All the key ins and outs and 2021 premiership hopes of all RDFL clubs
After a 580-day wait the RDFL is back. Check out every club’s key ins and outs and premiership hopes ahead of the new season. EVERY CLUB ANALYSED
The Riddell District Football League returns to the footy field, 580 days after it’s last match.
The competition will be fierce with players, coaches and fans champing at the bit to get back to action.
CHECK OUT OUR CLUB-BY-CLUB SEASON PREVIEWS BELOW
After 18 months out it will be hard to predict what will happen but there’s nothing wrong with that.
What we can predict is there will be a new premier in 2021 and we’ve analysed every club’s hopes below.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Well, there’s going to be a new premier for starters after Rupertswood’s jump to the EDFL.
The league has also lost Broadford reducing the number of clubs to nine for 2021 and the finals race to a top five for the first time since 2007.
As 2019 runners-up, Wallan is certainly in the conversation despite losing several players from its grand final side.
However, spearhead Matthew Perri is capable of winning games off his own boot and broke the magical 100-goal barrier in 2019.
Diggers Rest looks the biggest danger to the Magpies hopes of going one step further.
The Lions recruited heavily in 2020 for a shot at reclaiming the flag and has retained several key players including reigning Bowen Medallist Jaidyn Caruana.
Romsey and Riddell have both lost key personnel but are perennial finals contenders and expect to be so again, while Macedon is set for an improved showing after finishing sixth.
Woodend-Hesket and Melton Central were the best teams outside the top six in 2019 and will be looking to challenge the “big five”, which has hardly been breached since Rockbank in 2014.
That leaves Lancefield and the newly renamed Western Rams, who won two and zero games respectively in 2019.
Expect a better showing from the Tigers under favourite son Tom Waters, while the Rams have recruited heavily as they rebuild on and off the field after a tumultuous 2019.
WALLAN
Last season: Grand finalist
Captain: Michael Mannix Coach: Daniel Nolan (sixth season)
Key Player: Matthew Perri
The star forward broke the magical 100-goal barrier in 2019 with 105 majors, including finals, and will be at the forefront of the Magpies premiership push again in 2021. Added the club best-and-fairest award to his league goalkicking gong highlighting his importance.
Big In: Jesse Davies Big Out: Michael Tang
Tang played 18 games in his only year at Wallan and was one of the Magpies most consistent midfielders. He’s suiting up for Northern league club Thomastown in 2021 but the return of Davies will fill the gap nicely. Davies won the Bowen Medal in 2018 before crossing to Craigieburn and helping the Eagles win an EDFL Division 1 premiership. Walks back into the competition as one of its best players.
Preview: Is 2019 too long ago to keep the fire of a lost grand final burning? The Magpies are certainly built for another shot at premiership glory and welcoming back Davies is certainly a big boost. Daniel Nolan might prefer to finish higher up the ladder this season and make their finals campaign a bit easier than the heart-stopping ride the club took him on in 2019.
DIGGERS REST
Last season: Third
Captain: Cole Laurie Coach: Jamie Lobb (third season)
Key Player: Jaidyn Caruana
Arguably the biggest recruit of the 2020 pre-season, Caruana will finally get to suit up for the Burras in 2021. The reigning Bowen Medallist was a dominant force through the midfield for Romsey in 2019 and Jamie Lobb will be hoping he can replicate that form 18 months on.
Big In: Matt Krul Big Out: Corey Wright
Krul had signed to play for Romsey in 2020 but won’t miss a game for Diggers Rest thanks to the cancelled 2020 season. The key defender’s return to a significant boost to the Burras backline, which was only fifth best in 2019. In just his second season of senior football Wright was one of only three players to play all 19 games for the Burras in 2019 and his reliability will be missed. He’ll suit up for Hillside in the EDFL.
Preview: After claiming the minor premiership only to crash out in the preliminary final in 2019, Diggers Rest recruited strongly for a flag run in 2020. The Burras have only added to their enviable list for 2021 and on paper look the pre-season premiership favourite. Time will of course tell. The pressure is on all at Bloomdale Oval to now deliver on their potential.
ROMSEY
Last season: Fourth
Captain: Nathan Blair Coach: Paul Kennedy (first season)
Key Player: Nathan Blair
The star defender and club captain was a pillar of the Romsey line-up in his return season. Afer five years with VFL outfit Coburg Blair was named in the RDFL Team of the Year at centre half-back and won the club best-and-fairest, pipping Bowen Medallist Jaidyn Caruana.
