Every Riddell District club’s ins and outs, star player and our season predictions
The battle for the Riddell District top-five will be as fierce as its ever been this season. Check out every club’s ins and outs, star player and season prediction.
Riddell
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The battle for Riddell District supremacy hasn’t been this hot for years.
The top-five was decided by just two points last season and promises to be even tighter this season.
One of reigning premier Riddell, Diggers Rest, Wallan, Romsey, Macedon and Woodend-Hesket are going to miss out this season and would consider themselves stiff.
The Bombers, Burras, Magpies, Redbacks and Cats have had a stranglehold on the finals in recent years but this season looms as the Hawks’ best opportunity.
The Hawks are looking to break a 13-year finals drought and have recruited strongly over summer but Diggers, Romsey and Macedon have too.
Wallan has lost a lot of talented but have reloaded with some quality young players as they look to remain in the premiership hunt.
The pre-season hype focused elsewhere will suit Riddell coach Justin Belleville perfectly.
Check out every club’s ins and outs, star player and our season predictions below.
RIDDELL
Last season: First (14-0-2, 204.64%, Premier)
Captain: Josh Grabham Coach: Justin Belleville
Ins: Brodie Doolan (Edwardstown, SA), Brad Mundy (Sunbury), Matt Panuccio (Gisborne), Haydn Ross (Sunbury), Ben Said (Rupertswood), Lachlan Tarczon (Sunbury Kangaroos)
Outs: Nathan Bridgland (Macedon), Michael Edwards (Deer Park), Jack Hammerling (Maribrynong Park), Ollie Messoudi (Gisborne), Riley Paterson (Woodend-Hesket), Lachlan Treweek (Sunbury Kangaroos), Michael Treweek (Sunbury Kangaroos), Steve Treweek (Sunbury Kangaroos)
Big in: Haydn Ross
The former captain returns and will be a significant boost wherever he is deployed. Was the RDFNL’s leading goalkicker in 2018 with 74 majors and won the club best-and-fairest before departing for Sunbury.
Key player: Ben Sonogan
One of the best swingmen in the competition, Sonogan can be a match-winner at either end. Kicked 17 goals in 17 games last season but was named at centre half-back in the RDFNL Team of the Year.
Verdict: A surprise loss in the Bombers’ Good Friday season-opener but there’s certainly no need to panic. If anything the loss to Woodend-Hesket will only feed coach Justin Belleville’s us-against-them rhetoric. Riddell retains the core of its premiership side and has recruited strongly over summer to balance out the ins and outs. Former captains Matt Panuccio and Hadyn Ross are back at the Creek along with Brad Mundy. Losing RDFNL Rising Gun and grand final medallist Michael Edwards, Riley Paterson, Steve Treweek and young gun Jack Hammerling is a blow though. The top-five battle will be fierce this season but expect the Bombers to be at the pointy end when the whips are cracking. Finish: Second
DIGGERS REST
Last season: Second (14-0-2, 198.96%, grand finalist)
Captain: Mitch Jensen Coach: Jamie Lobb
Ins: Tom Orr (PEGS), Mark Orr (Melton), Lachlan Meyers (Essendon Doutta Stars), Lachlan Hickey (Melton), Jaycob Hickey (Melton), Josh Flower (Westmeadows), Nathan Crosland (Lancefield), Jake Brown (Essendon Doutta Stars)
Outs: Dean Ieremia (East Sunbury), Lachlan Ronaldson (Oak Park), Mitch Shields (East Sunbury)
Big in: Mark Orr
The Burras were arguably missing a ruckman last year and have secured an A-grade big man in Orr. He’ll give the likes of Mitch Jensen, Jaidyn Caruana, Josh Wallace and Luke Delahey first use, making the Burras midfield even more dangerous.
Key player: Luke Delahey
A match-winner wherever he lines up. Was named on the half-back flank in the Team of the Year but just as damaging running through the middle, on a wing or pinch-hitting up forward. A headache for every opposition coach.
