A mass exodus following the departure of senior coach Troy Coates will force Kerang into a rebuild, with last year’s grand finalists looking to their past in order to move into the future.
Former Blues premiership coach Paul Grayling will take over the reins from Coates, with the imprimatur to bring through the next generation of senior Kerang players, many of whom have be crying out for an opportunity in recent years.
Those expected to get their opportunity this season include Flynn McKnight, Mason Dibsdale, Bohden McKnight and Hugh Bremner, all of which have had a taste of senior football after last season.
There is little doubt however that Kerang will be a vastly different side in 2025, with their reign as the Central Murray’s team to beat seemingly over.
Losing class players such as Josh Nitschke, Sean Hunter, Nick Lang, Sam Heavyside, Lachlan Ross and Josh Hann, as well as experienced heads such as Jesse Clark and Ryan Gillingham is guaranteed to leave a massive hole, especially with only a handful of recruits coming in from outside the club to replace them.
“We’re still working on a couple of players and we’ll accumulate a couple of recruits, but we’re focusing more on getting back to a more local talent pool,” Grayling said.
“There’s quite a few names we’re hoping for big things from, a few of our younger brigade such as the McKnight boys and Hugh Bremner, who has been training really well over summer.
“We’re looking for those guys that have played zero to 30 games to really take that next step and those guys have been playing senior footy for the past one or two years and we feel that they are ready.
“We just have to give them the opportunity to take that next step, it’s actually exciting times around the club.”
The Blues will still have some familiar faces take to the field this season, with Bradlee Pay, Marty Kelly, Josh Hunter, Tyson Clingan and Tom Hetherington all returning.
Pay and Kelly in particular will be key names to watch, with the pair expected to take on further responsibility through the midfield this season, along with Clingan and Jordan McNeil, who showed he is also ready to take the next step and become a regular senior contributor after last season.
With Lang returning to Kangaroo Flat, a big hole will be left around the stoppages, with several options expected to be tried throughout the course of the season.
“We have a few options to run through the ruck, but Scott Pay will spend a bit of time through there to start with,” Grayling said.
“We have quite a few pinch hitters, such as Mason Dibsdale, Archer Dibsdale, Rylee Gitsham as well, so it will depend on who we play against and what we think will best suit us on the day.
“We’ll be a bit younger than we have been over the last few years, with a few less games of experience, but on the flip side, we have a lot of guys who are eager and ready to make a name for themselves.
“We want to play to the list that we have and with a style of play that caters to our talent and we want to be able to compete one on one and be physical, but in the same breath use our speed and our young legs.
“We’re aiming to be playing a relatively high intensity game with a lot of pressure.
“We’ve been a club that’s based our a game plan or style around the cattle we’ve had on the park and I think it’s what most successful clubs do and we just have to tweak that game style a little bit to suit what we have now.
“We’ll just work with what we have and play a game that stands up in any sort of weather, be it a regular season home and away game or finals.”
Archer Dibsdale is another that has the potential to have an impact this season for Kerang, either alongside Josh Hunter in a revamped back six or up forward alongside Tom Hetherington, with Rylee Gitsham and Cody Makeham also expected to get plenty of opportunity to impress.
KERANG FAST FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE – 1997
GROUND – Riverside Park
PREMIERSHIPS – 10 (2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023)
PRESIDENT – Ash Wise
SENIOR COACH – Paul Grayling
2024 LADDER POSITION – Runner’s Up
2024 BEST & FAIREST – Sean Hunter
2024 LEADING GOALKICKER – Brett Kennedy (31 goals)
FROM THE COACH
“With the changes that we’ve had, we haven’t put much expectations on an overall result. We just want to be competitive week in, week out and as long as we improve, that’s our focus. I think on our day, we will be a very good side, but we’ll be a lot younger, so there could be some signs of inconsistency that you get with a young group. But we’ll be doing our best to manage that and make sure that everyone is up for the fight.”
IN’S
Jayden Crellin (Wandella)
OUT’S
Troy Coates (South Bendigo)Josh Nitschke (South Bendigo)
Caleb Nitschke (South Bendigo)
Sam Heavyside (Strathfieldsaye)
Jarryd Pertzel (Kyabram)
Josh Hann (Mt Pleasant)
Adam Baird (Mt Pleasant)
Sean Hunter (Peel Thunder)
Brett Kennedy (Nightcliff)
Nick Lang (Kangaroo Flat)
Lachlan Ross (North Bendigo)
Jesse Clark (North Bendigo)
Ryan Gillingham (North Bendigo)
Liam Jardine (Grovedale Tigers)
Cody Tuohey (Mitiamo)
Harry Bremner (Koondrook-Barham)
Nick Pay
Samuel Nitschke
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025
It’s hard to know exactly what Kerang will bring to the table this season, especially with such a vastly different team to last year.
A new coach, new game plan and new playing list will certainly have everyone guessing in the early rounds, but the one certainty is that they won’t be the infallible Blues of previous seasons.
With an investment in youth the key focus, expect some inconsistent performances as the Blues try to find their feet, especially with a whole new engine room taking time to gel.
The one thing we can expect is for Kerang to take the game on and try to play fast footy, with an injection of speed set to give them a different look to previous seasons.
KEY PLAYER
Bradlee Pay
One of Kerang’s most decorated footballers, Pay will take on an expanded leadership role following the exodus of experienced players and the focus on development.
Played 16 games last season and is still one of the best players in the Central Murray, with the capacity to play either forward, in defence or through the midfield.
Has had injury issues in previous seasons, including an Achilles injury in 2022, but if he can remain fit and injury free this season, his class and experience will be an invaluable asset for the Blues.
BIG IMPROVER
Flynn McKnight
Talented youngster who impressed in his two senior games against Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Woorinen last year.
Won the Len Mathieson Medal as the Central Murray’s colts best and fairest last season and looks more than ready to take the next step and become part of the regeneration of the Kerang senior team.
An in-and-under runner with good outside speed, McKnight can play any position on the ground, from small forward and defender, to running on a wing or through the midfield.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Just how far will Kerang fall?
For the first time in almost two decades and with as many as 13 players from their senior grand final team not returning, it’s hard to see Kerang contending for this years premiership. For years, the Blues have had depth within their senior and junior ranks that is the envy of every other Central Murray club, but in 2025, that depth will be put to the test.
Although Kerang will have a vastly different team to last year, they still have enough talent and experience to remain competitive, with Bradlee Pay, Marty Kelly, Josh Hunter and Tyson Clingan pulling on the navy blue jumper they’ve worn with distinction for years.
Will Kerang be the team they used to be? No. But if their kids and depth is as good as they say it is, then they could still push for a finals berth.
