Carisbrook v Lexton
Former AFL dual premiership player Darren Jolly will line up for his hometown club of Lexton when they take on Carisbrook in the Bendigo Bank MCDFNL match of the round on Sunday.
Jolly came up through the juniors at Lexton in the 1990’s and will make his return to the Tiger’s after a 237 AFL game career that included premiership’s with Sydney in 2005 and Collingwood in 2010.
It is not known where on the field Jolly will line up, but if it is in the Ruck, he will create a formidable rucking duo with Nigel Reid who is considered one of the better ruckmen in the league, and they will provide a tough contest for their Carisbrook counterparts, Scott Adam and Jackson Bowen, who will no doubt be looking forward to the opportunity of testing their skills against the former AFL player.
Jolly would also create a headache for the Redbacks defenders if he were to play up forward alongside Matt Brown who is currently sitting second on the goalkicking table.
Carisbrook have been restricted by injuries this season, but were buoyed by the return of a number of players last week against Avoca, including two of their key players from the engine room in Berry Powell medalist’s, Matt Bilton and Nick Robinson.
Bilton and Robinson add speed and strength to the midfield. Bilton’s pace and versatility is unmatched when he is at his best, while Robinson’s bullocking work paves a way for Bilton to take advantage of his pace. Damon Aspland is having a stellar season in the middle for the Tigers and it will be a highlight on Sunday when he faces up to the Carisbrook midfield.
Lexton’s back half is considered to be one of the best defensive units in the MCDFNL, and will provide tough opposition for the lively Liam Cunningham who has been unstoppable in recent games, and Cole Roscholler has also moved forward and been amongst the goals.
Carisbrook will like their chances to inflict their second loss of the season on the Tigers, especially as the match is at home, which has not been a happy hunting ground for Lexton in the past, but the Tigers will be favoured to win a close contest.
Carisbrook
To be selected from:
Jackson Bowen, Liam Cunningham, Timothy Heenan, Benjamin Kick, Jonathon Gray, Andrew Lovett, Brady Neill, Nathan O'Keefe, Luke Robinson, Cole Roscholler, Justin Sculley, Nichlos Wright, Luke Treacy, Jakob Tidyman, Clayton Furniss, Matthew Bilton, Travis Cornwill, Scott Adam, Nick Robinson, Patrick Jenes, Jeremy Mc Innes, Ryan Hudson-Morgan, Stephen Marr, Hayden Barby
In: Ryan Hudson-Morgan, Hayden Barby, Patrick Jenes, Jeremy Mc Innes
Out: Mark Cox, Mitchell Whelan
Lexton
B: Justin White, Michael Jennings, Justin Hobson
HB: Lachlan Pryor, Lachlan Murray, James Cusack
C: James Templeton, Nathan Barnes, Daniel Chester
HF: Jordan Phelan, Matthew Brown, Nicholas Spolding
F: Ryan Wait, Darren Jolly, Ashley Davies
R: Nigel Reid, Trevor Johnson, Damon Aspland
Int: Michael Smith, Matthew Torpey, Thomas Fisher, Timothy Oliver
In: Darren Jolly
Out: Cohan Poulton
Avoca v Royal Park
Royal Park travel out to Avoca on Saturday looking to return to the winners list after being defeated by Navarre and Lexton in the past two rounds.
One area that the Tigers would be concerned with is there lack of scoring power in these games. The Tigers only scored two goals against Navarre and three goals against Lexton, so they will be hoping that the Bulldogs defensive unit can be penetrated easier than what they have faced in the past two rounds.
Another area of concern for the Tigers is the loss of key player Taylor Stewart for the remainder of the season after he received broken ribs last round. Stewart has been solid in defence for the Tigers and has consistently been amongst the better players, so his absence will create a big hole in the Tigers defensive half.
Avoca have recently been on a roll with three wins in a row, but were brought back to earth against Carisbrook last round when the Redbacks opened with a nine goal term.
They will be looking for a better start against Royal Park this week and will fancy their chances if key players Murray Bond and Tom Nankivell play to their capabilities.
The Bulldogs will also be hopeful that Ben Howell and Matt Veitch make a return from the injury list to bolster the back half. Howell and Veitch both missed last week and are both experienced players that will provide a tough contest for Zac Stewart who can be a very dangerous forward if allowed to run free.
