There has been four different premiers in the Riverina League over the past four seasons and there is a strong likelihood that it will become five come September.
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Collingullie-Glenfield Park face the challenge of defending the title without a number of premiership stars and there are a number of challengers that are ready to emerge from the pack.
Will it be a desperately hungry Griffith team, or Wagga Tigers on the back of their massive recruitment campaign? There are a number of possibilities.
While how it will unfold is unknown, one thing appears sure in that 2019 promises to be an even competition. The Daily Advertiser's Matt Malone has a look at what may lie ahead this season.
Collingullie-Glenfield Park
Coach: Luke Gestier (third year)
Last season: Premiers
Gains: John Buchanan (Albury Tigers), James Demby (Cerberus), Jason Ainsworth (Maroochydore), Michael Anderson (Central Broken Hill), Matthew Hobbs (Warragul), Ryan Dean (North Wagga), Joe Banks (East Wagga-Kooringal)
Losses: Jayden Klemke (West Adelaide), Matt Klemke (Canberra Demons), Lachy Moore, Ben Keith (CSU), Kal Sykes (retired), Cody Cool (TRYC), Joe Byrnes (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Tom Byrnes (Sydney University), Xavier Mamo (Wollongong Bulldogs), Tim Beckmans (year off)
Player to watch: Jason Ainsworth - Arrives from Queensland with a reputation as a beast at winning the contested ball.
Verdict: The Demons' timed their run to perfection last year, knocking over Griffith twice during the finals series to add another Riverina League premiership to their collection. This year is going to be much more difficult. They have lost a quarter of their team from last year plus there are grave doubts over the likelihood of Tom Keogh playing any part this season. He is as big of a loss as any. There is quality coming in, with the likes of John Buchanan and Jason Ainsworth, but Collingullie-GP will not be as strong as last season. Their forward line will be the strongest in the competition but more pressure will be on their midfield this season, while they are also a key defender short. Collingullie-GP will again be thereabouts, they don't know any other way, but are a few short of a premiership list.
Prediction: Fifth
Coolamon
Coach: Connor Neyland and Jamie Maddox (second and first year)
Last season: Sixth
Gains: Jake Barrett (Brisbane Lions), Anthony Atkin (Temora), Shannon Charlie, Jacon Lampton, Sam Robinson, Zac Bradley, Hayden Leary, Luke McLoughlin, Isaac Pattison (Northern Jets), Jeremiah Maslin (time off), Lochlan Durrkay (Northern Territory)
Losses: Mitch McKelvie (Central District), Marshal Macauley (Wodonga Bulldogs), Sam Glyde, James Milne (Belconnen)
Player to watch: Jake Barrett - The first player since 1998 to arrive in the Riverina League fresh from an AFL list. The former Lion should set the competition alight.
Verdict: Yes, they had injuries but Coolamon were a disappointment last season. Good teams don't make excuses and there were no shortage of them at Kindra Park in 2018. The Hoppers improved as the season went on but a sixth-placed finish was well short of what they were capable of. Jake Barrett's arrival from Brisbane Lions was the coup of the off-season. Jeremiah Maslin's signing was a little less heralded but he was a very promising football as a teenager before injury halted his career. The injection of those two, plus ruckman Anthony Atkin, will give Coolamon one of the best midfields in the competition. Throw in some outside speed from the Northern Territory, and a fit and firing Joe Redfern in attack and the Hoppers are well-placed to deliver on their potential.
Prediction: Third
Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong
Coach: Christin Macri (second year in second stint)
Last season: Third
Gains: Michael Rothnie (Orange), Jacob Anderson (Narrandera), Dylan Cook (Pambula), Sam Hatty (time off), James Finucane (Cootamundra)
Losses: Riley Corbett (Canberra Demons), Nick Anderson, Angus Cumming (Wollongong Bulldogs), Andrew Roberts (retired)
Player to watch: Michael Rothnie - Another Central West star bound for Ganmain. An inside ball-winning midfield with big game experience.
