Can we just start the VFL season now, please? A longer than usual wait has been excruciating for supporters of the 14 clubs.
Last season, the opening match was played on March 29, but this time around the curtain will go up 19 days later, on April 17, and Werribee Tigers coach John Lamont was at a loss to explain why.
The AFL, local leagues and all of the other state leagues around the nation were battling it out for four points at the weekend while the Tigers were playing their fifth game of pre-season.
“It’s been a bit of an odd start,” Lamont said.
“We had a practice match still to play while a lot of other comps were into it last weekend. Our blokes are ready for it to start.”
The wait should be worth it for the Tigers as they have the honour of opening the season under lights against arch-rivals Geelong Cats at Avalon Airport Oval on Friday night.
With the exception of western suburbs derbies against Williamstown and Footscray, this is as big as it gets for the Tigers players and is considered a must-win in terms of supporter bragging rights.
The close proximity of the two clubs, separated by a short drive up the Princes Highway, the strong ex-Geelong flavour involved at Werribee and the defections of some former star Tigers to the Cats over the years have added spice to the rivalry.
“There’s a healthy, friendly rivalry and we’re very much looking forward to the game,” Lamont said. “We’ve had some great games with them in recent years. Hopefully we can start well on Friday night.”
Werribee has two home games to start the season with difficult road trips to follow.
Semi-finalists last season, the Tigers will host North Ballarat in round two before short trips to Port Melbourne and Williamstown – two of the top three clubs after last year’s home and away season.
Lamont said his players were primed and ready after a big pre-season.
“We’ve fine-tuned everyone for a big game this Friday,” he said.
“I’ve been really pleased with the game time that has gone into players and the education, particularly the new guys, about how we want to play.”
There will be plenty of early opportunities for recruits and young players given a heavy
pre-season toll. The Tigers will be without new captain Michael Sodamaco (hamstring), vice-captain Ben Speight (shoulder), young gun Tom Gribble and key defender Brody Mihocek (knee) for the season opener, while Daniel Nielson (ACL) has been ruled out for the year.
“We’ve got a few out, but it will provide opportunities for someone else,” Lamont said.
Recruits pressing for round-one selection include Tasmanian duo Mitch Vandenberg (North Launceston), a medium-sized forward, and Matt Hansen (Western Storm), an inside-outside midfielder.
Key forward Josh Helliwell has impressed since crossing from Frankston, as has hard-at-it onballer Isaac Conway, a Queenslander who played with Aspley in the NEAFL competition and was once on the Brisbane Lions list.
“They’re all boys who can hopefully come in and have an impact early,” Lamont said.
The younger brigade staking claims for senior spots early in the season includes utility Joe Maishman, speedy winger-forward Matt Munro, swingman Matthew Brett and local products Braden Ferrari, Harrison King and Keenan O’Shea.
