SEASON PREVIEW
Bermagui Breakers FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: 4th
Preview: In the competitions small history Bermagui have had a host of really good young players within their women’s side that have come up from the their junior ranks and although players like Katlyn Scott, Grace Gowing, Mikayla Shaw, Ashleigh and Jorja Moore were solid contributors in 2016 it is shaping up that these girls are set to get even better in 2017. The club has lost 2016’s player coach Prue Davies and club best & fairest winner Mandy Fowler which will be a blow for the club although there has been an influx of new players to the team looking to do well in 2017. Look for the Breakers young women to have a big season.
2017 Prediction: 5th
Under 16’s
2016 Ladder Position: 4th
Preview: Bermagui is starting to see a number of their prized juniors starting to come through the under 16 grade and although 2017 might not be there year in the age group they are building a team that will quite strong in 2-3 year’s time. Key players for the Breakers in 2017 will be the likes of Liam Russell, Rocco Lagana and Chris Olsen whilst young players in Frank Puglisi and Ryan Holdsworth will be looking to make a good impression having won a premiership with their under 13’s teammates in 2016. Although the Breakers may not be up with the class of the Diggers and Panthers they will be looking to claim wins of the new boys in Broulee/Moruya and rivals Narooma.
2017 Prediction: 4th
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: Premiers
Preview: The Breakers were dominant in the 2016 season going toe to toe with the Narooma Lions all season before claiming the premiership in a highly entertaining final. The Breakers lose some key players in Frank Puglisi and Ryan Holdsworth from the team although still have a number of good footballers left with Jonathan Harkins-McMahon key off half back and players such as Tyge Matters and Travis Creek among others coming up from the under 11’s. The Breakers again will be tough to beat in 2017 as they search for back to back premierships.
2017 Prediction: Premiers
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: Premiers
Preview: If the Breakers’ under 13 was dominant in 2016 there under 11’s team was even better going through the season undefeated on the way to a premiership. The Breakers will miss leading goal kicker Campbell Moresi although the team boast enough talent to go back to back in 2017. It’s not going to be easy with Broulee/Moruya and Merimbula hot on their tails whilst the other clubs from 2016 have also improved. Look for players like Lachlan Moresi, Clancy Ballard, Sam Glasson and Austin McKee to be key players for the club as they look to go back to back.
2017 Prediction: Premiers
Bega Bombers FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: NA
Preview: It’s hard to predict how the Bega Bombers women’s team will fair in 2017 having not seen the club at the lightning cup although the team will be in good hands with accomplished footballer and club president Stephen Nicol taking the reins. The team will be made up of a mix of youth and experience. The club will be looking to have an enjoyable first season in the grade and be hopeful of claiming a win or two along the way.
2017 Prediction: 7th
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: 6th
Preview: The under 13’s competition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive grades in 2017 and the Bega Bombers will be looking to move up the ladder this season. The club has a number of promising juniors coming through the club and the under 13 side will have the likes of Darby Hayes running through the midfield in 2017 as well as Caiden Butchers playing an important role for the club. The club will start off with a good test against Pambula in their first match.
2017 Prediction: 6th
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: 5th
Preview: 2016 was a break out season for the Bombers under 11’s with the side in the finals race all the way up until seasons end. The Bombers were unfortunate to not be in a better position having a handful of single digit losses to teams around them on the ladder. The Bombers will be looking to crack that top 4 this season in another competitive year of under 11’s football and I believe that they will. Look for Olli Broughton and Sakcham Bishoakarma to play big roles in getting Bega in the top 4.
2017 Prediction: 4th
Broulee/Moruya Giants FC
Development
2016 Ladder Position: NA
Preview: The Giants are making large leaps for a club in their third season entering a development team in season 2017. We are not too sure what to expect from the boys in orange and charcoal with rumours coming out of camp that tight hamstrings are on the menu. That being said the Giants will look to balance out their squad with some youth as they look to be competitive in season 2017.
2017 Prediction: 5th
Under 16’s
2016 Ladder Position: NA
Preview: The Giants are also taking huge leaps entering a 16’s side. The 16’s competition is shaping up to be a two horse race between last year’s finalists in Pambula and Merimbula although the Giants will be more then competitive with northern rivals Narooma and Bermagui. Key players to watch for the Giants are former Narooma man Lachlan Brennan playing for his hometown club as well as players such as Stuart Magee coming up from the under 13’s and William Williams.
2017 Prediction: 5th
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: 5th
Preview: Broulee/Moruya will be looking to do well in the under 13 grade this season, with a number of their highly acclaimed under 11’s players coming through into the under 13’s like Morris Absolon and Aiden and Martin Preston. The under 13’s grade is shaping up to be a close season and if the Giants can win the tight games they will place themselves well heading into September. Every game throughout the 2017 season will be a winnable game for all clubs.
