NFNL 2024 Div 1 discussion

[NorthernBastard]

Pub Rumour file #365

• Para Rd club may have a returning big guy.
• New Div 1 club has a Collingwood linked young gun.
• Club near the lake with four new big signings to come but all VFL listed to limited game time.
• Town with no pub but a dozen players in NT may come back with a mate or two that have decent CV.
• Club with no ground for start of season signed very decent Div 2 big bloke.

All rumours, all possible false, season needs to start soon.

-Balraj Singh Back to Lower Plenty
-Josh Daicos playing for Eltham for a Burger Lounge voucher
-Ian Aitken has 4 new people to yell at
-Would you define "Hurstbridge Liquor Bar" a as pub?
-When do Heidelberg have their ground back?

 

[Swoopingtime]

How do we feel about long weekend practice matches?

I was surprised to see a few clubs have them, would have thought a lot of players and support staff are keen to make the most of these opportunities before a long hard season ahead.

Who have games?

SWOOPINGTIME

 

[NorthernBastard]

Who have games?

SWOOPINGTIME

as per subsequent post Heidelberg do

 

[10571z]

Pub Rumour file #365

• Para Rd club may have a returning big guy.
• New Div 1 club has a Collingwood linked young gun.
• Club near the lake with four new big signings to come but all VFL listed to limited game time.
• Town with no pub but a dozen players in NT may come back with a mate or two that have decent CV.
• Club with no ground for start of season signed very decent Div 2 big bloke.

All rumours, all possible false, season needs to start soon.

1. Jake Spencer? Heard he will try and play

2. ?

3. Have heard west have some upcoming signings, won’t all be playing vfl

4. ?

5. Keys or Coulson?

 

[10571z]

Still no clearance in for wale Buxton, could be true.

 

[Max Leader]

-When do Heidelberg have their ground back?

I’d say July. They are 30 to 40 days behind Banyule. May have missed some good summer sun to help with grass knitting.

 

[hfchfc]

I’d say July. They are 30 to 40 days behind Banyule. May have missed some good summer sun to help with grass knitting.

Was Banyule roll out turf?

 

[nicegaryyy]

1. Jake Spencer? Heard he will try and play

2. ?

3. Have heard west have some upcoming signings, won’t all be playing vfl

4. ?

5. Keys or Coulson?

Surely not for Spencer. The fitness levels required and the general knocks he would get contest to contest... Maybe a forward would consider going again, but a Ruckman.....in DIV 1. Would be a brave choice.

 

[nosecondprize]

Lachie Wilson from bergs secured a VFL contract with Richmond.

Interesting to see how many games he plays. I'd say he will still see a good chunk at Heidelberg. Handy player to come into your team come finals time.

 

[richo's dodgy hammy]

Fraser Rosman has signed for Nth Heid but will play for Port Melb the majority of games.
Only see him playing a few for Nth.

 

[Ultrajet dogwar2]

Fraser Rosman has signed for Nth Heid but will play for Port Melb the majority of games.
Only see him playing a few for Nth.

A few will do won’t it, only needs to play 3. Plenty of clubs with these type of players on their lists. Great to see high quality continuing to be added to the comp.

 

[barrelsomers]

Pub Rumour file #365

• Para Rd club may have a returning big guy.
• New Div 1 club has a Collingwood linked young gun.
• Club near the lake with four new big signings to come but all VFL listed to limited game time.
• Town with no pub but a dozen players in NT may come back with a mate or two that have decent CV.
• Club with no ground for start of season signed very decent Div 2 big bloke.

All rumours, all possible false, season needs to start soon.

Keys to Berg is almost a lock

 

[oldtimer]

Was Banyule roll out turf?

Yes

 

[Denny Crane]

From HS

Macleod coach Craig Hayes discusses the Kangas’ turnover and recruits​

Macleod has had arguably the biggest turnover of any NFNL Division 1 club but coach Craig Hayes sees plenty of positives in the new-look Kangas line-up.

