MPNFL 2019: Pines out to defend its title while Sorrento adds two former AFL players to its list

After being pipped by a point in last season’s grand final, Sorrento has added two former AFL players to its list for 2019. Here’s your MPNFL Division 1 preview...

Former Hawthorn player Jarrad Boumann, pictured spoiling Collingwood’s Chris Dawes, has joined Beau Muston’s Frankston Bombers this season.

After being pipped by a point in last season’s grand final, Sorrento has added two former AFL players to its list for 2019.

Ex-North Melbourne and Adelaide Crows midfielder Sam Gibson and big Luke Lowden, who played a game for Hawthorn in 2014, kicking three goals playing as a ruckman, should make the Sharks even stronger.

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But all other sides have recruited well, too. Can Pines go back-to-back? The Pythons have strengthened their list.

It sets up another intriguing season.

BONBEACH

Coach: Steve Hughes and Trent Dennis-Lane.

Captain: Jackson Casey.

Last year: 7th (8 wins-10 losses).

Former Noble Park star Sean Corrigan will boost Bonbeach. Picture: Chris Eastman

Ins: Sean Corrigan (Noble Park), Ben McLean (Beaumaris), Matt Hooy (Old Brighton), Patrick Batten (Mallee Eagles).

Outs: Justin Bennett (Birregurra), Gavin Vassallo (retired).

Surprise packets: Jack Williams, Tom Hogan.

Coach’s comments: “The competition is incredibly tight and every club seems to have recruited very well. We think if we can maintain a healthy list and focus on playing our brand, we can have a great season. We are really pleased with our pre-season and feel like we are ready.’’ — Steve Hughes.

DROMANA

Coach: Rikki Johnston.

Captain: Terry Wheeler.

Vice Captains: Sam Geurts and Billy Quigley.

Sam Geurts celebrates after a goal for Dromana. Picture: David Crosling

Last year: 1st (19-2 in MPNFL Division 2)

Ins: Jake Hiep (Cerberus), Jai Taylor (Casey Scorpions), Matt Gahan (Casey Scorpions), Kane Hughes (Beaconsfield), Tom Cairns (Great Western).

Outs: Matt Price (retired), Ben Holmes (retired), Jack Gipp (army), Shaun Clarke (inj), Dan Geurts (inj).

Surprise packets: Dane Leyden, Ryan Smith.

Coach’s comments: “Division 1 is a bit of an unknown as to where we stack up but we are really excited about the challenge ahead and we couldn’t have had a better preparation coming into the season.’’

EDI-ASP

Coach: Graeme Yeats.

Captain: Steve Mannix.

Vice-captain: Mick Meehan.

Last year: 5th (12-7).

Noble Park’s Trent Robertson will bolster Edi-Asp’s side in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman

Ins: Shayne Allan, Trent Robertson (Noble Park), Troy Van Dyke (Foster).

Outs: Matt Clark (Foster), Lachlan Batten (Doveton).

Surprise packet: Troy Van Dyke.

Coach’s comments: “We’ve got enough talent. We just haven’t had the outside speed and run…but we think we have addressed that this year.’’

FRANKSTON BOMBERS

Coach: Beau Muston

Captain: Sam Fox.

Last year: 6th (9-9).

New Frankston Bomber Jarrad Boumann on the burst for Hawthorn.

Ins: Harry Prior (Pearcedale), Jarrad Boumann (Doveton), Jack Blakey (Warragul), Sam Pickess (Frankston YCW), Jackson Williams (Cohuna).

Outs: Jarryd Amalfi (Langwarrin), Jay Reynolds (Robinvale-Euston), Brian O’Carroll (retired), Mitch Bosward (year off).

Surprise packets: Koby Villis, Jackson Williams.

Coach’s comments: “We are definitely aiming to play finals. As a club we were extremely disappointed not to do so in 2018 and we have worked hard in the off-season to give ourselves a chance. Have lost some experience but have added some genuine speed to our playing list.’’

FRANKSTON YCW

Coach: Wayne Capp.

Captain: Kevin Lylak.

Last year: 4th (10-8-2).

Ins: James Holland (Palm Beach Qld), Jimmy Miller (Cerberus), Grant Lofthouse (Narre Warren), Josh Westerman (Somerville).

Frankston YCW recruit James Holland in action for Palm Beach Currumbin.

Outs: Ash Eames (retired), Josh Patullo (Sturt), Jesse Coghlan (East Malvern), Charles Patterson (Hampton), Lew Roberts (Hampton).

Surprise packets: Mack Hura, Hayden Raphael.

