The new era in local footy finally starts this weekend and it's starting to shape up as a good close season of footy in the northern conference of the new NEAFL. With the new afl coming into the comp this year. It should be interesting to see if they take every season seriously and have a crack at winning a flag in the local league, not like their local rival an hour up the highway. Can southport hit back after 2 disappointing finishes after strong starts. Can morningside do a 3 peat and they are a chance of doing it. Will aspley finally step to the mark and make a run at the finals and it's the year they should now
Morningside: they are coming off back to back premierships and absolutely cocker hoop. But with big losses in the ruck stocks, with gough retiring or going to palm beach as the rumors start to fire up and big tom hickey leaving to play at the suns. They are going to need to fill that position. They also lost Hayden Wilson to west Perth and that will be a big loss, he is a goal sneak and can play in the middle. But they did well without his services for most of last season when he had a knee reconstruction. If they can keep most of their best players on the track this year. They can certainly go a long way. Heffernen roper will be a good buy for them and will add power to a very strong midfield
Labrador:grand finalist from last year and looking to go one further this year. They have lost a few over the summer. With their coach going to Broadbeach to be the club development officer. Peter everitt has finally hung up the boots after a great season and I feel he will be missed big time. He could be that X factor player they need. Will the gut renching grand final loss be a motivating force this year, who knows. But their midfield is a quality one and beat anyone on any given day. With Tim Notting leading up forward they can make a run at their first flag since they joined the QAFL
Southport: the powerhouse of the QAF L in the last 27 years are coming off 2 disappointing seasons in their terms. They have finished 2nd on the ladder both years and crashed out of the finals at the prelim finals stage. Last year they started off the season like a house on fire and by round 12 and in the end they fell in a heap. Wise was their best player and won the grogan. The problem again this year will be can they play well as a team. Norm Dare is back as coach and I don't know how that's going to go. I have a feeling they will have woken the sleeping giant and we could see them dominate this comp
Mt Gravatt: last year they had an absolute awful start to the season. Losing their first 3 games of the season by an average of 70 points and it really hit them hard and it cost them at the end of the season. Getting smashed in a final the way they would have left a burning feeling in their guts over the summer. They have picked a few of the western magpie players who have left for greener pastures and got back a few former to the club as well. They have lost Paige, whit and Tommy Tarrant. Which will leave 3 massive holes in their side. I think if they get off to a great start this year they can challenge for another flag
N.T Thunder: if they had won more than a few away games last year, they would have played a home final and maybe play in a grand final. But a few of their flaws showed up during the season. They couldn't find another avenue to goals when Ewing couldn't get a kick and that happened a few times last year. They lost Goodes who was outstanding last year and the picked up Jason Roe from some where, not sure where. If they win plenty away games. They will be their when the whips are cracking
Redlands: last year was a step backwoods for them after finishing third on the ladder and crashing out of the finals in straight sets the year before. They just didn't click like they did in 09. maybe it was the big losses of Whit and Eagle that left them a massive that they couldn't fill. Again some of the coaching tactics were left to be desired as well. This year they have recruited heavily and have picked up a few more ex afl players to their list and I expect them to bounce back and play finals
Aspley: started off last year very slowly and all the new recruits were looking out of place. A new coach certain;y rejuvenated them and they came flying home in the last 9 rounds, winning 5 of their last 9 and should have probably won another 2 in those losses. This year they have to step up to the plate and have a real crack at playing finals. They have recruited some quality footballers again and stocked up on key position players that were needed. It really is finals or bust for them this year
Brisbane Lions: well it will all depend on how their seniors team will go and by anything goes from their last 9 seasons. This team will struggle and won't give a shit about the local comp and fade miserably late in the season.
Broadbeach: their season started well last year and looked ok up to round 12 and than it all fell apart. They have recruited heavily. With signing of the like. Jason Eagle, Rahn Hooper but with him he might go awol if he cracks the shit and a few other key position players. Can they have the mental capacity to last a season and play finals. I have my doubts about them doing that. Will foulton crack the shits and go back to palmy who knows
Gold coast suns:there is a lot of unknown about this team. But a lot of their squad will have plenty of experience in the vfl last year where they won 6 games. I think they will go close to playing finals this year.
My ladder for this year is
Southport
Mt Gravatt
Morningside
Thunder
Redlands
this is in no particular order
Suns
Labrador
Aspley
Broadbeach
Lions
Premiers: Southport
Runner up: Mt Gravatt
Grogan medalist: Jamie Sheehan
it should be an interesting season ahead for all