2017 Prediction: 4th
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: Runners Up
Preview: The Broulee/ Moruya Giants boast one of the best young players in the league in Tasman Simons having polled well in last year’s best and fairest and having recently been selected to the South Coast PSSA side. Having been runners up in the past two seasons the Giants will be looking to claim that elusive flag in the grade. The Giants have good numbers coming through in the grade and although the side has lost some players to the under 13’s they will be highly competitive again in 2017.
2017 Prediction: Runners Up
Eden Whalers FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: Premiers
Preview: Coming off the back of claiming the inaugural women’s grade premiership the Eden Whalers will again look to be competitive in 2017 and they are shaping up that way. In the most exciting grand final in 2016, the Whalers showed that they only needed one game to knock off the undefeated Tathra team and with the Mitchell sisters’ stepping up in last year’s grand final the girls will be looking to have a big 2017. The Whalers possess a number of weapons around the ground with Tammy Whitford in the middle and leading goal kicker Stacey Duivestyne up forward. Look for the Whalers to be where they were in 2016 again in 2017.
2017 Prediction: 2nd
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: 7th
Preview: The Whalers under 11 side got better and better as the season progressed last year. Although they did not get a win on the board they will be confident that 2017 is the year. Women’s football is strong at the Whalers with Jemma Pollock having an outstanding 2016 season polling 7 league votes and Pollock will be looking to do better this season as the club searches for that first win. Other key players to watch will be Beau and Chaz Whitford and Rahul and Jess Mudiliar.
2017 Prediction: 7th
Merimbula Diggers FC
Women
2016 Ladder Position: NA
Preview: With the AFLW competition kicking off over the summer there has been a huge increase in the interest of female football around the country and this has been seen with Merimbula joining the women’s division with Bega. Depth may be the Achilles heel for the Diggers this season although they showed enough during the Lightning Cup that they will be competitive against Narooma, Bermagui and Bega. Look for Skye Holmes to show great speed and endurance across the season.
2017 Prediction: 6th
Development
2016 Ladder Position: 3rd
Preview: With so many outs in the senior grade this surely has to affect the Diggers Development side’s chances of going far into September. Merimbula will most likely be relying on their juniors in both the seniors and development grade. The Diggers will be hoping to stay with Tathra and Pambula through the course of the season.
2017 Prediction: 3rd
Under 16’s
2016 Ladder Position: Premiers
Preview: The under 16’s season in 2016 was a good contest between the Diggers and the Pambula Panthers across the season. It doesn’t look like that will change in 2017 with the two club set to lock horns again to see who comes out on top. The Diggers boast a number of good juniors with the likes of Ethan White, Jed Martyn and Tavita Wood playing an exciting, fast paced brand of football. With the only significant loss to last year’s team being Will Regan the Diggers are primed to secure back to back titles.
2017 Prediction: Premiers
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: 3rd
Preview: 2016 was a season where the Diggers came so close to breaking the dominance held by Narooma and Bermagui in the grade. The Diggers looked set to produce a major upset in the preliminary final against Bermagui after leading in the fourth quarter. The Diggers still have a number of game changers in their 13’s side with Damon Kerr and Jack Faulkner two of their high profile players. The Diggers will miss Charlie Buckingham going into the 16’s but they will be more then competitive again in 2017.
2017 Prediction: Runners Up
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: 3rd
Preview: The Diggers were eliminated in straight sets in 2016 losing out to the eventual grand finalists in Bermagui and Broulee/Moruya. The club will be looking to emulate their regular season form again in 2017 and take a step up come finals time. The side still boasts runner up best and fairest Beau Bennett and key men Daniel Picclone and Blake Janson to ensure that the Diggers are competitive coming into September.
2017 Prediction: 3rd
Narooma Lions FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: 5th
Preview: The Narooma Lions have recruited well over the off season and the club looked impressive at the Lightning Premiership. A big in for the club is Maddy Czubara from the Giants who will help the Lions midfield get the ball forward and get a score on the board. Czubara was a standout for the Giants in 2016 and with some new additions to the squad the Lions will be looking to crack the top 4. With young players in Chenoa Lyons-Mongta and Zalie Betts the club is looking to have a big year.
2017 Prediction: 4th
Development
2016 Ladder Position: 4th
Preview: The Lions have recruited quite well in the offseason and that will only help their development team in 2017. The Lions will look to get more wins on the board in 2017 and they will have a great opportunity against the Giants and Diggers. The Lions should be a lock for the 4 in 2017 but stranger things have happened.
