Carisbrook v Royal Park
It's taken until the final round of the MCDFNL home-and-away season, but Carisbrook and Royal Park are set to face off in one of the most intriguing match-ups of 2014.
The rampant Redbacks have taken all before them in the second half of the 2014 season, and it's easy to see why, with an even spread of talent across the ground and some star performers, the Brookers are a formidable opponent for any team in the league at the moment. Key to their urge of form has been the emergence of Liam Cunningham as the competition's most dangerous small forward, with the dynamic goal kicker snagging massive bags of goals on what seems like almost a weekly basis.
Royal Park's own resurgence after years in the MCDFNL's doldrums, however, has been the story of the year, and the Tigers are playing a brand of football that befits such a plaudit. Despite losing key player Taylor Stewart to broken ribs earlier this season, the Tigers have seemingly gone from strength to strength in 2014, and a victory over the Redbacks would confirm that the Tigers can play a major role in next week's finals series.
Carisbrook
B: Tarran Neill, Jackson Bowen, Clayton Furniss
HB: Brayden Collicoat, Liam Cunningham, Isaac Long
C: Timothy Heenan, Benjamin Kick, Jonathon Gray
HF: Scott Adam, Nick Robinson, Brandon McRedmond
F: Jeremy McInnes, Nathan O'Keefe, Ryan Hudson-Morgan
R: Andrew Lovett, Cole Roscholler, Justin Sculley
Int: Nichlos Wright, Luke Treacy, Jakob Tidyman, Hayden Barby, Mark Cox
In: Nick Robinson, Ryan Hudson-Morgan, Luke Robinson, Jeremy Mc Innes, Brandon McRedmond
Out: Christopher Dunn, Liam Mottram, Jacob Dyer
Royal Park
B: James Shelton, Ben McKay, Zachary Dunne
HB: Matthew Walker, Oliver Schmidt, Zack Short
C: Jayden Humphrey, William Short, Shane Gray
HF: Hamish Blake, Tristan Maher, Jacob Cahill
F: Jarrod O'Connor, Zachary Stewart, Brendan Birch
R: Dylan McLean, Trent Pye,
Int: Kayne Wilson, Ben Clay, Brendan Murdoch, Thomas Quick, Sam Anderson
In: Jacob Cahill
Out: Zachary Tunbridge
Campbells Creek v Natte Bealiba
The final chapter of Natte Bealiba's quest for a berth inside the MCDFNL's top four will unfold this weekend, with the Swans set to confront the up-and-down Campbells Creek on the Magpies' home turf on Saturday.
With the Swans in the midst of a battle with Newstead for the final spot in the competition's top four, Saturday's clash with the Creekers takes on extra importance. Natte Bealiba's big guns are all firing at the right time of the year, and with a string of wins behind them, the Swans will rightly start as favourites against the Magpies.
An indifferent season on the road has proven costly for the Creekers this season, and whilst, barring a major catastrophe, their finals place is assured, the Magpies will set their sights on causing a major upset against the Swans to ensure they don’t meet them again in an Elimination Final next week. Boosting their chances of doing so is the return of Joel Smith, who continues to gain form after missing a large chunk of the season, as well as the fact that the Creekers did overpower a severely undermanned Swans outfit in a pre-season clash earlier this year, but whether they can repeat that result remains to be seen.
Campbells Creek
Selected Side Not Submitted
Natte Bealiba
To be selected from:
Dean Graco, Ryan Weir, Lachlan Douglas, Christopher Jardine, Brandon Mason, Trent Mortlock,
Evan Weir, Stephen Ross, Thomas Douglas, Brent Mortlock, Karl Morley, Kurtis Torney,
Kurt Mortlock, Jacob Long, Jack Kennedy, Zachary Perez, Matthew Stagg, Brayden Mills,
Lachlan Cameron, Tyson Mortlock, Jamie Evans, Joshua Tong, Jared Hall
In: Evan Weir, Jared Hall
Out: Nathan Ross
Navarre v Dunolly
Navarre’s perfect 2014 home and away season will be finalised this week, with the Grasshoppers welcoming Dunolly in a game that Navarre will be expected to win comfortably.
When these two teams faced off in Round 7 at Deledio Reserve, the Hoppers came away with a 151 point victory, and they’ll look to make a similar statement heading into the finals.
All eyes in this game will be on Ash Driscoll, who’s lead on the MCDFNL goalkicking ladder has been trimmed to just two goals by Carisbrook’s Liam Cunningham in recent weeks after being on top of the table for the whole season. Despite spending some time across half back in recent weeks, expect Driscoll to start forward today and receive plenty of attention from his midfield teammates, especially as he booted eight goals against the Eagles back in Round 7.
Whilst the ladder indicates that Dunolly have struggled this season, they’ve been competitive in most games they’ve played, and in Jay Pitto and Jesse Olsen have two players that could find their name mentioned often on Berry Powell Medal night in two weeks.
Navarre should do this in a canter, with Driscoll set to fill his boots to try and take home the goalkicking title.