Macleod will be younger and aim to be slicker in 2024.
The Kangas have undergone a significant transition in the off-season but remain confident they can still challenge for NFNL Division 1 finals.

Club stalwarts Lucas Hobbs, Brad Leggett and Patrick Martin have departed, along with VFL-listed Solly McKay and Ned McKeown.

However, Macleod has brought in the likes of Mackenzie and Darcy Hogg, Reece Jones, Max Childs, Jake Hodgkin and Cooper Clark to rejuvenate the list.

Coach Craig Hayes said there were “a lot of positives” to come from the turnover.


“We’ll have a younger look about us so the focus has been on the development and a style of play that suits them,” Hayes said.

“That’s to do with more fluency in the ball movement and a restructure of the front half to accommodate that.

“The last couple of weeks we’re starting to see more cohesion.

“We’ve had a fair influx of new guys, so it takes time, but we’re pleased with where it’s at and we’ve got practice matches to find out where we need additional improvement.”

The Hogg brothers have been particularly impressive in pre-season training.

Mackenzie arrives from reigning premier Heidelberg, where he was forced out of the senior team late in the season, going on to win the grand final medal in the Tigers reserve grade premiership.

Darcy is VFL-listed at Carlton and jumps across from VAFA club Old Carey.

“Darcy and Mac Hogg are very impressive,” Hayes said.

“When we’re lucky enough to have Darcy he’ll give us a lot of drive around the ground, he and Mac are both accumulators of the footy.

“The move that Macca has made will be a really positive one for his footy because he’ll come through the middle for us, where he didn’t get as much exposure in that area previously.

“We’ve already seen what he can do, he and Darcy, they’re disposal is excellent.”

While Macleod has brought in several recruits, Hayes is just as excited about proven stars returning from injury.

Kangas great Justin White played just two games last season, while Mitchell Rust was limited to four, Luke Joyce eight and Jordan Corelli to 10.

Team of the Year gun Darcy Barden remains one of the most dangerous players in the competition, while Michael Hurley

18

Michael Hurley

Age

34

Ht

193cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

0.9

3star

MG

389.3

5star

D

16.5

4star

K

11.8

5star

HB

4.7

3star

M

6.3

5star

T

0.3

1star

MG

301.2

4star

D

15.0

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.0

4star

– after 34 goals in 11 appearances – is expected to play up to 10 matches between VFL coaching commitments.

“Haydon and Kurt Manuel have had a fantastic pre-season, along with Jordan Corelli,” Hayes said.

“Everyone forgets Jordan missed eight or nine games last year, he’s like a new recruit, and Mitch Rust is in the same boat.

“Scooter (White), returns as well, he only played two games last year.

“Darcy is a freak, he’s super fit, super strong and our recruiting will allow us to play him predominantly at centre half-back.

“He was enormous for us when he went into the middle last year, that’s not to say we wouldn’t do it at times this season, but our focus is for Darcy to play back and he’ll be the on-field assistant coach.

“Hurls will play nine or 10 games depending on his VFL availability, which would be fantastic.

“Obviously we’re a much stronger forward line when Hurls plays with that tall marking option.”

Macleod will ramp up preparations with two practice matches, taking on Division 2 clubs South Morang and Laurimar before a hitout against Essendon District club West Coburg.

The Kangas will kick off the season on the road against Banyule on April 13.

 

[richo's dodgy hammy]

I took a look at the Rich v Box Hill practice match, Lachie Wilson played some good football for the Tigers.
Should be getting lots of games on that form.

 

[The Buz]

Keys to Berg is almost a lock

Considering his adversity to training two nights a week, should be interesting.

 

[bertybeetle]

Considering his adversity to training two nights a week, should be interesting.

Played for Heidelberg today

 

[Denny Crane]

From HS

Fitter, strong young talent ready to lift Greensborough back to NFNL Division 1 finals​

After missing finals for the first time in a decade, Greensborough is looking to its developing young talent to lift the club back into the NFNL Division 1 top-five.

