The 2017 Peter Jackson VFL season is just over a week away with Footscray looking to defend its crown.
A raft of off-season moves have put some clubs under pressure and recruiters have looked to ring the changes.
We take a look at the ins and outs for each club...
BOX HILL HAWKS
Coach: Chris Newman (first season, replaces Marco Bello)
Last season: 7-11
In: Will Hams (Essendon), Andrew Moore (Richmond), Billy Evans (Brisbane), Tristan Davies, Jake Godwin, Jordan Haynes, Tom Jacotine, Nelson Lane (Eastern Ranges), Harrison Burt, Tom Moloney (Sandringham Dragons), Sam Parsons, Vincent Adduci, Lachlan Walker (Oakleigh Chargers), Tommy Horne (Castlemaine), Robert Rusan (Dingley)
Out: Sam Iles, Marc Lock, Pat Lawlor, Tom Gordon, Jake Summers, Liam Kidd, Julian Soccio
The skinny: The Hawks are one of the five clubs entering 2017 with a new coach, with Marco Bello making way for ex-Richmond captain Chris Newman in a shuffle of Hawthorn assistants.
Bello’s three years at the City Oval brought grand final appearances in 2014-15.
But the Hawks, regular finalists since the competition’s revamp in 2000, fell down the ladder last year, missing the top eight for the first time since 2008.
They’ve lost players who gave sturdy service, notably Sam Iles and Marc Lock, but kept captain David Mirra, Max Warren, Ayden Kennedy, Nick Evans, Mitch O’Donnell and Sam Switkowski, and gained experienced pair Andrew Moore and Will Hams.
The Hawks will also look to push up players from the Development League team that won the grand final by 105 points.
Expect the likes of Anthony Brolic (who kicked six goals in the decider), Matthew Traynor, Billy Murphy, Aaron Bond, Sam Gibson and Joe Fisher to stake their claims for senior duties.
And expect the Hawks to present sterner opposition this year.
CASEY DEMONS
Coach: Justin Plapp (third season)
Last season: 14-4 (minor premier, beaten in grand final)
In: Mitch Gent (Noble Park), Yilber Zijai (Noble Park), Ben Giobbi (Noble Park), Gach Nyuon (Essendon), Nathan Foote, Nathan Gardiner (Frankston), Tom Glen, Lachlan Gill-Renouf, Mitch Lewis, Danny Allsop (Dandenong Stingrays), Kieran Byers, Ethan East, Jai Rout, Trent Armour, (Gippsland Power), Goy Lok (Sandringham Dragons)
Out: Oscar McInerney, Tim Smith, Declan Keilty, Bryce Rutherford, Paul Patterson, Kody Wilson
The skinny: A change of name and jumper for Casey, embracing the Demons handle and Melbourne strip as it moves towards a long-term deal with the AFL club.
And there will be change on the ground due to movement on the Melbourne list.
The VFL squad remains intact, with captain and defensive anchor Jack Hutchins, James Munro, Ed Morris and Angus Scott returning, and a promising second and third-year group pushing through, including Dylan Gordon, Todd Vander Haar, Aloysio Ferreira, Aaron Cotte, Mitch Cox, Jaxon Briggs, Connor Ambler, James Freeman and Jake Lovett.
Although Tim "Bull" Smith and Declan Keilty are listed as departures, they were drafted by the Dees and so stay in the Casey set-up.
Of the inclusions, the returning Mitch Gent and ex-Frankston pair Nathan Foote and Nathan Gardiner should see a lot of senior action and Noble Park signing Ben Giobbi, strong and combative, might emerge as a surprise package, much as Casey did last year.
