Three massive Good Friday games will mark the beginning of the 2023 NFNL senior men’s campaign as all six sides look to start the season on the right foot.
Macleod vs Greensborough
Macleod’s last opponent of 2022 will be their first in 2023 when they host the Boro at De Winton Park. The Roos produced a disappointing performance in their Good Friday clash against Greensborough last year, going down by 107 points, but a more competitive showing in the final round of the 2022 home and away season suggests Friday’s affair will be much closer.
Craig Hayes’ men will unveil big name recruits Michael Hurley as well as Billy and Darcy Barden (Lower Plenty) while the departures of Chris Long and Patrick Flynn will put St Mary’s tall Zac Hudson straight into the deep end at ruck in his first Division 1 senior men’s game.
After missing the finals by just six points for two consecutive full seasons, a win over the Boro for the first time since Round 11, 2021 would do a world of good for their top five aspirations.
Greensborough have had a massive list turnover since their elimination final defeat to West Preston-Lakeside last year, with multiple names in Tom Bell, Billy Bedford, Nick Riddle, Josh Caddy, Harvey Daniher and Zac McCubbin all leaving in the transfer period.
Recruit Jack Newnes will make his first appearance for Saade Ghazi’s side tomorrow alongside former Bull Nathan Howard and former Bridges ruck Jamie Smith. The Boro’s source of goals will be one to watch in 2023 with their top three goalkickers from last season (McCubbin, Daniher and Bell) all no longer at the club.
Friday’s clash will also be the start of a difficult opening month for Greensborough, with games against Montmorency, West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg to follow Friday’s game, meaning a first-round victory is vital.
With this being the only game in Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 tomorrow, expect a huge crowd at De Winton Park.
Eltham vs Panton Hill
Eltham will look to continue their impressive recent Good Friday record when they battle Panton Hill at Eltham Central Park. The Panthers have won their last three Good Friday games, dating back to a dramatic victory over Greensborough in Division 1 in 2017.
Under new coach Tim Bongetti, Eltham will be aiming to achieve their sixth consecutive opening round victory, which included a 30-point triumph over Panton Hill in 2022. The Panthers have recruited strongly in the off-season, highlighted by the arrivals of former Montmorency captain Jesse Donaldson and former Coburg VFL captain Tom Goodwin alongside Cragieburn duo Nathan Perrone and Corey Middleton.
Even without those inclusions, Eltham still have a formidable side in tomorrow’s clash, as despite the likelihood of Finnbar Maley and Daniel Owen missing, names such as Daniel Horsfield, Ben Montanaro and Lane Sinclair are all expected to continue on from to their impressive 2022 seasons.
Meanwhile plenty of eyes will be on Panton Hill this year after a brilliant transfer period have seen them tipped by some to feature in Division 2 finals football for the first time since 2004. The Redbacks will have former Lower Plenty midfielder and the Callaway boys in Brendan (Bundoora) and Josh (Greensborough) make their debuts for the club tomorrow.
Simon Amore’s side still have all three Parks’ brothers at his disposal as well as 2019 premiership trio Scott Conte, Tim Duckworth and Daniel Freeman.
Last year’s minor premiers, a side they haven’t beaten since getting promoted to Division 2 after their 2019 premiership, will be a tough task first up, but some strong reinforcements in all areas of the ground will give the Redbacks every chance of causing an upset.
Epping vs Thomastown
Epping will be hopeful to produce a more competitive effort than their last Good Friday outing when they take on Thomastown at Epping Recreation Reserve. The Blues suffered a 99-point loss at the hands of the Bears almost 12 months ago. It would be a pre-cursor to their 2022 season as they won just two games and suffered losing margins of 100 points or more in 11 of their 16 defeats.
Epping have also lost a bunch of players in the off-season, headlined by trio Damon Marcon, James Tadd and Adrian Cirianni who all signed with Northcote Park. They did however secure 2012 Division 2 premiership hero Luke Lirosi from West Preston-Lakeside in a much-needed boost for the club.
Along with the signing of Jackson Bailey from AFL Sydney as well as the re-signing of captain Leigh Judd, the Blues will aim to produce a competitive brand of football which will keep their place in Division 2 intact by season’s end.
They will first have to get past a Thomastown side who are hoping to contend for this year’s Division 2 premiership. The Bears had a memorable second half of the 2022 season to sneak into fifth spot before falling short in the elimination final to Diamond Creek. But with some names that can slide straight into the starting 22, Thomastown will want to ensure they don’t have the same disappointing start as last year.
Peter Bugden’s midfield will be an exciting watch with former Mernda captain Anthony Bradford joining Jarryd Coulson, Lawrence Lopiccolo and Tyrone Leonardis, while Josh Mazzarella, Makhoul Zakkour, Ashley Hood and Matthew Morison are also expected to have an impact in the senior side.
With Epping and South Morang in the opening two games of the season, Thomastown will be hopeful to start the 2023 campaign in great form before a clash with the 2022 minor premiers in Round 3.
