Your ultimate guide to the ODFA season

The Oatlands District Football Association 2025 is set to get underway this weekend with its own Gather Round. Get the lowdown on every club.

Bothwell players celebrate on the ground in the Oatlands District Football Association grand final. Picture: Linda Higginson/Solstice Digital.

The ODFA season kicks off on Saturday with its Gather Round at Campania Oval.

Triabunna and Campania get the ball rolling in 2025 with their clash at 11.30am in a replay of last year’s preliminary final.

Both teams have new coaches — Ben Van Kraanen at Triabunna and Julian Sturzaker at Campania, who was an assistant coach at the Wallabies last season.

A new-look Oatlands plays Woodsdale in the second game at 2pm.

The Tigers have recruited heavily, and with new coach Adam McCarthy at the helm they are expected to be more competitive this season.

Woodsdale has also picked up some handy recruits and will look to build on last year.

In the final game at 4.30pm, reigning premier Bothwell takes on Mt Pleasant.

Dylan Pearce returns to the Rabbits as the side chases another premiership, while the Mounties have picked up some experienced players and will again be a team to watch in 2025.

BOTHWELL

Coach: Bradley Chaplin

Captain: TBA

Last year: 2nd/premiership (10-2)

Premierships: 8

In:  Dylan Pearce (St Virgils), Harry Gardner (Brighton), Brandon King (Railton), Craig Harback (Brighton), Tyler Ford (New Norfolk), Jesse Brooks (Brighton), Lochie Hills (Brighton).

Out:  Zayden Kelly (New Norfolk), Will Byers (Claremont), Jordan Conley (Brighton), Berau Kline (Richmond), Clinton Curtain (Claremont), Josh Hills (Brighton).

Player to Watch: Dylan Pearce

He returns to the club and brings a lot of experience. He’s had a great pre-season and will be very handy inclusion. His skill and ability to read the footy will prove to be a handful for whoever plays on him.

Coach says: “We’ve had a really good preseason working on things we can better ourselves on last year. The main thing has been staying competitive for four quarters. Last year really we surprised everyone by taking out the premiership (including myself). I knew we had the side to give it a crack but I honestly thought it would take a couple of years to get the rewards. I’m really looking forward to this season in what it brings. I think the boys are hungrier than last year.”

Dylan Pearce has been named a player to watch.

CAMPANIA

Coach:  Julian Sturzaker

Captain: Jamie Dart

Last year:  3rd (7-5)

Premierships:  Nil

In:  Kieren Rogers (OHA), Dylan Huxley (University), Jordan Dunn (Clarence), Cameron Korn (North Hobart Junior), Max Williamson (Clarence), Caleb Wilton (Lindisfarne), Jayden Harris (Lindisfarne).

Out:  Nicholas Raglione (Lindisfarne), Ashton Arnold (Bakers Creek, Qld), Brad McKenzie (Brighton), Benjamin Balsley (Sorell).

Player to watch: Brodie Johnstone

We’re excited to see Brodie Johnstone back for 2025 as he takes on an assistant coaches role. Brodie has continued to be a leader on and off the field.

Coach says: “We are looking forward to a big year on and off the field. We’ve added around 10-12 new players to our list, and after a massive pre-season with 20 plus players on the track most nights. I’m excited to see some good football from this group in 2025.”

MOUNT PLEASANT

Coach: Zac Webster

Captain:  Tom Birchall

Last year: 4th (6-6)

Premierships:  19

In:  Riley Robson (Brighton juniors), Owen Robson (Brighton juniors), Charlie Ford (Clarence juniors), Thomas Mullane-Grant (Ovens & King), Jai Struthers (Brighton), Fenn Gardner (Old Geelong), Jack Lewis (Brighton), Riley Brockman (Glenorchy juniors).

Out:  Ben McGuinness (Clarence).

Player to watch: Jack Stevenson

He only came to us midway through last year and was injured just before finals after having a couple of years off footy. He has been to every preseason run this year and has got himself fit and body feeling good so we are really looking forward to what he can do for us this year.