COBURG
Coach: Peter German (fourth season)
Last season: 6-12
In: Stuart Donnelly (Southport), Tom Cleary (Glenorchy), Nick Dodge (Lauderdale), Tom Wallis, James El Moussalli (Essendon), Ryan Exon, Blake Mullane (Frankston), Nick Mellington (Richmond VFL), Tyler Curtis (Williamstown), Darrean Wyatt (Collingwood), Cassidy Haberfield (Surfers Paradise), Pat Lawlor, Liam Kidd (Box Hill Hawks), Damandeep Aujla, Hisham Kerbatieh (Northern Blues), Alex Mioni (Port Melbourne), Connor Byrne (UWS Giants), Christian Burgess (Myrtleford), James Svarc (Corowa-Rutherglen), Hayden Blythe, Karl Brown, Jackson McDonald, Jaidyn Owen, Jack Reaper (Calder Cannons), Luke Bunker, Corey McKay, Matthew Perry, Chas Roberts (Northern Knights), Josh Formosa (Bendigo Pioneers), Lachlan Waite (Murray Bushrangers)
Out: Luke Ryan, Robbie Foxx, Ozgur Uysal, Ahmed Saad, Danny Younan, Lachie Johns, Kyle Staples, Rory Lehman, Simon Caven
The skinny: There was no busier man in the off-season than eager-beaver Coburg list and recruiting manager (and now GM) Seb Spagnuolo, who had his fingers in more pies than a baker.
More than 35 new players were brought in. At the same time the Lions farewelled some of their most accomplished players: Luke Ryan, Robbie Fox, Danny Younan, Ozgur Uysal, Lachie Johns and leading goalkicker Ahmed Saad. That’s a chunk of experience and expertise lost.
But the Burgers believe they have compensated with their recruiting. There is a little bit of everything: a key defender in Tasmanian Tom Cleary, a clever forward in Pat Lawlor, the midfield strength of former VFL Tiger and Murray Bushrangers captain Nick Mellington, the pace of Ryan Exon and ex-Essendon rookie Tom Wallis, the brilliance of draft hopeful Hisham Kerbatieh and the versatility of tall Tyler Curtis.
Then there is the promise of Karl Brown, who put through 46 goals from 17 outings for the Calder Cannons last year.
The return of big Peter McEvoy from a broken leg should also help the Lions cover for Saad.
Coburg rotated its captaincy last year, but big Tom Goodwin was the stand-out and will probably have to himself in 2017. He’ll lead out a young side alive with enthusiasm and energy.
But after so much movement on the list the Lions will be looking more for progression than a premiership.
COLLINGWOOD
Coach: Jared Rivers (first season, replaces Dale Tapping)
Last season: 14-4 (beaten in preliminary final)
In: Alex Woodward (Hawthorn), Michael Chippendale (Norwood), Stephen Tahana (North Adelaide), Matt La Fontaine (Dandenong Stingrays), Campbell Lane (Oakleigh Chargers), Alex Mastromanno (Brighton Grammar), Kye Beveridge (Sandringham Dragons)
Out: Ben Moloney, Jeremy Taylor, Lachie Ferguson, Jesse Wallin, Cal Matheson
The skinny: The Maggies spun off 12 consecutive victories last season, but entered the preliminary final light on for numbers and were cracked open by eventual premier Footscray, an undignified way to end a worthy season.
Coach Dale Tapping and GM Luke Gatti brought respectability to the Collingwood VFL program but both have moved on, Tapping replaced by Jared Rivers and Gatti by Williamstown football manager Chris Dixon.
The Pies also lost rugged midfielder Ben Moloney to the VFL Cats.
But their list is stronger for the recruitment of SANFL pair Michael Chippendale, a tall defender, and Stephen Tahana, a back flanker/wingman, and ex-Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward. The 2014 JJ Liston Trophy winner can be expected to be prolific as he strives for a second AFL listing.
Woodward will link with his former Hawks teammate Jordan Kelly, who was outstanding last season.
Factor in Jack Hellier, Ryan Pendlebury, Nick Gray, Gus Borthwick, Matt Smith, Lachie Howe, Lachlan Tardrew, Marty Hore and Adrian Indovino and places will have to be earned this year.
Top four again for the Magpies.
ESSENDON
Coach: Paul Corrigan (first season, replaces Matthew Egan)
Last season: 10-8 (beaten in semi-final)
In: Nick O’Brien (Woodville-West Torrens), Michael Luxford (Geelong), Jock Cornell (Geelong), Sam Hooper (North Ballarat), Kieran Strachan (South Bendigo), Danny Younan (Coburg), Wilson Berry (Western Jets), Ben Fennell (Montmorency), James Peters (Calder Cannons)
Out: Daniel Coghlan, Sam Heavyside, James El Moussalli, Alex McLeod, Jack Langford
The skinny: The Dons have had a fruitful off-season, strengthening a list good enough to win a final last year.
