VFL PREVIEW 2011 CLUB BY CLUB

Key arrivals: Matthew

Little (Williamstown),

Justin Maddern

(Kangaroo Flat)

Key departures: Jason Cloke, Marcus

Marigliani (Sandringham)

The Bombers are likely to improve on their fi nals berth from last season after snaring the competitions leading goalkicker Matthew Little. Despite going under the

Bendigo name, the club has only 19 listed Bendigo players. It means it will rely on

Essendons depth and will need a good run with injuries to remain a fi nals chance.

Likely fi nish: 9th

Box Hill Hawks

Key arrivals: Damian

Carroll (new coach),

Adam Pattison (St

Kilda), Beau Muston

(Hawthorn), Jarrad Boumann

(Western Bulldogs), Taylor Gilchrist

Key departures: Brendon Bolton (excoach to Hawthorn assistant), Ed Curnow

(Carlton), Cameron Pederson (North Melbourne), Steve Kenna, Luke Ablett

The Hawks were a success story in terms of players drafted and have been determined to replace lost talent . recruit Muston, who last week sustained an ligament ligament injury and wont play for the fi rst half of the season, is a big loss. But Pattison and Boumann will help fi ll the void.

Likely fi nish: 3rd

Casey

Scorpions

Key arrivals:

Brendan Fevola

(Brisbane Lions), Dan Nicholson

(Uni Blues)

Key departures: Ben Macreadie (West

Adelaide), Brad Miller (Richmond)

The Scorpions are the story of the pre-season, with Melbournes VFL affi liate

picking up Fevola and creating headlines aplenty. Fevola could hold the key to

getting Casey to the top four. Another big lift is the return of skipper Kyle Matthews

from a serious head injury.

Likely fi nish: 5th

Coburg Tigers

Key arrivals: Adam

Potter (new coach),

Brad Miller (Melbourne),

Tom Derrickx

(Claremont)

Key departures: Jordan McMahon,

Graham Polak (retired)

New coach, new game plan, some different faces. Coburg is likely to improve slightly

from last year just on Richmonds extra depth but it appears the fi nals will be a

tough ask.

Likely fi nish: 12th

Collingwood

Key

arrivals:

Tarkyn

Lockyer

(new coach), Jon Ceglar (Gold

Coast), Dan Farmer

(TAC Cup

Key departures: Gavin Brown (ex-coach

to Carlton), Josh Fraser (Gold Coast),

Paul Medhurst (retired), Jack Anthony

(Fremantle)

It will be a far cry from the depth the club had last season. No Josh Fraser, no

Shane OBree, no Sean Rusling, no Jack Anthony or Paul Medhurst in the VFL.

Because of that, expect the VFL Pies to perhaps struggle a little and focus on

development.

Likely fi nish: 10th

Frankston

Key arrivals: Bob

McAllum (Drouin),

Riley Heddles (TAC Cup)

Key departures: Michael Hibberd (Essendon),

Ryan Hobbs

The Dolphins are the perennial cellardweller and it appears that little will

change this season. They will continue to develop local talent and should aim to win

four or fi ve games for the year.

Likely fi nish: 13th

Geelong

Key arrivals: Troy

Selwood (Brisbane Lions),

Jaxson Barham

(Collingwood)

Key departures: Nathan Djerrkura (Western Bulldogs), Ryan Gamble (St Kilda)

Geelong appears to be more serious about results in the VFL this season. It knows

its young talent will get an opportunity in the AFL so it recruited two experienced

midfi elders in Selwood and Barham. Will push for fi nals.

Likely fi nish: 8th

North Ballarat

Key arrivals: Ben

Mabon, Cam Delaney

(TAC Cup)

Key departures: Stephen Clifton (GWS),

Cam Richardson (North Melbourne), Isaac

Smith (Hawthorn), Corey Jones (retired)

The Roosters are the triple reigning premier and their structure and relationship

with North Melbourne is one of the best in the competition. They keep producing

golden young talent. This year wont be any different despite some departures.

Likely fi nish: 2nd

Northern Bullants

Key arrivals: Darren

Harris (new coach),

Wayde Twomey (Swan

Districts), Ed Curnow

(Box Hill Hawks)

Key departures: David Teague (ex-coach

to West Coast), Anton Woods (Williamstown),

Brad Fisher (delisted)

The Bullants have been in the past two grand fi nals but are yet to break through

for their fi rst fl ag in more than two decades. They have enough of depth, because of Carlton, to suggest they will be around the mark again.

Likely fi nish: 7th

Port Melbourne

Key arrivals: Patrick

Rose (Williamstown),

Wayde Skipper (Hawthorn)

Key departures: Phil Raymond, Dylan McLaren

The Borough, a stand-alone VFL team, is bordering on being the most consistent

team in the VFL. The premiership window is still open, and they have the most

lethal forward line in the VFL. If it comes together, they will be the one to beat.

Likely fi nish: 1st

Sandringham

Key arrivals: Brett

Lovett (new coach),

Marcus Marigliani

(Essendon), Dean Polo (Richmond)

Key departures: Andy Lovell (ex-coach to

Gold Coast), Nick Sautner (VAFA), Shane

Tregear (West Perth)

The Zebras are in a slow rebuilding phase especially after the departure of Sautner.

Lovett had plenty of success at Frankston.

Likely fi nish 11th

Werribee Tigers

Key arrivals: Paul

Satterley (new coach)

Leigh Harding (North

Melbourne), Travis

Tuck (Hawthorn), Will

Sullivan (West Coast),

Michael Still

Key departures: Simon Atkins (ex-coach),

Marty Pask, Mitch Thorp, Cameron Wight The Tigers will be one of the improvers

this season and should return to the fi nals if given a fair run with injuries. Only three

seasons ago, they were in a preliminary fi nal. They have the talent and experience

to aim high.

Likely fi nish: 4th

Williamstown

Key arrivals: Brett

Goodes (NT Thunder),

Anton Woods

(Northern Bullants)

Key departures: Matt Little (Bendigo

Bombers), Peter Faulks (Fremantle),

Patrick Rose (Port Melbourne)

The Seagulls face a tall order mentally after being continuously ousted come

September. They will have the Bulldogs depth and talent to make the fi nals again.

But it is tough to see where the extra improvement

might stem from this season.

Likely fi nish: 6th