South Gawler
Losing big forward Nick Prokopec after 48 goals last year was a huge loss for Lions coach Damien Herzick who hasn’t been able to have any luck during his first two years at South Gawler.
They have recruited strongly again, finding midfielder Aaron Bayliss to strengthen the on-ball department and Matt Lutze to help the key position area.
Unfortunately Lutze has cut through tendons in his hand and may start between four and six weeks behind his team mates.
Herzick will be looking for more game time from Shaun Woodlands and Andrew Sibenaler after injury-riddled 2007 campaigns.
“It is important the club keeps improving,” Herzick said. “It is coming from a long way back and I didn’t realise it until I got here how far it was.
“The key for us will be the strength of the engine room – Aaron Bayliss, a fully fit Anthony Johnson, along with Aaron Bevis and Lee Makris.
“We’re hoping Anton Gerardis, a former club junior, will also give us a target in the goal square.”
Coach: Damien Herzick
2007: sixth
Ins: Aaron Bayliss (West Adelaide), Matthew Lutze (West Adelaide), Anton Gerardis (Ardrossan),
Outs: Nick Prokopec, Christian Rimmer, Adam Atkinson
Prediction: Will be pushing for finals action after a number of years in the bottom half of the table.
Kapunda
Having spent 85 per cent of his pre-season with his players using the balls, new coach Damian Prouse is looking to instill a pace-driven running game with the Bombers this year.
“I have an interesting couple of weeks of trials against Hummocks-Watchman last Saturday, March 29 (which they won) and another against RSMU on April 12, but on what I’ve seen I’d like to think we’ll be around the mark this year,” the former Norwood footballer said.
“Brodie Cox, Mick McCarthy and Conner Browne have been impressive during the pre-season, and I’m excited about the return of Michael Kerr from Central District to help our big man list.
“Dallas Keane will be a bonus but I’m not expecting too much in the first half of the year, after a couple of seasons away.”
Brad Valentine, a premiership player at Hummocks-Watchman is tough and uncompromising in his attack on the ball, while Yorke Peninsula’s Lucas Bagshaw is a goal-kicking left footer.
The Bombers also still have the big four - Mail medallist McCarthy, captain Sam Ryan, versatile big man Nathan Brady and Adam Turrell who will be important for the club’s premiership chances.
Coach: Damian Prouse
2007: Fifth
Ins: Lucas Bagshaw (Bute), Brad Valentine (Hummocks), Dallas Keane (overseas)
Outs: Ricky O’Loughlin, Kurt Thiele, Kym Bisset
Prediction: Could be the quiet achievers of the competition.
Willaston
The Donnybrooks have seen some significant player movements before the start of 2008.
But the core group of match-winners like Lee Coghill, the McLean cousins Michael and Chris, along with 2007 Schluter medallist Shaun Baker and brother Les will be donning the traditional navy and red jumper again.
“Naturally the challenge is to carry on from where you left off last year,” Wilson explained.
“Our leading players won’t get much better, so now it’s time for the younger lads like Nick Trigg, Matthew and Daniel Brooks, Todd Mackereth and Michael Chomick to take some responsibility and move up another step.”
Wilson conceded he will have a younger back line this year, and he didn’t get many players from the Willaston under 17s premiership team, due to players migrating to Central District, but he believes finals participations isn’t out of the question.
Depth may be the worry for Wilson and his coaching staff in 2008, if they are beset with injuries, especially to key players.
Coach: Darren Wilson
2007: Fourth
Ins: Ross Whiston (Trinity), Jason Carter (overseas)
Outs: Glen Graham, Jamie Williams, Lee Belperio, Josh Cosidine, Adrian Mills, Andrew Ferrell,
Prediction: An interesting year ahead for the Donnybrooks.
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