Check out the big changes and predictions for every NFL Division 3 club

Will it be South Morang and Laurimar fighting for the premiership and promotion or can another club step up as a NFL Division 3 challenger?

NFL Division 3 season preview.

Will anyone challenge the South Morang-Laurimar duopoly in NFL Division 3 this season.

The Lions and Power were clear front-runners in 2021 before the season was cut short with Kilmore not far behind.

The race for the top four is fascinating with Old Eltham Collegians chasing a maiden finals appearance, Heidelberg West a drought-breaking finals appearance and Mernda on the rebound.

Meanwhile, Lalor and Reservoir will likely battle between each other for the chance to sing the song this season.

Check out all the big in and season predictions for every club.

South Morang’s Team of the Year centre half-back Mitchell Kalpakis. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SOUTH MORANG

Last season: Minor premier (11-1, 203.70%)

Captain: Matt Robinson Coach: Gary Hall

Big in: Nathan Stefanile (Whittlesea) Big out: N/A

The top team in the competition has seemingly only gotten better over the summer with Whittlesea premiership ruckman Nathan Stefanile coming on board. Stefanile should be a massive boost for the Lions with ruck perhaps the club’s only glaring weakness. Bailey Brown returns to South Morang after a season with Montmorency in the top flight where he played four senior games. Another super pick up.

Key player: Jake Potter

The Division 3 Team of the Year centre half-forward will again be an important avenue to goal in 2022 for South Morang. Finished fourth in the competition and second in the club goalkicking with 25 majors last season, a clear personal best and will be asked to step up again this season.

Verdict: Looked runaway premiers last season until COVID intervened. Did drop a game to Laurimar just before the season was called off but were largely untouchable for much of the season. Only got stronger over summer with Brown returning and Stefanile jumping on board. Hard to see them not at least featuring on the last day of the campaign. Finish: 1st

LAURIMAR

Last season: Second (10-2, 188.40%)

Captain: Mitch Thompson and Luke Wilson Coach: Jimmy Atkins

Big in: Nathan Andrews (Whittlesea) Big out: Josh Williamson (Waverley Blues)

Hard to replace a goalkicking machine such as Josh Williamson, who booted 43 goals in just 10 games last season, and then Team of the Year wingman Ethan Gorski defected to Panton Hill. However, the Power has recruited strongly over the off-season, luring three-time Whittlesea premiership player Nathan Andrews and Ethan Frawley returning from West Preston-Lakeside. The pair will add nicely to Laurimar’s talent and keep them very much in the premiership window.

Key player: Josh Leather

Made the ruck mantle his own last season and ran with it all the way to a sixth-placed finish in the Division 3 league best-and-fairest count and the No.1 ruck position in the Team of the Year. Still a relatively young talent but the Power will rely heavily on his ability to win the tap and follow up around the ground this season.

Verdict: Laurimar has proved itself a strong home-and-away club the past two seasons but the next step is winning finals. The club was denied the chance last season when it looked like they were hitting their straps at the right time, so that box will have wait. Has the talent to push South Morang for top spot. Will have to wait until Round 6 for that test. Finish: 2nd

Kilmore’s Leigh Irons. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

KILMORE

Last season: Third (9-3, 191.82%)

Captain: Adam Milne and Leigh Irons Coach: Nathan Phillips

Big in: Hayden Phillips (Girgarre) Big out: Michael Conlan (Lancefield)

The Blues remain a pretty settled line-up but have added some really good depth with Hayden Phillips (Girgarre) and Kaine Digney across half-back, Michael Fenech at half-forward and James Atkinson (Elmore) in the ruck. Going the other way, youngster Michael Conlan will try his hand at Lancefield in the Riddell District.

Key player: Chris Ryall

Goes without saying the reigning Division 3 league best-and-fairest is a pretty important player. Ryall has overcome a knee injury that would have ended his 2021 season early if COVID hadn’t have done that to the entire competition. The powerful midfielder will once again form a key part of Kilmore’s engineroom and provides some much-needed secondary scoring.

