THE Central Murray Football Netball League's (CMFNL) interleague team will place a heavy reliance on youth and speed tomorrow, when it hosts the Yarra Valley Mountain District League.
Selectors were left with a dilemma when coach and experienced ruckman Cal Beasy pulled up with knee soreness after the clash with the Mallee Eagles.
Trent Storer, who has grown in stature in the past season will be the sole tap option, but will have a healthy squad of quality ball winners at his feet.
Ranked 11 and 12 respectively, the teams will meet at the Swan Hill Recreation Reserve tomorrow at 2.30pm.
With rain forecast, the surprising lack of height in the squad may not be the problem that was first envisaged.
An expected heavy downpour is predicted for Friday so those in duffle coats and doonas in the outer can expect to see plenty of action at ground level come game time.
High quality Raiders import Lucas Matthews, and Saints coach Jack O'Rourke will support Storer at the opening bounce.
With the classy Xavier Moloney assigned to the pivot, the Two Blues will field a quality quartet in the middle with which to set the standard.
Class acts Luke Brauer and Ryan Gillingham will appreciate the wide wings on the Swan Hill Recreation Reserve, where they can utilise their pace and find space on the overlap.
The goal to goal line of Braidon Bennett, Nick Trenfield, Moloney, Travis Matheson and Paul Grayling, is a blend of strength, marking power and the ability to run and create.
In the goal square there is no better one-grab mark then Grayling, and Kerang team mate Matheson, his fellow key forward, is both mobile and a damaging user of the ball.
Fed by a quality midfield and powerful flankers, there is enough grunt and muscle to ensure the key forwards see their fair share of the ball.
Nick Trenfield at half back reads the play like no other, with his ability to execute the switch and create options a hallmark of his game.
He will have the athleticism, run and rebound of Eagles young gun Braidon Bennett as a back up on the last line.
In support from defence will be one of the best rebounding halfbacks in the league, Reece Collins.
Strong overhead, prepared to win the hard ball and renown for his run through the corridor, Collins should be in his element.
Brendan Blackmore has been rewarded for his consistency and ability to both defend and initiate attacks for the Swans, and his raking delivery from the last line will also be an asset.
Jon Murphy looks likely to be assigned the resting ruckman, but has the strength and spoiling ability to do the job.
Troy Thamm and Ricky Thompson have earned their positions across half forward.
Both have figured regularly in respective club awards so far and are also prepared to do the heavy work when required.
Crumbing what ever Grayling misses will be Brodie Filo and Lachy Gilbert.
Each has been consistent this season and both are very capable to breaking the lines with creative run and dare.
Supporting the on-field 18 from the side lines will be Greg Dickson, Jason Morrison, Brandon Hayes, Owen Hone and Dylan Wright.
Running power and a preparedness to take on the opposition are attributes that the interchange bench has plenty of.
On a day when the rotations can be expected to flow thick and fast, this will be a handy asset.
The selectors will wait until Saturday morning to announce the captain but high on the list of candidates would be Xavier Moloney, Jack O'Rourke and Paul Grayling.
The under 18s game will start at 12pm.
The senior netball game, the only one scheduled, will start at 12.30pm. Tooleybuc Manangatang's Julie Wardle is coach of the side.