Liam Durkin
Bairnsdale
Coach: Logan Austin
In: Jarrod Stewart (Leongatha), Brandon Sauer (Lucknow), Will Mitchell (Northern Bullants), Lachlan Byrne-Jones (Old Scotch), Xavier Richards (Old Xavierians, ex-AFL), Jayson Miller, Harry Cook (Waverley Blues).
Out: Shaun Mooney, Sam Park (Lucknow), Harrison Preston (Hampton), Austin Hodge, Daniel Preston (travelling).
Durks’ verdict: Hard to take points off, especially at home. Will again provide honest competition.
Drouin
Coach: Brent Clinnick
Ins: Alex McMillan, Xavier Kinder, Will Papley, Matthew Interlandi (all Bunyip), Bailey Stevens (Longwarry), Matthew Stein (Knox), Aaron Pawel (Chelsea), Hugo Birks (Sandringham Dragons).
Out: Seth Calway (Hill End).
Durks’ verdict: Will improve on a two-win return last year. New coach means early season upsets are likely.
Leongatha
Coach: Trent McMicking
In: Guy Dickson (Kyneton), Jenson Garnham (Inverloch), Darcy Berryman (Fish Creek), Matt Borschman (overseas), Mitch Bentvelzen (returning).
Out: Jarrod Stewart (Bairnsdale), Tom Crocker, Ricky O’Loughlin (Tarwin), Matt Wilcocks (Vermont), Dylan Garnham (Yarram), Ben Hughes (Labrador), Louis Riseley (Ashwood).
VFL: Cameron Olden (Richmond).
Durks’ verdict: They’ve got it all. Their twos would have made senior finals last year. Top three again.
Moe
Coach: Declan Keilty
Ins: Mitchell Stanlake, Jack Brinact, Warren Hester (all Newborough), Nick Prowse, Chris Prowse (both Maribynong Park), Luke Mulqueen, Tyler Pratt, Nathan Balfour (all Hill End), Lucas Forrato, Kristian Jaksch (both returning).
Outs: Clinton Taylor (retired), Darnell Grech (Morwell), Joe Skinner (South Adelaide), Liam Michie, Caleb Michie, Riley Taws (all TTU), Nathan Wheildon, Sam Hanson (both Newborough), Luke Summersgill (YYN).
VFL: Riley Baldi (Casey).
Durks’ verdict: Fighting Morwell for fifth.
Morwell
Coach: Boyd Bailey
In: Darnell Grech (Moe), Adam Braendler, Brandon Bailey (North Heidleberg), Jake Suter (Rosedale).
Out: Nathan Noblett (Noble Park), Kuiy Jiath (Blackburn), Lachlan McDonald (Traralgon).
VFL: Tristan Waack (Box Hill).
Durks’ verdict: Last year wasn’t a fluke. Finals on the cards again.
Traralgon
Coach: Jake Best
In: Jordan Cunico (VFL, returning local, ex-AFL), Danny Campbell (Yinnar), Lachlan McDonald (Morwell), Connor Ambler, Jackson McMahon (Labrador QLD), Jesse Jackway (Heyfield), Billy Schilling (Montrose), Hayden Britten (Glengarry), Liam Hahn, Max Jacobsen, Brad Kimberley (Caloundra) Harper Fox (Rosedale), Nate Thomson (Churchill).
Out: Daniel Reid (Lang Lang), David Brinker-Richie (SANFL).
VFL: Luis D’Angelo (Box Hill).
Durks’ verdict: Think they can win the whole thing.
Warragul
Coach: Jed Lamb
In: Liam Sumner (St Paul’s McKinnon), Corbin Sutherland (Yarram), Bayley Paul (Hill End), Jack Casson (Cowwarr), Lachlan Gronow (Crib Point), Matthew O’Halloran (Bunyip), Tom Hobbs (back from a break), Matthew Hobbs (NSW), Cooper Alger (long term injury).
Out: Brayden Fowler (Warragul Industrials), Lachlan Wilson (Hill End), Tom Carpenter (Catani), Mitch Nobelius (Buln Buln), Nicholas Graham (retired), Jack Maibaum (Claremont WAFL).
Durks’ verdict: Mid-table. Tell you who is underrated, Sean Masterson.
Wonthaggi
Coach: Jarryd Blair
In: Issac Chugg (Collingwood), Harry Miller (Glen Waverley), Cooper McInnes (Tarwin).
Out: Steve Scott, Lachie Burns (both Kilcunda Bass), Dean McRae, Brayden Duve (Dalyston).
Durks’ verdict: Dark horse. Did so much right last year and go in virtually unchanged. Could come back physically stronger, were beaten up badly in the prelim by Sale.
Predicted ladder (by Liam Durkin)
1 Traralgon
2 Sale
3 Leongatha
4 Wonthaggi
5 Morwell
6 Moe
7 Maffra
8 Warragul
9 Drouin
10 Bairnsdale