Big In: Michael Tinkler Big Out: Jaidyn Caruana
There’s no denying Romsey has lost a lot of talent since 2019. Bowen Medallist Caruana, key forward Joel Naylor, midfielder Jack O’Sullvan and Team of the Year defender Ayden Tessari have all departed. Tinkler will be an important inclusion bringing class and experience having previously captain Avenel and won premierships at Shepparton Swans and Assumption College.
Preview: First-year coach Paul Kennedy has said the club is rebuilding on the run. Romsey might not be as strong as it was in 2019 but there’s still plenty of talent in the Redbacks line-up to make a run at the premiership. Expect the Redbacks to be challenging for a top four spot at the end of the season and anything can happen come finals time.
RIDDELL
Last season: Fifth
Captain: Matt Panuccio Coach: Justin Belleville (second season)
Key Player: Matt Panuccio
The skipper has plenty of weight on his shoulders in 2021. With several stars departing he’s now the club’s No.1 midfielder and with 15 goals in 2019 is what remains of the club’s top-six goalkickers.
Big In: Josh Grabham Big Out: Dylan Tarczon
Riddell’s forward line has been shredded with Dylan Tarczon (69 goals), Ethan Foreman (43), Nathan Croft (20) all departing. The club has also lost 2019 best-and-fairest winner Hadyn Ross (25 goals) and runner-up Paul Sahlberg. However, the club won’t be bereft of talent this season. Ruckman Grabham is a quality inclusion after impressing with Gisborne. Former Bulldogs Jarryd Vernon and Callum Williamson are also on board while Liam Berry, Trent Stead and Nathan Bridgland have crossed from Sunbury.
Preview: If you just looked at the outs you might think Riddell were due for a tumble down the ladder but the Bombers have recovered well enough to remain a finals contender in 2021 and possibly more if the new-look team jells well under Justin Belleville. It’s almost a completely new line-up and it could work in the club’s favour with rivals not knowing what to expect.
MACEDON
Last season: Sixth
Captain: James Wright Coach: Al Meldrum (first season)
Key Player: Matt Hutchesson
Hutchesson made an instant impact in his first season at Clarke Oval, finishing second in the club best-and-fairest and earning a place in the RDFL Team of the Year. The Cats will be hoping for a repeat performance in 2021.
Big In: Shaun Harrison Big Out: Tom Waters
Harrison returns to his junior club in a big boost to the Cats hopes of climbing the ladder in 2021. The Deer Park premiership star is joined by fellow 2020 signings Jack Kernan, former Adelaide Crows-listed ruckman Rowan Andrews, Mitch Thar and Dan Trajanovski. Andrews will fill the void left by star big man Tom Waters who will return to coach his junior club Lancefield having helped the club to the 2017 premiership.
Preview: All signs point to Macedon climbing the RDFL ladder in 2021 with several strong recruits and not too many departures. The Cats have been mid-table since winning the premiership in 2017 but with Al Meldrum back in charge should be at the pointy end of the season.
MELTON CENTRAL
Last season: Seventh
Captain: Daniel Foley and Jarrod Spry Coach: Matt Sproule (fourth season)
Key Player: Dylan Weir
One of the best key forwards in the competition, Weir kicked 62 goals in 15 matches last year, second only to Matt Perri. The 2019 Team of the Year centre half-forward will have a big say in how Central’s season plays out and if a move up the ladder is achievable.
Big In: Curtis Schultz Big Out: Lachie Phillips
The Blues were disappointed to lose an exciting young talent like Phillips but understand him wanting a higher level of competition with Melton in the Ballarat league. The club has also lost captain James Aquilina and best-and-fairest podium-sitters David and Michael Callus. However, after two years out of football key forward Curtis Schultz will pull the boots on again. He had signed for Airport West in 2019 but didn’t play a game.
Preview: Melton Central’s top line is as good as just about any club’s in the competition. The likes of Daniel Foley, Dylan Weir and Linton Hogan would walk into any other team. It’s the depth that will dictate were the club ends up. The Blues finished three games outside the top six in 2019 and with the finals reduced to a top five will need everything to go their way.
WOODEND-HESKET
Last season: Eighth
Captain: Alistair Rae Coach: Ben Tankard (first season)
Key Player: Marcus Stapleton
The star big man won the Hawks’ best-and-fairest in his first season after crossing from EDFL power Strathmore in 2019 and will have a big role to play again in 2021.
