IF you feel like the Strathmore Community Bank Division 1 universe revolves around Overland Reserve, then we don't blame you.
East Keilor would probably have already entered the 2021 season as the undisputed team to beat prior to the transfers window opening up last November.
Given the names they’ve since added to their list over the summer just gone (Heath Shaw chief among them), it looks as though the other nine teams in the division have their work cut out trying to overcome the Cougars this year.
There is a player points limit of 47 that will more than likely prevent East Keilor from fielding its exact best 22 in any given week and it’s for that reason that some Division 1 rivals believe Pat Christofi’s men can be beaten.
As is the case every other year, when you cast your eye over the entirety of Strathmore Community Bank Division 1, it’s very hard to predict exactly how it will play out.
The fact we’ve seen other clubs recruit some ex-AFL players of their own does – on the outside at least – look to be a side-effect of what East Keilor has done over the past couple of years.
If the Cougars are the leader of the pack, then how many of the remaining nine teams are right behind them trying to claim the Division 1 flag for themselves come September 4 at Windy Hill?
The best starting point is Tullamarine, whose summer of recruiting wasn’t too bad, either.
The Demons are likely to feature a handful of newcomers in their best 22 and have only really lost one or two key players since the end of 2019.
Dave Connell may well be the best coach in the division and the Demons always seem to find a way to feature come finals time, so they’ll definitely be one to watch.
Westmeadows should also be considered a key threat in the premiership race following an impressive 2019 campaign led by the reigning Hutchison Medallist, Robbie Castello and star forwards Omar Saad and Mitch Church.
The top end of the Tigers’ list is very good and some of the new inclusions boast decent pedigree, so look out for those in yellow and black as well.
The bolter could be West Coburg, who acquired Lynden Dunn and Daniel Archer among others to bolster its already solid key position stocks.
Many believe the Burgers are finals-bound.
Airport West and Roxburgh Park will both also be expecting to feature in the final four but as things stand right now, there may only be room for one of them in the finals series.
The Eagles have made the grand final in each of their last two seasons in this division, while Roxburgh Park has a much better list than that of 2019.
Local rivals Hillside and Taylors Lakes are set to open the season in what is probably the biggest Good Friday clash they’ve ever come together for, given both have lost several key players since the end of 2019.
Already, that feels like a must-win game if either want to feature beyond the home-and-away season.
Finally, we have the two new boys on the block, and they both share the same 3429 postcode.
The Sunbury Kangaroos haven’t yet lost a single senior men’s game since joining the EDFL but with a new coach and a fresh squad, they’re a complete unknown for the time being.
The same can be said for the league’s newest arrival, Rupertswood.
In its final year as part of the Riddell District league, Rupo took all before them and cruised to premiership glory in 2019, but several key players and the coach have since moved on.
It’s nearly uncanny just how similar the path to Strathmore Community Bank Division 1 has been for both of the Sunbury-based teams and they could well finish up in very similar parts of the ladder as a result.
Scroll down and follow the prompts for a full look at how your club is shaping up for the 2021 season.
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