PROFILE
After tasting success for the first time in 21 years, Birchip-Watchem have hit the ground running and are intent on replicating their dominant 2022 season form.
The Bulls are expected to be one of the teams to beat this season, despite losing seven premiership players from their line-up. Elliot Jaeschke and William Sheahan will leave big holes to fill, while Stefan Pye, Dylan Adkins, Sean and Riley Hogan and Kyle Stevens have also moved on.
While their departures will hurt, there’s no doubting premiership coach Trevor Ryan has brought in some more than adequate replacements. Former Port Adelaide SANFL forward Ben Edwards arrives at the Bulls to replace Sheahan, while his CMS Crows teammate Jos Builder should help strengthen Birchip-Watchem’s defence. Also pulling on the Bulls guernsey this season will be former JJ Liston Trophy winner Nick Rippon, who will slot into the midfield alongside brother Marshall and is expected to dominate from the outset.
With a proven game plan that’s already delivered success, Ryan doesn’t envisage many changes with how the Bulls structure up – albeit with a slightly different line-up.
“With different personnel coming in, they’ll have to adapt to the game style to make it all work, but I don’t think we’ll playing a different brand of footy,” Ryan said.
“Even though we’ve lost some really good players from last year, I still think we’ll be right for midfield talent.”
“We’re bringing up some young, local lads, along with Nick (Rippon) and they’ll hopefully fill the void – getting those opportunities should help improve their games as well, which is another positive for the club.”
“We won’t have the same depth rotating through there and it will be a slightly different look to our midfield than last year with limited numbers – we just have to hope injuries don’t hit us too hard.”
Best & Fairest Lochlan Sirett will return to lead Birchip-Watchem’s ruck division, while Lachie Ryan and Sam Simmons are expected to partner with the Rippon brothers in a midfield that, although light on for depth, will still have plenty of class.
FROM THE COACH
“There are always expectations when you’re coming off a premiership winning season, but for us it’s all about gelling together as a team and being as competitive as we can from week to week. If we can do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
KEY PLAYER
Sam Simmons
Star midfielder who rarely wastes a possession and knows how to find the footy. Will be hungry for success after missing the Bulls drought breaking premiership due to a late season injury.
INs & OUTs
INs
Ben Edwards (CMS Crows)
Jos Builder (CMS Crows)
Nick Rippon (Lake Wendouree)
OUTs
Stefan Pye (Ballarat)
William Sheahan (Geelong VFL)
Dylan Adkins
Kyle Stevens
Elliot Jaeschke
Riley Hogan
Sean Hogan
