MCDFNL 2026 discussion

[CurtyB103]

Aaron Hayes has left Natte to return to his home club. He has been the A/C the last few years and the steadying influence down back for Natte. Total overhaul in the coaching ranks, wonder if they can sustain their success or if they will dip.

 

[Temu Clarko!]

Seems like you follow the league pretty closely from previous posts.

I’d like to dig deeper on why you think the hawks shit the bed.

We beat carisbrook throughout the year by 7 points in round 4, lost to them by a point in qualifying final. Hardly a big swing.

Talbot beat Navarre convincingly throughout the year both times, but they were never at full strength.

Trentham beat Navarre by 86 points in round 11. Trentham then beat Navarre by 8 points in preliminary final.

Dunolly beat Navarre by 12 points in round 13 and lost by 57 to Navarre in elimination final.

Clearly Navarre were a much stronger opponent with a full strength team come finals time. There’s enough data there to suggest it wasn’t a bed shit.

Harcourt also went out in straight sets…. But no mention of them shitting the bed…

As Stats said, finishing second on the ladder and going out in straight sets, that’s a bed shit. Doesn’t matter about results during the year, they don’t mean anything and particularly in MCDFNL you can’t read into them.

You’re right, I didn’t say Harcourt shit the bed, but I did mention they’re 0/4 in finals over the last two years. Their bed was shat last year.

 

[Sherman41]

As Stats said, finishing second on the ladder and going out in straight sets, that’s a bed shit. Doesn’t matter about results during the year, they don’t mean anything and particularly in MCDFNL you can’t read into them.

You’re right, I didn’t say Harcourt shit the bed, but I did mention they’re 0/4 in finals over the last two years. Their bed was shat last

 

[Stats101]

Some good thoughts there Sherman41.

Natte will be strong again although the recruitment of two players that are well past their best surprises me. I am also not convinced about the new coach in Dennis Grinton. Good fellow but the game is past him in my opinion. Would have been better to keep Trent Mortlock as coach who was excellent.

Think the improver will be Newstead, have recruited well and were competitive in 2025. Being in the top echelon will be a stretch but I think they will improve a lot.

Avoca in a world of pain with a lot of players moving on and no recruits. As for the Giants, they are going nowhere in a hurry. The appointment of Cupido as the inaugural coach put the new club back 10 years. What were the committee thinking when they appointed him.

Trentham will be the favorite again. Looking to be very strong and have added some good players for 2026.

Who has Newstead recruited?

I definitely agree with the comments about Grinton will be very interesting to see how he goes, I remember listening to him talk at Mitiamo and wow he could give out a good spray.

 

[Sneaky_Beaver53]

Four years? Mate, you’re selling us short — we’ve pumped in way more than that.

With your knack for crunching numbers, you might be a perfect fit for a job with our major sponsor.
Reckon you’d look elite holding a stop sign.

Yep, get him to give me a call mate - Can definitely assist.
My first task would be ensuring Talbot build into their contracts a clause that players need to keep tight-lipped about the huge sums of money they are getting. The old saying goes, Loose Lips Sink Ships and telling every man and their dog about how much cash your making next year to play in a shit league and train once a fortnight might come back to bite their new club. Time will tell

One great thing about Trentham is it is in close proximity to these Macedon Ranges towns like Riddells Creek and the likes. Means some or a lot of our players may work with, have mutual friends or even be personal friends with some players coming from that area.

 

[Temu Clarko!]

View attachment 2494627

I’m not sure how that’s a contradiction…

 

[Master of Disaster]

Player payments and salary cap arguing is pointless. Very few clubs in the state would be squeaky clean, it is what it is. I’m not quite sure what people expect clubs like Talbot, Natte, Navarre etc to do. They’re tiny towns with limited capacity to produce their own talent, so naturally they have to import and naturally the costs dollars.

Personally, I thought this season was by far and away one of the best seasons that the league has had for a long time. It was great to see different clubs mixing it up and creating a really vibrant finals series. Plus it’s great to see more talent in the league!

 

[edflchamp22]

Anyone know if b Harvey is returning?

 

[OKeefe93]

Hi boys, long time since my last post.
I'm sure you have missed me.

Didn't drown little red, just been offline enjoying some relaxation. Takes some time to polish the cup and all our medals. I get you wouldn't understand.
Would be back at preseason now wouldn't you after the extra few weeks you got off? Cough straight sets cough
Although, I am surprised the Talbot player knows what bath water is - would have been a while since you had a wash I would imagine. Are the water tanks full in the caravan? Great news though that the sun is starting to come out, you might get a couple of warm showers if you can park the van in the sunlight.

Good to be back boys.
Saints recruiting well - Which I know may surprise the poos and wees that other clubs recruit new players too but my early ladder predictions for next year below:

1. Trentham
2. Carisbrook
3. Navarre
4. Harcourt
5. Natte
6. Maldon
7. Newstead
8. Dunolly
9. Lexton
10. Creek
11. Talbot
12. Giants
13. Avoca

Keen on your thoughts, but I reckon that is a pretty good

Natte’s injury woes were well known throughout the season, go through their team against us, they were far from full strength. They got numbers back in semi and prelim and showed how strong they are.

Maybe we overachieved throughout the home and away season

Anyway…enough of this back and forth.

Here are my thoughts.

Contenders- in no particular order.
Trentham
Harcourt
Carisbrook
Talbot
Navarre
Natte

Next bunch - in no particular order
Maldon
Newstead
Dunolly

Bottom 4 - in no particular order
Avoca
Lexton
Creek (will improve)
Giants

Definitely have your top six there. I can’t see Talbot really losing a game, but I also hope I am wrong.

Harcourt, Carisbrook, Trentham, Natte always there abouts as well.

Dunolly have shot themselves in the foot by getting rid of their twos coach after taking them to a top four finish, at the demands of the ones coach. He ended up leaving anyway apparently. A lot of the group weren’t happy and left. About 16 out of the 22 that played in the semi final according to a few boys I know.

Campbells won’t finish last. They have picked up a few players. Another interesting season for them to see if they can continue to keep afloat.

Harcourt can do anything on their day but have some blokes who think they better than they are unfortunately.

 

[Master of Disaster]

Definitely have your top six there. I can’t see Talbot really losing a game, but I also hope I am wrong.

Harcourt, Carisbrook, Trentham, Natte always there abouts as well.

Dunolly have shot themselves in the foot by getting rid of their twos coach after taking them to a top four finish, at the demands of the ones coach. He ended up leaving anyway apparently. A lot of the group weren’t happy and left. About 16 out of the 22 that played in the semi final according to a few boys I know.

Campbells won’t finish last. They have picked up a few players. Another interesting season for them to see if they can continue to keep afloat.

Harcourt can do anything on their day but have some blokes who think they better than they are unfortunately.

Who was the twos coach? They had a bit of talent and youth in their reserves side. That will hurt the club. Not sure Dunolly can afford to drop down the ladder.