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OK, what's happening around the clubs at the moment?
I've tried to keep my ears to the ground but have picked up precious little.
Except:
Cottesloe have recruited very well. Too bad Western Suburbs have poached a number of their better performers from last year.
Kalamunda have gone gangbusters in recruiting. So much so that there are rumblings of discontent as some of their premiership winning first grade players from last year have been given the message they will be in second grade in 2009. The team to beat again.
Palmyra have stolen a few first and second graders from Wests, plus a coach. Numbers are very low at training however, although the training drills have been excellent. Overseas and Eastern States recruiting has been minimal, as the club has no financial reserves.
Wanneroo have approached anything that moves from the less successful clubs from last year. Most of these have turned up their noses at the crass cash offers being made.Time they learned that the better players are with the top clubs, not the cellar dwellers.
Perth are apparently cock-a-hoop at their prospects, and while I have no information on quality, numbers are through the roof.
Rockingham will have a tough time of it this year. The thing about Rocky is that if they have anything to talk about, they scream it from the roof tops. So far deathly silence, although they did have a summertime visit from Mitch and a few of the Force boys. Just a hint Rocky, keep your training at the same venue, instead of being all over the place, or the lads will stop coming. Inexperienced, though very enthusiastic Coach, won't help.
Nedlands, as usual, play their cards close to their chest. I expect a lot of sponsor's dollars will be thrown in the Waikato area and will give good results. They should watch their backs however, as Wests are chatting to some of last year's fringe players.
University are reported to have recruited very well also, though no big names have been mentioned yet. They will do very well out of the Academy for obvious reasons. Numbers are nothing to write home about yet.
Associates, like Wanneroo have been up to their usual tricks approaching other local club's players. They are more subtle, and target the players they require much better, but even so, haven't had much success yet. They will be far more successful with their Sydney and Queensland efforts however and will surprise many with what they come up with.
Wests saw the writing on the wall last year and have gone all out in their recruiting drive. They have approached players from most clubs, particularly those North of the River and have secured a good few, which will more than make up for those they have lost. Expect a much improved season from them. Numbers are good.
Apart from a couple of clubs, it looks to be developing towards a very even season, with congestion at the top of the ladder.
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