Ready to go: New season, new look for MPNFL and clubs

MORNINGTON Peninsula footy fans are in for an Easter treat this weekend.

Jordan Moncrieff, flying for a mark with Cam Pedersen (left) at Casey Demons, is a key recruit for Mt Eliza.

MORNINGTON Peninsula footy fans are in for an Easter treat this weekend.

MPNFL Division 1 kicks off with two Good Friday games, including the appearance of former Gold Coast Suns forward Jarrad Grant for the Frankston Bombers against Mt Eliza.

On the same day, ex-Saint and Swan Trent Dennis-Lane will spearhead Bonbeach’s hopes against Edi-Asp in the local derby.

Long-time rivals Pines and Seaford will go at it on Easter Saturday, as will Rosebud and Mornington (with favourite son Simon Goosey back as Bulldogs coach).

On Easter Sunday, it’s the highly-anticipated clash between reigning Peninsula premiers Frankston YCW and Nepean champs Sorrento. The Stonecats and Sharks have won bags of flags in different comps and will finally face off.

In Division 2, Dromana will host Rye on Good Friday.

Here’s a look at the Division 1 ins and outs:

BONBEACH

Coach: Steve Hughes.

Captain: Jackson Casey.

Last season: 2nd.

Ins: Joe Fisscher, Myke Cook, Luke Verma (all Sandringham), Mitch Gent (Casey).

Outs: Sean Campitelli (Bonnie Doon).

Coach says: “We just want to start well. The competition is going to be incredibly tight with the inclusion of Sorrento, Frankston Bombers and Rosebud. We have an incredibly tough first block of games, so we will need to be playing well early. If we can win some early games it will hopefully create momentum.’’

EDITHVALE-ASPENDALE

Coach: Graeme Yeats.

Captain: Steve Mannix.

Last year: 3rd.

Ins: Liam Hulett (Melbourne), Sam Monaghan, Tim Kelly (Noble Park), Aaron Johns (North Ringwood), Lachie Batten (Sandringham).

Outs: Brendan Neville (Alberton FL).

Coach says: “The guys who are coming in, they’re really good citizens, respectful, and they’re in it for the right reasons. I think they’ll really enhance our footy club.’’

Gold Coast Suns forward Jarrad Grant is a key addition for Frankston Bombers.

FRANKSTON BOMBERS

Coach: Beau Muston.

Captain: Mitch Bosward.

Last year: 2nd (in Nepean).

Ins: Jarrad Grant (Gold Coast), Sam Drake (returning from overseas), Jake Greely (Chelsea), Waide Symes (Crib Point), Brandon Tilley (VAFA), Ben Northover (Warragul).

Outs: Nathan Lonie (retired), James Degenhardt (retired), Ryan Kitchen (Lang Lang).

Coach says: “We are looking to build on our foundations from the last 2 seasons and believe our best will be good enough to challenge the competition’s best. We have added some talent and leadership to an exciting young list and although we have a couple key players retire we feel we have more than covered them with our recruits. Our expectation is to make the top 3.’’

Frankston YCW coach Wayne Capp (centre) with co-captains Jie Coghlan and Kevin Lylak after winning the 2017 flag.

FRANKSTON YCW

Coach: Wayne Capp.

Captain: Jie Coghlan.

Last year: 1st.

Ins: Khan Haretuku (Port Melbourne), Josh Patullo (Lang Lang), Cody Henness (Sale).

Outs: Anthony Bruhn (Collegians), Tony Lester and Craig Nankervis (retired).

Coach says: “There is strong competition for spots from younger players from last year’s under 19 squad. The return from long-term injury of Jack Mazurek and Jesse Coghlan adds to our depth. With the competition expected to be so strong this year we have been working hard over the summer to improve in all aspects and are ready for the challenges as they present.’’

Simon Goosey is back as Mornington coach.

MORNINGTON

Coach: Simon Goosey (new).

Captain: Chris Baker.

Last year: 7th.

Ins: Max Gearon (Cranbourne), Mitch Lindsay (Cranbourne), Jack Kerr (Rye, Stingrays), Max Kleverkamp (Lauderdale), Riley West (Tyabb), Joel O’Sullivan (Edi-Asp), Thomas Hobbs (Port Melbourne), Mick Williams, Paul Dadds, Dan Vercoe (returning).

Coach says: “We want to play finals, have continued improvement throughout the year and build a deep list.’’

MT ELIZA

Coach: Troy Shannon.

Captain: Shane Tennant.

Last year: 5th.

Ins: Blake Mullane (Coburg), Jordan Moncrieff (Casey), Mitch McCarthy (Collingwood), Cal Park and Blaine Coates (Fish Creek), Tom Taylor, Brad Taylor, Ryan McGannon (Box Hill), Kyle Docherty and Lachy Young (returning), Mason De Wit (Stingrays).

Outs: Justin Van Unen, Rohan Heasley, David Barton, Sam Wettenhall (Wandin).

Coach says: “Significant changes to our list...but I’m confident we have recruited the right people to the club.’’

PINES

Coach: Paddy Swayn.

Co-Captain: Beau Hendry and Tim Bongetti.

Last year: 4th.

Ins: Tom McDermott, Khyal Jacobson, Harry Stanley, Matt Mayne, Jack Lewis-Smith, Perry Lewis-Smith.

Outs: Dylan Smillie (Central Murray).

Coach says: “We’re really excited about the year ahead, the competition will be super and we can’t wait to compete in the best competition the peninsula has assembled in quite some time.’’

Greg Bentley will captain Rosebud.

ROSEBUD

Coach: Adrian McBean.

Captain: Greg Bentley.

Last year: 3rd (in Nepean).

Ins: Joshua Harris (Werribee), Rhys Pierce (Sandringham/Karingal).

Outs: Rhys Bancroft, Ryan Spooner.

Coach says: “We will continue to focus on the development of our list through education and our trademark of being ruthless and bold, so nothing changes.’’

SEAFORD

Coach: Ben Murphy.

Captain: Dean Williamson. Last year: 6th.

Ins: Zac Vansittart (Bunyip), Matt Terech (East Malvern), Sam Lonie (East Malvern), Curtis Barker (Cranbourne), Matt Gundry (South Fremantle), Luke Edmondson (Tooradin).

Outs: Kyle Matthews (Ringwood), Brayden Irving (overseas), Kane Taylor (retired), Daniel Lewis (Millawa).

Coach says: “There are a lot of unknowns with the new league structure. There appears to be no easy matches. We think we are capable of competing with all the opponents that we will face.’’

Sorrento’s James Hallahan and Luke Tapscott after the 2017 Nepean league grand final.

SORRENTO

Coach: Luke Tapscott (new).

Captain: James Hallahan.

Last year: 1st (in Nepean)

Ins: Mitch Hallahan (Gold Coast), Jake Di Pasquale (YCW), Josh Iezzi (VAFA).

Outs: Aaron Paxton (Karingal), Troy Schwarze and Leigh Treeby (retired), Tyrren Head (Rye).

Coach says: “We’ll look to evolve our game plan, grow young players into consistent influential senior players and test ourselves against the best in the new league.’’

Round 1:

Good Friday: Frankston Bombers v Mt Eliza, Bonbeach v Edi-Asp

Easter Saturday: Pines v Seaford, Rosebud v Mornington.

Easter Sunday: Frankston YCW v Sorrento.