By Marcus Uhe
Coach: Sein Clearihan.
Captain: Jake Pedder.
2023: 1st (16-2). Premiers of Division One.
Ins: Stephen Kepahnki (South Belgrave), Ewan Wadsworth (Yarra Junction), Sean Derksen (Montrose), Anthony Fischer (Cranbourne), Chris Ramac (Cranbourne), Ben Pola (Cranbourne).
Outs: Harry Lang (Tooradin), Steven Paull (retired), Jordan Donadel (Upper Ferntree Gully), Nic Jansen (retired).
10 to watch: Noah Van Haren, David Johnson, Josh Rich, Mitch Thomas, Rogan Goonan, Lachlan Hoye, Michael Richardson, Adrian Russo, Callum White, Jake Pedder.
Teams they play twice: Pakenham, Woori Yallock, Upwey Tecoma, Narre Warren, Berwick Springs, Gembrook Cockatoo, Olinda Ferny Creek.
Expected finish: 10th
FIXTURE
Round 1: Saturday 13 April v Olinda Ferny Creek (A)
Round 2: Saturday 20 April v Narre Warren (H)
Round 3: Saturday 27 April v Gembrook Cockatoo (A)
Round 4: Saturday 4 May v Pakenham (H)
Round 5: Saturday 11 May v Woori Yallock (A)
Round 6: Saturday 18 May v Upwey Tecoma (H)
Round 7: Saturday 25 May v Officer (A)
Round 8: Saturday 1 June v Monbulk (A)
Round 9: Saturday 15 June v Berwick Springs (A)
Round 10: Saturday 22 June v Wandin (H)
Round 11: Saturday 29 June v Mt Evelyn (A)
Round 12: Saturday 6 July v Olinda Ferny Creek (H)
Round 13: Saturday 13 July v Narre Warren (A)
Round 14: Saturday 20 July v Pakenham (A)
Round 15: Saturday 3 August v Gembrook Cockatoo (H)
Round 16: Saturday 10 August v Upwey Tecoma (A)
Round 17: Saturday 17 August v Woori Yallock (H)
Round 18: Saturday 24 August v Berwick Springs (H)
From the Kings of Division One to starting afresh in the Premier flight, Emerald faces one of the toughest assignments of any side in Outer East this season.
The lush fauna surrounding Chandler Reserve nestled in the Dandenong Hills were dotted with mortarboards as the Bombers graduate from Division One with flying colours – franking their credentials with a memorable grand final thrashing of Berwick Springs.
But that sunny Sunday in Healesville seems a long time ago now, on the eve of a new campaign where they’ll be forced to prove themselves once again.
Much of the young premiership 22 has re-signed at the hanger, including best-and-fairest winner Mitchell Thomas, who steered the backline superbly all season, and David Johnson, the veteran spearhead who expertly marshalled the precociously talent forward pack, culminating in a best-afield six-goal masterclass on grand final day.
Led by Johnson, the Bombers were a scoring juggernaut in 2023, their average of 113.6 points per game in the home-and-away season nearly five goals better than the next best side (Seville’s 85.5).
Johnson (52 goals) was only bettered by Sam Gebert for goals as the division’s leading goal kicker, while Callum White (37), Lachlan Hoye (31) and Noah Van Haren (29) gave the Bombers four of the top 10 leading goal kickers.
But don’t sleep on their defence – only Healesville edged them for points conceded per game.
A small deck will suit the bigger, contested-ball winning sides accustomed to tight confides in the Hills, where winning at the source will be the key.
Ewan Wadsworth fits the bill as a strong inside presence, while Cranbourne trio Chris Ramac, Ben Pola and Anthony Fischer will bring the experience and nous from a Southern Football League perennial powerhouse.
With mobile, key-position talent that managed to out-muscle their way to success last year, the test will be how they adapt their game style for the cut and thrust of Premier Division.
A tough schedule awaits, with the Bombers playing four finalists from 2023, in Pakenham, Woori Yallock, Upwey Tecoma and Narre Warren.
It’s all part of the Premier Division package, in the eyes of Clearihan.
“You’ve got to play everyone, and that’s the way it is; you’ve got to beat the good sides if you want to be successful,” he said.
“It’s going to be an absolute challenge this year for us, for sure.
“I think we’ve got to be a little bit fitter and stick to our structures and what we know best, get a lot better with our ball-handling.
“We’ve been working on that a lot, getting really good foot and hand skills, (being) really fit and play a running game.
“The thing with the boys, we said their skills will be fine, it’s just the mental aspect of staying in tight games with the pressure that the top sides bring.”
Fixture highlights include round three’s Rivalry Round clash with Gembrook Cockatoo at Gembrook, and the unfurling of their Premiership Flag in round two against Narre Warren in their opening home fixture.
Two grand final rematches, against Berwick Springs, will come in rounds nine and 18.
Nick Russo will have a delayed start to the campaign as he recovers from a knee injury.
