See all the key ins and outs and ladder prediction for NFL Division 1 2021
The big-name recruits, rising stars and controversial predictions, we’ve delved into every NFL Division 1 club’s premiership hopes for 2021. EVERY CLUB ANALYSED
Northern
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After more than 550 days the 2021 Northern Football League Division 1 is back.
You can throw a blanket over all 10 teams in the league’s top tier, all believing they’re capable of playing finals.
SEE CLUB-BY-CLUB ANALYSIS AND LADDER PREDICTION BELOW
There’s also some massive inclusions for the new season with the likes of Sam Lloyd, Ben Kennedy, Ben McNiece, Nathan Hrovat and Anthony Daw set to step out.
Football’s return promises to deliver a cracking season.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Can West Preston-Lakeside complete the hat-trick? Can Greensborough go again? Or will another premiership challenger rise?
To be fair, it’s hard to know after a 12-month hiatus.
The Roosters will be thereabouts again, the two-time reigning premier hasn’t lost much since the 2019 grand final and coach Rob Maiorana is again at the helm.
The Borough meanwhile have had 12 months to heal the wounds of 2019 and despite losing a couple of key players still look every part the premiership favourite.
Then there’s preliminary finalist North Heidelberg, Montmorency, Macleod, Heidelberg and Bundoora.
Sam Lloyd and Ben Kennedy add instant star power to the Bulls and Magpies respectively, while the Roos have added Patrick Flynn.
The Tigers will rely on youth in 2021 under new coach and club great Danny Nolan while their arch-rivals at the Kennel still have Brent and Shane Harvey and will be lead by premiership coach Jason Heatley.
Five clubs into three finals spots doesn’t go and some very good football teams are going to be bitterly disappointed come August/September.
After waiting 12 months, Whittlesea will finally get to step up from Division 2 and on paper look good enough to avoid a yo-yo relegation.
That leaves Hurstbridge and Northcote Park but neither will be easybeats this season and will consider themselves unlucky if they do finish with a wooden spoon.
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE
Last season: Premier
Captain: Nathan Valladares and Ahmed Saad Coach: Rob Maiorana (fourth season)
Key Player: Ahmed Saad
The former AFL forward has won two of the past three Division 1 goalkicking awards and will be even harder to stop in 2021 with the man on the mark and 6-6-6 rules coming into affect. In his three seasons Saad has booted 231 majors. Can he break the 100-goal barrier?
Big In: Flynn Appleby Big Out: James Tadd
Tadd may not have had the profile of some of his premiership teammates but his work in and under the packs in the Roosters march to back-to-back titles was critical. He’ll be hard to replace. Eyebrows were raised when Appleby’s name popped up on the clearances list just days before Round 1 with the former Collingwood midfielder yet to officially join a VFL club. While he is expected to line-up with North Melbourne’s VFL affiliate, nothing is confirmed, and if his services are full-time it would be a massive boost to the club’s hat-trick hopes.
Preview: We can guarantee this … West Preston-Lakeside will not start 2021 0-6. What happened in 2019 was just one of those sporting miracles. This is 2021 and the Roosters are looking sharp ahead of the new season but perhaps most importantly, stable. There’s hardly been any changes under Rob Maiorana. The Roosters possess arguably the most dangerous forward in the competition in Saad and one of the best defenders in Jackson Clarke. Add in new faces such as Adam Valeri and Adam Iacobaccio, while Jackon Barling has nominated Moore Park as his local when not on Northern Bullants duties, and we could be talking hat-trick.
GREENSBOROUGH
Last season: Minor premier, grand finalist
Captain: Chris Clark Coach: Mick Harford (second season)
Key Player: Tom Bell
For obvious reasons, the reigning Rosbrook Medallist and former AFL midfielder will have a big say in how Greensborough fair this season. Capable of dominating in the midfield and then pushing forward to be a danger around goals. Will rival coaches attempt to tag him?
Big In: Nathan Hrovat Big Out: Charlie Molyneux
While Molyneux left after the 2019 season, his remain big shoes to fill in the Borough midfield. Hrovat is more than qualified to do just that but how often he wears green in 2021 remains to be seen due to non-playing commitments at North Melbourne.
