Local footy: MPNFL Division 2 preview, analysis for 2021 season
We analyse each club, detail the key ins and outs and give our predictions for 2021.
Mornington
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The MPNFL Division 2 season is shaping up to be a beauty.
Devon Meadows and Pearcedale kicked off the season last Saturday, with Neil Craig’s Devon pocketing the points in a very competitive contest.
The rest of the competition gets going this week, with three games on Good Friday and two on Easter Saturday.
Mornington will play its first-ever game in Division 2 when it hosts Karingal on Friday.
Langwarrin, with former AFL Bomber Mark Baguley fit and raring to go, will host Seaford, which has picked up former Collingwood gun Tim Broomhead.
Here’s how all 12 clubs are shaping up after a long off-season.
CHELSEA
Coach: James Brain
Captain: Todd Gardiner
2019 finish: Fifth
Ins: Scott MacLeod (Frankston YCW), Rory Gregg (Dromana), Jonathan Tobin (Seaford)
Outs: Josh Hargreaves (Korumburra-Bena), Rhys Hensel (South Mandurah), Sam Nickless (Lakes Entrance), Andrew Silva (Moulamein)
Prediction: 3-7
The Seagulls recruited well before the 2020 season that never was, gaining Rohan Heasley and Harry Whitty. But the pair have moved on without playing a game. Scooter MacLeod is a terrific addition after playing in four premierships with YCW. Chelsea’s fortunes will rest largely on how quickly its youngsters can adapt to senior footy.
CRIB POINT
Coach: Steve Hamill
Captains: Zak De Kleuver and Brad Arnold
2019 finish: 11th
Ins: Waide Symes (Tooradin-Dalmore), Jake Cronin (Tooradin-Dalmore), Brad Arnold (Nyora), James Cook (Foster), Jyden Brooks (Red Hill), Nathan Allen (Langwarrin)
Outs: Myles Jamieson, Matt Collett, Ash Van Hattum
Prediction: 8-12
The Magpies will continue to rebuild under Steve Hamill. With record numbers at training, Cribby has plenty of talent and enthusiasm and, while finals appear beyond them, they cannot be taken lightly.
DEVON MEADOWS
Coach: Neil Craig
Captain: Tim Saunders
2019 finish: Ninth
Ins: Lachie Batten (Doveton), Aaron Johns (Belgrave), Isaac Barassi (Doncaster), Brodie McConnell (Beaconsfield), Rowan Nayna (Greenvale)
Outs: Patty Harmes (Poowong), Michael Theodoridis (Drouin)
Prediction: 5-8
The Panthers have added several quality recruits and have started the season with a win. The appearance of former Richmond champ Brett Deledio in rounds four and six will create high excitement.
HASTINGS
Coach: Clint Einsiedel (new)
Captain: Luke Hewitt
2019 finish: Seventh
Ins: Tom Backman (Bentleigh), Nathan Gray (East Malvern), Heath Nash (Moyhu), Dylan Wilson (Wangaratta Magpies),
Outs: Brendan Fevola (Deer Park), Todd Elton (Deer Park), Ricky Ferraro (Hepburn), Dylan Paarlberg (Tooradin-Dalmore), Chris Moloney (Chelsea Heights).
Prediction: Top five
The Blues are shaping up well under new coach Clint Einsiedel, the club’s first non-playing coach in almost two decades. They’ll be quick and skilful, and a definite finals contender.
KARINGAL
Coach: Luke Forsyth
Captain: Dale Alanis
2019 finish: Second
Ins: Jack Harmes (Beaconsfield), Tom Curren (Claremont), Sam Glenn (Old Peninsula), Jordan Pomeroy (Old Peninsula), Ash Collins, Matt Blair (University Blues)
b Marc Holt (Cranbourne), Luke Van Raay (retired), Andy Mathers (Red Hill), Ryan Davey (Cranbourne), Cal Dixon (Mordialloc), Dylan Gregson (Mordialloc), Nathan Villella (Cora Lynn), Jake Kelly (Tyabb)
Prediction: Top five
The Bulls made the 2019 grand final but will field a vastly different side, fuelled by youth and pace. Luke Forsyth takes the coaching reins and will look to guide a potentially exciting side to the finals. Former Old Peninsula trio Sam Glenn Jordan Pomeroy and Ash Collins are excellent additions, as is ex-AFL Saint Tom Curren.