They have one of the league’s best recruits in Nick O’Brien, a 14-game Essendon AFL player who went to the SANFL last year and was a dominant figure, coming second in the Magarey Medal. He is the new captain, replacing Daniel Coghlan, who has relocated to rural Victoria.
Delisted Cats Michael Luxford and Jock Cornell, and former Coburg pair Danny Younan and Ozgur Uysal also reinforce the ranks.
Look too for Wilson Berry, co-captain of the Western Jets and a Vic Metro squad member last year.
Sadly, Roosters signing Sam Hooper has hurt a knee and will miss the entire season.
Former Cat Paul Corrigan assumes the coaching duties from Matthew Egan, but he’s no novice, having taken a turn at the wheel in 2015 when Hayden Skipworth was unavailable.
Is Don, is good for September.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
Coach: Steve Grace (first season, replaces Ash Hansen)
Last season: 12-6 (premiers)
In: Matthew Goodyear (Collingwood), Jayden Foster (Carlton), Billy Gowers (Carlton), Anthony Bruhn (Frankston YCW), Josh Patullo (Gippsland Power), Nick de Steiger (Old Melburnians)
Out: JD Hayes, Mitch Hannan, Ben Long, Dale Hoghton
The skinny: The VFL Dogs got the club’s premiership party started in 2016, knocking over the Casey Scorpions at Etihad Stadium. It was the Scrays’ second VFL pennant in three years.
And they’ll start 2017 as the flag favourite after bringing in delisted Bluebaggers Jayden Foster (son of former Footscray star Peter) and Billy Gowers, and former Magpie Matthew Goodyear.
The less heralded signings bring impressive resumes, with Anthony Bruhn a prominent goalkicker on the Mornington Peninsula, Josh Patullo (Gippsland Power’s 2016 best and fairest), and Nick de Steiger selected as first ruck in the VAFA premier team of the year.
They’ll go with a VFL troupe headed by captain Jordan Russell, Alex Greenwood, Lauchlan Dalgleish, Will Hayes, Mark Austin (recovering from knee surgery), Nick Jamieson and Anthony "Bundy" Barry.
Like his predecessors Chris Maple and Ash Hansen, coach Steve Grace has plenty of talent at his disposal, more than enough to have the Doggies barking in September.
GEELONG
Coach: Shane O’Bree (second season)
Last season: 11-7 (beaten in elimination final)
In: Ben Moloney (Collingwood), Daniel Capiron (Frankston), Jai Thompson (Leopold), Rob Condy (Newtown & Chilwell), Ben Reid (Echuca), Jack Blood (Geelong Falcons/St Marys)
Out: Ryan Abbott, Timm House, Tom Stewart, Cameron Tudor, Ben Raidme, Kane Leersen, Sandy Robinson, Ryan Williams, Matt Farrelly
The skinny: The Cats could count 2016 as a mighty success; not only did they climb back into the finals, they produced three draftees for their AFL squad and had one or two other players come under notice.
Ryan Abbott, Timm House and Tom Stewart were all plucked from the local scene. Little wonder sharp-eyed GM Troy Selwood was moved into Geelong’s recruiting division.
And little wonder the Cats’ 2017 pre-season squad featured another group of hopefuls from the Geelong district, including 2016 Leopold premiership captain Jai Thompson.
The Geelong coaching staff waited until late March to finalise the list but Collingwood midfielder Ben Moloney, Frankston flanker Daniel Capiron, ex-VFL Cat and Magpie Rob Condy and Echuca powerhouse Ben Reid were locked in earlier.
Tom Atkins, Sam McLachlan, Will Sexton and James Tsitas, all on the rise, will be the starting points at selection.
Of the outs, it’s worth mentioning the contribution of Ben Raidme, whose VFL career took in 80 games, the lows of a serious knee injury and missing out on grand final selection, but the high of being named in the 2013 VFL team of the year.
