2015 is set to be a season of unknowns in Division 4.
Two sides enter with Glen Waverley Hawks being relegated from Division 3 and Donvale re-entering the competition in Division 4 after last competing in 2013 in Division 2.
At the top end, with both Park Orchards and Silvan gone, the door has been left open for the chasing pack of Warrandyte, Forest Hill and Ferntree Gully, who will all be hard to beat in 2015.
Round one is set to be a cracker! Donvale will play their first ever Division 4 game at home against local rival Nunawading. The Titans will be looking to break their losing streak which dates back to Round 1 2014.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE 2015 SENIOR FIXTURE
Looking at the run of each side with early estimates of each clubs quality and depth here is a rundown of the fixture for each Division 4 club in season 2015:
Coldstream – Last year: 9th, 4 Wins 14 Losses
The Cougars will hope to kick start their season. They do not face a ‘Top 3’ side until Round 7, taking on Glen Waverley, Nunawading and Eastern Lions away in winnable games.
They will need to have won most of these early games as they hit a freight train with Ferntree Gully (Round 7), Warrandyte (Round 8) and Forest Hill in Round 9. With the 10 team fixture they will finish the season the same way so will need to be in a competitive position by Round 15.
Football is all about momentum; If Coldstream can find it early they have the chance to be damaging in 2015.
Round 1: v Kilsyth (Home)
ANZAC Day: v Glen Waverley Hawks (Away)
Round 18: v Forest Hill (Away)
Donvale – Did not compete
Back with a vengeance? Who’s to know at this early stage… What we do know is that the Vales have been training since October and are ready for action with a number of fresh faces on the track.
They start the season at home for the first time since 2011 against a Nunawading side somewhat in the same boat. Their first true test of the season will come in Round 3 as they host Forest Hill at home in what could be a sensational game of football
Round 1: v Nunawading (Home)
ANZAC Day: v Forest Hill (Home)
Round 18: v Glen Waverley Hawks (Away)
Eastern Lions – 6th, 6 Wins 12 Losses
Best of the Rest in 2014, two spots have now opened up above the Eastern Lions in the Division 4 pecking order. However to make the most of that they will need to find themselves quickly competitive with the top 3 sides in the Division.
As we don’t yet know where Donvale and Glen Waverley will fit into the equation, it will be vital that the Lions can win at least a two or three of the six games they play against Warrandyte, Forest Hill and Ferntree Gully. This will put them up in the top flight, given that they can beat the sides below them comfortably.
Round 1: v Forest Hill (Home)
ANZAC Day: v Ferntree Gully (Home) (Night Game)
Round 18: v Nunawading (Away)
Ferntree Gully – 5th, 12 Wins 6 Losses
Missed by that much! The Eagles had a number of chances this season whoever found themselves 10-15% off the tops sides in the Division. They claimed scalps over Park Orchards and Forest Hill, although were soundly beaten by Warrandyte and Silvan on both occasions.
The first month is a big question mark for the Eagles, Surrey Park at home then a tough game against Warrandyte followed by games against the Eastern Lions and Donvale, They Eagles could be 4-0 but could just as easily be 2-2 after the first month.
Round 1: v Surrey Park (Home)
ANZAC Day: v Eastern Lions (Away)(Night)
Round 18: v Kilsyth (Away)
Forest Hill – 4th, 13 Wins 5 Losses
The Zebras haven’t finished any lower than sixth since 2004, a remarkable effort to develop a core group of players that took them to a Grand Final, and almost a premiership, in 2013.
I have a feeling many at Forest Hill expected the turn around to be swift, that with South Belgrave gone they were the incumbent to be promoted. 2015 has the potential to be that year, they have shown that they can compete with the Bloods and the Sharks and will be hard to stop next season.
Round 1: v Eastern Lions (Away)
ANZAC Day: v Donvale (Away)
Round 18: v Coldstream (Home)
Glen Waverley Hawks – Last (Division 3)0 Wins 18 Losses
2014 was a year to forget for the Hawks, not able to register a win they are relegated for the first time in the clubs short history, their stint in Division 3 lasting three seasons. They have a challenge first up, Warrandyte at home followed by Forest Hill away, never an easy task.
Much like Donvale the Hawks are unknown’s coming down a Division, we will see how both clubs operate against each other when the meet for the very first time in Round 9 at Donvale.
Round 1: v Warrandyte (Home)
ANZAC Day: v Coldstream (Home)
Round 18: v Donvale (Home)
Kilsyth – 7th, 5 Wins 13 Losses
The club that continues to promise, Kilsyth have been unable to keep a long term strangle hold on finals positions, they have only managed to play finals 3 times in the past decade, only ahead of Surrey Park in that time.
They have the chance to pick up spots 3 or 4 if they are good enough, they will be tussling with a group of Eastern Lions, Donvale and Glen Waverley for that final position. They will need to be in a good position at the end of July as they face both Forest Hill and Ferntree Gully in August on the eve of finals.
Round 1: v Coldstream (Away)
ANZAC Day: v Warrandyte (Away)
Round 18: v Ferntree Gully (Home)
Nunawading – Last, 1 Win 17 Losses
The Titans got off to the perfect start in 2014, a win in Round 1 followed by a three point loss to Coldstream was a confidence booster for the Titans, unfortunately the form didn’t hold and the Titans were unable to claim a victory after Round 1.
Under new coach Rick Barkla, the Titans have averaged 60 on the training track including a number of fresh faces. They will be tested in Round 1, heading to Donvale to face the question mark of the competition first up!
Round 1: v Donvale Away
ANZAC Day: v Surrey Park (Away)
Round 18: v Eastern Lions (Home)
Surrey Park – 8th, 4 Wins 14 Losses
After what 2013 had brought the Surrey Park Football Club, 2014 was ultimately abit of a fizzer. They weren’t able to beat any side twice during the season and in Round 9 gave up 200 points to Silvan.
Brett Davidson steps in as Senior Coach for 2015, a man with a lot of football knowledge but more importantly a fresh face for the football club.
They will be looking to make a point of Round 1 in 2015, the Panthers have only managed one Round 1 win since 2006, It doesn’t get any easier as they come up against Ferntree Gully away from home.
Round 1: v Ferntree Gully (Away)
ANZAC Day: v Nunawading (Home)
Round 18: v Warrandyte (Home)
Warrandyte – 1st, 16 Wins 2 Losses
Rueing missed opportunities. Warrandyte only had to win one game to fall into Division 3 next season. The bloods only lost two games for the year but managed to drop two on the trot to Silvan and Park Orchards, failing to capitalise on top spot.
This year they will be fighting with Ferntree Gully and Forest Hill, and, barring any unforeseen circumstances it will take another premiership to get them back into Division 3. They play both sides in the opening month of the season; we will know exactly where the Bloods are at by Round 5, 2015.
Round 1: v Glen Waverley Hawks (Away)
ANZAC Day: v Kilsyth (Home)
Round 18: v Surrey Park (Away)