Coach says: “We’ve had a good preseason with plenty of new faces about the club. We’ve got a couple of young locals who have come to the club this year and have had really good preseason. I am excited to see what they can bring for us and hopefully help us climb the up the ladder a bit more this year. It has also been really handy having a few of our experience players like Tom Birchall, Mitch Byers, Nathan Rollins, Dougal Morrison and Jack Stevenson turning up to every session and helping the younger players develop, which I think will hold us in good stead.”

OATLANDS

Coach: Adam McCarthy

Captains:  Brodie Whyte and Damien Rose, vice-captain Dylan Vucica

Last year: 7th (0-12)

Premierships: 6

In: Adam McCarthy (Brighton), Brodie Whyte (Brighton), Billie Coles (Brighton), Aaron Cooper (Brighton), Michael Conolon (Brighton), Simon Bone (Woodsdale), Bryce Kaye (Claremont), Daniel Robottom (Brighton), Brody Robison (Brighton), Joseph Byrne (Woodsdale), Ashley Rowlands (St Virgils), Liam Fox (Brighton), Jai Read (Brighton), Jonathon Paul (Brighton Masters), Lane Milner (Brighton), Kobie Dare-Rainey (Brighton juniors), Wayne ‘Jimmy’ Cook (New Norfolk), Coby Devine (Brighton)

Out:  Stephen Hall (Claremont),

Player to watch: Brodie Whyte

Our new ruckman but also very mobile and is like another onballer at every contest.

Coach says: “The Oatlands Tigers this year have had a change of coaching staff and new recruits to the club. After what has been a good preseason we are ready to hit the ground running and continue to improve on what we are trying to achieve as a club.”  

Brodie Whyte will take on a playing assistant coaching role.

TRIABUNNA

Coach: Ben Van Kraanen

Captain: Brendan Klok

Last year:  1st/runner-up (12-0)

Premierships:  2 (2002, 2023)

In: Jakob de Winter (OHA), Ben Van Kraanen (University), Heath Thompson (Swansea), Ashley Woodhead (University), Shawn Clark (Upper Murray, Victoria),

Out:  Jake King (St Patricks), Joshua Grant (Tooleybuc Manangatang), Mitch Reeve (Leeton Whitton United), Gabe Morgan (Sorell Masters), Riley McDonald (East Coast Swans)

Player to watch: Shawn Clark

In his first season at the club. He is a silky-skilled midfielder, who knows how to kick goals.

Coach says: “I’ve been super-impressed with the standard at training this preseason. “The boys have adapted very well to my game style/plan. Our aim is to develop our game throughout the season, so that we are hitting our straps come finals time.  We’ve been lucky enough to recruit some talent, while also retaining the majority of the list. I’m very excited for the upcoming season, and being part of a great community club. The ODFA continues to improve, so it should be a very competitive season ahead for everyone.”

Shawn Clark is a key recruit for his side.

WOODSDALE

Coach: Matthew Crawford

Captains: Kade Sutcliffe and Connor French

Last year: 6th (2-10)

Premierships: 21

In: Nathan Onn (Triabunna), Patrick Little (Mt Pleasant), Tim Butterworth (Sorell), Kobey Howlett (Dodges Ferry), Luke Thornbury (Sorell), Richard Wilson (OHA), Jack Rolls (Brighton),

Out: Luke Dean (Brighton), Amsbury Gibson (Brighton), Jahrod Locher (New Norfolk), Simon Bone (Oatlands), Joseph Byrne (Oatlands), Jack Evans (New Norfolk), Aaron Newbon (New Norfolk)

Player to watch: Richard Wilson

A new recruit to the club. Wilson has plenty of experience playing the game and will let his footy do the talking.  

Coach says: “The boys at the Lions’ den have been working really hard with a long preseason. With quite a number of new faces in the club this season the boys gelled well as new looking side. Looking forward to the 2025 season.”