Verdict: The Lions were the story of last season. Christin Macri took GGGM from eighth the year before to within three kicks of a grand final appearance. The big question is whether the Lions can back that up? It has been a quiet off-season at Ganmain, with the announcement of Michael Rothnie in October and very little since. Riley Corbett's departure leaves a massive hole, given he won a few games last year off his own boot, but it gives the Lions a chance to structure up differently with Ben Walsh, Jacob Olsson and Sam Hatty all likely to feature in a new-look attack. There is some doubt surrounding the availability of Josh Bubnich and Scott Proctor and the result there could have a big say on GGGM's chances.
Prediction: Eighth
Griffith
Coach: Will Griggs (second year)
Last season: Runner up
Gains: Nathan Richards (Canberra Demons), Alex Overs (Congupna), James Fallon (Coleambally), Ashley Verhagen (Wynyard), Ben Tarr (Ormeau)
Losses: Sam Foley (Mount Pleasant), Riley Irvin (St George)
Player to watch: Alex Overs - Hard-at-it ball winner returning to his junior club that will add another dimension to the Griffith midfield.
Verdict: Griffith were the best team throughout the home and away season last year, but could not lift to the required level in finals to end the club's premiership drought. The Swans will return this season hungrier than ever before. The grand final loss is part of the reason that Jordan Iudica, Heath Northey and Ben King will travel for another season as the playing group go all out to win the club's first premiership in 16 years. Griffith have a good balance of talls and smalls, at either end of the ground. The Conlan brothers are crucial to Griffith's success, while the addition of Nathan Richards and Alex Overs helps put the Swans in a better position than last season. Their time is now.
Prediction: Premiers
Leeton-Whitton
Coach: Daniel Muir (first year)
Last season: Fourth
Gains: Ryan Grey (Circular Head), Grant Commins (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Chris Downes (Mt Isa), Tom Handsaker, Dylan McGillivray (Coleambally)
Losses: Brad Boots (Osborne), Alex Crelley (Warners Bay), Hugh Collins, Tyh Evans (Geelong West), Jacob Chant (Wollongong Bulldogs), Sam Hopper (Torquay), Danyan Evans (Queensland), Nathan Tang (Sydney University), Cooper Sharman (Balwyn)
Player to watch: Grant Commins - Kicked 12 goals in an under 17 grand final for the Crows and has been in Sydney pretty much ever since.
Verdict: Daniel Muir's transition to senior coach, replacing good mate Jade Hodge, has been seamless and the Crows will enter another season with a good core of senior players. The Crows impressed in both their finals appearances last year with their exciting youngsters leading the way. Unfortunately for Leeton-Whitton, some of their best teenage talent has left town for university. It was that talent that sparked the Crows at crucial times last year and will be hard to replace, depending what is coming through the club's junior stocks. Ryan Grey and Grant Commins will be valuable recruits as the Crows look to hold their finals position ahead of a chasing pack.
Prediction: Seventh
Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes
Coach: Jeremy Rowe (first year)
Last season: Fifth
Gains: Jeremy Rowe, Jake Hindmarsh (Marrar), Blake Chapman, Jacob Taylor, Dom Bunyan (Belconnen), Tim Smith (East Wagga-Kooringal), James Scott (Melbourne High School Old Boys)
Losses: Brent Arho (Nyah Nyah West United), Matt Collins (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Tom Keogh, Will Keogh (Wagga Tigers)
Player to watch: Blake Chapman - Versatile big man that was on Canberra Demons' radar before the Goannas swooped.
Verdict: Jeremy Rowe's return to Mangoplah could not have been any more timely. With a number of players on the verge of departure, Rowe arrived and brought with him an air of excitement and enthusiasm about what laid ahead. The Goannas' started their recruitment drive with a bang, adding a handful of accomplished players, but upon closer inspection of their list, the case to suggest they boast a stronger squad this year is not entirely convincing. There is still plenty of talent there, and if the new recruits thrive, that could be enough to return as a serious contender. The biggest challenge lies with MCUE's midfield, which lacks the quality of others.
