THIS year’s GVL season will be one of the most interesting in a few years and also a lift in standard, due to the influx of quality players into the competition, which will be great. Kyabram has been such a dominant force in recent years, with the other clubs needing to strengthen their lists to keep up. And they have.
Kyabram has lost star midfielder, Liam Ogden but even their list looks a little stronger with the addition of live wire forward, Billy Burstin back in town, ruckman, Jake Reeves and former Shepparton United best and fairest winner, Reid Crowe all on board at the Bombers.
All other clubs have recruited well and would all expect to improve but the reality is, there are not more games to win than any other year. Last year’s premier Shepparton has lost some star quality but has some handy additions including Tom Boyd from Nathalia.
The other challengers at this stage look to be Tatura, Echuca, Mansfield and Rochester. Jamason Daniels at Tatura has gradually been building in recent years and with one of the best players from the Murray League added in Nick Fothergill, the Bulldogs are coming.
Benalla, Seymour and Euroa are not to be discounted with Seymour, the dark horse, to go deep into the season with some good recruiting. Jason Cole is as good as any player in country football and the new additions will determine where the Lions finish.
The bottom three don’t look like making any in-roads this year even though all three of Shepparton United, Mooroopna and Shepparton Swans have improved their lists. It’s a reflection of the competition improving this year as a whole. United and the Swans have many recent premiership stars returning while Mooroopna has raided metro Melbourne to improve their list.
It all augers well for a great GVL season with the standard looking like being the best it has been in a decade.