Verdict: Diggers has lost some experience but have loaded up again with the arrival of Melton BFNL premiership trio Mark Orr and Jaycob and Lachie Hickey. The Burras will be smarting from last season’s grand final loss and before a game has been played look the team to beat. Will be kicking themselves after a final round loss cost them top spot and a week off, then a qualifying final loss to Wallan saw them go the long way to the grand final and run out of legs against a fresher Riddell. Lessons will undoubtedly have been learnt from that experience. Finish: First
WALLAN
Last season: Third (13-1-2, 275.10%, preliminary finalist)
Captain: Micheal Mannix Coach: Daniel Nolan
Ins: Hayden Gill (West Preston-Lakeside), Jacob Langborne (Morningside, Qld), Michael Tinkler (Romsey), Mason Bowden (West Preston-Lakeside), Steven Callanan (West Preston Lakeside), Michael Baccari (Greenvale), Patrick Baccari (Greenvale), Josh Vilinskis (Caroline Springs), Nash King (Whittlesea), Callum Langborne (Morningside, Qld), Braeden Braunack (Claremont, Tas), Owen Fowler (Whittlesea), Jordan Port (Tullamarine), Angelos Sidhom (Airport West)
Outs: Ricky Schraven (Seymour), Ben Schraven (Kilmore), Will Brock (Seymour), Nathan Fowler (Seymour), Corey Baker (Greenvale), Jarryd Bonello (Greenvale), Matt Bonello (Greenvale), Jesse Davies (Heathcote), Corey Grindlay (Heathcote), Callum Birch (Heathcote), Lachlan Inness (HDFNL)
Big in: Jacob Langborne
The Pies have lost a great deal of experience and getting Langborne in goes a long way to filling the void. Even better, the former Brisbane VFL player is a club junior and a one-pointer.
Key player: Steve Boyall
The reigning Bowen Medallist will be the main man in midfield for Wallan and will need to take his game to another level in 2023 to keep the club in finals contention. An under-rated star of the competition and more than capable of carrying a big load for his team.
Verdict: Coach Daniel Nolan is bullish about his club’s aspirations this season. Despite losing a host of players, including a pair of Bowen Medallists and the 2022 Footballer of the Year. However, the Pies have brought in some exciting young talent, including Langborne, who has VFL experience and current VFL-listed big man Hayden Gill – one of three players from Northern league power West Preston-Lakeside. It’s led Nolan to declare his team is the best young list in the competition. It should see Wallan remain a premiership contender. Finish: Fifth
ROMSEY
Last season: Fourth (9-0-7, 121.31%, elimination finalist)
Captain: TBA Coach: Justin Sherman (new)
Ins: Gavin Cathie (Craigieburn), Justin Gelsi (Laurimar), Billy Goodwin (Whittlesea), Jaxson Kinnear (Kilmore), Chris Petroro (St Mary’s), Jack Slavich (Coburg Districts), Sam Wilson (Gisborne), Darcy Lockens (Gisborne)
Outs: Michael Tinkler (Wallan)
Big in: Jaxson Kinnear
Justin Sherman’s experience in NFNL Division 3 has secured the Redbacks an excellent defender in Kinnear. He’ll immediately strengthen Romsey’s backline, which conceded the fifth most points last year.
Key player: Nathan Blair
The Redbacks star only played 13 games last season so a return to full fitness will be an invaluable boost to the club’s premiership hopes in 2023. Such was his impact, he was named in the best nine times and earned Team of the Year honours.
