For the first time ever we will have a 12 team c4 comp this year.
Interesting decision by the waafl to send the wanneroo 3's and 4's up who will no doubt struggle at a 3rds level up against some decent league teams. Well done to coolbellup and Forrestdale making a return to the 2 team grade comp.
Thought I'd give my run down on where I feel teams will finish (feel free to add your own info)
1. Manning - Hard to go past the Rippers here. Despite claiming the wooden spoon in c3 last year they were a very competitive side (even rolling minor premiers SNESA midway through the year), having played c3 finals in 2016 I expect them to travel through c4 quite comfortably and take out the premiership. The addition of a colts team will he of huge benefit to their depth issue.
2. Jandakot - I tipped Jandakot to take out the flag in 2017 but things never really got going until the 2nd half of the season where they were unlucky to miss out on finals. A very young side with proven depth through the ranks. A number of colts players from their premiership winning side should now push into the senior side which should only add to their running game. A club that has long been accused of 'stacking the reserves' will need to arrest this issue and begin challenging in the top grade if they ever want to get out of c4.
Rocco Ferrero returns as coach this year after leading them to a 2nd place finish in 2016.
3. Osborne Park - A club that consistently sits towards the top of the ladder but has fallen agonizingly short of promotion on a number of occasions. They have the depth, talent, game plan and experience to win the grade, ensure themselves of a top 3 finish and anything can happen. They would appear to be the most experienced side in this grade with a solid short-kicking game plan that picks sides apart rather than relying on raw pace. Can they go one further in 2018?
4. Rossmoyne - Had typically struggled in this grade until 2017 where they made a surprise finals appearance. Have some outstanding individual players but a very predictable full-forward centered game plan that the better sides will always counter. Seem to have recruited quite well from the GNFL which will hopefully bring their depth issue under control . If they get some sort of a game plan together they will be a threat. Looking forward to their coach quoting the hell out of the rule book to try and score a forfeit win again when we play them.
5. Cockburn Lakes - A once proud club who have struggled in recent years. Play with a sadly predicatable game plan that often relies on physicality and slow moving forwards rather than skill and pace. Have some high quality players in their side and their best is very strong. Cliff collard takes the reigns this year and this coach g change up may bring on that elusive finals appearance for the warriors.
6. Cockburn Cobras* - I'm unsure of the status of the club's eligibility in playing finals so I have them in 6th.
Easily the best side in c4 last year and would have been strong in c3. Have lost a few of their players including 2017 c4 b and f Jordan Walley as well as their potent forward line. If they aren't eligible for league finals, expect their reserves to go through the year undefeated.
7. Bayswater - typically the whipping boys of c4. They seem to have been very active over the off season and have recruited quite well. Their weak midfield was often their downfall but a number of new recruits may stabilize this somewhat. A very young team that can certainly pose a threat in future years if they can keep this squad together. Will be very interested to watch their development this year.
8.. Yanchep - have recruited quite a few players (their standard remains to be seen) but I expect them to fair quite well simply due to the travel factor making it difficult for a number of teams in this grade. Seemed to grind out results without any real game plan but this did seem to frustrate teams and should make them reasonably competitive at times. Did struggle for numbers in 2017 so have hopefully this has been addressed.
9. Armadale - A horror 2017 season in which they were never really in it. A 90 point loss to the 2nd bottom side shows just how far off the rest of the competition they were after dominating c4 only 2 years earlier.
A proud club, rich in history, they have recruited a number of players and I expect significant improvement this year and a far more competitive demons outfit. I expect them to spring a few surprises as the season wears on.
10. Coolbellup - coming up from e1 is never an easy task. Although competitive in e1 last year, the gulf in quality between c4 and e1 as well as the logistical challenge of fielding 2 sides will mean that it's likely to be tough going for the cats in 2018. Don't seem to have really recruited which will make the challenge of c4 even greater this year.
11. Forrestdale - Failed to register a win in c4 during 2016 and didn't do much better in e1 in 2017. They did put together a reasonably strong colts side in 2017 so will be interesting to see how many of them play senior football in c4 this year. Happy to be proven wrong but with the lack of claearances in, I can't see them winning too many this year.
12. Wanneroo - Very unlucky for a 3rds team to be lumped against league teams. While this may be the weakest c4 comp for a number of years, I struggle to see how a 3rd string side will beat clubs first teams. Don't be surprised to see their 4's go well in the reserves competition as has been the case in the past (BCL in 2012, TA's and Wembley in 2013.)
