The clubs who look set to battle for premiership contention

The newly renamed Western Football Netball League will enter a new era in season 2024 as we look at the teams who look set to be in premiership contention.

Werribee Districts celebrate last year’s premiership. Picture: Andy Brownbill

New look. New name. new structure.

The next chapter in the rich history of the recently renamed Western Football Netball League will be written in season 2024.

Competition officials have elected to use a two-division system this year, merging the bottom two tiers at the end of last season.

Nine teams will battle it out in Division 1 for premiership success with the league reverting back to a top-five for its finals system.

Werribee Districts will be the hunted after claiming its first senior premiership in the competition last season and with plenty of depth – on the back of two straight reserves flags – Chris Gilham’s side shouldn’t be too severely impacted by the loss of stars including Chris Molivas and Trent Lee.

Last season’s runner-up Point Cook is once again expected to be around the mark with some handy inclusions in the off-season but the departure of ex-AFL forward Luke Dahlhaus does leave a hole, but also creates an opportunity.

One of the clubs with the biggest question marks hanging over it will be Caroline Springs. After missing the finals in Brian Lake’s first year in charge, the Lakers will be desperate to show greater improvement.

Yarraville Seddon coach Brad Julier. Picture: Andy Brownbill

But if Lake’s team is to play finals footy, they’re going to have to emerge from a pack that includes Yarraville Seddon Eagles — a side stacked with young talent.

Coach Brad Julier believes his side are ready to take the next step in their development after storming into last year’s finals series.

“It was a little bit of confidence for the guys,” Julier said

“It’s about having enough belief and backing our game plan.”

Altona will be an interesting watch under new coach and ex-AFL man Travis Varcoe after an off-season of significant change as will Point Cook Centrals who will be buoyed by their promising maiden top tier campaign in 2023.

Spotswood will enter year two under Tom German and should be in the chasing pack to play finals footy.

Parkside is making the step up to Division 1. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Parkside has been the busiest club in the off-season after its promotion to Division 1 with a chunk of new signings.

“It’s probably been a little bit easier being in Division 1,” co-coach Chris Muratore said of his side’s recruiting drive.

Hoppers Crossing will be under the tutelage of Jared Polec in his first season in the coaches box as the Warriors aim to put a horror 2023 behind them.

Meanwhile, onlookers believe Division 2 will simply come down to two sides – Albion and Sunshine.

On paper the Cats and Roos are clearly the best two sides after last year’s other finalist, Newport, and Wyndhamvale, who finished just outside the top-four, were hit by big name departures in the off-season.

A top-six finals system will be in place for the business part of the season with last year’s Division 3 premier, Suns, among those tipped to push for the higher places.

There will also be a new club in action after the Western Rams made the move from the Riddell District league in the off-season.

The Rams have battled in recent seasons, holding the longest losing streak in local footy Victoria wide, but are excited by the potential of a new adventure.

While some of the Division 3 clubs might fear games against the finalists from the second tier last year, others are embracing the challenging.

Most notably Laverton who are continuing to build under coach Tony Jofre.

“It’s going to be a good challenging year for us,” he said.

The action kicked off on Good Friday between Braybrook and Laverton in Division 2.

Sunshine and Albion will play another stand-alone game on April 6.

The official start date for both divisions is Saturday, April 13.