A whole season off football... it almost seemed unimaginable. Now for the test: some 19 months after the last Farrer League, it's time to flick the switch. And how everyone will stack up is almost anyone's guess.
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Barellan
Coach: Alex Lawder (first season)
2019 result: Ninth
Key gains (since 2019): James McCabe, Ben Cleaver, Marcus Lawrence, Josh Britliff, Michael Lovett, Alex Lawder, Tim Sidebottom, Reece Matheson, Sam Foley
Key losses: Shaun Allan, David Dore
Overview: A host of Canberra inclusions will improve the Two Blues. Utility James McCabe is the latest, and there's interest particularly in the experienced Cleaver, Lawder and Lovett. Pre-season form includes a win against Canberra third grade side Googong and a narrow loss to Narrandera. Lawder is hopeful of five wins but says he's also realistic that "things don't happen overnight."
Key factors: Sean Ellis is still there and will bring excitement. But Lawder believes their season's fortunes hinge on a bigger picture: Barellan, as a whole. "I think it's more the buy-in from the team and the town... Anything's possible when everyone's going towards a common goal. There's a good vibe around the town and a feeling that we can build and have some success."
PREDICTION: Seventh
Charles Sturt University
Coach: Travis Cohalan (first season)
2019 result: Sixth
Key gains (since 2019): Andrew Dickins, Grant Daly, Scott Barlin, Cayleb Dunne-Argus, Jacob Collingridge, Max Findlay, Steve Marsden, Jacob Bell
Key losses: Brayden Ambler, Jack Thompson-Gardener, Pat Noonan, Ben Keith, Lou Miller, Joe and Tom Stapleton, Dylan McPhail, Liam Sweeney, Nick Wright, Max Hanrahan
Overview: The Bushpigs have faced a significant exodus and a lot of players with key roles have moved on but Cohalan believes they've got the nucleus of a strong side, led by Lachie Moore and Wayde Archibald, coupled with new arrivals. But their competitors from outside the five last time might all be improving.
Key factors: Big man Andrew Dickins has the potential to be a key Farrer League player. He's a proven Riverina League performer and the coach is confident they have a lot of underestimated personnel: "We think we've got a group of players here, for all different reasons, who we're excited about," Cohalan said. "From players who didn't get to play any football last year and are keen to get back, to guys who were maybe fringe players at other Farrer League or RFL clubs and will get an opportunity with us to prove themselves."
PREDICTION: Ninth
Coleambally
Coaches: Luke Hillier (second season) and Curtis Steele (first season)
2019 finish: Fifth (lost elimination final)
Key gains (since 2019): Jade Hodge, Guy Orton, Tom and Theo Valeri, Daniel, Matt and Luke Peruzzi
Key losses: Graham O'Connell, Dwayne Weetra, Jack Cullen, Charlie McAdam
Overview: The Blues loom as big improvers with plenty of arrivals led by ex-Griffith coach (and league medallist) Guy Orton, and former Leeton-Whitton premiership-winning coach Jade Hodge. The Valeri and Peruzzi brothers come out of a Griffith club packed full of depth in recent seasons. A pre-season comeback win against Jerilderie is their only trial form.
Key factors: Any team with Orton and Steele in the middle and Hodge up forward is likely to cause some headaches. Quality footballers who, if not in their prime, are primed to deliver in a new challenge. Hodge was in another grand final last year, Steele was back at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong also in the high-quality AFL Riverina Championship, and Orton will be champing at the bit after a year off.
PREDICTION: Second
East Wagga-Kooringal
Coach: Matt Hard (third season)
2019 result: Runners-up
Key gains (since 2019): Jarrad Boumann, Ben Cadzow, Luke Cuthbert, Tim Smith, Alex Rogers, Dan and Keiren McCarthy, Nathan Scott
Key losses: Chris Gordon, Nick Hull, Chris Ladhams, Sam Hodges
Overview: The Hawks have had some huge names depart since their grand final loss. But their recruitment for 2020 (Smith, Rogers, Scott, and Daniel McCarthy) mostly stayed intact, Ben Absolum hasn't left, and Cadzow (Coolamon) and Cuthbert (EWK) are premiership players coming in. There's work ahead after heavy trial losses to Wagga Tigers and Coolamon but they have the personnel to turn that around.
Key factors: Jarrad Boumann is big, strong and experienced. He hasn't always lived up to his billing since he was a promising AFL listed player but if he does, look out. Importantly, the Hawks might have the right combination of experience players still with upside, and young footballers who can stamp their mark. "Ryan Bourne's had a very good pre-season... Max Tiernan will probably have a key defensive post for us. Hayden Nelson is another, Caleb Wild. A few of those kids we're looking to get games into," Hard said.
