Local footy: What to look forward to in the WRFL in 2021
The Western Region Football League season didn’t get off the ground in 2020, but there’s plenty of light at the end of the tunnel as clubs take stock for next year. Here’s why 2021 will be worth the wait.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The 2020 season may have been canned amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Leader Local Footy has gazed into the crystal ball ahead of the 2021 Western Region Football League campaign, and there is plenty to be excited about.
It is a season that promises to be like no other as clubs deal with salary cap cuts and an ever-changing environment.
Here’s what you can look forward to...
THE BOUNCE OF THE BALL
The waiting game was the only game played this year after COVID-19 struck at the sporting scene and all else in Victoria. On March 23 the EDFL, SFNL, VAFA, Eastern, Northern and Western Region met AFL Victoria officials and decided to postpone their seasons until May 31. From that point they held regular meetings with AFL Vic, working towards a kick-off. Hopes of a start rose and dipped according to the number of coronavirus cases and advice from the State Government. But on June 3 Eastern and Northern pulled the pin, the WRFL followed on June 22 and Essendon District went the same way two days later. That left the VAFA and Southern as the last leagues standing. The Ammos bowed out on July 1, saying the health and safety risks were too great to push on in 2020, while Southern made it official on July 3.
INTRIGUING TOP-FLIGHT COMPETITION
Deer Park is entering a new era on the back of Bullen’s departure, while they also waved goodbye to several stars after the 2019 campaign including the great Kwame McHarg and gun forward Jase Perkins. It would be foolish to rule a line through the Lions given their history of success, but it does leave an opportunity for a group of hungry clubs like Spotswood, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee Districts, Altona and St Albans. Point Cook and Caroline Springs worked diligently to bolster their senior squads before the season was canned, while Sunshine and Yarraville-Seddon continue to build. While Deer Park has dominated September since 2013, the top-half of the ladder has been tight for several seasons. Altona finished three games clear on top of the ladder with 16 wins in 2019, while Spotswood, Deer Park, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts all finished locked on 13 wins. Expect more of the same next year.
NEW SENIOR COACHES
Four clubs have confirmed they will have a new person calling the shots in 2021. Seven-time premiership coach Marc Bullen has stepped aside at Deer Park and been replaced by former president Mark McGoldrick, while ex-AFL midfielder Michael Barlow has taken over from Chris Atkins at Yarraville-Seddon in a coaching coup. 2019 Division 2 grand finalist Wyndhamvale is also searching for its next mentor following Chris Moreland’s exit, while Division 3 outfit Tarneit has parted ways with Mark Elso, who took over as coach in 2016 and led the Titans to finals in each of his four seasons at the helm.
VIKINGS OUT FOR REDEMPTION
Unfounded rumours about a player exodus at Altona swirled after the club’s painful grand final defeat in 2019. In the end, Patrick Rose and Luke Goetz were the only departures as Corey McCall replaced Saade Ghazi as coach. The Vikings could not have been in a better position entering 2020, with Mitch Van Den Berg, Chris Giampaolo and Josh Bench headlining the off-season arrivals. Captain Steve Kennedy told Leader Local Footy this month that about 100 players hit the training track over summer – a number most clubs could only dream of. While Altona faces a wait of at least another nine months to atone, it is not dwelling on the past after finishing minor premier in 2018 and 2019 and failing to get the job done when it mattered. The Vikings are set to retain the bulk of their senior group and will take some beating in 2021.
BROTHERS BOOST ROOSTERS
West Footscray has been rebuilding since qualifying for the 2015 Division 2 decider. Wins have been scarce, but the Roosters have continued to make progress under life member Shane Lucas. Last October, the club signalled its intent to climb the ladder with the signings of ex-Carlton player Nick Graham and his brother Brian. But why stop at two Graham brothers? In January, Chris joined the pair at West Footscray in a significant triple strike. The Roosters are yet to finalise their coaching structure for next season, but expect the Graham brothers to cause havoc if they re-commit.
STAR RECRUITS IN 2021?
Plenty can change in coming months as clubs navigate a reduced salary cap and an ever-changing landscape, but clubs welcomed some big names before the 2020 season was canned. Altona was busy as it looked to stay towards the top of the table; Deer Park locked in Brendan Fevola, Ryley Barrack and Lachlan Smart; Hoppers Crossing locked away Patrick Veszpremi and Jack Dorgan; Werribee Districts gained Sean Gregory; St Albans secured Tom Pridgeon and Ben Hurley; Will Young landed at Caroline Springs; Jock Cornell arrived at Sunshine and Yarraville-Seddon signed Ben Taylor.
DIVISION 3 CONTENDERS LINING UP
Albanvale finished the Division 3 home-and-away campaign in first position with a 14-1-3 record in 2019. The Cobras fell one step short of the ultimate prize, however, beaten by Glen Orden in the decider. But in good news, coach Andrew Bryson is back on board for 2021 and several key players have re-signed. Albanvale will be among the contenders again next year, but they face no shortage of competition, with 2019 finalists Sunshine Heights and Tarneit also dangerous, while Wyndham Suns and Braybrook will be looking to rebound after missing finals. It promises to be a tight division.
INCREASED PLAYER LOYALTY?
With the salary cap set to be slashed to $100,000 in all top-flight competitions for the next three years as clubs regain their financial footing, high-profile coaches have declared the player loyalty will be tested. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the Hoppers Crossing players do, in terms of their loyalty to the club,” Warriors coach Steve Kretiuk said earlier this year. “For the last five or six years, our club has raised $300,000 each year to put a side on the park. It would be good to see some of these players say, ‘Thanks for all your hard work and dedication, we’re going to give you something back’.” Sunshine coach Adam Contessa said he was “really hopeful” the move would even the playing field statewide. “The thing I hate about footy the most these days is the off-season and the wheeling and dealing you’ve got to do to try and recruit. It becomes purely a bidding war,” he said. Time will tell, but clubs have no reason to believe most of their stars will not stay put.
MORE LEADER LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
AFL PREMIERSHIP STAR ADDRESSES HIS PLAYING FUTURE
WE RANK THE BEST 20 PLAYERS TO COME OUT OF WESTERN JETS
WYNDHAM SUNS PRESIDENT’S PROMISE TO COACH
HOW LOCAL FOOTY’S BATTLERS ARE TACKLING VIRUS
THE COACHING POSITIONS UP FOR GRABS IN LOCAL FOOTY