Goulburn Valley, Ovens and Murray, Wimmera: Euroa, Yarrawonga and Southern Mallee Giants in premiership window
The 2023 country footy season is only a matter of months away. See what clubs are ready for a big year and who they play in round one.
Country football clubs are taking a well earned break from pre-season training ahead of the 2023 season beginning at the start of April in most leagues.
Recruiting continues to dominate discussion in the off-season and some clubs have had more success than others.
The Weekly Times has nominated six clubs to watch in 2023.
Some are in the premiership window already and others are coming from a long way back, but expected to improve sharply in the season ahead.
YARRAWONGA
The Ovens and Murray league runners-up in 2022 landed one of the biggest off-season coups with the signing of former Geelong and GWS star Steve Johnson as coach.
He will be a non-playing coach and inherits a list that went within a straight kick of upsetting hot favourites Wangaratta in the grand final.
Yarrawonga was missing two of its star players in the grand final, Mick Gibbons and Harry Wheeler, and has since added Corowa-Rutherglen reigning best and fairest Cameron Wilson and former junior and key forward Matt Casey, who has been playing at Balwyn.
Also at Johnson’s disposal are O & M best and fairest winner Leigh Masters, Willie Wheeler, Lachie Howe and star goalkicker Leigh Williams.
The much anticipated grand final replay between Wangaratta and Yarrawonga is slated for April 22 with Yarrawonga’s first round clash against Albury on April 9.
BAIRNSDALE
Finals appearances in the Gippsland league have been few and far between for Bairnsdale either side of its “decade of dominance” in the East Gippsland league.
Bairnsdale finished ninth on the ladder in 2022 and is coming from a long way back in a competition that is extremely competitive at the top end as witnessed this year.
Premiers Leongatha, runner-up Sale and Traralgon all appear as locks for finals action again and Moe is poised to make a run at finals.
But Bairnsdale has been as active as any team as coach Logan Austin enters his second season in charge.
The major signings include former Sydney Swans utility Xavier Richards and Northern Bullants onballer Will Mitchell.
Another expected to make his presence felt is VAFA Premier Division onballer Lachlan Byrne-Jones, the brother of Port Adelaide player Darcy.
Bairnsdale is home in the season opener against Maffra on April 1.
EUROA
Euroa went into the Goulburn Valley league grand final against Echuca as massive underdogs and almost pulled off a major upset when it hit the front in the final quarter.
In an off-season when most GV clubs have been hitting the jackpot with recruiting, Euroa has been a clear standout with some top-line additions.
Top of the list is Will Hayes, who spent time at two AFL clubs, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, before being delisted by the Blues at the end of last season.
Euroa has also added Ryan Pendlebury, who was part of Sale’s charge into the Gippsland league grand final in 2022.
Pendlebury is the younger brother of Collingwood champ Scott and also played at VFL level for the Magpies alongside another Euroa star Jack Hellier.
Euroa plays Mansfield in the first round on April 8 with the grand final replay against Echuca set down for round eight on June 3.
BALRANALD
Balranald missed playing finals in the Central Murray league in 2022 by only two points and based on its off-season activities, September action is more than achievable.
Coach Jydon Neagle’s standing as one of the best players in the competition was underlined by his win in the Jack Betts Medal and he will be reunited with brothers Matthew and Jaxon at Balranald next season.
They have come across from SANFL team Central District and will add further depth and class to the Balranald onball stocks.
Ethan Gant, who also played mostly reserves for Central District this year, is also joining Balranald.
Another player coming back to the club is Kobe Lloyd from Eaglehawk.
Balranald opens the season against Tyntynder on April 15.
EAGLEHAWK
After missing September action in 2022, Eaglehawk is hell bent on playing finals in the Bendigo league next season.
Helping achieve that aim has been a productive off-season with former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary returning to his junior club, along with his brother Kallen.
Jarryn has been appointed assistant coach alongside senior coach Travis Matheson.
He has undergone more shoulder surgery in the hope of playing at some stage during the season.
Kallen has been a star utility for rival BFNL club Strathfieldsaye, which lost the grand final to Gisborne with his serious hamstring injury in the game a huge blow.
Eaglehawk has also signed Montmorency ruckman Connor Dalgleish, who has played at VFL level with Coburg.
Eaglehawk plays finalist from last season, South Bendigo, in the first round on April 15.
SOUTHERN MALLEE GIANTS
The Wimmera league club produced one of the state’s early off-season bombshells by announcing triple Toohey Medal winner Kieran Delahunty as coach.
Delahunty played a starring role in Minyip-Murtoa’s grand final win against Ararat this year in a season in which he also won his third league medal.
The Giants missed finals this year after suffering a spate of mid-season injuries to key players after sitting second on the ladder last year when Covid cut short the season.
Also confirmed signings for 2023 are brothers, Oscar and Heath Smith, who played for Ouyen Kangas in the Sunraysia league last season.
The Giants play Stawell in the first round at Beulah on April 15.
Coaching great aims for farewell flag
Kerang will farewell coach Troy Coates after the Central Murray grand final on Saturday, with a premiership to put him in rarefied air.
Ultimate grand final guide and flag tips
The 2024 country footy season culminates this weekend with nine major league grand finals to be decided. See our tips and players to watch.