Welcome to the 2014 edition of the FFL Season Preview - part 1.
As always, we will go on a journey from worst to best teams, based on the previous season's results.
And, likewise, in the great tradition of the Moonee Valley Trots Tipping Guide, all teams will have a solid chance of winning the FFL Cup or FFL Shield this season.
Let's commence with the worst team from 2013.
The Village Idiots
The Village Idiots failed to win a match last year and they only finished with 4 competition points due to an unprecedented two nil all draws with Kostusthegame. Let's not beat around the bush, neither coach gave a shiny shite last season, so hopefully they will be more productive this season.
Coached by The Scarlett Pimpernel, otherwise known as Toopy, they did at least make some effort in pre-season to provide a list of some description to erstwhile commissioner, The Rock.
The Rock did a pretty decent job of adhering to scant instructions at Draft Day and it has to be said, The Rock took his duties quite seriously. With a definite Richmond feel, the Village Idiots do have some handy players in their lineup this season.
They will be ably led by Trent Cotchin and his partner in crime, Brett Deledio. Supported by Ivan Maric, who admittedly is injured for the start of the season, they do at least have some players who are capable of performing at the highest level in the FFL.
Bachar Houli is a decent ballgetter although the Village Idiots forward line looks a bit light with Jake King arguably one of their better forwards. Indeed, the Idiots strength actually lies in their Rookie Listed players, so if the Scarlett Pimpernel plays his cards well, and he has some injuries this season, at least he will have some good players ready to come in and do some good work.
Prediction: Will be looking for a good start to stay in touch with the better teams, but a finals chance.
Next up we have
Kostusthegame
As mentioned previously, Coach Giaswami wasn't overly enamoured with his team from the 2013 draft day but he's still telling his story walking, as that is what happens when you don't provide a team list. With only a single win and two draws, it's fair to say that 2013 wasn't the best season for Kostusthegame.
This year, Con did provide some players to the Commissioners and again, some handy players were drafted.
Jack Riewoldt will demand the ball in the forward line and in the great tradition of Richmond forwards, he'll undoubtedly get annoyed when the midfielders don't do what is expected of them, at least in Riewoldt's mind anyway. Dusty Martin and Tom Lynch appear to be decent forwards also and Kostus have also have a handy midfield in the making. Marc Murphy, Joel Selwood, Jack Steven (although injured) and Matty Stokes are all very solid performers and with Nic Naitanui, there's the basis for a team that could win their fair share of matches.
Prediction: Kostusthegame will definitely win more games than last season. Not hard, true but have they got the depth to challenge the best teams? Possibly. Time will tell but Kostusthegame should be close to the finals this season.
As always, we will go on a journey from worst to best teams, based on the previous season's results.
And, likewise, in the great tradition of the Moonee Valley Trots Tipping Guide, all teams will have a solid chance of winning the FFL Cup or FFL Shield this season.
Let's commence with the worst team from 2013.
The Village Idiots
The Village Idiots failed to win a match last year and they only finished with 4 competition points due to an unprecedented two nil all draws with Kostusthegame. Let's not beat around the bush, neither coach gave a shiny shite last season, so hopefully they will be more productive this season.
Coached by The Scarlett Pimpernel, otherwise known as Toopy, they did at least make some effort in pre-season to provide a list of some description to erstwhile commissioner, The Rock.
The Rock did a pretty decent job of adhering to scant instructions at Draft Day and it has to be said, The Rock took his duties quite seriously. With a definite Richmond feel, the Village Idiots do have some handy players in their lineup this season.
They will be ably led by Trent Cotchin and his partner in crime, Brett Deledio. Supported by Ivan Maric, who admittedly is injured for the start of the season, they do at least have some players who are capable of performing at the highest level in the FFL.
Bachar Houli is a decent ballgetter although the Village Idiots forward line looks a bit light with Jake King arguably one of their better forwards. Indeed, the Idiots strength actually lies in their Rookie Listed players, so if the Scarlett Pimpernel plays his cards well, and he has some injuries this season, at least he will have some good players ready to come in and do some good work.
Prediction: Will be looking for a good start to stay in touch with the better teams, but a finals chance.
Next up we have
Kostusthegame
As mentioned previously, Coach Giaswami wasn't overly enamoured with his team from the 2013 draft day but he's still telling his story walking, as that is what happens when you don't provide a team list. With only a single win and two draws, it's fair to say that 2013 wasn't the best season for Kostusthegame.
This year, Con did provide some players to the Commissioners and again, some handy players were drafted.
Jack Riewoldt will demand the ball in the forward line and in the great tradition of Richmond forwards, he'll undoubtedly get annoyed when the midfielders don't do what is expected of them, at least in Riewoldt's mind anyway. Dusty Martin and Tom Lynch appear to be decent forwards also and Kostus have also have a handy midfield in the making. Marc Murphy, Joel Selwood, Jack Steven (although injured) and Matty Stokes are all very solid performers and with Nic Naitanui, there's the basis for a team that could win their fair share of matches.
Prediction: Kostusthegame will definitely win more games than last season. Not hard, true but have they got the depth to challenge the best teams? Possibly. Time will tell but Kostusthegame should be close to the finals this season.