The ladder positions imply that Royal Park should be favoured to win this game, but it could be a closer contest than some may anticipate.
Avoca
To be selected from:
Joel Howell, Brady Williams, Jaye Farnsworth, Tyson Wardlaw, Ben Howell, Joshua Williams, Hugh Bucknall, Taylor Raine, Adrian Pilgrim, Luke Bertram, John Bucknall, Bryce Howell, Jesse Britton, Ashley Wardlaw, Mitchell Kennedy, Thomas Nankivell, Alec Wiltshire, Cameron Holland, Joel Carter, Jacob Glen, Murray Bond, Nolan Gould In: Ben Howell Out: Brad Schiltz
Royal Park
B: James Shelton, Zachary Stewart, Matthew Walker
HB: Jay Anderson, William Short, Kayne Wilson
C: Zachary Dunne, , Thomas Quick
HF: , Zachary Tunbridge,
F: Brendan Murdoch, Steven Shovan,
R: Dylan McLean, , Brendan Birch
Int: Craig McMickan
To be selected from: Matthew Burton, Jacob Cahill, Jayden Humphrey, Trent Pye, Shane Gray, Sam Anderson, Jarrod O'Connor
In: Sam Anderson, Steven Shovan, Jayden Humphrey
Out: Hamish Blake, Taylor Stewart, Zack Short
Dunolly v Talbot
Talbot are on a high knowing that they are a big possibility to play finals for the first time in a number of years and this will only be strengthened if they are to defeat Dunolly on Saturday.
The Hawks won in comfortable fashion over Harcourt last Sunday with a nine goal third term doing the damage, and if they play to their capabilities, then they should not have too much trouble at Deledio Park on Saturday.
Trent Barras has been outstanding for the Hawks this season and is very damaging when he goes forward, while Rowan Prentice is a player that goes under the radar and should not be taken lightly and one of his best assets is his tackling pressure, which results in turnovers for his team mates to make the best use of.
Dunolly were disappointing last week after posting their first win of the season a fortnight ago, and it was expected that they would post their second win against the previously winless Maldon last week, but the Bombers set up a good lead at quarter time and were able to hold off the Eagles for the remainder of the game.
Talbot should be able to continue with their good form from Sunday and be too good for the Eagles.
Dunolly
B: Dean Foster, Harry Warren, Hayden Wellard
HB: Justin Moore, Grant Raven, Timothy Conway
C: Michael Campbell, Tony Bellenger, Matthew Halacas
HF: Patrick McGregor, , Joe Thompson
F: Timothy Britton, Jesse Olsen,
R: Dylan Gordois, Jay Pitto, Jamie Townsend
Int: James Thomas, Devin Gordois, Bradley Schodde
To be selected from: Jordan Ngawaei, Jayden McDonald, Jake Woods
In: Jayden McDonald, Jordan Ngawaei, Matthew Halacas, Jake Woods
Out: David Jackson, Jayden Wintle, Lee Jackson, Ben Perry
Talbot
To be selected from: Luke Kemp, Mathew Whiteman, Troy Cunningham, Matthew Gayton, Ross Wise, Junior Gilmour, Karl Gunther, Danny Glen, Kane Heathcock, Jorde Bux, Lachlan Griffiths, James Collings, Matthew Smith, Bradley Fleming, Josh Sullivan, Timothy Solomon, Nathan Smith, Trent Barras, Tom Sutherland, Benjamin Heathcock, Ricky Andrews, Jonathon Arnel
In: Matthew Gayton, Junior Gilmour, Ricky Andrews
Out: Stephen Larkin, Rowan Prentice
Campbells Creek v Trentham
Campbells Creek face a danger game on Saturday when they host the Trentham Saints.
Creek were extremely disappointing against the ladder leaders last round when they lost by 145 points, but Trentham should be an easier opponent than Navarre, although the Magpies confidence will have taken a beating last week, and the Saints are a team that will fancy their chances of getting a win over the eighth placed Creekers.