Verdict: Kilmore has finished third the past two seasons and will be around the mark again in 2022. Has arguably the best home ground advantage in the competition at Clancy Reserve but just needs to beat the big boys to truly enter the premiership conversation. Has a consistent line-up that has played together for a couple of years now and that will be a big benefit. Finish: 3rd

OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS

Last season: Fourth (7-5, 126.23%)

Captain: Luke Booth Coach: Matthew Sleeman

Big in: Matt Keys (Eltham) Big out: Michael O’Neill (Northern Districts)

The Turtles have added some really nice pieces in Keys (Eltham) and Nick Milne (Hurstbridge). Keys will hold down a key position spot in defence and Milne, a two-time premiership player at Hurstbridge, is a dangerous forward. Ben Gill adds further firepower after 57 goals in 17 games over the last two seasons with Picola United. Combine that with the addition of depth players Daniel Cartisano and Brad Johnstone (both Lalor), Matt Crooks (Lake Boga) and Sam Warren (Eltham) and it’s been a successful summer. Michael O’Neill the only notable departure.

Key player: The Englishman – who grew up playing soccer and rugby – has made a big impact since joining Collegians in 2019 and has been elevated to the captaincy in just his third season. An England and Great Britain international, Booth can be a damaging midfielder or slide forward and kick timely goals. His experience will be critical as the Turtles look to play finals for the first time.

Verdict: An early end to last season likely robbed Old Eltham of a maiden NFL finals appearance and there’s no denying the Turtles are a club on the up. With the addition of Keys and Milne at either end and a host of experienced, hardened bodied there’s an expectations that that finals duck will be broken in 2022. Finish: 4th

Jack Marris marks for Heidelberg West

HEIDELBERG WEST

Last season: Fifth (6-6, 112.81%)

Captain: Ben Kennan Coach: Michael Missen

Big in: Tim Gleeson (St Kilda City) Big out: Jarryd Coulson (Thomastown)

The departure of three-time Division 3 league best-and-fairest Jarryd Coulson and 2022 league medal and Coaches MVP runner-up Masaki Miki leaves two massive holes in the West line-up. In their place, the Hawks have brought in North Heidelberg premiership player Louis Hill, who was arguably Lalor’s best player last season, to add leadership and experience while Bloods teammate Lachlan Evans (Lalor) will help fill the void left by Coulson. Jordan Bulman and Nick Paton were mainstays at Division 1 clubs North Heidelberg and Montmorency last season and add instant impact across the ground. However, the biggest recruiting coup could be Tim Gleeson. The former Northern Knights player decided to chase the “other” NFL dream, punting in America after finishing high school and having returned to Australia permanently will suit up for Heidelberg West. Set to play a key position role in defence, he’ll no doubt be able to turn defence into attack in one kick.

Key player: Lachlan Evans

Crossing from Lalor where he split his time between ruck and forward, Evans is expected to see more time in the middle at Heidelberg West and has big shoes to fill following Coulson’s departure. Hawks coach Michael Missen is excited by his potential but isn’t putting any added pressure on Evans.

Verdict: Hard not to believe that COVID hasn’t robbed Heidelberg West of its drought-breaking finals appearance. The Hawks looked primed for a finals run in 2020 and 2021 but didn’t get the chance. Now with Coulson and Miki both leaving and the likes of Old Eltham Collegians and Mernda improving, it’s hard to see them challenging for a top-four spot. Finish: 6th

MERNDA

Last season: Sixth (4-8, 109.76%)

Captain: Angus Mills Coach: Robert Fletcher

Big in: Ryan Bongetti (Craigieburn) Big out: Tanar Peirce (North Heidelberg)

A couple of talented youngsters in Tom McMahon (West Preston-Lakeside) and Tanar Peirce (North Heidelberg) have left but Mernda looks to have improved over summer with the arrival of Ryan Bongetti (Craigieburn), Marcus Saddington (Kinglake) and Ethan Wild (Westmeadows). Bongetti is a three-time league best-and-fairest winner, one of which was a Division 2 medal while with South Morang in 2005. He’ll add a hard-edge around midfield and provide excellent experience and leadership to a young, developing team.

