Round 1 Preview
It sounds weird but welcome to round one and week two of the 2022 SSA OMFNL action meaning all ten clubs will be cracking in !
Twilight action continues on Saturday night with the main event being the Wang Derby that also has another big occasion attached to it.
Wangaratta utility Daine Porter runs out for his 300th senior game and 326th for the club since his debut senior game in 2003 for his beloved black and white.
Porter who has always saved his best performances for the biggest games is a three-time premiership player at Wangaratta in 2007, 2008 and 2017.
He is the games record holder at Wangaratta and the only player to have played three hundred senior games. Brett Keir is next on 264 games.
The tough as nails utility has won the Magpies best and fairest three times, missing just seven games in his career – none through injury.
Five games missed due to suspension, one playing for the VCFL and the other for the birth of his child.
A true ironman of the league this Saturday will be his 209th consecutive match plus he played 20 straight games with Tarrawingee in the 2018 season before returning in 2019.
The Pies will be super confident of a derby victory after demolishing last year’s minor premiers Albury by nine goals in last week’s season opener.
Rovers were beaten by three points by Myrtleford, when Elijah Wales sunk a 40-metre goal with a minute left. After a sluggish start the Rovers looked impressive in a better second half.
Myrtleford make the trip to Lavington where Simon Curtis after missing round one through illness will make his Saints debut against his old club where he is the current premiership coach.
Matt Munro looks also set to play his first game after an ankle injury from a preseason game kept him out of the win over the Hawks. Coach Jake Sharpe is set for a post Easter round return.
The Panthers surprised many with its bold showing at home against the Roos but will go into the Saints clash without premiership skipper Luke Garland.
For mine the excitement around the four clubs playing there first game today is where the real intrigue sits with a few big improvers expected amongst them.
Wodonga and Yarrawonga are both expected to be finals contenders – with both clubs having recruited strongly and wisely.
The Bulldogs get a great first up litmus test with a trip across the Murray river to take on Albury who will be in a savage mood after being hammered by Wangaratta.
The Dogs have named one of its strongest sides in many years with the inclusion of boom recruits Angus Baker and Alex Smout, along with Osborne ruckman Michael Driscoll.
The Tigers have included Australian Polo Cross star Jimmy Grills, along with Matt Walker who played in the 2018 Tigers premiership in his debut game!
Yarrawonga will for the first time have the Wheeler brothers Harry and Willie play together in Pigeon colours, while former Carlton star Michael Gibbons is expected to debut.
A workplace injury has thrown doubt around star forward Leigh Williams, in better news recruits Jye Cross and Nick Fothergill have been selected to take on Wodonga Raiders.
The Raiders as expected named a youthful and quick side that also includes Northern territory pair Dale Cox and Will Farrer, while tough midfielder Joshua Creek will also debut.
North Albury will unfurl former Collingwood star Tim Broomhead set to light up the new look Bunton Park arena. 27-year-old Broomhead played 37 games at the Pies after being drafted in 2012.
Corowa Rutherglen will hit the Hoppers with plenty of confidence and keen to make it 2/2 despite giant ruckman Tom Goodwin still on the side-lines.
The OM Live netball game of the week should be a beauty with Myrtleford pumped up after its thrilling last-minute win over Rovers, while Lavington pushed the Roos to the limit.
A lot of interest surrounds the Wodonga Bulldogs – can they get an early win after finishing without a win in 2021 – the trip to the Albury Tigers gives them an early chance.
There are plenty of positives with the return of Cassie Mathey, Kristen Wright, and Helen Babic. Ella Dickins joins the kennel from Shepparton United.
Yarrawonga has retained its strong list from 2021 and added Goulburn valley star Laura Ryan to compliment the return of Hannah Symes. They do lose young gun Tilly Kennedy to University.
Raiders will badly miss star defender Brooke Pryse with study commitments but have been boosted by the return of Jo Withers from Barnawartha.
North Albury has recruited very well from the Hume league with the Rising Star winner Sophia Kohlhagen crossing from the Giants and Howlong duo Brooke Cannon and Jami Dove.
Em Browne looks set for a big year on court and in her coaching role. The loss of Mia Duryea is a big blow as they face last years top ranked side Corowa Rutherglen.
The Wang Derby will see the defending premiers Wangaratta full of confidence against the improving Rovers side who were very unlucky not to come away with a win at Myrtleford.
