MITIAMO
FOOTBALL
Coaches: Andy Grant (2nd year), Tyrone Downie (new)
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Last year: 2nd - 12-8
Arrivals: Tim Brooks, Shaun Delamare, Brent Downie, Tyrone Downie, Sean Hanrahan, Brenton McKenry, Braydan Riddell, Dougie Thomas.
Departures: Thomas Eade, Ryan Evans, Matt Trewhella.
Player points: 45
Last flag: 2009
First month:
R1: v Maiden Gully YCW (a)
R2: v Pyramid Hill (h)
R3: v Newbridge (a)
R4: v BL-Serpentine (h)
Past five years:
2018: 2nd - 12-8
2017: 4th - 10-8
2016: 2nd - 15-5
2015: 2nd - 11-9
2014: 7th - 4-12
Last season's MVP top 5:
Luke Lougoon - 47
Terry Reeves - 42
James Rozynski - 41
Michael I'Anson - 32
Max Simpson - 32
Last season's top 5 goalkickers:
Ryan Wellington - 37
Dylan Clohesy - 20
Michael I'Anson - 18
Tom Grant - 17
Luke Scott - 15
Q and A with coach Andy Grant
Having lost three grand finals in the past four years, how strong is the drive this year to take that next step and finally break through for a grand final win?
"It's very strong no doubt, particularly for our guys who have been travelling (Michael I'Anson, Luke Scott and James Rozynski) for a few years now... they are desperate to win a premiership with Mitiamo, and so to are the local boys.
"It's disappointing to get into a grand final and get beaten, so we're definitely looking to make amends this year."
The inclusion of co-coach Tyrone Downie to play forward and Tim Brooks in defence, plus throwing Dougie Thomas back into the middle, has certainly strengthened up the spine.
"We've also got a young ruckman in Braydan Riddell (from Maiden Gully YCW), who we think will turn into a nice player for us.
"We've also added some more depth to the list, which is important.
"We've been able to top up with some top-end players and all the blokes we've recruited are good mates with the current list, so that certainly hopes.
"Hopefully, it won't take as long to gel because all the boys know each other."
In recent years you've had to play second fiddle to red-hot flag favourites in Bridgewater and Newbridge. This year though Mitiamo has the tag of perhaps being the favourite. How do you expect the playing group to embrace that increased expectation.
"There's no excuses this year. We're under no illusion that we need to make it (the grand final) and win it, but first thing's first - we need to win enough games to play finals and, hopefully, be in good condition at the right time of the season."
Summary
There's a saying that if you knock on the door for long enough, eventually it will open.
And Mitiamo is desperate for the premiership door to open this season given the grand final disappointment it has endured in recent years.
The Superoos have lost three of the past four grand finals - twice to Bridgewater when the Mean Machine was an unstoppable powerhouse, and last year to Newbridge when the Maroons were the short-priced flag favourites from the outset.
This season, though, there's no clear red-hot favourite of an obstacle in place like those of the cut-above-the-rest Bridgewater or Newbridge teams that have thwarted Mitiamo in recent years.
There's no excuses for the Superoos this season.
They should be driven by an enormous level of hunger, they've bolstered their list with quality talent and their losses have been kept to a minimum.
The marquee signing for the Superoos has been the addition of new co-coach Tyrone Downie.
The former Gold Coast Suns' rookie shapes as one of the most damaging forwards in the competition and will be a welcome addition to a side that - despite making the grand final last year - had only Ryan Wellington (37) and Dylan Clohesy (20) kick 20-plus goals.
Downie's brother, Brent, has also joined the Superoos and will add some class on a wing, while Tim Brooks will slot into centre half-back, adding to the competition's No.2 ranked defence of last year.
There's also a familiar name back Mitiamo in gun midfielder Dougie Thomas.
Ball magnet Thomas has previously been part of two losing grand final teams at Mitiamo and like many of his team-mates, will be desperate to finally knock down the premiership door in 2019, which marks 10 years since the club's last flag.
There's no easing into the season for Mitiamo, with its first four games all against its fellow finalists of last year, starting with a big away clash against Maiden Gully YCW.
Practice matches - v White Hills (March 16 at Mitiamo), v Lockington-Bamawm United (March 22 at Lockington).
NETBALL
Coach: Kylie Piercy (second year, first year solo)
Last year: Third
Arrivals: Laura Hicks, Gabrielle Marlow, Stella Calder.
Departures: Julia Twigg.
Coaching panel: Kylie Piercy (A-grade); Jess Pay and Glenda Thomas (B-grade); Jenna Guy (C-grade); Marni Thorsen (C-reserve); Sam Daykin (17-and-under); Kelly Pay and Louise Hocking (15-and-under); Tayla and Reilly Johnson (13-and-under).
Last five years: Third (2018); second (2017); second (2016); sixth (2015); third (2014).
Q and A with coach Kylie Piercy
You must be excited by the return of Laura Hicks, after she missed last season?
"Very excited. I'm not sure she would have made all the difference last year, but she certainly would have helped, absolutely. We're glad to have Gab Marlow back too from her knee injury. She is another big gain for us - she will really strengthen our midcourt.."
How has the transition from being a joint coach with Jenny Clohesy to being out on your own?
"It's been a little different, but nothing out of the ordinary."
You are starting the season with an experienced and reasonably settled team with plenty of finals experience. Any youngsters we might need to keep an eye on?
"We have a few who will step-up in the lower grades, but not A-grade. They're only young. Pretty much all of our under-17s last year were still eligible for under-15s, so they have still got a lot of netball to play in junior ranks."
You have Maiden Gully YCW first-up, what can you expect from the Eagles?
"They will be strong and they will push very hard. They are always strong. It will be the same across the board, no one is easy beat is this league; you can never dismiss anyone on a given day."
SUMMARY
Much like its great rival Calivil United, Mitiamo has been a seemingly permanent fixture at or near the top of the Loddon Valley league ladder forever.
That's unlikely to change anytime soon, with the Superoos again shaping as a flag contender in an open finals race.
The new additions at Mitamo are few, but impressively the the losses have been restricted only to goal keeper Julia Twigg, who has switched clubs to South Bendigo.
But it is the return of a pair of premiership players and a skilful midcourter that is expected to bolster an already strong team, which finished 2018 as minor season premiers and third after finals.
Mitiamo welcomes back star goal shooter and three-time league best and fairest Laura Hicks and also Stella Calder, who is returning to the club.
It was Hicks, at goal attack, and Calder, at goal shooter, who were partners in the circle when the Superoos last achieved premiership glory in 2012. Other current-day players involved in that win include Amelia and Sarah Ludeman, and Tahnee Cannan.
The Superoos have also regained midcourter Gabrielle Marlow, who returns from the knee injury which sidelined her for the bulk of last year.
Impressive gains for a side with plenty of existing top-end talent, led by second-year Superoo Lucy Morcom, who finished equal fourth in her debut season in the LVFNL.
The Superoos open their season against Maiden Gully YCW at Marist College.
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