by Jim Gordon
It says a lot for the Mallee Football League that they have been able to put together such a well credentialed squad for this Saturday’s Inter League match against the North Central League at Donald.
Sponsored for the second time by Bill and Tania Morrish at Top End Training, the Mallee squad contains the current 2011 top three players in the MFL goal kicking and eight of the top ten in the North West Ag Award.
‘We have got a very good squad,’ said coach Col Durie, ‘with strengths in all lines. The side is made up of half of the side from last year’s team and half of the side will be new this year. This MFL team will give a very good account of itself on Saturday.’
‘Our forward line should be a particularly strong line for us,’ Durie added, ‘with MFL leading goal kicker Sonny Lindsey, Ouyen United’s Brad Vallance and David King from Beulah. These three have kicked a lot of goals for their respective clubs this year and it will be worth the price of admission to see our forward line in action.’
One of the League’s selectors, Tony Keely, said that there are a lot of players who once again really want to represent the Mallee. Amongst the keenest is former West Coast Eagle, Kane Munro who now coaches Walpeup Underbool. Kane will be joined by Roo team mates Travis and Darren Latta who should line up across the centre or in defence. The Latta brothers were prolific kick winners last year and were part of the reason the Mallee Football League went on to win that match against Horsham.
A very good mark for his size, Jeparit Rainbow’s Ashley Clugston has had a lot of Inter League experience. Clugston teams well with Justin Chilvers who will no doubt relish rucking to the likes of Col Durie, Hopetoun’s Luke Milroy and Beulah’s ball magnet Scott Smith.
Beulah’s Dale Shannon is having a wonderful season and he will be joined in the Mallee team by other Beulah players Gareth Hose, Rory Shannon and Tim Hill.
‘The backline is very solid,’ said Col Durie, ‘they will give a really good account of themselves and ensure that the North Central forwards have to earn their kicks.’
Gary Hallam is a strong defender, Jeremy Rowe has been an important acquisition for Walpeup Underbool this year and plays well next to Kane Munro. Ouyen United have been very pleased to have Andrew Jardine return to their line up and he will play across half back for the MFL. Who could forget last year’s Inter League performance by Brenton Jardine? His mopping up and running out of the backline make this a backline not to be taken lightly by North Central.
Other players worth going a long way to see for the MFL are Woomelang Lascelle’s Trent Donnan, fresh from his duties with Bendigo Pioneers and Hopetoun coach Kain Robins. These two add a touch of class to a squad that reflects the time and effort that has been put into its preparation and organisation. Col Durie is hoping that the viewing public will support its League team by making the trip to Donald and cheering the team onto victory. The Mallee boys are in this to win, not to merely make up the numbers. See you at Donald at 3pm!
MALLEE FOOTBALL LEAGUE INTERLEAGUE FINAL SQUAD
Beulah Tim Hill, Garry Hallam, Rory Shannon, David King, Dale Shannon, Kim Hallam, Scott Smith, Gareth Hose
Hopetoun Kain Robins, Luke Milroy
Jeparit Rainbow
Ashley Clugston , Justin Chilvers
Ouyen United Andrew Jardine, Brenton Jardine, Bradley Vallance, Robert Lindsey, Peter Caldow
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers
Col Durie, Liam Barry
Walpeup Underbool
Travis Latta, Jeremy Rowe, Luke Nathan, Darren Latta, Kane Munro
Woomelang Lascelles
Trent Donnan, Anthony Foott
Last Modified on 25/05/2011 08:44