ABERFELDIE v PASCOE VALE – Live from 2pm on mixlr.com/edflfooty
TWO clubs that have… fair to say… had an interesting lead-up to Season 2018.
However, both will be keen to put all that behind them come Round 1 at Clifton Park.
Aberfeldie is returning with a very settled line-up that should boast many of the players that won last year’s grand final, while the Panthers will be unveiling new recruits Lachie Hansen and Matthew Watson.
Expect Watson to spend most of his time up forward while Hansen patrols things down back, but coach Kyle Hardingham won’t be afraid to swing the magnets around during the course of the game.
Pacco will bring a certain level of unpredictability to the table and for the most part, we know what to expect from Aberfeldie – clean use of the footy, stern back line play and variety up forward.
The pick of the games in Round 1.
GREENVALE v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
The Jets are on a mission to avenge a very disappointing grand final last year and Avondale Heights is in their firing line.
Addam Maric has recovered from the hamstring that restricted his impact late in last year’s finals series but Courtenay Dempsey might not be ready to line-up at Section Road.
It’s tough to make an argument for an upset here.
Donald McDonald brought a lot of optimism to Avondale Heights when he took over from Rick Horwood following a tumultuous start to Season 2017.
But that seems to have now faded and the biggest question we have about the Heights at this stage is how they’re going to kick a winning score.
Nick Parthenopoulos was chosen as the best full back in the division by the coaches in last year’s voting for the Premier Division Team of the Year, and Avondale Heights is now without their focal point, Patrick Rose.
Jets probably win this one.
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Essendon Doutta Stars will be keen to get on with it.
It wasn’t an ideal summer down at Nipper Jordan Oval with many key senior players walking out of the club, but what remains will fill some with a little bit of optimism that it isn’t all doom and gloom for Douttas.
Their first test will be a tough one, though, with 2017 Preliminary Finalist, Maribyrnong Park first up on the road.
In Round 8 last season these two sides played out one of the best games of 2017, with Marby just sneaking home by a single point.
If Dean Wallis can get his side to bring its A-game then hopefully we’ll get another close one, but all things being equal, this one is Marby’s to lose.
GLENROY v WEST COBURG
Don’t overlook this one, because it’s a big chance of being the closest game of Round 1.
Glenroy will be unfurling its 2017 Essendon Ford Division 1 flag and all but a couple of the 22 that won that flag will be available for selection here.
For that reason, Glenroy is a big show not only here, but against many of the opponents they’ll face this season.
The big question is whether they’re good enough at this level.
We can’t know at least until we see them against an improved West Coburg outfit.
New West Coburg key forward Daniel Archer will have a tough challenge if he gets Glenroy skipper Travis Dulic first-up, while at the other end Digby Morrell’s defence will be busy dealing with Adam Winter, Aaron Kite and Jayden Walker.
A chance for both clubs to start their season on a good note.
