March 17, 2015
by Martin Stern
The 2015 Evolution Solar Football League competition kicks off on Saturday.
It’s shaping up to be a wonderful season and should be very competitive across all three divisions.
In my opinion, Nanango are still the team to beat in First Division, but with Wests’ formidable squad I believe they will throw out a very serious challenge.
Second Division, however, is very open and will be closely fought out.
As for the Women’s Division, Nanango are still favourites but I would not be surprised if Wests or Barambah – or even a revamped Gunnettes – will make life very difficult for them.
The standard of the local game should rise this year with the arrival of many experienced players as well as some very youthful talent.
And with the new season about to burst upon us, I thought it might be timely to review this season’s teams.
Here’s how they’re shaping up:
* * *
Nanango Men
The 2014 Men’s First Division Premiers will start the new season with quite a few new faces.
Last year’s club captain Damien Walters and Nanango legend Jeff Froloff have called full-time, retiring from the game.
However, Nanango has secured the services of Harry Sterling and Hayden Steen, two quality players.
The big difference this year will be replacing the ever-reliable Jeff Froloff and Damien Walters in central defence.
“Considering we have lost out two central fullbacks, we have spent a significant amount of time trying to establish a new defending unit,” Nanango coach Lauren Mangan said.
“I expect to have a strong First Division team again, although I’m mindful of a few key changes and I imagine the way we play our game will also change.”
Second Division continues to be a developmental team with several new faces again this year.
But there is no doubt – after winning the Grand Final three years in a row – that Nanango are still the team to beat in First Division.
- Gains: Harry Sterling, Hayden Steen, Matt Krosh
- Losses: Jeff Froloff, Damien Walters, Steve Jackson
* * *
Nanango Women
Once again, Nanango women will be a tough nut to crack.
Although they have lost a few players who are moving out of the area, they have recruited replacements who have come up through the Cadet ranks.
Once again, Cassie Kelly will lead a team which will comprise both youth and experience.
Nanango women’s coach Alan Downie believes his team is capable of making it three in a row for the Panthers.
“The girls have been training hard in preseason and are as hungry as ever for success,” he said.
* * *
Barambah Men
2015 is shaping up to be a challenging year for Barambah United’s First Division men’s team.
After an extremely exciting 2014 season, culminating with Barambah facing Nanango in the Grand Final six months ago, it will be a new, younger team hitting the field in 2015.
Player retirement, job transfers and player movements have seen eight of last year’s First Division players gone from the team sheet for this season.
The Second Division team is looking very exciting with former Barambah junior players now filing through to the senior ranks.
Sarah Vanderkolk has taken up the challenge of coaching the men’s teams in 2015 and is looking forward to an exciting year.
“We have been training hard in the lead-up to this season, integrating the new players and getting them prepared for what will be a step up in competition.,” Sarah said.
“I have faith in my players to play good football. No team can ever be discounted.
“My aim is to develop these teams through solid training, respect for each other and their opposition and most importantly, belief in themselves as individuals and as a team.
“This year will be what it will be, however we won’t be walkovers.”
- Gains: Brice and Ayden Connolly
- Losses: Sheldon Livingstone, Jayden Mollenhauer, Brendan Kelly, Chris O’Loughlin, Chris Miller, Andrew Fennell
* * *
Barambah Women
The Barambah Women’s team is looking very promising with good numbers.
However, they have lost Elle Mollenhauer, the most prolific scorer in South Burnett Women’s football (Elle is playing for the South West Queensland Thunder Women’s team in the NPL).
“We are pumped after our success at Dalby and although it was a small carnival, our girls have taken a lot of positives from the way they played on that day,” Sarah Vanderkolk said,
“Some players are carrying niggling injuries but with solid numbers we hope to have a good rotation.
“We are excited for the season to start.”
* * *
Gunners Men
Once again, Gunners will have to build up their squad from scratch, something coach Debbie Ovens has become very used to doing over the past couple of years.
Gunners will go into the 2015 competition with a very youthful but talented squad of players.
This team has often surprised its harshest critics, winning the President’s Cup against Nanango in 2013 and winning the Second Division Grand final last year against Nanango.
“Our biggest advantage is that we are an unknown quantity. Along with our youth, skill and enthusiasm, we can go a long way in this competition,” coach Debbie Ovens said.
There is no doubt that Gunners will again prove to be handful, and equally little doubt that Debbie will get the best out of her playing roster.
- Gains: Brendan Kelly, Kendall Serthistone, Will Ambrose, Jack Kelly, Tommy Schmidhauser, Jordan Hetherington
- Losses: Mitch Potter, Matt Major, Hayden Steen, Matt Krosh
* * *
Gunnettes (Women)
At the time this went to press, Gunnettes were unable to be contacted, but I’ll update this story when I’m able to.
Gunnettes will again have a young side coached by Tracey Clegg.
Last season the girls took giant steps, and with some consolidation this season they should be a force to be reckoned with.
* * *
Wests Men
Wests will go into 2015 in very good shape and could be a serious contender for the premiership.
With an abundance of new players, it will all depend on how they gel as a team.
There is no doubt Wests will stick to their philosophy of playing high possession football, but they will have to improve their finishing, which let them down last year.
“I am quietly confident we can do well this year and we will do the best we can,” coach Mauro Buzzo said.
Wests have bolstered their squad with 2014 Player of the Year Sheldon Livingstone in the midfield.
They have two new quality goalkeepers with the return of Jason Lang – who has had a few years off – and Alex Firman, who played Under 15s with South West Queensland Thunder last year.
Along with other new arrivals from Brisbane and locally, they are in with a chance.
- Gains: Sheldon Livingstone, Jayden Mollenhauer, Braden Swan, Ben Mensah, Tony Newman, Tony Fairbrother, Callum Tucker, Ryan Jacobs, Alex Firman, Brandon Walsh, Jaimen Tunstall
- Losses: Harry Sterling, Ryan Kelly
* * *
Wests Women
Wests women will go into 2015 with a mixture of returning and new players.
They have lost Cassie Firman to university and, possibly, Michelle Hunter.
However, Hayley Hunter has returned which gives them more firepower up front.
“The girls have been training well and had a successful trial match against Barambah last week,” coach Trevor Litzow said.
“All teams have stepped up this season and are evenly matched.
“It would be great to go one better this season after two consecutive Grand Final losses to Nanango.”
* * *
The Evolution Solar South Burnett Football League gets underway on Saturday (March 21) with Barambah travelling to Nanango and a local derby between Gunners and Wests in Kingaroy.
Nanango v Barambah at the Nanango Soccer Ground, Burnett Street, Nanango:
- Division 2: 12:30pm
- Women’s Division: 2:00pm
- Division 1: 3:15pm
Gunners v Wests at Tom Alford Oval, Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy:
- Division 2: 2:00pm
- Women’s Division: 3:30pm
- Division 1: 5:00pm
