Getting in early here before the long weekend is filled with Round 1 of the AFL and whilst I have a quiet day at work pre-Easter!
C2 looks to be an interesting one and perhaps very different to the way it has gone in the past two seasons in which my side, the Cougars have taken part.
Round 1 will be very interesting.....
Coolbinia WP vs Brentwood-Booragoon
CWP were up and down last year pushing some of the Top 5 sides whilst losing other games to the weaker sides in the competition. Hot and Cold performances will not get them in the Finals and they will be looking to become more consistent in the coming season.
BB have come up from C3 after an amazing year. The massive recruitment of Rowan Arnott seeming to have a huge difference for them. They seem to have a great atmosphere and good bunch of blokes and will be looking forward to their season in C2.
This will be an interesting game and very hard to pick winners in Round 1 but I am going to go with CWP, just.
Noranda vs Kenwick
Noranda had a very good start to the year last year and then fell right away and narrowly avoided relegation. The re-recruitment of Spaanderman will obviously help them and perhaps reignite the fire out there.
Kenwick spent just 1-year in C3 after their tough season in 2013 which saw them narrowly lose a host of games which caused them to fall into the relegation zone. Last year, by all reports was a cracking year and the fire is well and truly burning at Mills Park.
Another interesting and tough game to pick, but I am going to go with an upset here and pick the Royals.
High Wycombe vs Canning SP
I don't know much about HW apart from knowing they have fallen a few grades in a few years which is obviously quite worrying for them. In saying that it seems there is a large gap between C2 & C1 so perhaps now they will have a squad capable of winning a good amount of games.
Canning have also been relegated from C1 after just one season up there. I have heard they lost a few players when they went up and also heard they have recruited well this season but these of course are all rumours. I remember Canning being a tough inside football team with lots of experience around the ground. I think they will be a tough team to beat this season.
I am picking Canning here.
Mosman Park vs Thornlie
Another Hot and Cold side in Mossie Park. The last two seasons have seen them beat the best sides on occasion and lose to the lower ranked sides a few weeks later. At their best they move the ball with speed and class and have good forwards capable of kicking bags of goals.
Thornlie had a solid season last year and finished 4th being knocked out by my boys in the Second Semi Final. They were solid all over the ground but probably lacked a little class in terms of the top few sides. I have heard that like my Cougars they have been hit hard by players leaving to chase Country $$.
Tough to pick, but will go with Thornlie - just.
Warnbro vs Canning Vale
Warnbro in 2013 were a very, very good side and unlucky not to get promoted when along with Quinns and Canning they were in the top 3 sides. 2014 was a little different for them as they struggled at times and last to most of the sides above them whilst beating the bottom end sides and avoiding relegation - seemed as though they may have lost a few players. A real dark horse..
Our guys, the Cougars have been hit hard by Country $$, retirements and career ending injuries to two quality players. By my count, there is about 9 of the best 22 from last season not playing... The Cougars will be using 2015 as a rebuilding year as we hope to blood a few Colts and give them invaluable experience.
As always, good luck to all for Round 1 and let's hope for a fantastic Season 2015.
LAG
