A MIX of youth and experience, speed and strength will help the Golden Rivers Football League side aim for a second AFL Victoria Community Championship win in the past three years.
The GRFL’s top side will travel to Tallygaroopna tomorrow to take on Kyabram District, which defeated Mininera and District by 95 points 12 months ago.
GRFL coach, Jack O’Rourke has selected a side that shares similar traits to last year’s group that lost to Colac and District by two points in the final minutes of the match.
A number of the league’s top players feature in the 25-player squad, which was cut to 22 following last night’s final training run at Wandella.
Six of Ultima’s 2015 premiership side feature in the squad, headlined by defender Luke Kelson and midfielder Jacob Schaper.
However, it is the commitment from former St Kilda player and Hay utility, Jackson Ferguson that O’Rourke is most excited about.
“We’re pretty happy that Jackson Ferguson has made himself available. I know many of the younger players in the side are looking forward to playing with him,” he said.
Ferguson may begin the game in defence, but switch to the forward line if the GRFL side begins to dominate proceedings.
Schaper will link up with Nullawil’s Daniel Watts, Quambatook captain, Gregor Knight and Wandella’s Daniel Baker in the middle of the ground, with the quartet aiming to get the ball to two of the competition’s strongest forwards – Murrabit coach, Nathan Henry and Wandella spearhead, Paul Grayling.
“Daniel Watts’ ability to win the contested football will be pretty important, whilst Paul Grayling and Nathan Henry in the forward line will give us strength,” O’Rourke said.
Kelson and the GRFL’s defenders, which include Brendan Blackmore (Moulamein) and Liam Roberts (Macorna) will need to stop Eric Edwards (Stanhope) and Rob Staff (Violet Town) from dominating, with the pair kicking 77 goals between them this year.
“Many interleague sides get caught playing in a goalkicking shootout and players look to come wide to get the ball, but if we play a honest and contest brand of football, which we play in the GRFL, then we will be in a good position to win,” O’Rourke said.
Two former St Kilda players, as well as last season’s McNamara Medallist, hold the key to the match for the home side, coached by Murchison leader, Brent Chapman.
Former Saint, Chris Oliver’s ruck duel with Josh Dwyer will be a highlight of the day, with last season’s KDFNL best and fairest, Donald Stirling (Avenel) to lead the way in the middle of the ground for the hosts.
Another new recruit who brings interleague experience through his time with the Nepean Football League will be another major player for Kyabram District.
Former St Kilda utility and Sorrento premiership coach, Troy Schwarze’s height will be handy in the KDFNL’s back line, with the tall to spend the first moments of the match on Grayling.
Home ground advantage may help the KDFNL side, but travel will not be a factor due to Tallygaroopna being a two-hour drive from the heart of the GRFL competition.
The winner of this game will climb to 32nd in the AFL Victoria Community Championship rankings and take on the loser of the Horsham District v Maryborough Castlemaine District match in 2017.
The loser of this game will fall to 35th in the rankings and face the loser of the Mininera and District v South West District match next year.
PREDICTION: Kyabram District will hold on for a six-point win.
