THE South West District Football Netball League season kicks off today and much of the interest will play out at Dartmoor when the Giants host last season’s big improver Cavendish to open the football season.
Dartmoor goes into the new season as one of the teams to beat once again, with coach Jayden Polaski sure to have his side up and running from the outset.
An already impressive list has been strengthened by the recruitment of Westerns onballer, Liam Robinson, who fits perfectly into the Giants’ strengths of winning the hard ball and hard running.
Dartmoor was the strongest team in the competition last year and when the season was called off after 10 rounds, the Giants sat on top of the ladder with nine wins and a percentage of more than 400 - their only hiccup being a one-point loss to Coleraine.
The Giants will open their season against Cavendish, which is coming off an impressive 2021, winning seven of 10 games – more victories than 2017, 2018 and 2019 combined.
Bloods coach, Clinton Thomas said his club again needed to prove itself after the disappointment of last year’s season being cut short.
“I would expect we would be fairly similar to last season,” Thomas said.
“We are in a situation after two very interrupted seasons where we are trying to build into it again and get that momentum going.
“The reality is that in our last completed season we were on the bottom of the ladder and although we showed a lot of improvement last year and were sitting fourth on the ladder when the season was called off, we have to make sure we have that drive to be successful again.
“But certainly our aim is to be in finals contention.”
Onballer, Sam Gibson, comes to the club after a strong career at Montrose in the Melbourne’s Eastern Football Netball League, while Peter Coghlan is fitter than he has ever been.
“Pete has had a big off-season, he’s done a lot of fitness work.
“He is a real stoppage specialist, but he had a foot injury for a lot of last season, so I’m excited to see how he and Gibbo combine.”
The other positive for Cavendish is the establishment of an Under-17 football team, which will play in the Greater South West Junior Football League.
“We’ve had 18 kids on the track there, and some are showing a lot of potential.
“We’ve invested into mentoring and transitioning those kids into senior training and senior footy – over the first part of the season we will see who is showing the potential and we plan to slowly rotate some of them through in to open age level grades.
“That is such a great pathway, something we have not had before.
“The thing with junior football is that there is a good pathway for Hampden level kids, but there has been a big breakdown for the kids who aren’t at that level yet.
“Credit to the G league – they have been fantastic helping to bridge that gap and keep them in the game.”
Heathmere v Heywood
HEATHMERE hosts neighbouring Heywood in round one and there is an air of optimism coming from both camps.
Heathmere is coming off a horrid 2021, with an average losing margin close to 150 points, but new coach, Adrian Hann, has had great numbers on the training track.
It’s hard to see the Magpies flying all the way to the top of the ladder, but they certainly have more to work with this season with the likes of the Driscoll brothers, Cody and Luke, and a string of youngsters who will learn plenty.
Last season’s Heathmere coach, Leon Davis, has crossed to Heywood and the Lions are expected to rebound to the top echelon after winning just two of 10 games last season.
Their recruits are quality with Richard Bamblett (a player with VFL experience) sure to have an impact, and 2018 premiership coach, Nick Johnstone, also back in the green and gold.
Branxholme-Wallacedale v Tyrendarra
TYRENDARRA hits the road to take on Branxholme-Wallacedale in what shapes as an interesting match.
The Darras, under coach Matt Peters, have been a model of consistency in recent seasons and history says they are always thereabouts.
They will have to overcome the loss of Patty and Tom Haylock, Zac Stuchbery and Ash Orchard who have all headed to Portland, however on the plus side they have picked up Westerns key defender Luke Evans.
Branxholme-Wallacedale, who managed just two wins in last year’s 10-game season, head into the new year with a new coach in Leigh Ewing.
Westerns v Coleraine
COLERAINE was one of the strongest outfits last season, winning eight of 10 matches when the season was called off and all the signs indicate that the Maroons will be thereabouts again in 2022.
The club has a new coach in Ryan McClure and they have been busy on the recruiting front.
“We’re travelling really well, with a number of recruits,” McClure said.
“A lot of these guys are returning players, but there are a few new faces there.