LANGWARRIN
Co coaches: Josh Beard and Blake McCormack
Captains: Blake Harkness and Nick Hammill
2019 finish: Third
Ins: Mark Baguley (Essendon), Ryan Smythe (Droman), Nic Tuddenham (Balmain Tigers), Cooper Demerlo (Mt Eliza), Kye Whitford (Dromana)
Outs: Billy Rolfe (Lauderdale), Corey Moore (Emerald)
Prediction: Top 3
All eyes will be on former Essendon player Mark Baguley as he returns to his junior club. Reports are that he’s “flying” going into Round 1. Baguley will bolster the Kangaroos, who played off in the ‘18 and ‘19 preliminary finals and look like being a serious contender again.
MORNINGTON
Coach: Simon Goosey
Captain: Chris Baker
2019 finish: 10th (Division 1)
Ins: Bryce Dinger (Noble Park), Mathew North (Balwyn), Cooper Elliot (Wangaratta), Nash Kirk (WA), James Cameron (returning from Qld), Trent Attard (Mt Eliza ), Josh Harrington (Mt Eliza)
Outs: Michael Macgowan (Rye)
Prediction: 3-6
The Bulldogs have had 18 months to stew over being relegated from the top division. They’ll have no shortage of motivation. Always tough to beat at The Kennel, the Doggies will look to star forward Jackson Calder to lead from the front.
PEARCEDALE
Coach: Justin Hamilton
Captain: Dave Hussey
2019 finish: 12th
Ins: Jayden Cole (Langwarrin), Chris Brooking (Mordialloc), Bayde Mate (Langwarrin)
Outs: Max Gearon (Cranbourne), Mitch Lindsay (Cranbourne), Reece Twyford (Chelsea Heights)
Prediction: 8-12
The Dales, stacked with youth, will run all day and can surprise unsuspecting opposition sides this season.
RYE
Coach: Adam Kirkwood
Captain: Tyrren Head
2019 finish: Eighth
Ins: Oscar Whitty (Merbein), Jake Russell (Barooga), Corey Wood (Red Hill), Boston Closter (Ballan), Michael Macgowan (Mornington)
Outs: Nil
Prediction: 6-10
It’s been a while since the Demons have played finals, but Adam Kirkwood’s side has secured a handy list of recruits headlined by Oscar Whitty and 29yo ruckman Michael Macgowan from Mornington.
SEAFORD
Coach: Zac Vansittart
Captain: Rourke Fischer
2019 finish: Sixth
Ins: Tim Broomhead (Collingwood), Macklin Raine (Drysdale), Justin Laughlin (Upper Ferntree Gully)
Outs: Jackson Mockett (Warragul Industrials)
Prediction: Top four
Youth, enthusiasm and speed will be key elements of the Tigers, who will look to out-run rivals. They’ll also have one of the best players in the comp, former AFL Magpie Tim Broomhead, while quality ruckman Macklin Raine is a key recruit.
SOMERVILLE
Coach: Brad Canavan
Captain: Rowan Hogenbirk
2019 finish: Fourth
Ins: Lachlan Williams (Frankston Dolphins), Brett Sutton (Frankston Bombers), Trav Bravo (Pearcedale)
Outs: Jake Mullen (Doveton)
Prediction: Top four
The Eagles are bursting to win a flag after a three-decade dry spell. They made good strides forward in 2019, winning a final. And with minimal outs and several quality players coming in, anything other than a finals appearance would be viewed as a disappointing outcome.
TYABB
Coach: Aaron Pacey
Captain: Ethan Rahilly
2019 finish: 10th
Ins: Josh Riddle (Greensborough), Jayden Gerrand (North Beach, WA), Cameron Taylor (Heidelberg West), Ben Fitzgerald (returning from overseas), Blake Simpson, Jake Kelly, Zane Merdanovic, Levi Dixon and Matt Burnett (all Karingal)
Outs: Jake Anderson (Poowong), Brayden Pitcher (Launceston)
Prediction: 5-8
After making steady progress in recent seasons, hopes are high the Yabbies could be set to end a two decade finals drought. An influx of recruits will help, including Jayden Gerrand from Western Australia – a nephew of Brisbane Lions premiership star Des Hedland.
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