PRE-SEASON COMMENTS
COACH SHAUN O'LOUGHLIN: We are aiming to qualify for the finals by winning as many games as possible.
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TIM O'CONNOR: There was more grand final heartbreak for Buninyong last year, with the side going down in yet another decider. New coach Shaun O'Loughlin will bring a new voice to the helm and he looks to have assembled a team capable of winning the premiership in 2019. Certainly one of the main contenders.
GEOFF TAYLOR MEDAL VOTING
Jarrod Rodgers 14
Nick Shell 8
Ned Gilbert 8
Derick Micallef 8
Alex Bomitali 7
Joshua Lee 6
Jarrod Morgan 5
Jack Robertson 5
James Heslop 4
Liam Rigby 4
Lachlan Baker 3
Isaac Baker 2
Lachlan Baker 1
Timothy Brayshaw 1
CHFL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Nick Shell
Jarrod Rodgers
Derick Micallef
Lachlan Baker
THE YEAR THAT WAS
Sadly, as it has been the case throughout the last decade, Buninyong was unable to get the job done at the business end of the campaign.
Another great home and away campaign secured the minor premiership in the final round of the season, but a straight sets exit from the play-offs would have left a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters.
A grand final defeat in 2018 was followed by Jarrod Morgan standing down as senior coach of the club and then Shaun O'Loughlin taking charge.
Another strong squad was assembled - which included many of the old heads combined with some new blood - but the year started horribly with a shock defeat by Bungaree.
However, that proved one of just two losses for the home and away rounds, with a winning streak of 12 games preparing the Bombers nicely for finals.
But it was a disaster for the boys in red and black, which were thrashed by eventual premiers Waubra and then well beaten by Hepburn in the knockout semi final.
Frustratingly, Buninyong had beaten both the Roos and Burras convincingly during the regular rounds but faltered when it mattered most.
SEASON 2020
It's hard to put a finger on where it has been going wrong for the Bombers, which appear to have a squad with enough talent to lift the cup.
O'Loughlin has already started his recruiting drive for next season with the luring of former top Skipton player Tyrone Ross.
Ross has come across as an assistant coach and will add more class to a list brimming with talent.
With so many options across all lines and great depth at the club, there doesn't need to be much added to a senior side that will surely feature prominently again.
One day it will all click for Buninyong and making that happen on the big stage is undoubtedly the challenge for the club leaders.