Key player: Josh Mazzarella

A sensational debut season at Mernda saw Mazzarella finish third in the league best-and-fairest, ninth in the Coaches’ MVP, earn Team of the Year honours and finish runner-up in the club best-and-fairest. Took his game to a new level in 2021 and will be asked to do so again if Mernda is to challenge the top four.

Verdict: Kept the bulk of its young talent, a big tick. Mazzarella, leading goalkicker Will Crouch, Josh Coe, Aaron Colliss, Chris Roussos, Riley Edwards and Riley Vincent will all be back and with another pre-season under their belts, hopefully, better. Add in Bongetti’s experience and fully fit Shannon Smith, Bryce Kimuliatis and Daniel Smith and the Demons should be vastly improved. Finish: 5th

LALOR

Last season: Seventh (1-11, 47.15%)

Captain: Jake Langborne and Scott Sandy Coach: Angelo Lamanna (new)

Big in: Dylan Cawsey (Manningham Cobras) Big out: Sam Rexhepi (Craigieburn)

The list of outs is eye-watering; leading goalkicker Sam Rexhepi (Craigieburn), Paz Saccuzzo (North Heidelberg), Dylan Harvey (Fitzroy Stars), Justin Bentley (Kilmore), Lachlan Evans and Louis Hill (Heidelberg West) and Hirsi Twomey (Oak Park). That’s a serious talent drain. New coach Angelo Lamanna has hit the phones and managed to bring in midfield-forward Dylan Cawsey (Manningham Cobras), Watsonia reserves’ Austin Creak, Connor Fitzgerald (Old Paradians), Kai Di Mauro from VAFA Division 4 outfit Eley Park, Steven Goodwin (Oak Park) and Daniel Ray from Central Highlands club Newstead.

Key player: Jake Langborne

The newly appointed captain will have his work cut out for him at full-back this season. However, that’s likely why he was named skipper, with his ability to keep battling away and keep his teammates heads up in tough times. A great Bloods clubman recognised for his commitment.

Verdict: That departure list makes for ugly reading and Lalor wasn’t exactly flush with talent before that. Will be interesting to see which of Lalor and Reservoir can beat the other this season. Finish: 8th

RESERVOIR

Last season: Eighth (0-12, 20.43%)

Captain: Tom Hollaway Coach: Justin George (new)

Big in: Lindon Young (Yea) Big out: Nick Gregson (LaTrobe, Tasmania)

Romain Grenville is better known as the captain of Premier Cricket club Kingsville Hawthorn but has been known to spend his winters playing as a power forward. However, a recent collapse during a game this season could limit his footy opportunities. Tim Madden joins president Tom at Crispe Park, moving south from Thurgoona, John Abouhaila jumps across from Glenroy, while Nathan Milne and Liam Morgan (Preston Bullants), Travis Playdell (Charlton), James Voros (Broadford) and Linden Young (Yea) all hope to help Reservoir improve. On the other hand, Nick Gregson is a massive hole to fill. The Tasmanian was a shining light last season in the ruck, while Jonah Taylor (Heidelberg West) and Jordan Crowhurst are also out.

Key player: Jack Smith

Finished runner-up in the Mustangs best-and-fairest last season after an impressive campaign at the coalface in midfield. Will be asked to once again put his head over the ball and take on the best midfielders in the competition but does so with relish.

Verdict: Another tough season for the Mustangs looms but there are bright spots. The club is progressing well off the field and that will eventually turn the tide on field. The playing list remains relatively stable, something that can’t be said of previous seasons and while Gregson’s departure is a major blow he will be replaced. Is this the season Reservoir snaps it’s winning drought? Finish: 7th