Koroit the team to beat as ex-AFL player returns home
Koroit is chasing an eighth straight premiership in the Hampden Football League but faces a stern test from others to defend their title. Check out our team by team preview into the new season.
Koroit has dominated the Hampden Football League for the past seven seasons, winning every premiership.
But the club admits the challenge of extending its dynasty continues to grow.
Since last season’s 16-point grand final win over North Warrnambool, the Saints have undergone somewhat of a makeover with key players, including last season’s leading goalkicker Sam Dobson, departing the club.
“This will be a much younger group this year,” Koroit coach Chris McLaren revealed.
“We’ll still be highly competitive, but it’s been a bit of a different focus. We have a lot of self belief.
“We also understand some of the other teams have recruited strongly.”
McLaren said South Warrnambool, Warrnambool and others look to be strong this season.
With the loss of Dobson, who is playing in Geelong, McLaren said the team would have to play differently.
“He’s clearly the best player in the competition, so he’ll leave a significant hole,” McLaren said.
“There’s a challenge there no doubt (to fill his role), an awful lot of goals.
“If we can find half of them through other players and then defend better and pull a couple from the opposition we can cover that.
“Potentially our team is not as strong in some areas, certainly our key position stocks aren’t as strong as in the past but our smalls, our running players and on-ballers are certainly a lot stronger in that area.
“If we can play a method that suits that and build on that we can be right there contending again.”
One thing is certain about the season for Koroit, the motivation to win a flag again is still high.
“It’s been a nine year period where they’ve been able to maintain that (motivation) and there’s been over the journey the odd time where I just thought is it starting to wane,” McLaren said.
“Every time I think that I turn around and go no, the training is hard as ever and they are playing as hard as ever.
“It hasn’t dropped at all and even this year with a changing of the guard the group has still had a great summer.”
Hampden Football Netball League administrator Michael Farrow said the competition could be closer than it has ever been in the past decade.
“I believe with the recruiting some teams have done this year it will be a lot closer,” he said.
“South Warrnambool have recruited well, so they’ll be up there again. Same with North Warrnambool Eagles.
“I believe Cobden will be one big improver this year with who they’ve recruited.”
Cobden, who last played finals in 2017, have recruited former VFL player Daniel Watson and former SANFL player Brody Mahoney.
They will be looking to rise alongside Terang Mortlake who have added former junior and former Brisbane and Sydney AFL player Lewis Taylor to their team.
Joining him is former Geelong VFL player Scott Carlin.
Taylor said the move was motivated to bring back some joy to his local club who have not made finals since 2015.
“The main reason (for coming home) was to be a bit closer to family,” he said.
“Growing up there the club has done a lot for me so I was always planning on getting back there at some point.
“It was a good opportunity to get back there for this season and repay a bit of faith and help out the local club.
“I’m pretty passionate about trying to get back into finals and to win a grand final is something I’m passionate about.”
The season gets underway on April 15 with all 10 teams in action.
CLUBS: Camperdown, Cobden, Hamilton Kangaroos, Koroit, North Warrnambool, Portland, Port Fairy, South Warrnambool, Terang Mortlake, Warrnambool
Reigning Premiers: Koroit
Best and Fairest: Daniel Jackson (Portland)
Leading goalkicker: Sam Dobson (Koroit)
Big prediction: Lewis Taylor wins the league best-and-fairest while Koroit’s dynasty ends.
CLUB-BY-CLUB PREVIEW
Koroit: The Saints have won the past seven premierships cementing them as one of the best country footy teams in Victoria. They might have lost a few players in the off-season, according to coach Chris McLaren but the Saints will be still contenders this year.
South Warrnambool: The Swans were unlucky not to make a grand final last year after finishing second but were beaten by North Warrnambool twice. South Warrnambool has kept most of the squad from last season and with plenty of youth involved a natural progression could happen. Will White and Myles McCluggage, both midfielders, could be key players this season after training with Carlton’s VFL team and graduating from the Coates Talent League.
Warrnambool: The most successful team in the Hampden league will be aiming to win its first premiership in almost a decade. Warrnambool played finals last year but fell short. The club has recruited well in the off-season, signing a few players from the Northern Territory but have lost leading goalkicker James Rowan.
North Warrnambool: Last year’s grand finalists will once again be led by West Coast premiership player Nathan Vardy who will play and be an assistant coach. The club has lost a few players in the off-season but gained Nick Rodda from Darley, who was the leading goalkicker in the Ballarat league last year.
Portland: Last year was massive for the Tigers as they made the finals, and won one, for the first time in their Hampden league history. This year might be a tough with the club losing a few players in the off-season.
Cobden: The Bombers has made plenty of signings in the off-season, recruiting players who have a connection to the club. This includes the signing of former VFL player Daniel Watson and former SANFL player Brody Mahoney. Expect the team to mount a serious challenge for the finals this year.
Hamilton Kangaroos: The Kangaroos are still looking for their first finals appearance since entering the competition in 2013. Last year, they fell four games short of the top-five. Another similar season might be on the cards.
Terang Mortlake: The big news at the Bloods in the off-season has been the return of former AFL player Lewis Taylor. He will play and be an assistant during the season. Terang Mortlake has also added former Geelong VFL player Scott Carlin to the team. The Bloods could be a team who surprises this year.
Camperdown: After being on track to make finals in 2021 before the competition was stopped because of Covid, last year was disappointing for the Magpies with just five wins. The team will be looking to make the finals for the first time since 2018 and have recruited a host of players from around the state and from the Northern Territory.
Port Fairy: Currently on a 26-game losing streak, Port Fairy will be looking to end it as soon as possible this year. The club has made a host of signings with connection to the town and have also signed leading goalkicker in the competition James Rowan. Rowan has kicked more than a 1000 goals in his career, playing for Warrnambool, and kicked 85 last year. The team’s barren run might be coming to an end.
More Coverage
Originally published as Koroit the team to beat as ex-AFL player returns home
‘Going for some elite talent’: AFL utility joins Castlemaine
Castlemaine has already signed two star recruits, including a former GWS Giant, but coach Michael Hartley feels he is “talking to most of Victoria” to add more names.
Why AFL premiership hero signed for struggling country club
A country club in the state’s north has signed an AFL premiership player as it looks to rise up the ladder. Here is what we know.