Verdict: The Redbacks are a bit of an unknown this season. Last season they beat everyone below them but lost to everyone above, although they were unlucky early with a seven-point loss to Riddell and one-point loss to Diggers. New coach Justin Sherman has the talent at his disposal to challenge for a premiership with the likes of Team of the Year trio Nathan Hoy, Jack Jedwab and Nathan Blair, best-and-fairest winner Corey Pertzel, Matt Burkett and the arrival of Kinnear and young pair Sam Wilson and Darcy Lockens. We’ll have to wait and see if they can put it all together on the park. Finish: Fourth
MACEDON
Last season: Fifth (8-0-8, 102.72%, semi-finalist)
Captain: Jason Cooke Coach: Al Meldrum
Ins: Nathan Bridgland (Riddell), Jacob Gough (Therry Penola), Hamish Govan (Kyneton), Jack Hassett (Kyneton), Sam Indian (Whittlesea), Aaron Morham (Greta, Ovens & King), Josh Muir (Sunbury), Ned O’Connell (Essendon Doutta Stars), Jordan Reeves (Woodend-Hesket)
Outs: Patrick Doyle (Sunbury), Karl Staudt (Parkside)
Big in: Hamish Govan
Govan has been a star in the Bendigo league with Kyneton and is a massive addition to the Cats, given not only his on-field ability but his leadership and experience.
Key player: Jason Cooke
The Cats spearhead took the captaincy reins last season when Zach Smedley went down with a knee injury and will take on the role permanently this season. Booted an impressive 58 goals last season, good enough for third overall after 29 (in eight games) in 2019 and 64 in 2019. One of the league’s most reliable forwards.
Verdict: The Cats snuck into the top-five last season by just two points, a credible effort given the club’s injury and availability woes. It saw coach Al Meldrum hand games to the club’s next generation, which will stand the club in good stead for the future. If the list can remain healthy and recruits such as Govan, Bridgland, Indian and Ned O’Connell make an impact they should be firmly in the mix for the top-five. However, without a game being played, we’re saying last in, first out with Woodend expected to jump up this season. Finish: Sixth
WOODEND-HESKET
Last season: Sixth (7-1-8, 129.13%)
Captain: Alastair Rae & Tom Gawthrop Coach: Josh Pound
Ins: Kyle Baker (Maribyrnong Park), Daniel Davie (Mount Pleasant, Heathcote), Evan Davie (Kyneton), Jobe Dowling (Trentham, Maryborough Castlemaine), Tim Martin (Banyule), Sam Medland (East Fremantle, WAFL), Ethan Minns (Gisborne), Riley Paterson (Riddell), Daniel Toman (Sunbury)
Outs: Samuel McCaskill (Melton), Wayne Patak (Sunshine), Jordan Reeves (Macedon), Jordan Rizzardo (Sunshine)
Big in: Daniel Toman
Always a good day when you can get a former club captain, best-and-fairest and Team of the Year star back in the door. Toman will be a massive boost to the Hawks midfield and add much needed experience and leadership
Key player: Tom Gawthrop
The newly installed club co-captain can be a match-winner in several positions, highlighting his importance to the Hawks.
Verdict: The Hawks were the pre-season hype team and they lived up to the billing with a first-up victory over reigning premier Riddell. Woodend-Hesket was agonisingly close to ending its finals drought last season, finishing two points outside the top-five. However, a strong summer has seen the likes of Ben and Daniel Toman, Ethan Minns, Tim Martin, Riley Paterson and Sam Medland arrive to supercharge the club’s aspirations. Just making finals should no longer be the Hawks’ top goal, they have the talent to make a deep finals run and challenge the status quo of Riddell, Diggers and Wallan. Finish: Third
MELTON CENTRALS
Last season: Seventh (4-12, 67.76%)
Captain: Josh Spry Coach: Matt Sproule (new)
Ins: Jake Armistead (time off), Dylan Jobson (Melton), Jacob Thornton-Gielen (Melton South), Will Thornton-Gielen (Melton South)
Outs: Jayden Chaffey (Melton South), Dale Peacock (Darley)
Big in: Dylan Jobson
While the Thornton-Gielen brothers might have a bigger reputation, Jobson’s arrival is a big boost to Centrals attack. The key forward couldn’t crack into the powerful Melton line-up, instead finishing third in the Ballarat league reserves goalkicking with 46 majors. Started the season strongly with three goals in the Round 1 win over Western Rams.
Key player: Evan Donoghue
Still only 19 and arguably one of Centrals most important players. Used in the ruck in the Round 1 win over Western Rams and delivered a best-on-ground performance. Acts as a fourth midfielder given his agility and skill at ground level.