NORTH BALLARAT
Coach: Marc Greig (second season)
Last season: 3-15
In: Toby Thoolen (Swan Hill), Brenton Payne (St Kilda), Shannon Beks (South Warrnambool/North Ballarat Rebels), Lane Buckwell (Lake Wendouree), Todd Clone (North Ballarat Rebels/Casterton Sandford), Jacob Cooke-Harrison (Horsham Saints), Ben Cox (South Colac), Nick Hausler (North Ballarat Rebels/Koroit), Lochie Huppatz (North Ballarat Rebels/Portland), Charlie Lee (North Ballarat Rebels/South Warrnambool), Jay Moody (Geelong VFL/Portland), Tim Spiers (South Colac)
Out: Rowan Marshall, Tom Templeton, Sam Hooper, Coleman Schache, Liam Youl, Andrew Boseley
The skinny: Only those with hearts of stone wouldn’t feel for the Roosters players and coaching staff.
A board apparently more invested in local club North Ballarat City has put the future of the VFL entity in doubt.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Roosters were winning three consecutive premierships. Now they’re a rabble; in February there was even speculation the Roosters wouldn’t make it to Round 1.
They will, but with the dispiriting board shenanigans still front and centre. North Ballarat scrounged three wins last year and produced a draftee in Rowan Marshall.
A rise up the ladder will depend on full seasons from former AFL foursome Orren Stephenson, Matt Austin, Andrew Hooper and Louis Herbert, as well as Tony Lockyer; continued stout contributions from Luke Kiel, JJ Liston Trophy winner Nick Rippon, Lachie George, James Keeble and Oliver Tate; improvement from Tom Schnerring, Mitch Rodd and Bailey Edwards; and two or three of the recruits jumping out of the ground.
South Colac signing Ben Cox might keep a few backmen busy; in the past three seasons he’s had hauls of 71, 112 and 100 in the Colac and District league.
At the other end Lane Buckwell will get his chance on good forwards.
It will be a testing year for the Roosters, on and off the ground. Wish them well.
NORTHERN BLUES
Coach: Josh Fraser (second season)
Last season: 6-12
In: Cam O’Shea (Port Adelaide AFL), Luke Russell (Gold Coast Suns), Alex Browne (CAS suspension), Liam Buxton (Vermont), Fraser Pearce (Port Melbourne), Sam Fowler (Dandenong Stingrays), Mason Blakely, Jake Bradley (Northern Knights), Kane Keppel, Marcus Stavrou (East Ranges), Michael Romero (Calder Cannons), Ryan Wiggins (Lauderdale), Jacob Duscher (Frankston)
Out: Kieran McGuinness, Fraser Russell, Brent Bransgrove, Tim Totevski, Jack Cripps, Damandeep Aujla, Hisham Kerbatieh
The skinny: Ambitions have been amplified at Cramer St and rightly so.
The Blues have lacked star quality in the past few years and been too reliant on the Carlton contingent.
They’ve rectified that by signing 154 games of AFL experience from Cam O’Shea from Port Adelaide and Luke Russell from Gold Coast Suns, and they can also slip in former Bomber Alex Browne, who signed for 2016 but had to sit out the season over the drugs saga.
With new recruiting manager Brad Wilson fossicking through TAC Cup lists, the Blues have also brought in a promising group from the Under 18s.
It includes jack-in-the-box Dandenong Stingrays forward Sam Fowler; Jose Romero’s son Michael, who had a run with the Footscray VFL team last year; and 2016 Northern Knights captain Mason Blakey.
Tasmanian Ryan Wiggins should also gain senior opportunities. The Blues won only a third of their games last year, but there is a lot to like about their 2017 prospects.
PORT MELBOURNE
Coach: Gary Ayres (10th season)
Last season: 11-7 (beaten in elimination final)
In: Robin Nahas (North Melbourne), Eli Templeton, Brodie Murdoch (St Kilda), Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (Carlton), Mitch Wooffindin (Knox), Isaac Conway (Werribee), Dylan Conway, Anthony Anastasio (Williamstown), Shane Valenti (Old Haileybury), Dale Houghton (Footscray Bulldogs), Sam Pickess, Aaron Wilson (Frankston), Charlie Kelso (Sandringham), Dylan Atkins (Dandenong Stingrays), Anthony Vella (Cranbourne), Sam Michael, Ethan Hanley, Jono Aujard (Oakleigh Chargers), Kade Renooy (Gippsland Power)
Out: Josh Scipione, Josh Purcell, Sam Crocker, Daniel Toman, Nick Dixon, Matt Lee, Jake McKenzie, Fraser Pearce, Steve Murray, Alex Spencer, Malcolm Neiwand, Dalton Graham, Alex Mioni
The skinny: "We’ll need to get a few boys in, no doubt," coach Gary Ayres remarked after the Borough’s 45-point drubbing against Sandringham in the elimination final.
