An extraordinary amount of movement in the off season has set the foundation for a most intriguing 2025 MGFNL season.
2023 and 2024 premiers, Fish Creek, are aspiring to do what only three other clubs have managed to achieve in the history of the competition, and that is to win three successive premierships.
Only Newborough 1988, 89, 90, Yinnar 1969,70, 71and Hazelwood in 51, 52 and 53 can lay claim to such an extraordinary achievement.
The Kangaroos have once again presented at their preseason very well, and appear to be the benchmark in the upcoming season, but as round one looms, all coaches are confident that they too are well placed for an improved 2025.
Boolarra - Brendan Mason
We identified we needed some key position players after 2024, and we feel as though we've done that grabbing the signatures of a ruckman, centre half back and some key mids, our senior numbers have been good, we would like some more depth at training simply for some extra drills we could work on, but i'm really happy with our senior numbers - first up we have Stony Creek, and in round three, Former AFL star Mitch Robinson will be in the Demons Jumper as we take on Morwell East, so some really good things to look forward to early in the season.
Fish Creek - Jarrod Walker
Not a huge amount of player movement which helps, we have to just keep the fire burning, we've lost a couple of defenders and an on baller, but we feel as though we've replaced what we've lost and there might be some positional changes, our build up has been good and our locals have been excellent, our thirds as a stand alone team is great news. Our Melbourne players are doing what's needed and we will play two practice games against Korumburra and Yarram.
the replay of the Grand Final to start of the year is great, the competition is so even and looks like it will be tough work again.
Foster - Sam Davies
I'm going around for another year, we identified we probably needed more depth and more speed, which I think we've done pretty well with.
Towards the end of last year a couple of injuries really tested us, but this year pre season has been great some really good numbers and some great leadership from returning players, and it's probably our best pre season for a few years, we play Yallourn Yallourn North at Foster in a practice game and we have a bye in round one, before we meet up with Newborough in the second round.,
Hill End - Adrian Burns
It's really a challenge for me and although I've done it before at clubs like Sale, Griffith and a few others, I really want to get involved, we needed to recruit players and I feel as though we've done that, fitness was key and I think we are on track for improvement, cricket effects pre season as it does for many clubs but in March we've ramped things up, and a practice match against Gormandale should top us off before round one against Mirboo North, but our main aim in 2025 is to really be a better more competitive team and that's what we'll be working on.
MDU - Rhett Kelly
I've got a family connection with the club and my Dad had been a long time involved.
After coaching the Leongatha reserves this position was ideal for me when it opened up, I feel as though as they needed some on field leadership and attracting some players from the Parrots I think will be good and the juniors here at the Demons are quality also,
Pre season has been outstanding with about thirty and off field the club is really well set up, which means I can concentrate on coaching.
We have practice games against Dalyston and Korumburra, but our focus now is on Round one against Newborough on their home deck.
Mirboo North - Damian Turner
We are happy, boys are up and about. We needed fitness first of all, last year we were a bit behind, but this season we are on track.
We are still a young side, and we've secured some midfield depth and some key position players so that we have some down the line strength and support.
Ninety per cent of our boys are local which helps our training, and our under eighteens are now starting to show a bit.
We play Churchill in a practice match and then Thorpdale as well, and then its Hill End first up on their home ground.
Morwell East - Paul Henry
Pre season has been a bit slower for us this year than last, we had a training cap at Karingal and then a couple of practice games against Gormandale and Glengarry Personnel wise, we lost ruckman Isaac Abas but gained Traralgon premiership player Max Jacobson and a few more quality inclusions, our list is as good if not better than 2025. Cricket keeps a few boys away, but as we edge closer to our first game of the year against Thorpdale the numbers will quickly come and so will the excitement.
Newborough - Pat Frendo
I grew up coaching Craig Skinners kids in basketball, so I have much respect for the former coach and assisted Craig last year, we had a training camp at Inverloch, Nathan Wheildon looks to have an injury that will sideline him, and he will help me from the bench, but our thirds are very strong.
Personnel of the club has been and is good, but game style will be key and that will change a bit with some really good small and quick forwards.
The intra club games have shown we are on track, and our first round opponent MDU will be a good one, given they too have a new coach and a similar game style.
Stony Creek - Troy Shepherdson
I've been at Stony for the past two years and I'm looking forward to taking the reins in 2025, really want to improve fitness, game sense, what to do when we have momentum and importantly also what to do when we haven't.
We have two practice games against Poowong and Longwarry, our younger kids are coming along with more exposure to senior football which is important and then it's Boolarra first up for us and getting off to a winning start is crucial for us and them so it's a great way to start the season.,
Tarwin - Lachie Jones
I'm a Wonthaggi boy through and through, and my family is very much involved with the Power but an opportunity presented itself at the Sharks and here we go.
Coaching has always had me curious and although last year the depth of the club fell away, but if we can improve the bottom six of our senior squad, that would be key.
We identified it was mainly forwards that we needed and pressure to keep the ball in there also.
Troy Harley and Jordan Staley are great pick ups for us. Nathan MaCrae as a key position back and ruckman tops off a good trio of players that engages the squad.
A practice match against Longwarry will be good for us, Toora first up in round one, who gave us a touch up late last year is a good start for us.
Thorpdale - Daniel Taylor
A friendship with Jason Winderlich is really what got me to the Blues, I wasn't sure that I had it in me, but obviously I have, and although we've lost quite a few, there is a number to come back.
We wouldn't want to have a lot of injuries or bad luck mind you.
Pre-season numbers are starting to build, cricket keeps a few away but with practice games coming up against Mirboo North and Catani things will start to bubble before Morwell East away to start the year.
Jai Acardi - Toora
Jack Weston (2024 coach) is still very much hands on, which is great for the club, we identified a couple of areas we needed to improve on and I think we have.
Gus Gordon as ruckman will be back after basically a year off, Mick Bezene and Sam Smart as mid forwards, Lachie Smart key position and Jordan French as a half back are all great pickups.
We have a good group training at Mornington as well as here at Toora, a pre season practice match against Nyora and an intra club will be enough before a really tough start to 2025 meeting Tarwin, followed by Fish Creek and Yinnar.
Yinnar - Sam McCulloch
We probably felt like we were a very young side last year, we've added some bigger bodies and some depth, so although we are still young they have some support, pre season has attracted some good numbers, just the one practice game against Trafalgar on a friday night, the older more experienced fellas in the group are really motivated, Luke Cheffirs is one we will miss, but outside of that we are looking good.
Fish Creek first up is a great way to start and from all reports they will be the team to beat again.
April 5 looms as D-day for club's pre seasons to be put to the test, and every indication is that season 2025 is going to be every bit as exciting as the year prior.
