Country footy predictions: David Johnston names his premiers, sliders and best and fairest in key leagues

Country footy is back. Before the ball is bounced for round 1, we’ve named our premiers, sliders and best and fairest across 17 returning leagues. See our predictions and give yours.

A hotly contested Gippsland league season starts tomorrow with the headline clash between reigning premier Leongatha and the team that came close to beating it twice last year, Traralgon.

Traralgon’s combined losing margin in two games to Leongatha was only 10 points, but the team bowed out in the second week of finals with a three point loss to Sale.

Traralgon is at home in round one and will unveil four additions to last season’s line-up, including Queensland ruck recruit Max Jacobsen and former Montrose best and fairest and leading goal-kicker, Billy Schilling.

But one of the club’s other big off-season recruits, Jordan Cunico, will make a delayed start and isn’t expected to play until round three.

Former Collingwood player Isaac Chugg has joined another former Magpie, Jarryd Blair at Wonthaggi. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

Leongatha has named Kyneton recruit Guy Dickson, who it hopes will cover the loss of premiership key defender Matt Willcocks, who has returned to Vermont.

Former Collingwood player Isaac Chugg has been picked for his first game for Wonthaggi, which meets Sale in a replay of last year’s preliminary final.

Bairnsdale has named six new players for its clash against Maffra including former Northern Bullants midfielder Will Mitchell and VAFA recruits Xavier Richards and Lachlan Byrne-Jones.

Bairnsdale, which finished ninth last year, downed 2022 grand finalist Sale in a recent practice match and will be eyeing off an opening round win at home.

It hasn’t beaten Maffra since 2014, a losing streak of 15 successive games.

The western derby between Drouin and Warragul will be played on Sunday at Drouin with both clubs having new coaches in 2023.

Xavier Richards, right, has been a star for Old Xaverians in recent seasons. He will play with Bairnsdale this year. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Drouin will be coached by Brent Clinnick and Jed Lamb has taken over in charge of Warragul.

Seventeen leagues are starting their seasons this weekend and The Weekly Times’ predictions for the year ahead are in.

COLAC DISTRICT

Premier: Colac Imperials

Slider: Alvie

Best and fairest: Tyler Flanigan (Irrewarra Beeac)

EAST GIPPSLAND

Premier: Lucknow

Slider: Lindenow

Best and fairest: Kel Porter (Boisdale-Briagolong)

ELLINBANK

Premier: Buln Buln

Slider: Poowong

Best and fairest: Jack Hazendonk (Poowong)

Leongatha finished the Gippsland league season as premiers and champions in 2022. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

GIPPSLAND

Premier: Traralgon

Slider: Maffra

Best and fairest: Jack Leslie (Sale)

HAMPDEN

Premier: South Warrnambool

Slider: Portland

Best and fairest: Dan Nicholson (South Warrnambool)

LODDON VALLEY

Premier: Marong

Slider: Mitiamo

Best and fairest: Brandyn Grenfell (Marong)

MORNINGTON PENINSULA-NEPEAN DIV ONE

Premier: Dromana

Slider: Bonbeach

Best and fairest: Harry Prior (Frankston Bombers)

MORNINGTON PENINSULA-NEPEAN DIV TWO

Premier: Karingal

Slider: Pearcedale

Best and fairest: Kurt Lopo (Edithvale-Aspendale)

MURRAY

Premier: Congupna

Slider: Cobram

Best and fairest: BJ Squire (Congupna)

NORTH GIPPSLAND

Premier: TTU

Slider: Yarram

Best and fairest: Keenan Hughes (Yallourn)

Lindenow South beat Swifts Creek in last year’s Omeo and District grand final. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

OMEO DISTRICT

Premier: Swan Reach

Slider: Lindenow South

Best and fairest: Jai Hayward (Omeo-Benambra)

OVENS AND KING

Premier: Greta

Slider: Benalla All Blacks

Best and fairest: Ben Clarke (Milawa)

OVENS AND MURRAY

Premier: Yarrawonga

Slider: Wangaratta

Best and fairest: Isaac Muller (Albury)

PICOLA DISTRICT

Premier: Tungamah

Slider: Katandra

Best and fairest: Luke Smith (Katandra)

TALLANGATTA DISTRICT

Premier: Beechworth

Slider: Dederang-Mt Beauty

Best and fairest: Jarrod Hodgkin (Mitta United)

WARRNAMBOOL DISTRICT

Premier: Panmure

Slider: Old Collegians

Best and fairest: Manny Sandow (Merrivale)

WEST GIPPSLAND

Premier: Tooradin-Dalmore

Slider: Bunyip

Best and fairest: Trent Armour (Nar Nar Goon)