Another summer of strength and fitness has Greensborough’s brigade of exciting young talents ready to reach new levels in 2024.
New Borough coach Matt Hyde has been impressed by his players’ development over the off-season.

The addition of premiership player Ricky Mullins as fitness coach and another year of natural progression has Hyde confident of a NFNL Division 1 finals challenge.

Greensborough’s decade-long finals streak came to an end last season, finishing sixth – just two points outside the top-five.

The club hopes its investment in youth will pay dividends this season.

“On Thursday nights we do a competition at the end to figure out if we do extras or finish – we kick at a goal post,” Hyde said.

“I said lets get the 10 oldest blokes and I think we got down to 25 or 26, so it means we’ve only got seven or eight over 26 in a senior list that goes about 70 deep.

“We’ve got some kids that already showed some incredible talent last year and with an extra year’s worth of body, size and pace and fitness I think they’re ready to move to another level.

“Ricky Mullins, who played in the last premiership, has come back as the fitness adviser – he runs his own marathon business on the side – and he’s put together the running program and we’ve come out in super condition.

“It’s been a methodical program going from getting the Ks in the legs and being super fit to working into agility, speed and strength work.”

Among the Borough’s young talent, ruckman Nathan Howard has stoodout after an injury-interrupted 2023.

“Nathan is a strong developing ruckman, he’s worked really hard on his fitness,” Hyde said.

“He’s good around the ground and in the middle, he’s going to be a weapon, he got injured last year so hopefully he can be fully fit and firing.

“To still have the likes of Will McFawn, Brody Glenn and Will O’Dwyer, who are all under-19s, have another year of senior footy will take them to a new level.”

After losing several players last season, Greensborough’s list has been stabilised this summer.

Rayden Garrard (Watsonia) is the only notable departure, while 2022 leading goalkicker Zac McCubbin (Port Melbourne Colts) and North Melbourne VFL-listed gun Tom O’Sullivan (Seymour) have come on board.

McCubbin has slotted back in seamless, while O’Sullivan has certainly caught the eye when at War Memorial Reserve.

“Zac is a Greensborough boy, so it’s nice to have him home,” Hyde said.

“He’s slotted in incredibly well, it’s different when you get someone new who takes time to get to know everybody, but he and his brother epitomises what Greensborough is.

“We’ve got a few boys who went to Assumption together, so that’s how Tom came across and he’s already got friendship groups at the club.

“He’s a super footballer and super athlete, he came back and won our 2km time trial so not only is he skilful and silky but super fit.”

Greensborough has already had two practice matches, against Whittlesea and Parkside, and will have a final hitout against Essendon District club Airport West.

Attention will then turn to the blockbuster Good Friday season-opener against Eltham at War Memorial Reserve.

Hyde and 2014 premiership teammate Tim Bongetti will face off from the sidelines for the first time.

A huge crowd is expected.

“It’s nice to have it back, it’s a huge day for the club,” Hyde said.

“To do it against Eltham with Tim coaching and my brother-in-law is an assistant as well, with Hoops and my dad coached there obviously.

“There’s some good will and great connection on both sides but at the same time on match day, it will be on.”

 

[10571z]

Hearing Eltham have a few recruits incoming.

 

[10571z]

Pub Rumour file #365

• Para Rd club may have a returning big guy.
• New Div 1 club has a Collingwood linked young gun.
• Club near the lake with four new big signings to come but all VFL listed to limited game time.
• Town with no pub but a dozen players in NT may come back with a mate or two that have decent CV.
• Club with no ground for start of season signed very decent Div 2 big bloke.

All rumours, all possible false, season needs to start soon.

Keys confirmed.

“Collingwood connection” Quaynors brother to the Panthers.

 

[FootyNuff123]

“Collingwood connection” Quaynors brother to the Panthers.

It's not him is it? Lol.