Trentham has a tough draw leading into the end of the season and this will be their best chance of posting a win before the final round. Their promising juniors such as Lewis Bruton and Callan Wellings showed that they will be players of the future last week against the Swans, while Mark Strickland has the ability to kick a big bag of goals if the opportunity arises.
Creek has had an up and down season and must win this game if they are to stay ahead of Harcourt in the battle for a top eight position.
Coach Sean Smith has been missing from recent games as a result of a hamstring injury, but returned against Navarre last week, but had no influence in this game. Shannon Berriman and James Boag have been in very good form and will need to be at their best once again if they are to get on top of the youthful Trentham side.
Creek should be able to win this game, but it would not surprise if the Saints were to cause an upset.
Campbells Creek
To be selected from:
Shannon Berriman, Shane O'Toole, Matthew Lorenz, Daniel Klimeck, Brett Thomson Jayden Molloy, Joshua Hutchinson, James Boag, Adam Pollock, Joshua Adamson, Nathan Stubbings, Davin Nicholls, Jarrod Hodoras, Sean Moss Sean Smith, Ross Slater, Glen Wallis, Cody Adamson, Shaun Boag, John Prendergast, Matthew McLean, Jayson Gilbert
Trentham
B: Scott Witmitz, Reece Hourigan, Luke Adams
HB: Josh Murphy, Jamie Cutler, Brok Wightman
C: Lewis Bruton, , Elliot Drew
HF: Justin Hoffman, Mark Strickland, John Cowell
F: James Gray, Shaun Harrison,
R: James Wicker, Luke Whitehouse, Kasey Williams
Int To be selected from: Matthew Traynor, Hayden Sundblom, James Cann, Jonathon Nadin, Callan Wellings, Christopher Whelan, Michael Day
In: Michael Day
Natte Bealiba v Navarre
Natte Bealiba faces the MCDFNL's ultimate test this weekend, with the fifth-placed Swans set for a showdown with ladder leaders Navarre.
While the Swans are in the middle of a purple patch and riding high on the confidence of last week's 84-point demolition job on Trentham, Natte's finals credentials will undergo a thorough examination at the hands of the rampant Grasshoppers. Playing into Natte's favour is the fact that it was one of the only teams to defeat Navarre during their premiership season in 2013, but as many have said, Navarre's game has gone a step up in 2014, while Natte continues to lament the absence of star forward and former skipper, Mark Fitzgerald. In his absence, Zac Perez, Matthew Stagg and Ryan Weir have proven to be the Swans' most potent forward line weapons, but they will face a tough task against the miserly Navarre defence on Saturday.
Navarre continues to build a seemingly unassailable lead at the head of the MCDFNL ladder, with Lexton the only team who seemingly poses a major threat to the Grasshoppers' back-to-back flag aspirations. They will enter Saturday's game wary of the Swans however, with memories of last year's upset still lodged in the minds of many MCDFNL followers.
Natte Bealiba
To be selected from: Christopher Jardine, Alexander Banko, Trent Mortlock, Evan Weir, Stephen Ross, Brayden Maffesciani, Brent Mortlock, Thomas Douglas, Jacob Long, Karl Morley, Nathan Ross, Kurt Mortlock, Zachary Perez, Jason Hunt, Brayden Mills, Lachlan Cameron, Tyson Mortlock, Jamie Evans, Joshua Tong, Jared Hall, Dean Graco, Lachlan Douglas
In: Evan Weir, Lachlan Douglas, Jason Hunt, Karl Morley
Out: Ryan Weir, Kurtis Torney, Robert Ward, Matthew Stagg
Navarre
B: Matt Newton, , Cody Driscoll
HB: Ashley Driscoll, Lachlan Slorach, Daniel Parkin
C: Kris Brennan, Luke Hendy, Bryce Tickner
HF: Thomas Hannett, Harley McKenny, Louis Hannett
F: Nicholas Murphy, Aaron Slorach, Josh Driscoll
R: Rhett Murphy, Sam Kaye, Daniel Reading
Int: Tyler Mc Sparron, Nigel Greenaway, Zach Parry, Jayden Fowkes, Aiden Lee
Emg: Luke Jordan
In: Thomas Hannett, Luke Hendy, Kris Brennan, Nicholas Murphy
Out: Ben Scott, Brian Lovison, Tom Kaye, Paul Carson
Harcourt v Newstead
Harcourt faces the unenviable prospect of trying to rebound from last round's disappointing loss to Talbot against one of the competition's in-form sides in Newstead.