Big In: Wayne Patak Big Out: Daniel Toman
As one of the best players in the RDFL Toman will be sorely missed. Key defenders Michael Peart and Bryce Crosswell have also departed but new coach Ben Tankard recruited strongly for 2020 and has again for 2021. Patak, a three-time premiership winner at Spotswood and member of Aberfeldie’s 2016 flag, and Vistarini, the 2018 EDFL Division 1 league best-and-fairest, instantly upgrade the Hawks midfield. Aaron French, Rory Alexander, Nick Franzi, Blake Laverie, Jordan Filakis and Ravin Willara have also arrived.
Preview: Woodend-Hesket has long been predicted to break into RDFL finals and the club’s recruiting certainly has it well placed to break a drought dating back to 2009. However, Tankard isn’t placing expectations on his team. The Hawks face a tough opening with Diggers Rest, Romsey, Melton Central and Macedon in the opening five weeks, which will determine whether they’re up to the task.
LANCEFIELD
Last season: 10th
Captain: Matt Bowden Coach: Tom Waters (first season)
Key Player: Jay Russell
Russell signed on for 2020 and has recommitted for 2021. The midfielder boosts the Tigers’ midfield significantly after being part of Whittlesea’s Northern league Division 2 premiership in 2019.
Big In: Tom Waters Big Out: N/A
Lancefield has added as many as 15 recruits since 2019, headlined by Waters, the new coach. The two-time Bowen Medallist remains one of the competition’s leading ruckman and was named in the RDFL Team of the Year in 2019. Most encouragingly the club hasn’t had significant departures.
Preview: Waters has said it’s a long-term rebuild at Lancefield. The Tigers are financially stable again after a determined campaign to balance the books and the club can now turn its attention to on field performance. Lancefield won just two games in 2019 and should be able to improve in this department but a finals challenge might be another year away.
WESTERN RAMS
Last season: 11th
Captain: Josh Casey Coach: Marty Weaver (first season)
Key Player: Jake Mallia
One of only two Rams to play all 16 games in 2019 and finished fourth in the club best-and-fairest. The club has had a high turnover since last season and an experienced player will be critical.
Big In: Stephen Hoare Big Out: Jordan and Mitch Baumgartner
For the Rams to secure a player like Hoare is a massive coup. The defender played three senior NFL Division 1 games in 2019 and 14 at reserves level. Mitch Portoglou, Josh Casey, Tyler Nesbit, Campbell Walshe, Peter Boyd and Tom McColl have also come on board. The Baumgartner brothers are the Rams biggest loses after finishing first and third in the club B&F.
Preview: A new name, a new era? The club formally known as Rockbank will look very different in 2021 with as many as 30 new players on the list. The Rams will certainly be more competitive after not winning a game since 2018. The rebuild is certainly looking positive and just earning a win and singing the song will be a big step forward and reward.
MUST-WATCH GAMES TO START THE SEASON
WALLAN v ROMSEY, ROUND 1
This will be both club’s chance to lay down a marker in 2021. Both would consider themselves premiership contenders and an early-season win could be the difference between a double chance and elimination final.
MACEDON v DIGGERS REST, ROUND 2
Are the Cats ready to challenge the big boys again? This will show were Macedon is while Diggers Rest has the chance to put some early distance between it and a possible challenger.
MELTON CENTRAL v WOODEND-HESKET, ROUND 3
Can Central start the season 2-0, it should beat Western Rams and but will need to be at its best to top Riddell. If it does this could be a massive game for both clubs. Woodend could be the opposite at 0-2 after opening the season against Diggers Rest and Romsey.
ROMSEY v RIDDELL, ROUND 4
Clashes between the Bombers and Redbacks are always belters and this promises to be no different with a strong crowd expected at Romsey Park. The Bombers are rebuilding after losing several key players in the off-season but will get themselves up for this.
DIGGERS REST v LANCEFIELD, ROUND 5
It might not look much on paper but this will be a key test to see how far Lancefield has come in the 18 months since Tom Waters took the reins. While Diggers Rest is the obviously favourite, a strong showing from the Tigers will give it confidence in its rebuild.
LADDER PREDICTION
Originally published as All the key ins and outs and 2021 premiership hopes of all RDFL clubs
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