WITH a new era set to begin in the Golden Rivers competition tomorrow, all six clubs enter the season with renewed hope that 2023 might just be their year.
Two clubs among the early contenders are Wandella and Macorna – with both set to clash at the Hangar in what’s expected to be a clash full of emotion.
Not only will the traditional rivals write another chapter in their long history, there will also be plenty of feeling following the off-season movement of Alex Kirby from the Bombers to Tigerland.
Wandella coach Logan Keighran told The Guardian his side was looking forward to the challenge of facing their former teammate in the opening game.
“We love ‘Kirbs’ and we’ll miss him, but when we cross the white line tomorrow, there will be no love there that’s for sure,” Keighran said.
“He’ll be wearing yellow and black and we’ll be doing everything we can to make it hard for him to have an impact.
“We all want what’s best for him and if playing for Macorna is what he thinks is best for him then we 100 per cent support that, but we won’t be giving him an inch tomorrow.
“Our focus will be more about getting our season off on the right foot and winning the four points – to finish with two losses last season left a sour taste in everyone’s mouths I think, and that will be a big motivating factor for us going forward.”
For Macorna’s Scott Wishart, who will take the reins as solo coach this season, there’s an air of expectation around Tigerland that their 11-year finals drought might be on the cusp of ending.
“I think every club heading into this season will be thinking finals footy is a possibility and we’re no different,” Wishart said.
“We think we should be at a level where we play finals footy this year – it just depends on how the team comes together and how everyone gels.
“We’ll have a couple of our best 22 missing, but that said we’ll be pretty close to full strength.”
The Tigers will welcome back Jordan Simpson from Pyramid Hill and former Strathmore defender Nick Ingleton to their line-up this season, along with Tooleybuc-Manangatang pair Michael Roberts and Billy Bentley.
Wandella will also have several handy inclusions, with Marong premiership midfielder Adam Ward, Quambatook pair Jarred Schlitz and Jonty Taylor and Leitchville-Gunbower big man Lee Pollack donning the red and black this season.
With early wins imperative, the midfield looks to be where the game will be decided, with both coaches agreeing that getting their hands on the ball first and winning the territory battle in the expected wet conditions will go a long way.
Moulamein kick off their season as runners-up at home against Murrabit.
Expected to be the team to beat in 2023, the Swans will be at full strength, with recruits Blake Azzopardi, Lochie Phillips, Amos Farrell and Zac Cockayne set to have an immediate impact against a developing Blues outfit missing key players Marc O’Neill (shoulder) and Nathan Henry (calf).
Murrabit will be no walkover however, still possessing plenty of class through the midfield with Nathan O’Toole, Dustin Blake, Brayden Turvey and Jordan McNeil all capable of winning a game off their own boot.
So too, however, is reigning Moulamein best and fairest Daniel Aarsman, set to be a key player for the Swans’ chances of returning to the big stage this season, along with key forwards Beau Duggan-Hulands and Azzopardi.
At Hay, Ultima travel north to face the Lions.
With an influx of new recruits, last year’s wooden spooners Ultima appear well placed to climb the ladder this season.
Former Swan Hill brothers Mitch and Tyler Makepeace look set to have the biggest impact for their new club, along with former Mallee Eagles inside midfielder Jake Foster.
The Roos’ newest onballers are set to complement Mitch Seton-Stewart, who is back after a knee injury prematurely ended his 2022 season.
For Hay, they too will be expecting big things to come their way this season, with new coach Mick Cattanach hoping recruits Luke Arandt, Jack Cattanach, Dom Booth, Will Clarke and Tom Spence will add some much needed experience and class to the Lions’ developing playing list.
