Old Paradians coach Ben Turner discusses the Raiders’ preparations and expectations
31 for 31: New year, new competition. It’s a familiar feeling for Old Paradians but one it overcame to win a premiership last year. How will the club fare in NFNL Division 2?
Northern
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A new season, a new competition, it’s a familiar feeling for Old Paradians.
However, there is one big difference – unlike last year when the club transferred from the VAFA to the Northern league, it enters 2025 as reigning premier.
The Raiders step up to Division 2 this season after claiming the Division 3 crown in a fairytale start to life in the NFNL.
New rivals and new challenges await but the club now has a solid footing.
“It feels similar to last year in many ways, it’s another unknown season, playing against all these teams that we’re not necessarily familiar with,” coach Ben Turner said.
“There’s a little bit of deja vu in a way.
“Understandably now, we’re more across what we’ve got and what we’re capable of.
“We’re part of the Northern Football League, we’re comfortable playing in the competition, so now it’s about putting our best foot forward in second division.”
Old Paradians will be looking to cement themselves at the level.
Since Division 3 was established, nine of 12 premiers have stepped up and survived with Laurimar the first to suffer a one-and-done relegation last year.
Parkside remained in Division 3 after winning the inaugural title in 2009, while Reservoir went into recess after winning in 2015.
The Raiders will kick off their campaign – and unfurl their premiership flag – when they host preliminary finalist Whittlesea at Garvey Oval on April 5.
They will then face Northcote Park, grand finalist Diamond Creek and relegated Division 1 club Macleod in a tough opening month.
Turner said there were no expectations heading into the season.
“We’re not going to put any high expectations upon ourselves, much like last year,” he said.
“We’re doing a lot right at training but we’ve got no expectations, we just want to start well and be the best footy club we can be.”
In making the step up, Paradians has significantly bolstered its squad.
Former Carlton dasher Sam Philp has returned to his old school and will join premiership-winning brother Tom and vice-president father Stephen at Garvey Oval when Port Melbourne VFL commitments allow.
Securing Eltham premiership-winning captain Darcy Vallance is one of the recruiting coups of the summer, while long-time Greensborough defender Billy Bedford has also joined.
Seb Cannizzaro and Sam Files have arrived fresh off an under-19s flags with Heidelberg and St Mary’s respectively and Marcellin best-and-fairest winner Oliver Stapleton has jumped on board.
However, in a major blow Sam Gilmore has returned to Heidelberg, while Lachlan Murdoch has moved to Mildura and Mitch Merkel has hung up the boots.
Turner was pleased with the off-season additions.
“We’ve been fortunate to bring more players in and be a more attractive place to play, it’s an environment people are enjoying and hopefully the football looks after itself,” he said.
“Moving up a division, we still want to provide a pathway for our younger players but we need to bring in people to put them around them to be able to do that.
“(Darcy and Billy) have both been unbelievable, Darcy in his own right was captain of a first division club and Billy – after a year off – has been terrific.
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“Defence is important, our group hasn’t changed a lot, but we feel like it’s important to have a defensive structure in place and Billy and Darcy are both very capable.
“They’re going to add so much across the board and both have proved their can play in different positions as well.”
The Raiders will ramp up preparations with a trip to Euroa on March 15, where they will play the Goulburn Valley elimination finalists.
Two practice matches against the club they’re replacing, Laurimar, and VAFA Premier C outfit Glen Eira at Garvey Oval.
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