The Lions' up-and-down 2014 continued in round 12, going down to another mercurial side in the form of Talbot, and co-coaches Daniel Smith and Scott Whitehead will be desperate to for Harcourt to bounce back from that defeat and gain re-admission to the MCDFNL's top eight. The hopes of doing so seemingly rest on the shoulder of the Lions' option-packed forward line, with Chris Stone, Sam Gale and Brendan Josey figuring as the main scoring options for Harcourt. The Lions' defence will also have its work cut out trying to stay on top of Newstead's rotating forwards and midfielders, who are all capable of kicking goals.
The Steaders have dragged themselves out of a mid season slump in recent weeks, and will be keen to maintain that form as finals draw closer. The loss of Mark Ramsey for the remainder of the season has caused a major reshuffle of the Roos' line-up, and coach Ross Smith will be keen to ensure that the playing group have adjusted to any re-jigging before September.
Harcourt
No Sides Selected
Newstead
To be selected from: Mitchell Woods, Jacob Dalrymple, Ben Krol, Jonty Entwisle, Nathan Webster, Cameron Hepburn, Daniel Christmas, Michael Dalrymple, Brent Devereaux, Lachlan Chapman, Bradley Richardson, Ashley Webster, Zachary Tanner, Mathew Merlo, Ethan Ford, Adam Hunter, Jayden Bott, Joel Pearson, Matthew Manning, Patrick Cummins, David Wall, Adrian Conn
In: Daniel Christmas, Adrian Conn, Lachlan Chapman, Ben Krol
Out: Bryan Elliott, Mitchell Gilboy, Dale Bott, Joel Smith
Maryborough Rovers v Maldon
Maldon will put its newfound winning form to the test against Maryborough Rovers this weekend, as the Dons set their sights on gaining some positives out what has been a dismal 2014 season so far.
The Bombers broke through for their first win of the year with a hard-fought victory over Dunolly in round 12, with their key players seemingly beginning to gel. What may wager against the Dons however, is the effort that their breakthrough victory required, with some undoubtedly sore bodies emerging from the physical clash with the Eagles. The form of Joel Cross in his return from injury was one major positive for the Dons, and the Bombers' coaches will be keen to see the gifted utility carry that vein of form into this weekend's clash with the Magpies.
Rovers' rollercoaster year continues to spiral up and down, with the Pies capable of producing some very good football at their best, but some undisciplined play and a litany of errors seem to emerge when they're at their worst. Coach Scott Sellers, recruit David Popovski and the Guaresachi brothers, Karson and Ryan, continue to carry the load each week for the Magpies, and need some of their teammates to join them at the forefront of the Pies' efforts. Veteran utility Brad Fraser is another Magpie who continues to perform, and Sellers will want to see Fraser at his best against a Maldon side hungry for more success.
Maryborough Rovers
To be selected from: Ty Stewart, Graeme Kennedy, Kegan Ross, Nickolas Cox, Dion Hedger, Kyle Pedder, James Rowles, Brendon Hedger, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Tristan Knights, Christopher Gunn, Perry Turner, Trent Monk, Brohdie Smyth, Ryan O'Shea, Nicholas Clark, Karson Guareschi, Richard Phillips, Aaron Westbrook, Scott Sellers, David Popovski, Ryan Guareschi
In: Aaron Westbrook, Nickolas Cox, Ryan O'Shea
Out: Matthew Stiles, Bradley Fraser, Dylan Smith
Maldon
To be selected from: Damien Gatti, Joel Cross, Nicholas McKnight, Matthew Gordon, Michael Mulholland, Luke Davey, Andrew Hall, Dean Primmer, Mark Webb, Xavier Mawson, Hayden Kelly, Braedan Turtle, Ben Doyle, Christopher Milham, Michael Rorke, Jake Elliot, Kyle Winstanley, Josh Pascoe, Nicholas Kelly, Jackson Douch, Christopher Mulholland, Dyllan White
Last Modified on 25/07/2014 14:07