Zartan wrote:HOUGHTON DISTRICTS- 2017 Preview 2016: Division - D6 Position - 7th after minor Round Wins - 6 Lost - 12
OUTS Jason Dolan (Pooraka) Brad Pittaway (Mid West FL) Ben Reschke (Northern Areas FA) Jack Thiel (Adel Lutheran) Wade Vandermoer (Pooraka)
INS Jason Almond (TTG) Tim Camilleri (BL&GFA) Matt Cluse (Modbury) Brad Klaebe (TTG) Blake Hargraves (TTG) Dan Klaebe (TTG) Adam Molloy (Walkerville) Sean Prochazka (PNU) Jay Rycroft (Hope Valley) Jordan Salerno (Modbury)
Return to Division 6 in 2016 saw the Raiders not only do enough to avoid relegation and stay up, but fell one win short of an unexpected finals berth. Underrated for most of the season, and impacted by constant injuries, the Raiders were still able to show their competitiveness at times and picked up more than handy victories.
Apart from Fitzroy, Houghton could be the real big improver in 2017. New coaches, new direction, renewed enthusiasm the Raiders will be up and about for a big season. Their talent is there at the top, but the depth falls away viciously through the B grade. Will need to keep their "A Graders" fit for the most part of the season if they're to truly challenge.
Houghton have offset the loss of serial pest Dolan with one of equal standing in Molloy. The major out for mountain men is that of Vandermoer back to Pooraka, but welcome Daniel Klaebe to the mix.
Still plenty of dangerous players amongst this squad, will be looking for a big season out of Bray and Roling up forward if they're going to kick scores capable of taking the points. Always more difficult to play on their own ground, they'll fancy themselves in more of those fixtures than not.
Prediction: Depth and leg speed will prove the biggest concern for Houghton, particularly later in the season. This may impact their finals chances - but i expect them to figure mid table none the less. Finals berth is not out of the question.
Molloy been first class since arriving at the club
And would be good if Roling gave away cricket to come to footy training instead
Zartan wrote:BRAHMA LODGE - 2017 Preview 2016: Division - D6 Position - 3rd after minor Round Wins - 13 Lost - 5
OUTS Michael Hayes (Central United) Jake Spriggs (Gepps Cross) Matt Fitzgerald (Mawson Lakes) David Kreig (Para Hills) Tyson Lees (Para Hills) Chris Ryan (Para Hills) Chad Wilkinson (Pt District) Luke Nelson (Riverland) Josh Rees (Riverland) Josh Sobels (Riverland)
INS Kaine Arbon (Gepps Cross) Dan Bowell (Seaton) Ben Dujmovic (HFL) Ben Fuller (Central United) Ben Grose (Riverland) Nick Hall (Central United) Phil Hall (Central United) Travis Krelle (Salisbury North) Rhys Manning (Hope Valley) Brent Marshall (WAAFL) Darrell McIntyre (Salisbury West) Ryan Richter (Portland) Dean Steele (Whyalla FL) Nathan Wright (Salisbury North)
After a reasonably successful 2016, which saw a vast improvement from the season previous, Brahma Lodge have led discussions for most of the off season. Rumours circulated of player exodus, but a view of the clearance window shows only 3x genuine A graders have left the club so far, whilst they've continued to add to their stocks.
The loss of spearhead Aloisi, whose reported not to be playing this season (at this stage), has been offset by the recruitment of Hall (CU) and McIntyre (SW). These changes may prove a blessing, as more avenues to goal are opened up for the Tigers and become less predictable moving inside 50.
If one Dene Steele was dangerous enough, a second (Dean) has been added to the mix. Along with Brooks, Savage, Cosenza and the introduction of Wright (SN), Brahma look very dangerous across the middle 3rd.
Plenty of players who can break lines with penetrating kicks and run out of the back 3rd, should see the Tigers be a very difficult opponent to play on their smaller home ground. Hickey, Grgurovic and Denengelse will need to receive closer attention from their opponents.
Prediction: After building for the past two seasons, the Tigers look cherry ripe to take the next step this season, and the premiership window is well and truly open. Can money buy happiness? Anything less than a Grand Final may be an underachievement for the Tiger$.
Ryan Richter played Div1 for Broadview and some State footy. Fitness freak. He will provide some good run off half back or on the wing
Although crashing his motorbike today and having surgery tomorrow on his hand/wrist tomorrow might change things a little depending on how serious it is..
sinister23 wrote:Anyone get out to see the trials this weekend between Brahma and Smithies and Fitzroy v Central United?
My mail was that Smithfield won comfortably but the Lodge were far from full strength so there wouldn't be a lot to take out from it apart from a few blokes have now got a run under their belt.
Why would you play another clubs forward in your team for a trial? Ok they won the trial but what would have they got out of it with someone not even at there club kicking 7 or whatever it was?
Also heard the annoying Robb Stark suited up for St Pauls agaisnt Houghton. Wish i was there to see Bombersa4Eva v Robb Stark!
