CHFL previews 2018 | Springbank hard to read

The GJ Gardner Tigers were one of the main fancies for the premiership all season, but were sent packing by a red-hot Beaufort outfit.

Troy Beamond arrived at Tigerland in the off-season to take over the coaching position vacated by Michael Searl and has brought a new voice, ideas and enthusiasm to the club.

And with him has come an influx of top-end talent.

The key arrivals for the Tigers are headlined by decorated VFL player James Wall. The big man has played for Casey Scorpions, Williamstown and Richmond and also held rookie positions with St Kilda and Sydney.

Darley premiership player Chris Graham and key forward Paul O’Shea are other exciting additions, as is Wall’s brother David. Others likely to have an impact at senior level are Ryan Bulluss and Dale Harris.

While there are some big ins, there has been some significant talent walk out the door.

Last season’s best and fairest Nick Couch and leading goal-kicker Tom Eltringham are both gone, while fellow premiership players Matt Tyler, Tyler George, Peter Lewis, Jaaron Mahar, Jesse Galea and Brandon Rix have all lodged clearances.

Beamond said it would take time for the new players to gel together, but had great confidence that when they did, the group would become “extremely dangerous”.

“It’s exciting times because a lot of it for us is the great unknown,” Beamond said.

Beamond is aiming high in his first season at the helm.

“Our number one goal now is to obviously finish top four and if you are good enough to finish top four, then your goal becomes to win the premiership,” he said.

“And we’re not shying away from that...”

Q: What do you see as your key on-field strength?

Our positional flexibility, as well as some wise, experienced leaders who will show the way forward for the younger guys.

Q: What is your key message as coach in 2018?

To trust that everybody will work hard for each other and to have belief that we have the talent in the group to achieve success if we work hard enough for it.

Q: How have the pre-season preparations gone?

I have no doubt we will get better as the season goes on and the boys get more accustomed to a new coach and structures, and also when the group gets more used to playing with each other. The recruits have fitted in really well and I couldn’t be more pleased with the attitude and effort of the core group over the summer.

Q: Which player are you most excited about?

As a new coach coming in, I am excited about seeing what the entire list can produce.

Q: Which is the team to beat this season?

Hepburn is obviously going to be tough again, but Beaufort and Buninyong were both top four sides that have recruited well without really losing too much. I expect they will be around the mark.

Troy Beamond (new)

Third position

14 wins, two losses

Leading goal-kicker: Tom Eltringham, 50 goals

Best and fairest: Nick Couch

Geoff Taylor Medal top vote-getters: Billy Driscoll 16, Michael Searl 11, Simon Quinlan 11, Thomas Eltringham 9, Tyler George 6, Brock Freeman 3, Matthew Tyler 3, Justin Simpson 3, Sam Cue 3

Chris Graham (Darley), Paul O’Shea (Wyndhamvale), David Wall (St Bernards), James Wall (Tatura), Ryan Bulluss (Waratah), Dale Harris (Melton Centrals)

Nick Couch (Terang Mortlake), Matt Tyler (Rupanyup), Tyler George (North Ballarat City), Tom Eltringham (Cairns Saints), Peter Lewis (Deniliquin Rovers), Jaaron Mahar (Tracy Village), Jesse Galea (Huntly), Mitch Couch (Nirranda), Brandon Rix (Talbot)

R1: Buninyong (h)

R2: Carngham-Linton (a)

R3: Ballan (h)

R4: Clunes (a)

R5: Dunnstown (h)

R6: Smythesdale (a)

R7: Beaufort (h)

R8: Learmonth (a)

R9: Hepburn (a)

R10: Newlyn (h)

R11: Waubra (a)

R12: Daylesford (h)

R13: Rokewood-Corindhap (a)

R14: Bungaree (h)

R15: Skipton (a)

R16: Gordon (h)

R17: Creswick (a)

Very hard to know how the Tigers will go with so much change in the list, but you'd expect the side to again be one of the main premiership contenders.