Coach’s comments: “With the return of players from VFL lists and a large number of guys who have graduated from the under 19s we feel that we have a good, deep list. We have several players who did not play much footy last season such as Santon, Minchington, Wright, McLeod, Hura to name a few who have had great pre-seasons and are fit and ready to go. We aim to improve on all aspects and are ready for the challenges as they present.’’

MORNINGTON

Coach: Simon Goosey.

Captain: Chris Baker.

Last year: 8th (5-13).

Mornington recruit Anthony Giuliano celebrates a goal for Cora Lynn Cobras. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Ins: Anthony Giuliano, Adrian Speedy, Tom Simpson, Renwick Watts, Aiden Simmons, Justin McCleary, Ken Thomas, Chris Harris, Jack Nugent, Lachlan Dalziel, Travis Wills, Luke Damato, Nathan Manders, Jai Richardson, James Cameron.

Outs: Emilio Bitters (Hailebury), Max Kleverkamp (Mt Evelyn), Angus Paterson (Red Hill), Max Gearon (Pearcedale).

Surprise packets: Adrian Speedy, Tommy Simpson, Anthony Giuliano, Ken Thomas.

Coach’s comments: “The expectation is that we play finals.’’

MT ELIZA

Coach: Nick Claringbold.

Captain: Shane Tennant.

Last year: 3rd (13-7-1).

Ins: Ethan Park (Fish Creek), Tom Cameron (Fish Creek), Oscar Persson (De La Salle), Joe Brooks (Mirboo North), Zac Kurts (South Mornington), Shawn Watson (Broadbeach).

Outs: Tom Feeeman (Rowville), James Freeman (Balwyn), Josh Curren (Rye), Dan Gormley (Merbein), Tim Strickland (Melb High).

Oscar Persson (left) will boost Mt Eliza’s ruck stocks.

Surprise packets: Braden Nelmes, Harrison Scott, Tom Small, Michael West.

Coach’s comments: “The group is really excited about the challenge ahead in 2019. We want to continue to grow and evolve as a group. We have a young group with some great experienced leaders. We are confident that our best will be really competitive and aren’t putting a ceiling on where we can end up.’’

PINES

Coach: Paddy Swayn

Captain: Beau Hendry.

Last year: 1st (15-6).

Ins: Robin Nahas (Port Melbourne), Luke Dalmau, Troy Jacobson, Damien Scully, Rhys Wilson, Billy Kennedy (all Pearcedale), Jono Haidon (Seaford /Sandringham), Russell Gabriel (Doveton), Taj Westworth (Beleura /Dandenong Stingrays), Wade Newman (Beleura), James Dee-Scullion (Tyabb) Jean Bezzene (Kilcunda-Bass).

Luke Dalmau of Pearcedale is a good pick up for Pines.

Outs: Jack Fisher (retired) Damien Plane (Chelsea Heights).

Surprise packets: Troy Jacobson, Taj Westworth, Rhys Wilson, Liam Cox.

Coach’s comments: “We’re aiming to continue to improve and develop our players. The aim is to play the best football we can play week in week out, in an extremely competitive and even competition.’’

ROSEBUD

Coach: Nick Jewell.

Captain: Greg Bentley.

Last year: 9th (4-13-1).

Ins: Daniel Lewis (Chirnside Park), Jai Hardwick (Chirnside Park), Ward Rakei (Chirnside Park), Cade Williams (Dromana), Tim Lincoln (Leitchville Gunbower), Tom Corrigan (Karingal), Harrison Richardson (Rye), Jari Kennedy (Tarwin).

Ex-Dromana player Cade Williams has joined Rosebud. Picture: David Crosling

Outs: Josh Harris (Werribee Districts), Bart Wallace (Whitehorse Pioneers).

Surprise packets: Jackson McRae, Zac Maynard.

Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of work to do to get to the level required that we saw last season. All sides have improved no doubt so we need to be just as strong in our development of our U/19’s and young talent coming through.’’

Sorrento recruit Sam Gibson was one of the best running players in the AFL. Pic: Michael Klein

SORRENTO

Coach: Luke Tapscott.

Captain: James Hallahan.

Last year: 2nd (15-6).

Ins: Sam Gibson (Adelaide Crows), Luke Lowden (Canterbury), Marcus Bate (Somerville), Alex May (Tooradin-Dalmore).

Outs: Chris Dawes (retired), Ryan Williams (Rye), Caleb Delaney (East Ringwood).

ROUND 1, Saturday, April 6: Mt Eliza v Pines, Frankston Bombers v Bonbeach, Frankston YCW v Sorrento, Rosebud v Dromana, Edi-Asp v Mornington.