Preview: The Borough’s premiership window remains wide open given the sheer quality on the list but don’t expect another one-loss home-and-away season. While it’s 18 months on, the 2019 grand final loss will still be smarting and no doubt some important lessons were learnt that day. Lessons we won’t see come to fruition until August.
NORTH HEIDELBERG
Last season: Third
Captain: Kyle McDonald Coach: Jason Heatley (first season)
Key Player: Billy Hogan
The star midfielder won the Bulldogs best-and-fairest and was named in the Division 1 Team of the Year in 2019 and will serve as vice-captain this season recognising his impact on the group this pre-season. Finishing 2019 with 27 goals and will be called on again to ease the load on goalkicking great Shane Harvey.
Big In: Anthony Daw Big Out: Majak Daw
The club made a splash when it announced Majak Daw had signed in January. Sadly a month later he was on Melbourne’s AFL list. It was a major blow to North’s premiership aspirations. However, 2020 recruit and little brother Anthony remains. He’ll be the Dogs’ No.1 ruckman and stretch rival defences to breaking point when he pushes forward.
Preview: What could have been if Melbourne’s key forwards weren’t all injured. Majak Daw lifted North Heidelberg to premiership favouritism but the club remains a threat even without him. The likes of Daniel Harris, Leigh Gilbert, Shane Biggs, Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and Michael Florance have also departed but a core comprising the likes of Brent and Shane Harvey, Jackson Starcevich, Billy Hogan, Kyle McDonald and Jesse Tardio remains one of the best in the competition.
HEIDELBERG
Last season: Fourth
Captain: Sam Gilmore Coach: Danny Nolan (first season)
Key Player: Lachlan Wilson
The young midfielder continues to go from strength to strength. Awarded best-on-ground honours in the 2016 grand final as a 17-year-old, he was named in the Division 1 Team of the Year, finished third in the Tigers’ B&F and finishing seventh in the Rosbrook Medal count in 2019. There’ll be even more responsibility on his young shoulders in 2021.
Big In: Keenan Posar Big Out: Chaz Sargeant
Posar returns from a stint overseas but he continued to play in the AFL London competition. Finished third in Coburg’s best-and-fairest in 2017 underlining his quality and he’ll slot straight into the Tigers midfield. However, Sargeant will be hard to replace. The star forward was named in the Division 1 Team of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and kicked 34 goals in 2019 – fifth most in the competition.
Preview: A lot has changed at Warringal Reserve since 2019, club legend Danny Nolan has taken the coaching reins and with several senior players – including Ryan Stone, Ben Irving, Michael Brunelli, Sam Grimley and Sargeant – departing the Tigers’ youth will be given more responsibility. That said, the club does boast the premier ruckman in the competition in skipper Gilmore, so don’t expect too much of a drop off from a team that finished second and was the only club to defeat Greensborough in the regular season. Finals are very much on the radar.
MONTMORENCY
Last season: Fifth
Captain: Jesse Donaldson Coach: Garry Ramsay (second season)
Key Player: Patrick Fitzgerald
The stalwart spearhead will once again lead the line for the Magpies and the new man on the mark rules could see him kick bags of goals on a weekly basis. Has booted at least 50 majors six times in the past seven seasons with a high of 68 in 2014. That could be broken in 2021.
Big In: Ben Kennedy Big Out: Alex Fasolo
What a sight it would have been to see Kennedy and Fasolo running around in the black and white again wreaking havoc. Alas, Monty fans will have to be content with just Kennedy in 2021 after 2020 signing Fasolo decided against returning for 2021 and joined Uni Blues. Kennedy won the Magpies’ best-and-fairest in 2018 and you’d back him to repeat.
Preview: Montmorency has been arguably the NFL’s most stable club since 2019 with few additions and few departures. With another pre-season under Garry Ramsay the Pies will be serious finals challengers this year but can they make an impact come the business end. With the likes of Kennedy, Fitzgerald, Donaldson, Jai Robinson, Steve McCallum and Stef Uzelac anything is possible.
MACLEOD
Last season: Sixth
Captain: Hamish Paynter Coach: Christian Stagliano (second)
Key Player: Justin White
Hard to ignore a bloke that’s made nine straight Teams of the Year and finished runner up in the Rosbrook Medal four times. White claimed his second club best-and-fairest in 2019 and his continued excellence is a major reason Macleod is a perennial finals contender. He’ll need another big season to keep the Roos in the hunt in 2021.
