As we move onto the 2013 FFL heavyweights we find ourselves reviewing
Mitch's Mongrels
The Mongrels have been staring blankly at themselves in the great room of mirrors at Mongrelland for many years now. Indeed, Monsieur Mongrel set up the mirrors in 2006, being the year following his last triumph. Sure, he thought, i'll set these mirrors up this year, have a good, long hard look at myself, they won't be up for long. It's maybe just something we need to do in the short term in order to get back on track and add to an impressive four FFL flags.
8 unsuccessful seasons since his last triumph later and the mirrors are still up at Mongrels headquarters. In fact, in a futile bid to look even deeper into his soul, Dazzling Darren has added even more mirrors with the new ceiling mirrors being installed several years ago now.
Have they worked? No, not in the FFL anyway. Whatever other uses this fella has for mirrors is anyone's guess but back to the FFL.
This season has heralded a new look Mongrels squad with some usual suspects and some brand new faces that even Mr Mongrel probably didn't expect to draft prior to January 2014's draft day.
Mongrels bedfellows Nathan Brown, Daniel Hannebery, Tom Bellchambers and Jack 'Norman' Gunston have been joined by Aaron Sandilands who, even if he was drafted several times, is unlikely to become a bedfellow, given he is about 6 feet taller than Mr Mongrel, but you never know, I guess.
Disappointingly, Sam Mitchell was overlooked by The Mongrels, however they do have some useful midfielders in Leapin' Leigh Montagna, Chris Masten, Jarrad McVeigh and Matty De Boer.
The Mongrels forward line will be led by prospective bedfellow Jack 'Darls' Darling, Norman Gunston and former Bomber, Stewie Crameri. To me, this forward line up looks a touch light, especially when compared to previous Mongrel forward lines, but there will be no doubt that the Head Mongrel will fire any of his forwards up on game day.
Sandy and Mumford and Sons will be great ruckmen and The Mongrels do have some solid depth in most other areas. It should be a decent season for The Mongrels but they will need some astute coaching to reach the pinnacle of the FFL.
Prediction: Dazzling will be looking towards the finals and his team should be there or thereabouts.
The Kelpies
The Kelpies finished the home and away season as the Minor Premiers, indeed in all grades, which to my knowledge has not been achieved previously. However, their finals form last season was poor with two losses and bowing out in straight sets.
It wasn't a great end to the season for The Kelpies but 2014 sees them back again with David S. Kelpie moving back up from the Senior Coach to his role as Kelpies Manager and Director of Football. Lenny D. Kelpie takes the reigns at Kelpieland and given his professional sporting background as a premier runner, it is expected that Lenny will bring a highly professional attitude to The Kelpies.
The Kelpies have drafted strongly in the forward line, in an effort to counteract a weakness in this area in 2013. Lance F. Kelpie joins The Kelpies and along with club captain Travis C. Kelpie and Lindsay Thomas Kelpie and Jeff G. Kelpie, the forward line looks pretty handy.
The midfield features Patrick D. Kelpie, Tom R. Kelpie and back at his favourite club, Lenny H. Kelpie will feature as co-captain in probably his final season.
The Kelpies are renowned for their strong ruck presence and this season they have opted for Todd G. Kelpie, Matthew L. Kelpie and Ben McEKelpie to fill this important role.
The Kelpies appear to have a balanced lineup and they will be looking to stay within touch of the leaders and appear in another finals series, with The Kelpies hoping they take a couple of steps further than 2013.
Prediction: The Kelpies will look towards the finals and should be reasonably close when the whips start cracking at the end of the season.
Mitch's Mongrels
The Mongrels have been staring blankly at themselves in the great room of mirrors at Mongrelland for many years now. Indeed, Monsieur Mongrel set up the mirrors in 2006, being the year following his last triumph. Sure, he thought, i'll set these mirrors up this year, have a good, long hard look at myself, they won't be up for long. It's maybe just something we need to do in the short term in order to get back on track and add to an impressive four FFL flags.
8 unsuccessful seasons since his last triumph later and the mirrors are still up at Mongrels headquarters. In fact, in a futile bid to look even deeper into his soul, Dazzling Darren has added even more mirrors with the new ceiling mirrors being installed several years ago now.
Have they worked? No, not in the FFL anyway. Whatever other uses this fella has for mirrors is anyone's guess but back to the FFL.
This season has heralded a new look Mongrels squad with some usual suspects and some brand new faces that even Mr Mongrel probably didn't expect to draft prior to January 2014's draft day.
Mongrels bedfellows Nathan Brown, Daniel Hannebery, Tom Bellchambers and Jack 'Norman' Gunston have been joined by Aaron Sandilands who, even if he was drafted several times, is unlikely to become a bedfellow, given he is about 6 feet taller than Mr Mongrel, but you never know, I guess.
Disappointingly, Sam Mitchell was overlooked by The Mongrels, however they do have some useful midfielders in Leapin' Leigh Montagna, Chris Masten, Jarrad McVeigh and Matty De Boer.
The Mongrels forward line will be led by prospective bedfellow Jack 'Darls' Darling, Norman Gunston and former Bomber, Stewie Crameri. To me, this forward line up looks a touch light, especially when compared to previous Mongrel forward lines, but there will be no doubt that the Head Mongrel will fire any of his forwards up on game day.
Sandy and Mumford and Sons will be great ruckmen and The Mongrels do have some solid depth in most other areas. It should be a decent season for The Mongrels but they will need some astute coaching to reach the pinnacle of the FFL.
Prediction: Dazzling will be looking towards the finals and his team should be there or thereabouts.
The Kelpies
The Kelpies finished the home and away season as the Minor Premiers, indeed in all grades, which to my knowledge has not been achieved previously. However, their finals form last season was poor with two losses and bowing out in straight sets.
It wasn't a great end to the season for The Kelpies but 2014 sees them back again with David S. Kelpie moving back up from the Senior Coach to his role as Kelpies Manager and Director of Football. Lenny D. Kelpie takes the reigns at Kelpieland and given his professional sporting background as a premier runner, it is expected that Lenny will bring a highly professional attitude to The Kelpies.
The Kelpies have drafted strongly in the forward line, in an effort to counteract a weakness in this area in 2013. Lance F. Kelpie joins The Kelpies and along with club captain Travis C. Kelpie and Lindsay Thomas Kelpie and Jeff G. Kelpie, the forward line looks pretty handy.
The midfield features Patrick D. Kelpie, Tom R. Kelpie and back at his favourite club, Lenny H. Kelpie will feature as co-captain in probably his final season.
The Kelpies are renowned for their strong ruck presence and this season they have opted for Todd G. Kelpie, Matthew L. Kelpie and Ben McEKelpie to fill this important role.
The Kelpies appear to have a balanced lineup and they will be looking to stay within touch of the leaders and appear in another finals series, with The Kelpies hoping they take a couple of steps further than 2013.
Prediction: The Kelpies will look towards the finals and should be reasonably close when the whips start cracking at the end of the season.