-By Nathan Dole
ULTIMA starts its run at back-to-back senior footy premierships in the Golden Rivers on home turf on Saturday.
The Kangaroos will take on a new-look Wandella at Ultima Recreation Reserve from 2.25pm.
Ultima bounced back from a 50-point loss to Hay in last season’s second semi-final to then beat Wandella in the preliminary final by 18 goals.
A week later and the Kangaroos fought on for a 76-75 victory in the grand final.
Ultima has won 11 premierships, but only twice has it gone back-to-back.
The Kangaroos marked a premiership hat-trick in 2002, ’03 and ’04, and were number one again in 2014 and ’15.
Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons team up as Ultima’s coaches.
The Kangaroos have welcomed back Josh Dwyer and Tom Isma.
Newcomers for the Roos include Brad Anderson from Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, Nathan Bath from Moulamein, Tongala’s James Coulson, and Zac Denham from Tyntynder.
Among the players to watch will be Darcy Farrell in midfield.
A win-loss tally of eight-eight meant Wandella finished last season’s home-and-away series in third place.
The Bombers soared to a 99-point win against Macorna in the first semi, but a week later had their run ended by Ultima.
Justin Robinson will coach Wandella.
A big recruiting campaign by the red and black landed ruckman Darcy Ramage from Echuca United, Mitch Collins from Sunbury Kangaroos, and Kerang’s Sam Miller, Brodan and Trent O’Neill, and Logan Tuohey.
The Bombers also welcome back Mitch Collins and Kane Timms.
Last season’s runner-up, Hay Lions welcome Moulamein to the den for the season opener.
Hay went 15-1 in last year’s home-and-away series.
This season the Lions will be jointly coached by Jason Aylett and James Moran.
Assistant coaches are Jack Headon, Tom McGufficke and Brad Pocock.
On or near the top of the ladder the past two seasons, Hay is likely to be a strong contender once again.
The Lions’ recruits include Fergus Cattanach returning to the club after a string with Old Xaverians, and Dylan Collis who had a stint with Pyramid Hill.
Hay has also gained Simon Bunyan from Bullioh, Harry Loughnan from Caulfield Grammarians, Declan Watson from Aspley Hornets and Jacob Watson from Pine Rivers.
It’s a new coaching set-up at Moulamein as Brodie Tonkin from Lake Boga and Hayden Dalitz from Billabong Crows join forces to lead the Swans.
The club will be desperate to improve on last season’s win-loss tally of 3-13.
Newcomers for Moulamein include Brett Kennedy from Nightcliff, Blake Launer from Southern Saints, Tooleybuc Manangatang’s Ben Doolan and Koby Stanley, and Balranald’s Tobie Richardson.
Other signings for the Swans include Matt Edwards from Camden Cats, Mathoura’s Daniel Shipp, Tyntynder’s Brad Dunstone, Parker Tonkin from Lake Boga, and George Austin from Harrow Balmoral.
It’s the Tigers against the Blues as Macorna hosts Murrabit.
Paul Longstaff and Shaun Haffenden will coach Macorna this season.
After a two-year stint with Echuca United, Haffenden has returned to the Tigers.
Newcomers for the yellow and black include Jackson Fry and Tori Ferguson from Huntly, Llewellyn Kane from Mitiamo, Reece Wissell from Lockington Bamawm United, Connor Burge from Wycheproof Narraport, Jake Cardinal from Maiden Gully YCW, and Anthony Free.
Murrabit will also be striving to improve on a 3-13 record and sixth placing last season.
Among the changes leading into ’25 was Murrabit’s home ground being renamed Vince Maher Recreation Reserve.
Coach Jack Shannahan will have the support of assistant coaches Dean Harrop and Jacob Wade.
The Blues were busy on the recruiting front.
Newcomers at Murrabit include midfielder/forward James Russo from Waverley Blues, Matt Moon from Pyramid Hill, Merbein’s James Stewart, Adam Thomson from Nullawil, and Mitch Laursen from Lockington Bamawm United.
The Blues also signed Noah Everitt from Nyah Nyah West United, key forward Joe Zambelli, and also welcome back Clancy Leahy and Bryden Morison to the club.