THERE is great hope in the air ahead of the new Division 2 season, with all eight clubs a genuine chance to play finals football in 2015.
On the back of the closest Division 2 season since the competition’s split in 2009, the new campaign looks like being even more competitive than in 2014.
Whittlesea returns after a brief stint in Division 1 and despite the loss of a number of key players the Eagles will be looking for their third Division 2 flag in six years.
Fitzroy Stars enters the new season on the back of a second successive grand final loss, and will look to new spearhead Daniel Francis to lead their attack after Patrick Davis’ retirement and Allan Murray’s return to Balwyn.
Mernda and Lalor are looking to back up after playing finals in 2014, with the Demons set to reclaim skipper Andrew Smith while the Bloods will be bolstered by the addition of Montmorency dasher Harley Ryan.
Hurstbridge has strengthened its list significantly over the summer, with Michael Ryan’s side set to feature former Bundoora premiership captains Brayden Shaw and Micheal Farrelly amongst a host of other recruits.
Sixth and seventh respectively last year, Panton Hill and Diamond Creek both go into the 2015 season under a new coach, with Joffa Byron taking the reins at the Redbacks, while former Eltham coach Craig Hayes takes over at the Creekers.
Back in Division 2 for the first time since 2012, Thomastown will be hopeful of a strong season following a strong recruiting drive. The Bears will be hopeful history remains on their side with no promoted side from Division 3 ever relegated in their first season in Division 2.
Continue below to see your club’s player movements ahead of this weekend’s opening round of action.
DIAMOND CREEK FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Craig Hayes (new)
Last year: 5 wins – 13 losses (seventh)
IN: Tim Chivers (Whitefriars), Brad Deed (Seymour), James Hodder (Northcote Park), Alex Libertino (Macleod), Andrew Oliver (Mernda), Josh Wuelfert (Mernda)
OUT: Chris Burton (Hurstbridge), Ryan Burton (Hurstbridge), Brent Gutterson (East Burwood), Tyron Loader (Hurstbridge), Michael McKenzie (East Burwood), Josh Summers (Bundoora)
Coach says: "Diamond Creek has a very proud and strong history and I simply wish to bring the 2015 group back to that era."
FITZROY STARS FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Travis Hodgson
Last year: 15 wins – 5 losses (runner-up)
IN: Ben Church (Heywood), Beau Cooper (Watsonia), Daniel Francis (Hurstbridge), Dalton Guthrie (Billabong Crows), Peter Hood (Rumbalara)
OUT: Kain Proctor (Rumbalara), Djye Morgan (Kenilworth), Allan Murray (Balwyn), Justin Settle (Epping), Corey Wanganeen (Rumbalara), Josh Wanganeen (Rumbalara)
Football Manager says: "Our pre-season suggests that they’re going to be as fired up and as hungry as ever."
HURSTBRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Michael Ryan (new)
Last year: 6 wins – 12 losses (fifth)
IN: Chris Burton (Diamond Creek), Ryan Burton (Diamond Creek), Hayden Farrelly (Southern Mallee), Micheal Farrelly (Southern Mallee), Tyron Loader (Diamond Creek), John Kruezer (Kilmore), Brayden Shaw (Bundoora), Jarrod Tilley (Hurstbridge)
OUT: Daniel Francis (Fitzroy Stars), Brent Hay (Banyule), Zac Johnston (St Mary’s)
Coach says: ‘We’ve sort of been a bit lucky to be able to get the calibre of those guys to jump on board to help the kids continue on from where we left off this year. Hopefully success breeds success."
LALOR FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Steven Marshall
Last year: 9 wins – 10 losses (fourth)
IN: Jarrod Gloury (South Yarra), Brett Godfrey (Moama), David Henderson (Romsey), Shane Jacobs (Cohuna Kangas), Simon Kefalas (St Mary’s), Mark Roumanos (Watsonia), Harley Ryan (Montmorency), Terrence Upoko (Craigieburn)
OUT: Kurt Henderson (Melton South), Richard O’Connell (Canberra)
Coach says: "Making the finals, that’s our plan short-term. Hopefully if we get there we can cause a bit of damage."
MERNDA FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Brett Wilson
Last year: 11 wins – 9 losses (third)
IN: Luke Drakes (Craigieburn), Joshua Ksiazek (Hadfield), Luke Marum (Strathmore), Thomas McEwan (Bundoora), Thomas McIntosh (Oak Park)
OUT: Tim Atkins (Greensborough), David Berryman (South Morang), Jack Bianchin (Macleod), Josh Delaney (Yarra Junction), David Hutchinson (Wakool), Michael Milner (Macleod), Andrew Oliver (Diamond Creek), Jai Robinson (Whittlesea), Luke Shelton (South Morang), Josh Wuelfert (Diamond Creek)
Coach says: "We’ve gone pretty aggressive at the minute, that’s something that we probably needed to do."
PANTON HILL FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Joffa Byron (new)
Last year: 6 wins – 12 losses (sixth)
IN: Mitchell Anderson (Montmorency), Daniel Haynes (Macleod), Michael Higgins (Montmorency)
OUT: Will Box (retired), Hadyn Bryce (St Mary’s), Tristan Kreymborg (retired)
Club says: "Mitch Anderson is a 193cm key position player in his early 20s and coming into the prime of his football career at either centre half back or centre half forward."
THOMASTOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Dean Sinclair
Last year: 17 wins – 1 loss (Division 3 premier)
IN: Josh Beare (West Preston-Lakeside), Adam Follacchio (Bundoora), Frank Multari (Bundoora), Adrian Natoli (West Preston-Lakeside), Timmy Totevski (Bundoora), Josh Totino (Epping), Joseph Vaccaro (Lower Plenty), David Wall (Newstead)
OUT: Dylan Fuller (Lara), Osama Saad (Hadfield)
Football manager says: "A lot of clubs would assume that we’re just doing what we need to do to survive, but we don’t just want to survive. We want to succeed."
WHITTLESEA FOOTBALL CLUB
Coach: Brad Dean
Last year: 1 win – 17 losses (relegated from Division 1)
IN: Cameron Conlon (North Heidelberg), Luke Crowley (Kilmore), Brett Hayes (University), Nicholas Horman (Safety Bay), Jai Robinson (Mernda), Daniel Sage (Violet Town)
OUT: Ben Barker (Euroa), Roy Dyson (Glenrowan), Lucas Hobbs (Whittlesea), Jeremy Page (Craigieburn), Mitchell Scholard (Kyneton)
Coach says: "Ability-wise I’ve got no problem that we’ll be able to match it with anybody, but it’s just that work rate that we’ve got to make sure we get right."