Big In: Patrick Flynn Big Out: Muhammad Saad
Saad is a loss given he kicked 14 goals in eight games but the ins far outweigh the outs at De Winton Park. Flynn is one of the premier ruckman in the competition and should be fully fit after missing most of 2019 with an ankle injury. The Roos have also added Ned McKeown and Nick Klooster to a side that only missed finals in 2019 in the final game of the home-and-away season.
Preview: Macleod has been an ever-present finals challenger since stepping up in 2009 and will be again in 2021. There’s star power on just about every line but the big query will be do the Roos have the depth that some of their rivals possess. Time will tell. Sounds obvious but goals will also be critical. Macleod ranked eighth for scoring in 2019 with Patrick Martin’s 25 goals the club’s best. Defence wins finals but you need to get there first.
NORTHCOTE PARK
Last season: Seventh
Captain: Paul Dirago Coach: Steve Saddington (first season)
Key Player: Paul Dirago
The star defender had a brilliant 2019, winning the Cougars’ best-and-fairest and earning a place in the Division 1 Team of the Year for the second straight season. Northcote Park will be hoping he can make a quick recovery from a compound broken finger injury suffered in the pre-season.
Big In: Ben McNiece Big Out: Jordan Perry
The Cougars pulled off the recruiting coup of 2020 when David Myers signed up but sadly he will not play in 2021. However, the greatest loss will be Jordan Perry. The 2018 Division 1 Team of the Year midfielder was one of the most reliable onballers in the competition and will be sorely missed. However, McNiece’s return will soften the blow. The former junior and premiership player can play either defence or through the midfield.
Preview: Northcote Park has been hit hard since the end of 2019 with Jackson Starcevich, Ash Close, Jordan and Lucas Perry, Charles Le Fanu, James Svarc and Liam Waldron all departing and 2020 recruits David Myers, Tom Baravi, Will Mitchell and Jackson Williams not returning. The club faces an uphill battle to maintain its Division 1 status won all the way back in 1994 but if anyone can keep the club up its premiership hero Steve Saddington.
HURSTBRIDGE
Last season: Eighth
Captain: Lachlan East Coach: Jarrod Tilley (second season)
Key Player: Cameron Cloke
The key forward could have a field day with the new man on the mark and 6-6-6 rules creating space for him. Kicking a winning score for the Bridges was an issue in 2019 – they were ranked second last in points for – and whether he’s kicking them or creating them, Cloke will have a massive role to play in 2021.
Big In: Joel Naylor Big Out: Tom Simpson
Hurstbridge recognised scoring as a weakness in the off-season and secured Joel Naylor from RDFL outfit Romsey. The mobile forward booted 33 majors in 17 games in 2019 and has previously played for Northern Knights in the NAB League and Northern Blues in the VFL. However, Simpson – a heart-and-soul player for the Bridges – will be tough to replace on and off the field. After 110 senior games he’s moved to Queensland.
Preview: The Bridges were the surprise packet of 2019 as first-year coach Jarrod Tilley led the club to six wins and remained in finals contention until the final weeks of the season. Simpson has departed and Bridges and NFL great Daniel Keenan’s farewell season ended before it began after a pre-season Achilles injury. However, Naylor, Ben Beavan, Joe Dale, Darcy Stewart, Paul Sporton and Zac Reichart will give the club some depth that it was perhaps lacking in the past.
Ex-Tiger and Bulldog Sam Lloyd has signed with a local club for 2021 after his shock retirement from the AFL: https://t.co/BFxsjcZsO4pic.twitter.com/WaXmtPurrn
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) January 14, 2021
BUNDOORA
Last season: Ninth
Captain: Brent Marshall Coach: Michael Ryan (first season)
Key Player: Hamish Shepheard
The former Fremantle rookie hasn’t played a game for the Bulls but looms as Gary Moorcroft’s heir in the goalsquare. The key forward should get plenty of quality service as well with the likes of Sam Lloyd, Bailey Thompson, Jai Burns, Kain Proctor and Brent Marshall delivering the pill.