Verdict: It was a difficult 2022 for the Blues, which only beat Lancefield and Western Rams. However, the return of Matt Sproule has given the club confidence it can once again start to challenge the competition’s stronger teams. The recruiting of Will and Jacob Thornton-Gielen from the stronger Ballarat league and the addition of Jake Armistead and Jobson to the forward line will give plenty of opposition coaches trouble. Improved competitiveness is the key benchmark for Centrals this season. Finish: Seventh
LANCEFIELD
Last season: Eighth (2-0-14, 38.55%)
Captain: Tom Waters Coach: Tim Bannan (new)
Ins: Riley O’Meara (Essendon Doutta Stars), Joel Regan (Leitchville Gunbower, Murray), Arii Rintala (Trentham, Maryborough Castlemaine), Nick Simpson (Golden Square), Zach Webb (Merbein, Sunraysia)
Outs: Tom Atwell (Diamond Creek), Dylan Holden (Trentham, Maryborough Castlemaine), Scott Ilgoutz (AFL Cairns), Joseph Slattery (Kinglake), Harrison Taylor (Carlton, North Central)
Big in: Riley O’Meara
Luring a quality EDFL Premier Division player back is a massive coup for the Tigers. O’Meara played all 18 games for Essendon Doutta Stars last season and got named in the best twice.
Key player: Alex Simpson
A leading light in a difficult year for the Tigers. Simpson played 15 of 16 matches, kicked a club-leading 16 goals and was named in the best seven times. Will be asked to match and improve on that output this season.
Verdict: Improvement is what Lancefield will be chasing this season under new coach Tim Bannan. There’s been some strong inclusion, most notably former junior Riley O’Meara returning from EDFL Premier Division. Reducing the losing margins and boosting the scoring will be important after scoring just under 700 points in 16 games last year and conceding 1800. Finish: Eighth
WESTERN RAMS
Last season: Ninth (0-0-16, 14.99%)
Captain: Harley Cameron Coach: Leigh Sporle (new)
Ins: Anthony Bowyer (Albanvale), Terrence Dawson (WA), Ryan Dorling (Laverton), Patrick Farrelly (Rupertswood), Dean Galea (Alexandra, Outer East), Corey Goforth (Diggers Rest), Fitzroy Greenwool (AFL Cairns), Bo James (East Kimberley), Geoff Jolly (Skipton, Central Highlands), Adam McDonald (Diggers Rest), Laughlan Orr (Dunolly, Maryborough Castlemaine), Charlie Patullo (Charlton, North Centrals), Kade Sexton (AFL Cairns), Brent Taylor (Tarneit), Brandon Watts (Sunbury Kangaroos)
Outs: Jordan Barbara (Lalor), Phillip Hoyland (Melton South), William Jenkins (Laverton), Brandon McGee (Melton), Mitch Portoglou (Kilmore), Alex Sweet (Darley)
Big in: Fitzroy Greenwool
The former Sandringham VFL-listed talent is one of the biggest recruits in the Riddell District this season. Struggled to make an impact as a forward in the first half of the Round 1 loss to Melton Centrals but showed his skill and pace when moved into midfield and off half-back.
Key player: Laughlan Orr
Arrives from Dunolly and impressed at full-back in the season-opener. Marked strongly and competed well against the tide against Centrals. Will have plenty of work to do marshalling the Rams’ defence this season.
Verdict: It’s been a tumultuous summer at Western Rams with an incredible turnover. There’s a new president, new coach and almost an entire new team. Just four players that represented the club last year ran out for the RDFNL season-opener against Melton Centrals. It’s going to take coach Leigh Sporle some time to gel this team together but there’s some exciting talent at his disposals. Former VFL-listed talent Fitzroy Greenwool showed some nice touches when moved behind the ball against Centrals, while Orr, Dean Galea and Corey Goforth also impressed. It will be another tough season for the Rockbank club but there’s growing positivity it can finally end its 50-plus-game losing streak. Finish: Ninth
Romsey embracing premiership acid test
Win or lose Romsey will learn plenty about its premiership aspirations in the final three weeks of the RDFNL home-and-away season.
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