THE clash between the Golden Rivers Football League’s two-time reigning premiers and the team that holds the longest premiership drought highlights the opening round of the 2016 season.
Ultima will unfurl its 2015 premiership flag against Macorna tomorrow in what shapes to be an entertaining encounter.
The ‘Roos, under the guidance of new coach Jack O’Rourke, have retained its 2015 grand final winning side, adding Lachlan O’Toole and Stuart Polkinghorne to the squad.
The Tigers have also been busy during the pre-season, adding former Richmond forward Brett O’Hanlon and 2015 AFL Victoria Coach of the Year, Sam Anstey to the mix as the club aims to win its first senior flag since 1970.
O’Hanlon and Anstey will cover the loss of Daniel Coates and Brad Organ, as well as enable Matt and Brad Ladson to run across the half-back line.
The battle between Matt Ladson and Tom Isma will be the highlight of the day, with Tigers coach, Wayne Mitrovic to give himself the task of stopping either O’Toole or Polkinghorne.
Although the Tigers boast a stronger forward line than last season, the likes of Nathan Condely and Skye Poltrock were able to mitigate Quambatook’s major forwards in last season’s grand final with relative ease, and should do the same tomorrow against Macorna’s key goalkickers.
Ultima holds a six-match winning streak against Macorna, with the Tigers last prevailing against the ‘Roos when Macorna was on its way to its finals appearance in 2012.
PREDICTION: Ultima will win by 20 points.
Forwards to dominate
LAST season’s grand finalists, Quambatook face a tough opening round encounter against a side that is aiming to return to finals action following a 12-month absence.
The Saints take on Wandella in one of the matches of the round, with two new forwards set to dominate play.
Quambatook lost key forwards Jake Rennie and James Steinfort during the pre-season, but coach Steve Reeves has found a suitable replacement in Patrick Rattray.
The former Nagambie forward kicked more than 80 goals last season, and could become the first player since Wakool’s Shane Harvey in 2006 to surpass the 100-goal mark.
Add in Martin Angus, who comes to the club from Colac District, and the Saints have the firepower to go one step better than last season.
Wandella has also boosted its forward line, with new coach, Paul Grayling regularly dominating when he was in charge of Pyramid Hill.
Grayling’s presence will assist Gavin Cathie in front of goal, with new recruit, Alex Kirby also capable of hurting teams on the scoreboard.
Luke Parker and Ash Davis will be asked to stop Grayling and Cathie, whilst the loss of Justin Robinson for the first third of the season due to injury will place pressure on the Bombers’ defenders.
The Saints defeated the Bombers on both occasions these teams met in 2015, with Wandella last winning at Quambatook in 2013.
PREDICTION: Quambatook will open its season with a 30-point win.
Midfield battle to be a highlight
ONE of the competition’s busiest clubs during the pre-season will take on last season’s semi-finalists in a key opening round clash.
Murrabit – who last played finals football in 2012 – travel to Nullawil keen to show the league it will be one of the teams to beat in 2016.
Nathan Henry and Murrabit’s off-field team have worked hard to bolster the team’s defence and midfield.
The recruiting of Bryden and Dylan Morison from Pyramid Hill will achieve this, with Bryden to play a key role in the middle of the ground.
The addition of Patrick Cummins and Luke Nyko will provide Blues coach, Nathan Henry with other match-up options, especially against a stabilised Nullawil outfit.
The Maroons have retained the majority of last year’s squad, with Sam Goldsmith the only player form the 2015 semi-final side that lost to Hay not playing for the club in 2016.
The battle between Bryden Morison and Daniel Watts will be the match-up of the day, whilst the duel between Brett Barker and Henry in the Blues’ forward line will be critical to the visitor’s hopes.
Dylan Morison’s first task as a Blue will be to stop last season’s leading goalkicker, Kal Heslop from getting the ball, with Blues stalwart, Dain Hayes and Andrew Oberdorfer to battle it out across the Maroons’ half-forward line.
Murrabit defeated Nullawil by seven points when these teams met in round four last season, with the Maroons prevailing by 68 points in round 13.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will open its season with a 20-point win.
Northern clash
THE competition’s two remaining New South Wales-based sides will open their GRFL season in the first of two derbies.
Moulamein – whose last win came in round 13, 2014 – take on Hay in a key opening round match for both sides.
The Swans boast a much stronger line-up than the one that failed to win a game last year, thanks to the return of youngster Mattew Battenally and the recruiting of Bendigo Pioneers midfielder, Xavia Elford.
The Lions will look to build on last season’s preliminary final appearance, but go into the new season without David Fevealeaki and Daniel Gash, who have moved to Heathcote and Wedderburn respectively.
However, the recruiting of Michael Dedini from Tooleybuc/Manangatang will provide added support in the midfield, with Taylor Williamson’s experience gained playing in the Tasmanian State League will be another boost.
The Lions won by more than 100 points on both occasions these teams met last year. The margin should be much closer tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Hay will win by 50 points.