“They have been really positive around the group and fitted in well.
“The positive part of that is it has generated interest with current players.
“I think a lot of clubs, us included, have had trouble keeping their players motivated after two years of no results, but having these new faces has really helped with that and, to be honest, I have been really impressed with our existing players at training.”
One recruit to look out for this season carries a famous Coleraine surname, with ruckman Ben Deutscher crossing from Harrow-Balmoral.
“Ben has had a really good pre-season, he will have impact.
“He’s a genuine ruckman, a big unit. I’ve seen what he’s been able to do at Harrow and I can’t wait for the rest of the league to get a look at him.”
Coleraine heads south to take on Westerns at Alexandra Park.
AFTER a disrupted 2021, six of the seven South West District Football Netball League A grade teams are eager to get back on court and showcase their work during the offseason.
Pre-season has been a rebuilding process for most sides with participation proving a challenge across the board; despite the difficulties, all clubs will field an A grade side with the exception of Heathmere.
Dartmoor v Cavendish
DARTMOOR will host Cavendish in a bid to set the tone for the season.
The Giants will be led by new coach, Elise Haw, who has taken on the role for the upcoming season.
Haw has been a regular A grade player and taken on the duties from former coach Rebecca Van Kalken.
There are some exciting additions to the Dartmoor line up with returning defender, Charity Selleck, boosting their ranks in the back half of the court.
The potential inclusions of Brooke Polaski in the back half of the season along with Danielle Van Kalken will give the Giants plenty of depth.
They will have their work cut out for them against Cavendish, which has been regular finals contender for the past 10 years.
Cavendish will have the services of best-and-fairest shooter, Marni Luhrs, as she takes on the role of playing-coach again after a successful stint last year.
Luhrs said her side was ready to get on court and contest what she expected to be a tough Giants line-up.
“It’s exciting to get started and I’m really keen to see what Dartmoor have got this year,” she said.
“We have a few new players who are completely fresh to the club in Peta and Taieri Grant and also Maddi Turner who has stepped up into A grade this season.
“The three of them are young players so it will be exciting to see what they can do.”
In addition Cavendish will be aided by the services of returning defender, Chloe Lewis, who provides plenty of experience and control on court.
With Dartmoor’s consistent improvement Luhrs expects they will be one of this year’s toughest competition.
“Over the last few years Dartmoor has been one of the most improved sides; now some of their younger players have had a bit more experience and are a bit older it will be good to see how they’ve built.
“It’s exciting for the club to keep moving forward.”
Westerns v Coleraine
COLERAINE will head to Westerns with both sides ready to test out their young line ups.
Westerns was a top contender last season, maintaining first position on the ladder and winning all but one game.
The team will be a new look side this season after some big changes to the A grade side.
The Roos will be looking to fill some gaps with big play makers in Kayla Pickert, Brooke Polaski and Brodie McKinna not named in their squad.
Young talents including Ruby Church and Jemma Nelson will be focal points in the ring while inclusions such as Kate Gleeson and Maddy Shepherd will assist in holding down the defensive end with Toni Rowe, Paige Clayton and versatile youngster, Rachael Gleeson.
Coleraine will push to challenge the new-look side with their injection of experience.
B grade best and fairest, Casey Pye, is taking the reins for Coleraine in 2021 and will look to use some existing talent at the club to contend in the A grade competition.
Sisters, Holly and Chloe Langley, will be key contributors down either end, with some new injections into their A grade side providing more versatility.
Branxholme-Wallacedale v Tyrendarra
BRANXHOLME-WALLACEDALE will work to move up the ladder this season, starting by challenging Tyrendarra in round one.
The Saints had a tough run in 2021, finishing outside the top five despite some positive signs late in the season.
They will be up against some new faces in the Tyrendarra line up with some new inclusions boosting their side for 2022.
The Darras have lost the services of youngsters Tayla Arnold, Tessa Peters and Hannah Jones but will be bolstered by exciting new prospects Hannah Van Gemst, Stacey Barker and Lexi Petch.
