THE Central Murray Football Netball League will use its 2015 AFL Victoria Community Championship loss to Heathcote District Football Netball League as motivation for a second consecutive interleague victory.
Tomorrow’s encounter at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval will be the second time in three seasons to the two leagues have clashed, with Heathcote District prevailing by 29 points in the only meeting between both leagues in the past decade.
The loss inspired former Kerang premiership coach, Troy Coates to take on the league’s top coaching role last year, with the result being a 14-point win against North Central close to 12 months ago – the CMFNL’s first championship success since 2010.
“We learnt a fair bit when we played Heathcote District two years ago. We were on top during the first half, but Heathcote District’s bigger players and their delivery to Grant Weeks helped them get on top in the second half,” he said.
“Grant has obviously retired due to injury, but Sam Barnes has been kicking plenty of goals for North Bendigo, whilst the large number of Leitchville/Gunbower players, led by Matt Perri and Matt Ladson, are quality players.”
Between 20 and 25 players have attended each session held since the initial squad was announced prior to the start of the season, with a final run held at Kerang’s Riverside Park on Wednesday night.
“It is great to see the perception of interleague change within the Central Murray competition. Not one player in the squad has tried to get out of the game, and all want to put on the Central Murray jumper and put on a good show come Saturday,” Coates said.
Heathcote District has enticed former North Melbourne premiership player and coach, Dean Laidley to coach the side, which had its last training run last night.
“With the limited timeframe, training has all been about introducing the players to each other and getting them to play the way the coaching panel wants them to play,” Laidley said.
“It will take a collective team effort to win at the weekend, and hopefully those who attend the game will be able to see the talent of good country footballers on display.”
The midfield and forward lines of both sides will determine the result, with a number of quality players to feature.
Central Murray will look to Koondrook/Barham spearhead Dean Limbach and Mallee Eagles livewire, Zak Saad to develop scoreboard pressure, whilst Barnes and Perri loom as dangerous prospects for tomorrow’s hosts.
The midfield battle between Huntly’s Ryan Semmel and Swan Hill’s Xavier Moloney will be a highlight, with Martin Kelly’s return to the QEO to help Central Murray against fellow former Bendigo Football Netball League player, Matt Ladson.
Tomorrow’s victors will remain entrenched in AFL Victoria’s top 20 leagues for another 12 months, whilst the losers will fall to 21st in the rankings.
PREDICTION: Heathcote District’s forward strength will be too strong, with the hosts to record a 20-point win.