They have done so. In fact, no club recruited better than Port Melbourne, despite the club owning up to financial "challenges".
The return of speedster Robin Nahas from the AFL and Mitch Wooffindin from the Eastern league was a good starting point, and two-time JJ Liston Trophy champion Shane Valenti was among the final few to apply pen to paper, up for the challenge of a return to the VFL at the age of 30.
Delisted Saints Eli Templeton and Brodie Murdoch bring AFL experience and a touch of class, and Williamstown premiership pair Dylan Conway and Anthony Anastasio add expertise to a forward line that was too easily and too often shut down last season.
The Borough aren’t flush for ruck options. But they aren’t short on quality, with a fitter Sam Dwyer, captain Toby Pinwill, Chris Cain, Jordan Lisle, Damian Mascitti, Matt Arnot and Lucas Cook the foundation stone for Ayres as he pilots Port for the tenth season.
The list is strong and apparently united.
To help the club’s financial position, the players will play for nothing in Round 1 on Saturday, when the great Cain plays his 175th game and qualifies for life membership of the VFL.
RICHMOND
Coach: Craig McRae (second season)
Last season: 9-9
In: Hugh Beasley (Brisbane), Brandon Wood, Jayden Cass (Frankston), Brenton Credlin (Frankston YCW), Lachlan McKenzie, Billy Coates (St Kevin’s), Shaun Mannagh (North Albury)
Out: Tommy Couch, Nick Mellington, Andrew McQualter, Kel Williams
The skinny: Stuck in also-ran traffic for a few years in the VFL, the Tigers turned a corner last season under coach Craig McRae.
From the doldrums of 3-9 after Round 14 they motored home with six consecutive victories to miss the finals by only a game. It will be the yardstick by which they measure their 2017 efforts.
Richmond believes it has more talent on its list, with six-game Brisbane Lions key defender Hugh Beasley and Frankston midfielder Brandon Wood and small forward Jayden "The Finisher" Cass the major signings.
The Tigers submitted their list in late March, giving uncontracted players the chance to prove their ability in scratch matches after a summer of what McRae calls "sweat equity".
Former Giant and Bulldog Sam Darley, a team-of-the-year selection last season, will again captain the Tigers and set the standard. He will lead them on to a new VFL venue, Holm Park Reserve in Beaconsfield, with Richmond committing to play two games in Cardinia Shire (Round 7 against Werribee, Round 12 against Casey Demons). And Darley may also lead Richmond into the finals.
SANDRINGHAM
Coach: Lindsay Gilbee (first season)
Last season: 10-8 (beaten in semi-finals)
In: Tom Curren (St Kilda), Jordan Matera (South Fremantle), Connor Larkin, Rueben Hayward, Josh Trew (Sandringham Dragons), Jordan Stewart, Nathan Scagliarini, Beau Bailey, Daniel Hughes (Dandenong Stingrays), James Sziller, Callum Cathcart (St Paul’s East Bentleigh), Nathan Smith (Hampton Rovers)
Out: Trent Dennis-Lane, Tom Simpkin, Mitch Wilkins, Kenny Ong, Charlie Kelso, Liam Hiscock
The skinny: A change of coach at the St Kilda-aligned Sandy, with one skilful former Bulldog, Lindsay Gilbee, replacing another in Paul Hudson.
Hudson’s two years brought finals appearances but tension over selection and the future of the alliance with the Saints boiled into a nose-to-nose argument between Danny Corcoran and captain Trent Dennis-Lane late last season.
In the circumstances it was a small miracle the Zebras pulled together to knock over Port Melbourne in the elimination final.
The departure of Dennis-Lane was expected to signal a stampede for the door, but Sandy managed to hold on to most of the players they wanted.