Big In: Sam Lloyd Big Out: Matthew Dennis
What a rollercoaster off-season for the Bulls. Arguably the biggest recruit of the pre-season and the biggest loss of the pre-season. After a tough 2019, Lloyd gives the Bulls instant credibility with his ability to rack up touches in the midfield and also hit the scoreboard. Dennis meanwhile will head to Tasmania for a new adventure after dominating the NFL for the best part of a decade, winning three Rosbrook Medals and three premierships.
Preview: The Bulls pre-season has them labelled the big riser in 2021 with the likes of Lloyd, Shepheard, Tyla Young, Nathan Howard, Ryan Sturgess, Jackson Davies and Jesse King all coming on board. Gary and Beau Moorcroft, Eamonn Gilbert and Dale Marshall have exited. New coach Michael Ryan has some high expectations to live up to at Yulong Reserve but he’s certainly done a power of work during the 2020 and 2021 off-seasons to set the club up for success.
WHITTLESEA
Last season: Division 2 premier
Captain: Xavier Dimasi Coach: Blair Harvey (second season)
Key Player: Xavier Dimasi
The reigning Division 2 league best-and-fairest had a taste of Division 1 football in 2018 and is arguably among the competition’s best onballers on reputation. The skipper’s ability to extract the ball but also deliver to his forwards will be critical to Whittlesea’s hopes in 2021.
Big In: Wild brothers Big Out: Bailey Rice
Former St Kilda midfielder Rice never got to pull on the Eagles jumper after taking a gridiron punting scholarship in the US but Whittlesea has the talent to fill the void. It has brought all three Wild brothers – Cameron, Jake and Mitch – for the first time and also added ex-VFL mid Cam Barrett and big man Sam Peet to bolster its line-up for the return to Division 1.
Preview: Whittlesea will be desperate to stop yo-yoing between Division 1 and 2 and cement itself at the top level. While the Eagles have lost their premiership momentum from 2019 the list is certainly strong enough on paper to compete. Blair Harvey has assembled a midfield capable of matching it with the big boys but goals could be an issue with Jaron Murphy’s 18 majors the club’s best in the 2019 home-and-away season.
MUST-WATCH GAMES TO START THE SEASON
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE v BUNDOORA, ROUND 1
The reigning premiers will unfurl the flag at Moore Park against Bundoora, who hope to be this season’s big risers. Bar one or two changes, the Roosters could be almost unchanged from their 2019 grand final side while the Bulls will be debuting several new faces, including ex-AFL star Sam Lloyd. It will be fascinating to see how both teams fair.
WHITTLESEA v GREENSBOROUGH, ROUND 1
Promotion-winners Whittlesea have been waiting 12 months for this, the chance to test themselves in Division 1 and they don’t come much bigger than Greensborough. The clash will give the Eagles an early look at where they sit with coach Blair Harvey sure to demand a competitive showing in front of their home fans after unfurling the Division 1 flag.
GREENSBOROUGH v WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE, ROUND 2
The grand final rematch, 12 months delayed. While a lot of water has passed under the bridge, the Borough will be determined to put an early marker on the board against the two-time reigning premiers. The Roosters showed in 2019 early season wins aren’t necessarily critical but they’re sure to come out all guns blazing against their biggest rival.
HEIDELBERG v MACLEOD, ROUND 3
Division 1’s only Anzac Day clash will see a big crowd head to Warringal Park for this one. Both teams are finals contenders and this could very well be an early-season “eight-pointer”. Heidelberg have the youth factor, while Macleod have the experience. It will be a fascinating clash of two philosophies.
NORTH HEIDELBERG v MONTMORENCY, ROUND 4
This has finals preview written all over it. Both clubs have premiership aspirations in 2021 and will be determined to get early-season bragging rights and a mental edge for later in the season. It could also be the last dual between great spearheads Shane Harvey and Patrick Fitzgerald, which is sure to be worth the price of admission alone.
LADDER PREDICTION
Ex-AFL talent among newest Northern recruits
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Popular footy show shuts down amid league crackdown
A local football league’s decision to limit its clubs’ access to outside media, threatening fines or disqualification, has forced a popular fan-driven footy show on Facebook to shut down.