they will be competitive: The biggest thing is the attitude. Missing out on the finals for the guys that stuck around was a kick in the guts, and for the juniors that are returning, there’s a real pride in the club among the playing group. That’s going to help them a long way into being successful and improving upon last year. It doesn’t look like this group will lie down.
Last season: Sixth
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