Navarre
B: Josh Driscoll, Matt Newton, James Condie-McKenny
HB: Daniel Parkin, Lachlan Slorach, Ashley Driscoll
C: Kris Brennan, Luke Hendy, Jayden Fowkes
HF: Cody Driscoll, Harley McKenny, Louis Hannett
F: Thomas Hannett, Tom Kaye, Tyler McSparron
R: Rhett Murphy, Sam Kaye, Daniel Reading
Int: Aiden Lee, Luke Jordan, Josh Fowkes, Zach Parry
Emg: Brent Flood, Samuel Robertson
In: James Condie-McKenny, Tom Kaye, Tyler Mc Sparron, Luke Jordan
Out: Ben Scott, Bryce Tickner
Dunolly
B: Jordan Ngawaei, Harry Warren, Timothy Britton
HB: Hayden Wellard, Grant Raven, Timothy Conway
C: Justin Moore, Joe Thompson, Michael Campbell
HF: Matthew Halacas, Mitchell Harper, David Bilton
F: Tony Bellenger, Jesse Olsen, Dean Foster
R: Dylan Gordois, Jamie Townsend, Lee Jackson
Int: Cory Collins, Jayden McDonald, David Jackson, Justin Penny
In: Cory Collins, Jayden McDonald, Jordan Ngawaei, Justin Penny
Out: Jay Pitto, Bradley McHugh, Devin Gordois, Martin Gale
Avoca v Maryborough Rovers
Avoca host Maryborough Rovers at the Avoca Public Park in the final home and away game of the season and both teams will be battling for 10th position on the ladder.
It has been a horrible season for the Bulldogs as they look to finish the season on a high note, and whilst the Rovers have a similar win-loss ratio to Avoca, 2014 has definitely been a season to build on for the boys from Jubilee Park
Avoca has been inundated with injuries towards the end of the season and will go into this match without experienced players in Ben Howell, Mitch Kennedy and Murray Bond which will severely affect their chances of a win in the final game of the home and away season.
Rovers were disappointing against Royal Park last Sunday but showed signs in the final quarter that they can move the ball well, and if given the opportunities against the Bulldogs then they should be able to win this game quite comfortably.
Bulldogs Coach Adrian Pilgrim is having a very good season in the ruck, and is also capable up forward, but he can not be in two places at once, which leaves the Bulldogs vulnerable in the forward half.
Rovers backline, led by Brad Fraser and Perry Turner should be too strong for Avoca, who with the loss of Bond will see this area exploited by the Magpies defenders.
Rovers to win their final game of the season.
Avoca
To be selected from:
Cameron Holland, Jacob Glen, Murray Bond, Nolan Gould, Joel Howell, Brady Williams, Liam Mead, Jaye Farnsworth, Tyson Wardlaw, Ben Howell, Taylor Raine, Adrian Pilgrim, Luke Bertram, Jesse Britton, Bryce Howell, Ashley Wardlaw, Nathan Holland, Brad Schiltz, Mitchell Kennedy, Thomas Nankivell, Alec Wiltshire
Out: Joel Carter, John Bucknall, Hugh Bucknall, Matt Veitch
Maryborough Rovers
B: Brohdie Smyth, Perry Turner, Aaron Westbrook
HB: Brett Monk, Bradley Fraser, Nicholas Clark
C: Dale Larkin, Ryan Guareschi, Kel Chaffey-Jones
HF: Graeme Kennedy, Dion Hedger,
F: Grant Ryan, Karson Guareschi, Richard Phillips
R: Kegan Ross, Brendon Hedger, Scott Sellers
Int: Matthew Stiles, James Rowles, Tristan Knights, Trent Monk, Ryan O'Shea
In: Brendon Hedger, Ryan O'Shea
Out: Ty Stewart
Lexton v Newstead
4th placed Newstead travel to meet 2nd placed Lexton in this week’s game of the round.
Newstead have been struggling in the final stages of the home and away season and will be looking to resurrect their early season form as they head into the final series next week, especially knowing that a loss against the Tigers will likely drop them out of the top four for the first time this season should Natte Bealiba defeat Campbells Creek.
Lexton went into last week’s game against Avoca without Darren Jolly and Matt Brown, but showed that they are still a very capable unit without these key players. Justin Hobson filled the void of Brown finishing with a seven goal haul and also set up many opportunities for his team mates.
Mark Ramsey received the all clear from doctors to return to the Steaders last week, aborting a mid-season retirement, booting five goals in a best on ground performance, and there is no doubt that Newstead are a better team when Ramsey is on the field.
Despite the return of Ramsey, if Newstead are to have any chance in this game, they will need other key players down the spine to lift in their performances.
Lexton appear to be stronger across all areas and should be able to enter the final series on a winning note.
