It’s that time of year again. The Standard has examined what each Warrnambool and District football club will have on its Christmas wish list for next season...
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ALLANSFORD
A breakaway, gun midfielder.
The Cats' midfield has been ransacked, with former captain Nick Johnstone leaving for Hampden league grand finalist North Warrnambool Eagles. A classy ball-winner would be a godsend for Allansford, which will also be without Josh Brown. Brenton Webster has left for Merrivale, so a big forward would also be a welcome gift for the Cats. The club showed it could match it for a long part of the season, and has enough talent in its stocks. It looks to be solid enough defensively, but a breakaway gun midfielder would be everything for a side striving to stay away from the cellar of the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League.
DENNINGTON
Midfield speed and run off-half back.
Forward presence is never going to be an issue for Dennington, with Darcy Lewis, Chris Keilar and Mark Murphy floating through its ranks to add real goalkicking presence. The departures of Kurt Smith and Jordan Scott will hurt the Dogs' run and new coach Jake Rhodes will be more than happy to add some pace to his side over the Christmas period. A real contender last year which was dogged by injury at the wrong times, Dennington is shaping as one of the most interesting stories of 2017 and will be striving to keep its strength around the sticks.
EAST WARRNAMBOOL
A clean-handed midfielder.
East Warrnambool will start afresh in 2017, with Danny Chatfield taking over the reins. Midfield class and support for gun forward Jyran Chatfield will ensure the goals will flow for the Bombers. The defence was put under the pump last season but will benefit from a revamped midfield structure could give Chatfield and co. first use of the ball. The answer to East’s woes will begin at the centre square.
KOLORA-NOORAT
A lock-down defender.
Kolora-Noorat was prolific offensively last season, blasting the equal-highest amount of overall points for the year. However, it was loose in defence at times, conceding more points than any other side in the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League top five. Coach Danny Finn could be looking to add height, with Glenn Manson one of the only tall forwards along with Tim Ryan in the side from last season, but a full-back could be priority number one as the club strives for more success.
MERRIVALE
Greater midfield and ruck depth.
The addition of playing coach Jason Rowan will provide the Tigers with some unstoppable firepower up front. They look set to retain gun midfielder Alister Porter, and Josh Keilar and Sam Gleeson will have an array of targets to pick from. Rowan's arrival could be the spark Merrivale needs to remain a finals contender for years to come. Add in Scott Kelly, Kyden Jarvis and former Allansford gun Brenton Webster and you've got a stacked forward line. Defence should be solid too. Add more depth to the midfield and the Tigers are looking strong.
NIRRANDA
Bolstered ruck stocks and the retention of forwards.
The arrival of sharpshooter Gary Robinson last season was a godsend for the Blues and ultimately played a big role in their premiership year. Robinson drew the opposition's best defenders and left Jesse Dalton, Jason Lee and Jack Primmer to develop and to become star players. He will be key – if he re-commits – to the Blues' premiership defence. The loss of Heath Moloney to Russells Creek will also leave the chance for Bronte McCann to take on Nirranda's ruck stocks full time, potentially with support from Ethan Dalton. More depth in this field could be crucial. The Blues enjoyed growth from their young, speedier players in 2016 and will be looking to carry that through to next year.
OLD COLLEGIANS
A big, lead-up forward.
It's hard to fault a side which won every home and away season game, only to fall in the grand final. The Warriors' defensive unit, which contains two former coaches, and its forward line, which is loaded with experience, will be as strong as it was last season. A big, hit-up forward could make Collegians more damaging than it already is. The club has added Jimmy Crawford, from Deakin, which will be an important inclusion. Add more midfield depth and it will be near unstoppable.
PANMURE
A forward presence.
Panmure's 2016 was a mash of ups and downs. The Bulldogs managed to avoid the bottom three but will be determined to improve in Joe Kenna's second year at the helm. The Bulldogs were unable to kick a big score last season and a big forward target would offer a lot of support in their quest for improvement. Kenna has them on the right track, but more consistency would be welcomed by the Bulldogs faithful.
RUSSELLS CREEK
Experienced heads to help to retain young talent.
Has welcomed a new playing coach in Heath Moloney, while Sam Wilson has also crossed from Hampden powerhouse Warrnambool. There is a lot of young talent at the Mack but it will develop faster with the inclusion of more senior bodies to the squad. High on Creek's wish list will be to retain the likes of Liam Antonio, Billy McPhee, Luke Featherby and others.
SOUTH ROVERS
The retention of young players.
When Adam Matheson joined as coach for next season, the appointment of three-time under 17 premiership coach Peter Timms as his assistant was a stroke of genius. Timms, who has a good relationship with the club's talented youth, will provide guidance and offer his thoughts on the best way to blood the young stars to the senior team. The club has talent on each line but could bolster with consistency and depth to complement the talents of Julian Claridge, Nathan Murphy and Braden Hotker.
TIMBOON DEMONS
Forward development and more goalkicking firepower.
Mick Hunt's men were among the biggest improvers in the league last season as time wore on. They were unable to boot big scores but were rarely thumped - with just 49 points between points kicked and conceded. Bayley Thompson could shape as a key cog as a medium forward, after booting 10 goals as a youngster in one clash, while the Demons' tight defence, led by Matt Whitehead, will be crucial to further improvement as the Demons look to climb the ladder next year.