2017 Prediction: 4th
Under 16’s
2016 Ladder Position: 3rd
Preview: 2017 may just be a learning curve for the Lions 16’s with a large number of under 13’s players coming into the 16’s line up for the club. In saying this, the future looks good for this group after falling just short in last years under 13’s final. Players such as Thomas Hodge and Harrison Bromwich should have little difficulties remaining effective in 2017 with the team looking to get the best of Bermagui and Broulee/Moruya early in the season.
2017 Prediction: 3rd
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: Runner Up
Preview: The Lions will most likely come back to the pack in 2017 following a great 2016 after a number of players will move up into the under 16’s. The Lions have a number of highly touted under 11’s players coming through although they may not quite be up full potential in 2017. Look for Kurtis Carlson and Matthew Parker to have big seasons for the club as the Lions look to stay dominant in the under 13’s.
2017 Prediction: 5th
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: 6th
Preview: The Lion cubs could be the surprise packet of the 2017 season with the team remaining relatively unchanged. Key players in Logan Allison, Jarra Weton and Tom Wilson remain and the team will be hoping that they improve on their 2016 season. The competition will be tough in 2017 and the Lions will have the opportunity to stay in close games with all their opposition. The Lions could finish anywhere from 1st through 6th. They will be hoping it is 1st.
2017 Prediction: 5th
Pambula Panthers FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: 3rd
Preview: The Panthers girls finished the 2016 season in a strong position going down to eventual premiers the Eden Whalers in a tough and close preliminary final loss. 2017 will see the Panthers trying to catch the top two with Madi Whatman set to have a good start before leaving for the snow. Whatman is one of the standout players in the women’s division with athleticism speed and no fear. The Panthers have recruited well binging in a number of younger players with Romy Cook impressing in pre-season.
2017 Prediction: 3rd
Development
2016 Ladder Position: Runners Up
Preview: The Panthers have recruited well in their senior grade which is set to bode well for the development team. The Panthers have great depth coming into the 2017 season and first grade spots will be hard to get. The Panthers have some great juniors coming through that are set to get an opportunity within the development grade.
2017 Prediction: Premiers
Under 16’s
2016 Ladder Position: Runners Up
Preview: The Panthers will be confident going into the 2017 season coming off the back of a 2016 season where they stumbled late to produce their worst performance of the season in the grand final. The Panthers will be looking to turn the tables and they have the squad to do so with the likes of Finley Cooke, Flynn Cook and Kynan Baker. Although they have some big out in Declan Simonson and Adam Wilson the club will be competitive again in 2017.
2017 Prediction: Runner Up
Under 13’s
2016 Ladder Position: 4th
Preview: 2016 was a tough season for the Panthers. Although they had the measure of the Giants and Bombers they couldn’t quite crack the top 3. The Panthers have a number of under 11’s players coming up this year and not many going up into the 16’s. Key players to watch in 2017 will be Will Kellar, Will Seach and Billy Cooke. With teams around them getting weaker in 2017 the Panthers will be looking to pounce.
2017 Prediction: 3rd
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: 4th
Preview: With the 2017 under 11’s competition shaping up to be highly competitive, Pambula could see themselves finish anywhere from 3rd through 8th. We think they will finish somewhere in the middle. Big seasons will be needed from the likes of Nate Woods and Bryce Kellar if the Panthers are to push up into 3rd or 4th.
2017 Prediction: 6th
Tathra Sea Eagles FC
Women’s
2016 Ladder Position: Runner’s Up
Preview: The Sea Eagles fell one step short in 2016 having gone through the season undefeated to only fall short against the Whalers. The Sea Eagles will be looking to make amends in season 2017 as they look to claim the flag. The clubs pre-season form was good with the Sea Eagles claiming 3 wins from 3 in the modified format. League best and fairest Tyjanna Thelan was looking sharp in the lightning cup whilst young gun Tarni Evans has shown that she is one of the best female prospects in the region. Lindsay McLeod will be a big loss for the club after suffering a knee injury late in 2016 although the Sea Eagles will have enough quality to once again challenge in 2017.
2017 Prediction: Premiers
Development
2016 Ladder Position: Premiers
Preview: The depth on display for the club in 2016 saw their development side take the chocolates. It was a well balance team effort from the boy’s from Lawrence Park and 2017 is shaping up to be very similar. A couple losses in the senior ranks will mean players will be getting an opportunity in the ones although the club should once again have the numbers to be competitive in 2017.
2017 Prediction: Runners Up
Under 11’s
2016 Ladder Position: NA
Preview: Looking through the list of players for the Sea Eagles in 2017 there is plenty of good surnames in the form of Blacka, Taylor among others. With the club entering a standalone junior team for the first time in over 3 years the Sea Eagles future looks bright. It’s hard to know what to expect from a new team on the block and the club will be hoping that they can emulate the success of the Giants when the made a grand final in their first season.
2017 Prediction: 8th