Lexton
B: Ashley Davies, Jordan Phelan, Lachlan Murray
HB: Michael Jennings, Lachlan Nevett, Nicholas Spolding
C: James Templeton, Michael Smith, Daniel Chester
HF: Lachlan Pryor, Darren Jolly, James Cusack
F: Justin White, Riley Browne, Thomas Fisher
R: Nigel Reid, Damon Aspland, Nathan Barnes
Int: Matthew Torpey, Dean Murray, Trevor Johnson, Bryce Karslake
In: Nicholas Spolding, Darren Jolly, Nathan Barnes, Lachlan Murray
Out: Timothy Oliver, Denton Sandlant, Joel Williams, Justin Hobson
Newstead
B: Ben Krol, Michael Dalrymple, Shane Mcnabb
HB: Patrick Cummins, Adrian Conn,
C: Jonty Entwisle, Nathan Webster, Joel Pearson
HF: Zachary Tanner, Liam Bright, Adam Hunter
F: Ashley Webster, Mark Ramsey, David Wall
R: Tom Ruggles, Daniel Christmas, Ethan Ford
Int: Cameron Hepburn, Bradley Richardson, Jayden Bott, Matthew Manning
In: Matthew Manning, Patrick Cummins, Ethan Ford, Shane Mcnabb
Out: Brent Devereaux, Lachlan Chapman, Mitchell Woods, Mathew Merlo
Talbot v Trentham
While the final eight appears to be settled, there is still a mathematical possibility that Talbot can still be knocked out of the top eight, so they will have to win this game against Trentham to be assured of a finals appearance.
The Hawks had a big win over the Saints when they met earlier in the season which will provide some confidence to their playing group, but the Saints were only a goal in arrears at three quarter time to Newstead last week and if they can produce the same form against the Hawks, then they will fancy their chances of a win to end their season.
Talbot has shown a marked improvement this season under the guidance of Ricky Andrews, and will now be keen to produce some good football into the final series.
Josh Sullivan started the season off up forward, but is now a key defensive player, while Rowan Prentice and Danny Glen have been amongst the better players in recent weeks. Trent Barras is a class player and if Trentham are to win this game they will have to smother the input of Barrass.
The Hawks should win this game, but it may not be by a big margin.
Talbot
To be selected from:
Ross Wise, Kieren Fitzgerald, Rowan Prentice, Danny Glen, Karl Gunther, Kallan Boucher,
Kane Heathcock, Jorde Bux, Lachlan Griffiths, James Collings, Matthew Smith, Brodie Glen,Bradley Fleming, Josh Sullivan, Timothy Solomon, Nathan Smith, Trent Barras, Benjamin Heathcock,Jonathon Arnel, Luke Kemp, Mathew Whiteman, Troy Cunningham
In: Mathew Whiteman, James Collings, Nathan Smith
Out: Ricky Andrews, Tom Sutherland, Ryan Kenden
Trentham
B: Luke Adams, Reece Hourigan, Hayden Sundblom
HB: Josh Murphy, Luke Whitehouse , Brok Wightman
C: Lewis Bruton, Christopher Whelan, Elliot Drew
HF: Taylor Drew, Mark Strickland, Justin Hoffman
F: James Gray, Shaun Harrison, Matthew Traynor
R: James Wicker, Callan Wellings , Kasey Williams
Int: Jonathon Nadin, Daniel Lendrec, James Cann. Jamie Cutler
In: Luke Whitehouse, Jamie Cutler, Callan Wellings
Out: Scott Witmitz, Michael Day, Jake Sundblom
Maldon v Harcourt
Harcourt travel to Maldon with the knowledge that they are still a very slim chance to play finals, but for that to happen the Lions must win by a massive margin and rely on Trentham to topple Talbot.
These two sides met back in Round 7 and on that occasion Harcourt won by 69 points.
Harcourt has improved as the season has progressed, but they would be very disappointed with their performance against Carisbrook last week, especially with their first quarter performance in which they were held scoreless.
If they are to gain the percentage needed for a potential finals berth , they must jump out of the blocks and post a big first quarter score against the Bombers.
Former Berry Powell Medalist Paul Chaplin is one of the favourites to again win the League’s best player award as he is consistently amongst the Lions better performers, and he will have a good duel against Maldon’s dynamic midfielder, Hayden Kelly, who is also considered amongst the better chances to win the league medal this season.
Form alone says that Harcourt should win, but by how far remains to be seen.
Maldon
To be selected from:
Nicholas McKnight, James Webb, Michael Mulholland, Luke Davey, Andrew Hall, Tom Cain,
Mark Webb, Dean Primmer, Hayden Kelly, Xavier Mawson, Ben Doyle, Braedan Turtle,
Christopher Milham, Michael Rorke, Jake Elliot, Kyle Winstanley, Josh Pascoe, Nicholas Kelly,
Christopher Mulholland, Dyllan White, Damien Gatti, Joel Cross, Matthew Gordon
In: Dyllan White, James Webb
Out: Jackson Douch
Harcourt
B: Alex Birch, Paul Chaplin, Darren Colley
HB: Kris Davis, Timothy Faliszewski, Nathan West
C: Sam Gale, Daniel Smith, Brendan Josey
HF: Kyle McLean, Michael Dwyer,
F: Alexander Purdon, Paul McKay, Jackson McMahon
R: Nicholas Matricardi, Christopher Ling, Justin Michielsen
Int: Dean Watson, Christopher Stone, Lachlan Van Schaik, Adrian Hicks
In: Nathan West, Timothy Faliszewski
Out: James Gale, Christopher Smart
Last Modified on 22/08/2014 16:09