Leading goalkicker and best and fairest Cameron Shenton, Tom Curren, Luke Delaney, Josh Saunders, Brodie Murdoch, Tom Lee and Eli Templeton are gone from the St Kilda end but Curren, Sandy’s 2012 best and fairest, has stayed around.
The other newcomers are talented but unproven at the level. The Zebras will bear a youthful look but can push for the top eight.
WERRIBEE
Coach: John Lamont (fourth season)
Last season: 7-11
In: Harry Boyd (Murray Bushrangers), Isaac Miller (Bendigo Pioneers), Kyle Galloway (Sydney Swans), Charlie Bance (Wagga Tigers), Dom Brew (North Albury), Jack Irvine (Temora), Max Augerinos, Darby Schilder (Geelong Falcons), Nick Buykx, Tylar Vujanic, Billy Crofts, Jordyn Cotter (Western Jets), Tom Ellard (Sunbury Kangaroos), Louis Pinnuck (Strathmerton), Spiros Amarantidis (Deer Park)
Out: Scott Sherlock, Josh Porter, Jake Wilson, Isaac Conway, James Hussey, Ben Speight
The skinny: Much was expected of the Tigers last year as they settled into a full alignment with North Melbourne, and by winning their first three matches they were meeting expectations.
Then they fell into a hole from which they never emerged, their season done well before the final round. Injuries kicked in; Werribee used 56 players in the seniors.
Of the few positives, Matt Hanson improved further and won another best and fairest, star Tommy Gribble made a pleasing return from a foot injury, and Nick Meredith, Ethan Peterwood, Joe Maishman and former Geelong dasher Dane McFarlane came through.
The Tigers have farewelled some accomplished and seasoned players. But surely they will be healthier this year and see more of Nathan Laracy, Kurt Aylett, Jason Robinson and Brydan Hodgson. What they won’t see is a home game.
With Chirnside Park being redeveloped, the Tigers will be on the road all season; their first five games are fixtured for Torquay, Whitten Oval, Arden St, Hoppers Crossing and Wangaratta.
WILLIAMSTOWN
Coach: Andy Collins (fourth season)
Last season: 13-5 (beaten in preliminary final)
In: Adam Marcon (Richmond), Joel Tippett (North Melbourne), Corey Yeo (Claremont, WAFL), Ben Cavarra, Jason Pongracic, Kyle Gray, Josh Newman, Daylan Kempster (Frankston), Lachlan Bramble (Calder Cannons), Fletcher Carroll (Murray Bushrangers, Nick Giarrizzo (Western Jets), Jackson Gray (Sandgate, QAFL), Max Philpot (Western Jets), Brodie Romensky (Western Jets)
Out: Cam Lockwood, Sean Hetherington, Tyler Curtis, Dylan Conway, Anthony Anastasio, Jack Johnstone, Caleb Sullivan, Alex Carr
The skinny: The Seagulls made a fair fist of defending their 2015 premiership, getting through to the preliminary final, only to run into a hot Casey and be flattened by seven goals.
With some excellent inclusions the Towners can be expected to occupy top-four territory again. They have regained Adam Marcon (whose 12 months at Richmond brought him two senior games), gained a good tall in ex-Lion, Sun and Roo Joel Tippett, and welcomed a package of Frankston Dolphins that includes captain Jason Pongracic, gun rover Ben Cavarra and last season’s best and fairest Josh Newman.
Claremont onballer Corey Yeo (brother of West Coast Eagle, Elliot) is another player who will fortify the ranks. Williamstown will also be looking for youngsters Jake Owen, Mitch Norton and Tristan Davies to push into the senior core of Ben Jolley, Sam Dunell, Nick Meese, Willie Wheeler, Ed Carr, Peter Faulks, David Fahey, Leigh Masters, JJ Liston Trophy Michael Gibbons, Ayce Cordy, Arryn Siposs, Nick Sing, Jack Dorgan, Brett Bewley, Ben Bese and Tim Currie.
The retiring Cameron Lockwood will be missed, as will the similarly combative Jack Johnstone, and the Seagulls will have to find small forwards to replace Anthony "Redman" Anastasio and Dylan Conway, both proven goalkickers who have crossed to great rival Port Melbourne.