by Jim Gordon
The Mallee Football League will play the Wimmera League at Hopetoun this Saturday, May 26. Rated 16 and 15 respectively for the 2012 VCFL Championships, Mallee coach Col Durie has at his disposal a group of footballers who hope to replicate the great achievements of previous Mallee interleague sides. In the past two years the Mallee League has defeated Horsham, now ranked 24 and North Central 21.
Sponsored by Bill and Tania Morrish’s Top End Training, this year’s team looks like it will be just as strong as the previous two sides. Mallee football is in a very healthy state at the moment.
The ranking system has breathed new life into representative football in the country. Five years ago interleague appeared to be in serious trouble. Now every game has meaning as leagues will have the incentive of climbing the ladder.
The idea of the rankings system was thrown up after a range of other formats including lightning premiership carnivals, failed to take off. Under the current system, one-off interleague matches are held each season. The winners move up in the rankings, the losers drop down.
‘We’re really proud, because we’ve got 32 of our 42 leagues playing,’ said VCFL football operations manager Brett Connell. ‘There’s a genuine interest in wanting to compete and the leagues are really encouraging their better players,’ he said.
And there is a big prize on the line for those players who stand out. The best performers in the country championships will be given the opportunity to represent Victoria in the national bush carnival in Wagga in July.
‘We are looking forward to another great performance by our Mallee team,’ said Alan Malcolm, President of the Mallee Football League. ‘Col Durie and the selectors are still finalizing the make up of the Senior team due to a few late withdrawals. However, it will be a strong side.’
‘One of the players to watch on Saturday,’ said coach Durie, ‘will be Kain Robbins at centre half forward. He is in great form at the minute and if he plays well it will go a long way to us winning the game.’
‘Ash Clugston is another important player in very good form,’ added Col. ‘Ash will play across half forward and through the midfield. Sam McDonald, Deek Roberts and Peter Caldow have all been having good seasons both in the midfield and all three are kicking goals when they go forward. Steve Lyons at centre half back will also be important with his strong marking and long kicking out of defence. Once again the majority of the side is made up of local talent and we hope that this will also be a big factor in the Mallee winning the match.’
Also playing at Hopetoun will be a Mallee Under 17 side coached by Dale Shannon, and an Under 14 team coached by David Baulch.
David is very pleased with his side. ‘The team is shaping up well so far,’ said David. “We should be a good in and under team with the ability to run the football. The boys are keen for the challenge. The key players to watch out for are utilities Jaivon Stacey and Sam White, on-ballers Toby Fisher, Toby Wilson and Sam Mead. Despite the massive challenge ahead I believe the Mallee boys will be very competitive.’
As well as the honour of representing their League, there is much to be gained by being selected to play Inter League football. There is a lot in it for the local footballer eager to improve his standing, gain the respect of his peers and play at the highest level available.
This is the biggest showcase for the very best players. It is a chance for MFL players to show their ability against the highest quality opposition. It is arguably the highest level that most players can play at and it is an opportunity for Clubs to promote the League and to attract other players to playing here.
For the younger player, it is a vital step on the way to impressing talent scouts on that slippery route to possible AFL stardom. It is then a permanent record of achievement and can be used when moving from club to club which is an unfortunate (or fortunate) modern aspect of country football.
Last Modified on 23/05/2012 20:52