While the best of the best are chasing finals glory, some Brimbank football clubs are already looking ahead to next year.
Star Weekly sports reporter Liam Twomey looks at why some sides missed finals, and what their next moves may be.
Sunshine (WRFL)
Finished: Sixth
Record: 7-8-1
How the season panned out:
At the halfway point, it looked as though 2015 would go down as a shocker for Sunshine. The club was in seventh spot and 10 points outside the WRFL’s top five. But the Kangaroos called on all their fighting ability and found their best form in the run to the finals. Sunshine defeated top-five occupants Werribee Districts and Altona to rocket up the ladder. The slow start proved too great to overcome, though, and the Kangaroos missed finals by one game. Rubbing salt into the wound was Sunshine’s one-point loss to Spotswood earlier in the season.
Looking ahead:
While they didn’t make finals, signs are still positive for the Kangaroos whose strong finish to the year can give the club a lot of confidence. And there looks to be plenty of depth among the ranks. After a year in the top job, head coach Brendan Hallinan will return to the club next year. And after making the grand final last year, Sunshine reserves have again qualified for finals and will be looking to go one better.
St Albans (WRFL)
Finished: Seventh
Record: 7-9
How the season panned out:
Everything looked to be going great for the Saints at the halfway point, with the club in fourth spot and seemingly a top-two contender. But as winter set in, disaster struck. The Saints lost six matches in a row and tumbled down the ladder. The club decided a change at the top was needed, with Marcus Barclay removed as head coach and replaced by club captain and star player Tim Jenkins. After an incredibly tough year, St Albans was able to finish the season on a high, winning its final two home-and-away matches.
Looking ahead:
After winning last year’s premiership, St Albans reserves will again be in the fold when the whips are cracking. While the club would appreciate adding some silverware to its trophy cabinet, a big focus in coming weeks will be on the hunt for its next senior coach. Once that appointment is made, the Saints will turn their attention to their 2016 squad.
Albion (WRFL)
Finished: Eighth
Record: 1-13
How the season panned out:
It’s been a tough few years for Albion, and 2015 has been no different. The Cats registered just one win for the season, which came against last-placed Port Melbourne. Internally, there is no panic. The Cats have always insisted that youth would return them to the top of the ladder, and they continued to throw their support behind the philosophy this season. While the wins didn’t come, there were signs the club is improving. In one of its best performances, Albion almost toppled finals qualifier Altona, and it was competitive against St Albans late in the year.
Looking ahead:
Albion has called for expressions of interest in its head coaching role, currently held by Aaron Tymms. However, club president Gavan Taylor has said he expects Tymms to remain in the job. Taylor also said the club is keen to add one or two established players to its list, to help its young guns next season. “Our kids are starting to get 30 or 40 games under their belts, and it’s looking good,” Taylor said.
“It’s just inconsistency that’s hurting us – it seems to be a quarter here and there, or 15 minutes of a game. Apart from that, we’re more than competitive.”
Taylors Lakes (EDFL – second division)
Finished: Seventh
Record: 4-12
How the season panned out:
The Lions went into the season hoping to compete for a finals berth but soon found themselves under all sorts of pressure. For most of the year, Taylors Lakes was locked in a relegation battle, the club’s fate coming down to its round 17 match against East Keilor, in which the loser would be shown the division 1 door. After trailing by 25 points at half-time, the Lions stormed home, booting 10 second-half goals to snatch a three-point win, and remain in division 1 for another year.
Moving forward:
Taylors Lakes will need to replace club legend Mark De Sousa in the off-season. De Sousa retired from playing late in the year. The gun midfielder has owned some of the EDFL’s biggest awards and is a four-time winner of the division 1 best and fairest. Lions president Peter Gavos says the De Sousa name is legendary. “It’s enormous to have someone like Mark around the club. Not only does he put a lot of time into training, he also helps out with the reserves and monitors junior development. That’s why the De Sousa name is up there everywhere on the honour boards of the club.”
Hillside (EDFL – second division)
Finished: Eighth
Record: 3-12
How the season panned out:
At first glance, an eighth-placed finish may look disappointing for Hillside. But on closer inspection, the Sharks were one of the form teams for most of the second half of the season. Yet after 10 rounds, they were on the bottom of the ladder and headed for relegation. Under first-year coach Steve Burns, Hillside found its groove, defeating East Keilor and Taylors Lakes in crunch games. It wasn’t just against the strugglers that Hillside impressed – they drew with Oak Park and lost to Craigieburn, Tullamarine and West Meadows by a combined margin of just eight points.
Moving forward:
It’s well known the Sharks have some of the best juniors in the EDFL, and they will continue to excel next year. Hillside had five players at Western Jets this year and, depending on how the AFL draft pans out, the Sharks could use those young guns more regularly in season 2016.
