THREE sides appear to be the standout teams in the 2019 NAB League competition, with eight members of the Draft Central team making predictions for the season ahead. In the predictions, we have a guess at Premiers, Runner-up, Top 4, which team will be the biggest improver, as well as Morrish Medal and Leading Goalkicker predictions.
Oakleigh Chargers (five), Sandringham Dragons (two) and Gippsland Power (one) are the three sides who can take out the premiership this year according to the eight writers, with Oakleigh and Sandringham voted by all eight to make the top four, with Gippsland nominated by seven of the eight writers. It is an even spread to predict the fourth placed team, with Murray Bushrangers (three) ahead of fellow country sides and regular finalists, Geelong Falcons and Dandenong Stingrays (two), followed by metro counterparts, Northern Knights and Western Jets (one). The big improver from the competition is expected to be Northern Knights (three votes), while Calder Cannons and Geelong Falcons (two) are another contender to rise above their 2018 performance, with Western Jets also earning a vote.
In terms of the individual awards, it is an even spread, with Murray Bushrangers’ Lachlan Ash earning two votes, ahead of six different players. The Leading Goalkicker award has two candidates out front, with Oakleigh Chargers’ Dylan Williams (three votes) and Gippsland Power’s Josh Smith (two votes).
Peter Williams
Premiers: Oakleigh Chargers
Runner-Up: Gippsland Power
Top 4: Oakleigh, Gippsland, Sandringham, Murray
Big Improver: Northern Knights
Morrish Medal: Lachlan Ash (Murray Bushrangers)
Leading Goalkicker: Josh Smith (Gippsland Power)
Taylah Melki
Premiers: Oakleigh Chargers
Runner-Up: Sandringham Dragons
Top 4: Oakleigh, Sandringham, Gippsland, Dandenong
Big Improver: Geelong Falcons
Morrish Medal: Hayden Young (Dandenong Stingrays)
Leading Goalkicker: Charlie Sprague (Geelong Falcons)
Michael Alvaro
Premiers: Oakleigh Chargers
Runner-Up: Gippsland Power
Top 4: Gippsland, Oakleigh, Sandringham, Dandenong
Big Improver: Geelong Falcons
Morrish Medal: Cooper Stephens (Geelong Falcons)
Leading Goalkicker: Dylan Williams (Oakleigh Chargers)
Sophie Taylor
Premiers: Sandringham Dragons
Runner-Up: Oakleigh Chargers
Top 4: Sandringham, Oakleigh, Gippsland, Western
Big Improver: Western Jets
Morrish Medal: Daniel Mott (Calder Cannons)
Leading Goalkicker: Emerson Jeka (Western Jets)
Ed Pascoe
Premiers: Sandringham Dragons
Runner-Up: Gippsland Power
Top 4: Sandringham, Gippsland, Oakleigh, Northern
Big Improver: Northern Knights
Morrish Medal: Ryan Byrnes (Sandringham Dragons)
Leading Goalkicker: Riley Bowman (Sandringham Dragons)
Alex Gibson
Premiers: Oakleigh Chargers
Runner-Up: Sandringham Dragons
Top 4: Oakleigh, Sandringham, Geelong, Murray
Big Improver: Calder Cannons
Morrish Medal: Trent Bianco (Oakleigh Chargers)
Leading Goalkicker: Dylan Williams (Oakleigh Chargers)
Scott Dougan
Premiers: Oakleigh Chargers
Runner-Up: Gippsland Power
Top 4: Oakleigh, Gippsland, Sandringham, Murray
Big Improver: Northern Knights
Morrish Medal: Lachlan Ash (Murray Bushrangers)
Leading Goalkicker: Dylan Williams (Oakleigh Chargers)
Craig Byrnes
Premiers: Gippsland Power
Runner-Up: Oakleigh Chargers
Top 4: Gippsland, Oakleigh, Sandringham, Geelong
Big Improver: Calder Cannons
Morrish Medal: Cody Hirst (Eastern Ranges)
Leading Goalkicker: Josh Smith (Gippsland Power)
TOTAL:
Premiers:
Oakleigh Chargers 5
Sandringham Dragons 2
Gippsland Power 1
Top 4:
Oakleigh Chargers, Sandringham Dragons – 8
Gippsland Power – 7
Murray Bushrangers – 3
Dandenong Stingrays, Geelong Falcons – 2
Northern Knights, Western Jets – 1
Most Improved:
Northern Knights – 3
Calder Cannons – 2
Geelong Falcons – 2
Western Jets – 1
Morrish Medal:
Lachlan Ash (Murray Bushrangers) – 2
Hayden Young (DS), Cooper Stephens (GF), Ryan Byrnes (SD), Daniel Mott (CC), Trent Bianco (OC), Cody Hirst (ER)
Leading Goalkicker:
Dylan Williams (Oakleigh Chargers) – 3
Josh Smith (Gippsland Power) – 2
Riley Bowman (SD), Charlie Sprague (GF), Emerson Jeka (WJ) – 1
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