 

[Son of a Butcher]

View attachment 1926385
It's not him is it? Lol.

Probably the 3rd Quaynor then, Luke. Spitting image of Isaac except left-footed

 

[NFL INSIDER]

Probably the 3rd Quaynor then, Luke. Spitting image of Isaac except left-footed

If it’s Luke, he will play Oakleigh, if plays at Eltham may play seniors but I would say 19s most of the time

 

[Denny Crane]

From HS

Eltham coach Tim Bongetti discusses goals for 2024, returning star impressing on the track​

Eltham returns to NFNL Division 1 for the first time in 2017 with some simple goals, while a returning young gun has caught the eye on the training track.

Fewer injuries and a comfortable mid-table finish would suit Eltham coach Tim Bongetti.

Every club wants to play finals but there are no grand predictions as the Panthers return to NFNL Division 1 for the first time since 2017.

The club lost just two games last season before romping to a 21-year drought-breaking Division 2 premiership.

Bongetti knows it won’t be as simple in 2024.

“We had our pre-season camp up at Maryborough and did a bit of goalsetting,” Bongetti said.

“It wasn’t my goals or the committee’s goals, it was the playing group, so we’ve got some internal goals and no matter where we finish, if we can tick those off then we think we’ve had a good year.

“There are things in footy you can’t control, bottom teams that knock off top sides and top sides that punish bottom teams.

“We would love to be middle table and if we can be pushing for that fifth spot, you get into finals and anything can happen.

“Some things you can control and some you can’t, so we’ve just got to control what we can and try to accomplish our goals.”

Having won the senior-reserve grade premiership double last year, Eltham’s depth is enviable.

The Panthers have strengthened the squad with the addition of former juniors, ex-Collingwood AFL-listed and current Carlton VFL-listed forward Liam McMahon and Jaden Collins.

James Marchbank (Diamond Creek) and Alex Rigney (Greensborough) have also jumped on board with the club set to unveil more recruits before the blockbuster Good Friday season-opener.

However, small forward Daniel Owen (Banyule), Damon Braby (Watsonia), Liam Waldron, Corey Middleton (both Epping) and Bradyn Taglieri (Old Eltham) have moved on.

After suffering a knee injury last season, Collins, in particular, has caught Bongetti’s eye and looms as a damaging swingman.

“Him getting back to his junior club with his mates, enjoying footy, he’s running around with a smile,” Bongetti said.

“Coming back from a knee reco, it proves – and for life in general – when you’re somewhere you want to be you get the best out of yourself.

He’s moving really well and his fitness has gone to another level.

“Jaden’s got some personal goals, he wants to establish himself as a consistent Division 1 footballer before he tries to go back and hunt a VFL contract.

“Spending 12 months out we’ll be flexible, we might get him around the footy and pinch-hit in the ruck and there’ll be times he’s at both ends of the ground.”

Collins, along with young tall Jameson Wood, who played 15 senior matches and kicked eight goals in 2023, will see more time in the ruck with premiership big man Tom Goodwin living in the Northern Territory.

“We hope to get (Goodwin) for a few games this season but living 1000km from Darwin and then flying to Melbourne, it’s a big ask,” Bongetti said.

“We’ll have Collo and Jamo Wood and the comp has lost a lot of ruckmen in the last six months.

“The premier rucks aren’t there, so having a more mobile, athletic ruckman and mids around the feet is almost like Richmond under Damien Hardwick, so there’ll be times we go in with four mids and look to compete.”

Eltham will have a combined training, match sim against Parkside on Wednesday night before a full practice match against Essendon District club St Albans on Saturday.

The Panthers will launch the NFNL season in the return of the traditional Good Friday blockbuster against Greensborough at War Memorial Reserve.

 

[footys back home]

If it’s Luke, he will play Oakleigh, if plays at Eltham may play seniors but I would say 19s most of the time

Ben Quaynor lodged clearance to the Panthers