PREDICTION: Premiers
Marrar
Coach: Shane Lenon (fourth season)
2019 result: Third (knocked out in preliminary final)
Key gains (since 2019): James Lawton, Hugh Templeton, Liam James, Dan O'Bryan, Cane Graetz, Brodie Neville, Josh Connellan, Jack McPherson, Josh O'Callaghan
Key losses: Drew Beavan, Adam Whyte, Cal Gardner, Brad Moye, Tyler Moye, Tyler Cunningham, Nick Cooper, Jackson Sanbrook, Josh Hagar, Truman Carroll
Overview: The Bombers underwent one changing of the guard after 2018 and now there's virtually another. But they brought on plenty of young players in 2019 and made it to a preliminary final. A year and a half on, they could remain top three. "It's a bit of an unknown. It's going to be a fairly young side but it's exciting," Lenon said. "With youth there's usually a lot of room for upside and as a coach it's good to be able to help young blokes develop." They had a heavy trial loss at Collingullie but a good win against Griffith.
Key factors: James Lawton's first season could hold the key to Marrar's fortunes. Fit and firing, the key forward is an excitement machine. Like many other clubs, their best will depend on younger players' ability to step up. Lenon labels Blake Walker, Sam Emery and Wilbur Moloney as players he's excited to see.
PREDICTION: Third
North Wagga
Coach: Cayden Winter (first season)
2019 finish: Premiers
Key gains (since 2019): Daniel Jordan, Dylan McDermott, Xavier Lyons, Sean and Ben Keith, Elliot Winter, Lachie Johnson
Key losses: Troy Curtis, Jake May, James Morris, Lachie Steward, Guy Ward, Jed Winter, Tom Bennetts, Brayden Skeers, Luke Walsh, Kane Flack
Overview: Star forward Daniel Jordan's return is valuable, offering a big body forward or back in a side that doesn't look huge. After so many departures (only seven premiership players remain), other new faces are going to be important - players who offer Riverina League experience (Lyons, Keiths, Winter and Johnson) and are ready to make a name for themselves, and bring on young teammates. Had two good practice match wins against Wahgunyah and Cudgewa and were handy in a loss to Turvey Park.
Key factors: Former Cootamundra gun Dylan McDermott steps out of the Canberra regional comp and looks ready to make a name for himself in the Farrer. "From his practice matches and how he's been training he should be really exciting to watch and play with," Winter said, adding that he'll have to make some hard selection calls for round one, indicating one of Saints' strengths: good numbers.
PREDICTION: Fifth
Northern Jets
Coach: Josh Avis (first season)
2019 finish: Seventh
Key gains (since 2019): Sam Fisher, Ryan Quade
Key losses: Josh Parmenter, Jacob Bell, Aiden Cattle, Paddy Bray, Roland Finch
Overview: The Jets didn't make any big moves in the off-season but ensured their quality pick-ups for last year, Sam Fisher and Ryan Quade, would be back for 2021. Highly experienced in Canberra, Quade will marshal their defence but can go forward, where he'd be an asset alongside Matt Wallis. They'll again have a very good top half-a-dozen players and their hopes will hinge on whether they can make that a very good dozen.
Key factors: Fisher and Quade will be valuable not only for ability and leadership, but for the pressure it will ease on two-time league medallist and former coach Mitch Haddrill. Jack Fisher is another in a quality midfield but ruck Matt Carroll is unavailable at least for the start of the year. The improvement in their promising juniors led by Mitch Doyle and Josh Roscarel could make a big difference.
PREDICTION: Sixth
Temora
Coach: Jake Wooden (fourth season)
2019 finish: Fourth (lost first semi-final)
Key gains (since 2019): Jack Cullen, Brad Moye, Tyler Moye, Riley Hubbard, Grant Haigh
Key losses: Matt Harpley, Max Richardson, Charlie Boyton, Will Reinhold, Luke Gerhard, Sam Jensen, Kieran Shea, Colby Poole, Jeff Mannell
Overview: Another team that will look vastly different to a couple of years ago, the Roos' losses include their best-and-fairest (Richardson) and runner-up (Reinhold) of 2019 and key forward Matt Harpley. They have some good ins in key forward Cullen (who was to play at North Albury last year), and multiple premiership winner Brad Moye. But there are big shoes to fill across the board. Riley Hubbard is in line for centre-half-back and Grant Haigh from Goulburn into the ruck. The Roos had a trial loss to Batemans Bay and a win against Lockhart. Their depth in reserves was a query last season and they'll bank on youth.