Prediction: Fourth
Narrandera
Coach: Shaun Brooker and Jamie Grintell (first year together)
Last season: Ninth
Gains: Ben Perry (Ainslie), Ryan Price (Queanbeyan), Isaac Bunge (Parkes), Luke Patterson (Western Australia), John Ingram (Turvey Park), Josh Hogan (Canberra), Michael Mellon (Wollongong Lions)
Losses: Jarred Lane (Corowa-Rutherglen), Jacob Anderson (GGGM), Michael Cummins, Brian Cummins (TRYC), Tyler Webster (Osborne), Damian Williams (Northern Territory)
Player to watch: Ben Perry - Premiership ruckman at Ainslie that will prove a valuable addition for the Eagles.
Verdict: It has been a relatively quiet off-season at Narrandera but there would be an inner confidence with the fact you could not have two more experienced or knowledgeable football people in charge, in non-playing co-coaches Jamie Grintell and Shaun Brooker. Ben Perry is a big signing, a quality ruckman from Canberra, while Ryan Price, Isaac Bunge and Luke Patterson will all be important additions. While any talk of finals would be off the mark, fingers crossed the club can end their long drought and enjoy a couple of wins this year.
Prediction: Ninth
Turvey Park
Coach: Mark Carroll and Jeremy Sykes (first year)
Last season: Seventh
Gains: Nathan Byrne (Avondale Heights), Luke Cuthbert (East Wagga-Kooringal), Daniel Leary (Camden), Chase Grintell, Lachlan Leary (Temora)
Losses: Jackson Weidemann (North Albury), Ryan Pollack, Lachlan Robertson (North Wagga), Damian O'Donoghue (Marrar), Bryce McPherson, Daniel Hitchens, Myles Carroll (East Wagga-Kooringal), Jordan Prestage (The Rock-Yerong Creek), Benson Ochieng (Belconnen)
Player to watch: Nathan Byrne - Athletic big man that is back at his junior club. Quality both on and off the field.
Verdict: Turvey Park have been slowly building for a couple of years and it would not surprise to see them make the jump and return to finals football in 2019. Nathan Byrne's return is huge, and a sign the club is headed in the right direction. Daniel Leary and Luke Cuthbert will both play important roles at their new club as well. The Bulldogs boast the best young talent in the competition and that could prove the club's biggest weapon of all, with premiership 17s coach Mark Carroll stepping up into the senior role. Exactly how far they'll climb is hard to predict, but Turvey Park certainly won't take a backward step this year.
Prediction: Sixth
Wagga Tigers
Coach: Troy Maiden (first year, second stint)
Last season: Eighth
Gains: Brendan Myers (Northern Blues), Jackson Kelly (Wodonga Raiders), Will Keogh, Tom Keogh (MCUE), Tom Osmotherly (Murray Magpies), Sam Ryan (Sydney University), Dylan Morton (East Malvern), Reid Gordon (Noosa), Bailey Wileman (Rochester), Fraser Yates (TRYC), Jesse Manton (Toora), Pat Gaynor (time off), Grant Daly (Ungarie)
Losses: Shaun Campbell (Melton), Campbell Lovell (Queanbeyan), Jeffery Mannell (Temora), Lewis Gooden, Sam McGowan (Wollongong Bulldogs), Will Morley (TRYC), Mitch Wadley (North Albury), Mitch Castles (Osborne)
Player to watch: Reid Gordon - Only a teenager but arrives from Noosa with big raps.
Verdict: When Shaun Campbell finished up at the end of last year, and then Campbell Lovell departed, the future did not look bright at Robertson Oval. What's happened since has been one of the more impressive recruitment campaigns in recent memory. From winning just two games last season, Tigers will enter the new season as legitimate premiership contenders. You won't hear that kind of talk from Troy Maiden, but make no mistake, Tigers possess as many match-winners as any other team in the competition. They do lack some height and size, but look for Tigers to run opposition teams off their feet with their slick ball movement and pace. It is certainly not easy to jump from eighth to vying for a premiership in the space of 12 months, but Tigers have put themselves in a position where they can.
Prediction: Second
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