THERE’S a huge question that nine Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division coaches are asking themselves in the lead-up to Season 2021.
How, exactly, do you stop Keilor from going back-to-back this September?
Two years ago, the Blues won every game on their way to a stunning premiership win, led brilliantly by the league’s best midfielder, Kane Barbuto and its most revered coach, Mick McGuane.
The Blues have a squad that is even better than that of 2019, with decorated returning ruckman Andrew Browne headlining a strong list of inclusions that will no doubt see Keilor back in the top four at the end of the home-and-away season.
When looking for challengers to the Keilor throne, two clubs appear to be the most obvious choices – Aberfeldie and Strathmore.
It’s the same top three that we saw at the pointy end of the previous two seasons and there is no reason why that won’t again be the case later this year.
Aberfeldie’s core list is still very much intact and will include some rather handy additions, with Nick Meese and Peter Faulks, among others, bringing valuable VFL experience to Clifton Park.
The Mores are also primed for another tilt at getting to the final day of the season, having added some much-needed quality inside the forward 50 and losing no one of note from the 2019 side.
The fact we haven’t kicked a ball in anger for 18 months may easily throw up plenty of surprises this year, but if the season does play out as many predict, with the ‘big three’ all advancing to the finals series, then who is next in line to join them in the post-season?
Let’s start with another powerhouse, Greenvale.
The Jets have a well-respected new coach in Darren Bewick and while they haven’t recruited as heavily as some of their top-end rivals, we know there’s still heaps of quality talent up at Section Road.
Fabian Deluca will be key in ruck, the Marics, Carusos and Sam Zumbo all provide plenty of quality down back and through the middle and Jacob Thompson is one of the better key forwards in the division.
A good run of injuries should see the Jets back up in the top half of the ladder this year.
Another team in the same window is Pascoe Vale.
The Panthers have been a good home-and-away side for a while now but never seem to give much of a yelp beyond that.
Their forward line, led by Matthew Watson, is also filled with quality players and if Digby Morrell’s men can get the ball in there often enough, then Pacco is again going to be among those to watch in the top four battle.
The other five teams in the division will all be hoping to produce an improved effort and, with a bit of luck, maybe sneak their way into the final four.
Essendon Doutta Stars has a new coach in Paul Barnard and some very handy inclusions with AFL and state league experience.
There won’t be a game this year where Douttas won’t believe they are in with a shot of getting the four points.
Avondale Heights is in a very similar boat to that of Douttas, with new coach Patrick Byrne hoping some of his new recruits can have a significant impact on a young core group.
Finals would be a surprise down at Canning Reserve, but it wouldn’t be a complete shock if Heights did get there.
Maribyrnong Park also has a new coach in Brad Swain but the line-up is going to have a fairly different look about it, albeit with the returning familiar faces of Nick and Chris Prowse now back at Monk Oval.
The Lions are a bit of a mystery at this point.
Another team who could be a bit unpredictable is Glenroy.
Since gaining promotion in 2018, the Roys have showed glimpses of being able to compete well in the top flight, but their level of consistency needs to start improving.
Finally we have the newly-promoted Craigieburn, who have their work cut out for them.
The Eagles have lost several players from their 2019 Division 1 premiership team and are expected to field a fairly young side this year as a result.
They’ll be looking to collect wins against the midfield pack in order to survive the drop.
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