Key factors: Emerging juniors Liam Sinclair and Joe Morton are two who impressed Wooden in the pre-season. "I'm really encouraged with the young blokes coming up. Liam (on a wing) and Joey (on a half-back-flank and on-ball) played exceptionally well in those games," Wooden said.
PREDICTION: Eighth
The Rock-Yerong Creek
Coaches: Brad Aiken and Heath Russell (first season)
2019 finish: Eighth
Key gains (since 2019): Riley Budd, Dean Biermann, Joey Kerin, Joe Hancock, Dylan Cook, Will Adams, Joe Adams, Shannon Williams
Key losses: Tom Yates, Jack Driscoll, Ted Fellows, Luke Fellows, Jade Curtis
Overview: Four key Canberra signings lead an influx for what the 'Pies hope will be a season of revival. Had a good win against Lockhart and were close in a hit-out with Howlong. Depth is often a query for TRYC but if their top players stay fit, they intend to aim right up. Will Adams and Jordy Kemp have impressed so far and Harri White and Mitch Stephenson are both back from knee reconstructions.
Key factors: Riley Budd looks a serious footballer, and a big body who can play anywhere. He lived up to expectation in the 'Pies in his first hit-out and with Biermann and Kerin forward, they have some firepower. "We're excited to get those boys but ... it's what our local guys do that's probably going to have the biggest bearing on how we sit," Russell said. "Our goal is we'd love to get the side back to finals and we've challenged the boys to try and do that."
PREDICTION: Fourth
2021 DRAW
Round 1, April 10
Marrar v Northern Jets
Coleambally v CSU
EWK v TRYC
Temora v North Wagga
Bye: Barellan
Round 2, April 17
Northern Jets v Barellan
CSU v Marrar
TRYC v Coleambally
North Wagga v EWK
Bye: Temora
Round 3, April 24
Marrar v TRYC
Coleambally v North Wagga
Barellan v CSU
EWK v Temora
Bye: Northern Jets
Round 4, May 1
TRYC v Barellan
North Wagga v Marrar
Temora v Coleambally
CSU V Northern Jets
Bye: EWK
Round 5, May 8
Barellan v North Wagga
Marrar v Temora
Coleambally v EWK
Northern Jets v TRYC
Bye: CSU
Round 6, May 15
Temora v Barellan
EWK v Marrar
North Wagga v Northern Jets
TRYC v CSU
Bye: Coleambally
Round 7, May 22
Barellan v EWK
Marrar v Coleambally
Northern Jets v Temora
CSU v North Wagga
Bye: TRYC
Round 8, May 29
Coleambally v Barellan
EWK v Northern Jets
Temora v CSU
North Wagga v TRYC
Bye: Marrar
Round 9, June 5
Barellan v Marrar
Northern Jets v Coleambally
CSU V EWK
TRYC v Temora
Bye: North Wagga
General Bye: June 12
Round 10, June 19
Northern Jets v Marrar
CSU V Coleambally
TRYC v EWK
North Wagga v Temora
Bye: Barellan
Round 11, June 26
Barellan v Northern Jets
Marrar v CSU
Coleambally v TRYC
EWK v North Wagga
Bye: Temora
Round 12, July 3
CSU V Barellan
TRYC v Marrar
North Wagga v Coleambally
Temora v EWK
Bye: Northern Jets
Round 13, July 10
Barellan v TRYC
Marrar v North Wagga
Coleambally v Temora
Northern Jets v CSU
Bye: EWK
Round 14, July 17
North Wagga v Barellan
Temora v Marrar
EWK v Coleambally
TRYC v Northern Jets (Sun)
Bye: CSU
Round 15, July 24
Barellan v Temora
Marrar v EWK
Northern Jets v North Wagga
CSU V TRYC
Bye: Coleambally
Round 16, July 31
EWK v Barellan
Coleambally v Marrar
Temora v Northern Jets
North Wagga v CSU
Bye: TRYC
Round 17, August 7
Barellan v Coleambally
Northern Jets v EWK
CSU v Temora
TRYC v North Wagga
Bye: Marrar
Round 18, August 14
Marrar v Barellan
Coleambally v Northern Jets
EWK v CSU
Temora v TRYC
Bye: North Wagga
FINALS:
Week One:
Qualifying Final: August 21
Elimination Final: August 22
Week Two:
Second Semi-Final: August 28
First Semi-Final: August 29
Week Three: Preliminary Final: September 4
GRAND FINAL: September 11