The SAFL returns to the hallowed turf of Hoa Lu this Saturday to commence the 2022 season and there’s plenty to look forward to!
In Round 1 the Tigers and Crocs combine to take on the 2021 Champs the Bears and the Vipers. New recruits, old rivalries, unique match-ups, round 1 has ’em all!!!
New Recruits
With the new season comes new talent… Teams are hoping that they can turn their 2021 fortunes around, none as much as the Vipers who started last season on fire but burnt out in the latter stages… It looks like their prayers will be answered with Cam Pirret, Tim, Alan Power all being allocated to the squad. The Tigers will be bolstered by late 2021 Season recruit big Ryan Glynn and Richie. The Crocs also have a returning late season recruit in Pablo Caufield and will be bolstered Kevin Cremin and Poodle bringing some rugby strength to the squad. The Bears have the least right to expect 2022 top ups but have scored in Irish recruit Connla Stokes.
Perhaps the biggest recruits come in the form of Clare and Norma moving down from Hanoi. While the AFLW stocks in the South rebuild having 2 Hanoian guns move South is a huge boon for the club in the new year. Clare is a Buffalo so now Bear and Norma is a Heron so now Tiger.
Key Players
Look out for the 2021 Award winners in the new season:
2021 Men’s MVP Rusty Clark turned the Crocs fortunes around last year and will be looking to keep things rolling in the new season.
2021 Women’s MVP Ela Walsh was unstoppable last year, hitting the scoreboard consistently and moving the football with ease.
2021 Most Improved Nguyễn Phạm Minh Thủy led the new group of Vietnamese stars last year and will try to stay ahead of the group into the new season.
2021 Coaches Award Jose Acevedo-Soto was identified for taking on coaches direction and improving his defensive play continually last year and will be a key part of the Bears again in 2022.
2021 Goal Kicking Award inner Wayne McMahon became an irresistible force in the Tigers forward line. Defenses will set out to stop him but will they be able to counter the mobility and new found accuracy. Don’t forget Pete Mac who came to the league and sport in 2021 and was one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the league… He will be key to the Crocs 2022 fortunes.
Rivalries
There’s plenty of rivalries to be settled from last year…
The Bears vs Tigers – The Tigers will tell you they were the hard luck story of 2021, providing most of the energy week in week out while the Bears managed to get the results. Round 1 pits the Tigers against the Bears again with the chance to finally inflict a loss on the reigning premiers.
The New Talent – The best thing about a break is the talent that flushes into the league upon resumption. All teams have 3-4 new players and it will be fascinating to see who benefits most.
The Bulls – The rolling partnership schedule of the SAFL means that your opponents AND team mates change from week to week. In last season’s finale the Bears and Crocs combined 2 of the leagues best inside players in Ryano and Rusty in a partnership that couldn’t be stopped. Fast forward to the season opener and they’re going to be going head to head. Whoever can get the ball going their team’s way will go along way to taking the 4 points.
