Season Preview
Another season of Alinta Energy Gippsland League is upon us and the football competitions have been met with some hype due to an influx of talent into the League. Several clubs have made a splash after the interrupted finish to 2021 which sees ex AFL, VFL and major competition players joining the League for 2022. Here we will preview the sides that will battle it out for the senior flag in 2022.
Bairnsdale
The Red Legs welcome a new coach this season and it is a huge coup for the club with former Port Adelaide and StKilda player Logan Austin taking on the mantle. A young side that will benefit from some more experienced bodies in the team. Were well beaten in a number of games in 2021 and unusually some home fixtures. They will be looking to lean on there stars Simon Deery, Brayden McCarrey and Austin to lead the way on each line. Will be looking to be competitive and push for a top 5 spot if they get a good start.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (6-8)
Drouin
It’s a mini rebuild for the Hawks after a few years challenging the top 5. Captain Rhys Salter is the most experienced player on a young list that will rely heavily on the experience of Coach Jordan Kingi, Tom Barr and Salter. Tim Hancock was a star last year and will likely be among the competition’s top players in 2022. Eddie Morris may play some matches but is unlikely to feature heavily and with the losses of Bobby McCallum and the Beck brothers new Hawks will have to step up in 2022.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (7-10)
Leongatha
The dynasty looks set to continue for Leongatha this season. They have kept their core group of talent together and their age profile should see them continue as one of the top tier teams in 2022. Trent McMicking takes over as coach and will look to develop some of their younger stars. Marriott, Heppell, Drew, Maskell, Bowman, Willis all look set again to be key figures. Cam Olden is listed with Richmond VFL again alongside breakout star Jack Hume. If those two are available for the green and gold regularly they will be hard to beat.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)
Maffra
The Eagles are stepping into a new era under coach Anthony Robbins. Highly respected and rated internally Robbins will be looking to keep the Eagles in contention for the finals while some of the new stars continue to develop. They will win enough games to be there abouts for a finals spot at seasons end but there will be a number of key games against similar sides where the results of those will shape their fortunes. Ed and Alex Carr will again be their star duo in the middle. Kade Renooy will get plenty of the footy and if they can get Mitch Bennett firing and have the services of John Butcher for more games, they will be still a tough side to match up against.
Predicted finish – Finals contender (4-7)
Moe
The Lions were one of the form sides in 2021 and should look to contend again. They have covered a number of key losses with young highly credentialed stars including former AFL drafted juniors Brock Smith and Harry Pepper. Kristian Jaksch is a huge loss and was arguably the best player in the League last season. They will need to find his goals from somewhere to reach the top 3 goal they would be set for. Declan Keilty takes over as coach and has stamped himself as one of the Leagues best. One of the interesting sides to watch in 2022.
Predicted finish – Top 5
Morwell
It will be a challenging season for the Tigers with a number of key outs from 2021. Already a young side, they will be relying on their talented youth to continue to develop and lead the club forward. Boyd Bailey is one of the top players in the League and has already indicated he will be taking on the coaching role in 2023. His season and leadership will be vital to their chances of getting wins on the board. Brandon McDonald returns and will be the main target up forward. Their big challenge is finding the midfield depth to cover the losses of Abas, Rosato, Hecker, Jiath and Caile.
Predicted finish – Outside the top 5 (7-10)
Sale
This is Sale’s year to really challenge for the premiership. Arguably the most talented top 10 that any side has been lucky to have in the past decade in the Gippsland League. After securing Jack Johnstone as coach in 2021 and recruiting the League best and fairest and MVP Shannen Lange, they bring in Jack Leslie, Ryan Pendlebury and Pat Tainsch into an already star-studded side. Over the past few years, they have been up in the top 3 during the regular season but haven’t got the job done in finals. On talent alone they should finish top 3, and the challenge will come to tie the chemistry together for a finals campaign.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)
Traralgon
The Maroons are another interesting side that enters season 2022 with high hopes. The club has arguably some of their best recruits in the Maroons recent memory which in theory will add to some of the areas that needed improving from 2021. Were likely a finals side last year with two likely top 10 talented players joining their team in Brett Eddy and Tom Schneider the sky is the limit for Traralgon. They have lost some depth players to North Gippsland and some younger guns to state level so the test will be how their squad holds up over the 18 rounds and finals.
Predicted finish – Top 5
Warragul
It is never easy coming from the bottom, but the Gulls will enter 2022 with renewed hope. A number of signings and strong junior sides give them a real chance to take big strides back to a final’s contender. Ex AFL recruits in Nick Graham and Jed Lamb join the team with a number of high-quality players also set to pull on the Red and Black for the first time. They have lacked midfield depth in the past few seasons and that seem s to have been addressed. Expect them to win plenty of games in 2022. The question is will they be good enough to challenge the top 5?
Predicted finish – Finals contender (5-8)
Wonthaggi Power
There are many pundits that have the Power as the team to beat in 2022. Were second on the ladder after the 10 games last season and with a full playing list, depth in the reserve grade and a number of top end talented players, it could well be the Power’s year. Jarryd Blair leads the team again and will be confident that his team can remain in contention. The Power have depth on every line, proven goalkickers and strong leadership. Expect them to be there deep into September.
Predicted finish – Premiership contender (Top 3)
