Division 3 Preview

Michael Davey

Counting down the days to the first bounce of 2018 season. On Saturday morning, all teams in Division 3 will start on an equal footing and full of optimism. After solid pre-seasons, each club has good reason to look forward to success in what appears to be a very even Division 3. While we’ll have a clearer idea at 5pm on Saturday, I’ll take this opportunity to gaze into a crystal ball to see the future. My crystal ball is oval shaped, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t bounce as expected.

Albert Park

Albert Park Falcons have bolstered their coaching ranks with senior coach Paul Shoppee joined by 2009 OJ Meehan Medallist Stuart Maunder as his assistant. The Falcons’ pre-season has been solid, with Jack Amies, Thushan Shrimpton and Jack Twite leading training since the Christmas break. The pick of the 2018 recruits are James Faulkner and Jack Lee, with both likely to make their senior debuts in the season opener. There’s high hopes for Sean Giles and Sunny Joshi, who have been lighting it up on the park, while Lucas Gniel, Cale Blizzard and ‘Razor Ray’ D’Lima have all been in great touch and are looking set for big seasons.

Aquinas

Freshly promoted after winning the 2017 Division 4 flag in both seniors and reserves, Aquinas enter Division 3 with good depth, and more importantly, confidence. The Bloods have added a lot of new players to their list under the tutelage of premiership coach Ash Naulty and look like they’ll handle the rise in grade. Look for the Bloods to be competitive in both seniors and reserves in 2018.

Canterbury

The Canterbury Cobras have recruited well, luring some exciting new senior players to the Snake Pit in the likes of Mitch Deane, Nick Joss, Jordan Tomas, Jake Rowe, Harry Berenger and Troy Gread, while with the return of Marty Astbury is a big plus. Canterbury’s player numbers are far higher than the previous two years, thanks largely to popular new reserves coach Sean Woodward, who has attracted about 10 players himself. With good depth, Canterbury is looking forward to a strong year ahead and will push for a finals spot after narrowly missing out by one game in 2017.

Glen Eira

After seven wins in 2017, including one over eventual Division 2 premiers Prahran-Assumption, the Glen Iris Gryphons were surprisingly and unluckily relegated. The appointment of new coach Jon Edgar, ex-VFL assistant (Williamstown) and William Buck Premier senior coach (St Kevin’s OB) will bring great experience and professionalism. The Gryphons have enjoyed a very good pre-season and have recruited ex-Freo Docker Brent Connelly from Maffra. The inclusion of their first crop of U19s graduates have given the Gryphons an injection of plenty of pace and enthusiasm so look out for a few of them to debut in Round 1.

Hawthorn AFC

Hawthorn has appointed of new senior coach, Kade Pargeter, who will give stability, experience and leadership after stints as senior assistant and reserves coach. The Hawks have been busy in the off-season, and the opening round could see as many as half the senior team, including Cam Allum, Big Max and Brandon Briz, make their debuts. Nath Raiti will play on after passing the captaincy on to Trav Whittle. Both are looking forward to strong seasons, along with other core players in Dean Monohan, Aaron Downie and James Perks. Hawthorn is very much a family club, so don’t be surprised if the evergreen veteran Phil Avery lines up alongside his son sometime in 2018.

La Trobe University

There’s a huge buzz around La Trobe University FC as they look forward to going another year under senior coach Alan Ezard. Ezard’s coaching credentials are impeccable, including multiple premierships in assistant and head coaching roles in the VFL, Ballarat FL, EDFL, WRFL and EFL. Underpinning this is Ezard’s outstanding playing career. Before most of the Division 3 players were born, this speedy rover played in the back-to-back Essendon premierships (1984-1985), won a Bomber’s B&F (1991) and an EJ Whitten Medal (1991). He’s sure to have attracted some fine players after losing Bryce Dowler, Mitch Gleeson and Elliot Kelly over the off-season.

Manningham Cobras

After winning in promotion in 2017 for the first time as the Cobras, Manningham are looking forward to their foray into Division 3 with much anticipation. Coinciding with their promotion, the players will take the field in a new strip. The pre-season has been strong, with good numbers and a new senior assistant coach in Chris Stacey. Once again, senior coach Frank Salanitri has been active in bringing more new players to Koonung, while the club is happy to welcome back Chris Arman and Adam Pianto after a season’s absence. Unfortunately, they will be without reigning OJ Meehan Medallist, Adam Baltruweit, after he suffered a serious injury in a pre-season match.

Richmond Central

The big news in the off-season was the signing of George Koumantatakis

as senior coach. After eight seasons coaching Swinburne, George has crossed the River to KB Reserve. George’s senior assistant is former Glen Eira coach, Shane Kelly, so tactically their knowledge of opposition teams will see the Snakes well-placed in 2018. The return of key players Ricky Constanzo, Ben Herbert and Luke Carland head a list of impressive recruits that will give some forward potency and support to star goal kicker Jake Munro. After some good pre-season performances, the boys from Burnley are looking to climb into finals calculations.

Swinburne University FC

After a strong season last year, making the finals in 2017, the Razorbacks will be looking forward to an improved showing again in 2018. Swinburne has been active with signings in the off-season, and has secured a string of promising recruits from some of Victoria’s strongest country leagues. One of the form teams of 2017, combined with these new additions see the Razorbacks looking forward to strong showing in 2018. The line-up will be relatively similar to those who finished fourth with 11 wins and a semi-final appearance.

Westbourne Grammarians

After finishing third in 2017, the Grammarians are hungry to go one, or two better this year. There’s been strong numbers at training, with the core group of senior players still sticking together and gelling well. Justin Johns has stepped up as senior coach and brings self-belief, a great understanding of the players, great knowledge of the modern game, and knows the opposition teams inside out. A handful of teenagers from local leagues have applied themselves on the training track and given the Warriors added depth and energy, and with natural improvement, they should get an opportunity to show their talent. Hard nut, Paul Hudson, is back from a serious knee injury, and should provide great experience and drive in the midfield. After an interrupted 2017, Tim Rogers has been impressing all at training. Look forward to seeing skipper Michael Culliver, and his partner in crime, vice captain Adam Imber continue their good form from 2017. With four players kicking over 30 goals last year, the Warriors will be sharing the goals around again.

Predictions

Premiers: Glen Eira

Top Four: Glen Eira, Westbourne, Richmond Central and Hawthorn

Leading Goal Kicker: Jake Munro (Richmond Centrals)

Peter Hutchinson Medallist: A tough task, but safe to predict anyone aged between the evergreen Phil Avery, and his son Moss (Hawthorn).