Matt Malone – Daily Advertiser
Leeton-Whitton
A 39-year drought broke when Leeton-Whitton celebrated a long-awaited premiership last year. Now the Crows begin their defence minus a host of grand final stars.
KEY ARRIVALS: Ben Gaynor, Reece Maguire, Danyan Evans, Jacob Chant, Nathan Jones
KEY DEPARTURES: Toby Conroy, Neil Irwin, Ben Curley, Luke Potter, Jayden Lehmann, Sean Wilkinson, Liam Greenwell, Sam Cooper
2017 FINISH: Premiers
The drought-breaking premiership win sparked a mini-exodus of players over the off-season as the club finally made it to the top of the Riverina League mountain.
The Crows will take a new look into the new season with the departure of the club’s Canberra connection, plus the retirement of Ben Curley, set to leave a gaping hole.
If there is reason to worry, no one told the Crows. Premiership-winning coach Jade Hodge maintains huge belief that his team will again be around the mark.
They still have gun midfielder Bryce O’Garey and match-winning forward Daniel Muir but the club believes the excitement lies within their youth.
It’s hard to imagine a team with so many premiership players dropping too far in 2018, but at the same time expecting the club’s next generation to fill the holes of those departed is a big ask.
Back-to-back appears unlikely but they won’t be far away.
2018 PREDICTION: Sixth
Collingullie-Glenfield Park
After a close defeat in last year’s decider, the Demons look well positioned to return to the top of the Riverina League.
KEY ARRIVALS: Ben Klemke, Dusty Rogers, Tim Beckmans, Tom Byrnes, Joe Byrnes, Dereck Singe
KEY DEPARTURES: Steve Jolliffe, James Morris, Matt Beckmans, Will Haines, Chris Jackson, Mick Anderson, Justin Simmons
2017 FINISH: Runners up
They weren’t far away last year, and Collingullie-Glenfield Park have fared best over the off-season out of all of last season’s contenders.
Luke Gestier goes into his second year as senior coach, knowing a lot more about the competition but under a little bit more pressure given the Demons are widely regarded as the team to beat.
The Demons have lost some class with Steve Jolliffe and Matt Beckmans moving on, while they aren’t as well stocked for key position players with no Jimmy Morris, Chris Jackson and Will Haines.
Collingullie will look to new recruit Ben Klemke to help there, along with Dusty Rogers, while Tim Beckmans should prove a valuable in to a squad that already boasts Jayden Klemke, Marc Geppert, Tom Keogh, the Kennedy brothers, Gestier and some promising youngsters.
As it stands, the Demons are a lock to be there grand final day.
What happens from there, is up to them.
2018 PREDICTION: Premiers
Griffith
It has been an eerily quiet off-season at Exies Oval. Griffith made great leaps last season and perhaps a similar squad will be good enough to go all the way.
KEY RETURNS: Alex Blissett, James Taylor, Theo Valeri, John Evans
KEY DEPARTURES: Brent Arho, Jacob Conlan, Ash Verhagen, Jacob Barrington, Tyler Bruns, Casey Moore
2017 FINISH: Third
After storming into a preliminary final last year, it has been very quiet at Griffith since.
Will Griggs stepped into the senior coach position for the departing Adrian Pavese, and the Swans have gone about their pre-season with a minimum of fuss.
The Swans were unable to land any blows on the recruitment front, with the only fresh faces being a few players returning to the field after time away.
They decided not to continue their association with full-forward Brent Arho, while key position players Jacob Barrington and Ash Verhagen have also moved on.
The Swans will still boast one of the best midfields in the competition with the likes of Griggs, Ben King, Guy Orton, Mick Duncan and Heath Northey there.
They also have some of the best young talent in the competition in Lucas Conlan and Jack Rowston.
The only query is a lack of height in their key position stocks.
2018 PREDICTION: Fourth
Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes
MCUE is another club to be hit hard by player departures over the off-season but can they rise again in Travis Cohalan’s final year as coach?
KEY ARRIVALS: Brent Arho, Nick McCormack
KEY DEPARTURES: Harry Collins, Jordan Foster, Nathan Byrne, Dylan de Britt, Will Keogh, Jack Killalea, Zach Walgers, Stace Creasy
2017 FINISH: Fourth
The ‘Plah have been regulars in finals football over the past five years, making it to the grand final twice, along with a preliminary final on another occasion.
Only injuries and a tough finals trip to Griffith prevented them from another appearance at the pointy end last season just as they were hitting their straps.
But the Goannas’ depth will be put to the ultimate test this year after saying goodbye to some of their best players over the off-season.
Harry Collins has been their best midfielder for years, while Nathan Byrne, Jordan Foster and Dylan de Brit filled full-forward, centre-half-forward and ruck in 2017.
It’s not the first time the club has been hit hard by departures though and they have an uncanny knack of bringing in ready-made replacements from their lower grades.
Brent Arho will provide an important target in attack and they still possess enough talent to see September action again.
2018 PREDICTION: Third
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