Campbells Creek v Lexton
Campbells Creek face an uphill battle this weekend, with the Magpies, who are now in the competition's top eight, set to take on Lexton this weekend.
Although the Creekers are now sitting in seventh place after wins over Talbot and Avoca, they will find the Tigers a completely different proposition. Mark Ashmore has returned to form in front of the big sticks to give the Magpies a boost, but against a Lexton defence boasting the likes of the Spolding brothers, Jordan Phelan and Michael Jennings, things look a whole lot tougher for him and his fellow Creek goal kickers.
Lexton recovered from a slow start against Trentham last round, coming out breathing fire after a half-time rev up to rob the Saints of an upset win, and return the Tigers to third rung on the ladder. Damon Aspland showcased some of the form which captured him the 2014 Berry-Powell Medal last round, slotting three goals, and if he, Matt Brown and Lachlan Murray can get on top of the Creek defenders early, it could shut the door on the Magpies' hopes of a win in the first half.
Campbells Creek
B: Ryan Jeffrey, Jayden Molloy, Luke Pritchard
HB: Cordie McKendry, Chris Klimeck, Matthew Lorenz
C: Tim Conder, James Boag, Matthew Halacas
HF: Carl Simmons, Shannon Berriman, Shaun Boag
F: Luke Ashmore, Mark Ashmore, Chris Ashmore
R: Dylan Gordois, Brandon Greenwood, Daniel Klimeck
Int: Joshua Adamson, Jayson Gilbert, Benjamin O'Byrne, Ryan Allan
In: Chris Ashmore, Chris Klimeck
Out: Brayden Beer, Liam Stubbings
Lexton
B: Liam Cullinan, Riley Browne, Jordan Egan
HB: Trevor Johnson, Michael Jennings, Nicholas Spolding
C: Luke Evans, Bryce Karslake, Scott Clark
HF: Mitchell Kennedy, Jordan Phelan, James Templeton
F: Justin White, Matthew Brown, Justin Hobson
R: Nigel Reid, Damon Aspland, Dylan Barr
Int: Jack Faull, Nathan Barnes, Michael Smith, James Morrish
In: Jordan Phelan, Nathan Barnes, Scott Clark, Michael Smith
Out: Lachlan Pryor, Jacob Spolding, Lachlan Murray, Thomas Fisher
Maryborough Rovers v Talbot
Maryborough Rovers' finals hopes could be on the line this weekend, as the faltering Magpies prepare to confront a Talbot side hellbent on avenging their early season loss to the Magpies and snaring themselves a place in the competition's top eight.
After a shock loss to Newstead last round, Rovers are now back amongst the gathering pack in pursuit of seventh and eighth place on the ladder, and coach Scott Sellers will have drilled the importance of making a statement against the Hawks this week. The Pies defeated Talbot in the opening round of the season, using the win as a springboard for the rest of their 2015 campaign, which, up until the last few weeks, had been ultra impressive. However, after dropping winnable games against Avoca and Newstead, question marks are now being formed over the finals credentials of those in the black and white. The Hedger brothers, Brendon and Dion, have been stellar for the Pies in 2015, and along with veteran Brad Fraser and midfielders Bryce Fletcher and Dylan Gibson, much of the responsibility for their finals hopes rests upon their shoulders.
Talbot continues to recover from its horror start to the season, and despite a slip-up against Campbells Creek a few weeks ago, the Hawks look a completely different side to that which played in the opening seven weeks of the season. Co-coaches Dallas Byars and Matt Smith have shown patience with their side, and watched the players gel into a genuine finals contender. However, the Hawks may have left their run too late, and must win this clash against Rovers this weekend if they hope to play finals.
Maryborough Rovers
B: Brayden Guareschi, Bradley Fraser, Aaron Westbrook
HB: David Popovski, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Danny Whitnall
C: Ryan Guareschi, , Daniel Jennison, Matthew Peck
HF: James Rowles, Adam Mclean, Brohdie Smyth
F: Dylan Gibson, Karson Guareschi, Grant Ryan
R: Dion Hedger, Richard Phillips, Bryce Fletcher
Int: Brendon Hedger, Tristan Knights
In: Matthew Peck
Out: Scott Sellers
Talbot
B: Josh Sullivan, Luke How, Timothy Solomon
HB: Brendon Shine, Timothy Carroll, Matthew Smith,
C: Nicholas Perry, Shaun Carroll, Mathew Whiteman
HF: Tom Sutherland, Jarrod Kemp, Drew Hancock
F: Daniel Romeo, Jonathon Arnel, Robert Conroy
R: , Luke Kemp, Trent Barras, Kane Heathcock
Int: Lachlan Griffiths, Jorde Bux, Liam Belcher, Kallan Boucher, Ross Wise, Bradley Coffey, Ashley Morgan, Ryan Kenden, James Collings,
In: Ashley Morgan, Jonathon Arnel, Nicholas Perry, Ross Wise, Ryan Kenden
Trentham v Harcourt
Harcourt will be breathing a sigh of relief this week, with the Lions' month from hell now over, leaving the Lions free to focus on this weekend's clash with Trentham.
After a dream run to start their season, the Lions hit a roadblock in the middle of the year, with clashes against Natte Bealiba, Royal Park, Carisbrook and last week's thrashing at the hands of Navarre putting a halt to their momentum. Now, coach Sean Smith can re-set his side as they focus upon the run home to the finals, beginning with this week's clash against the Saints. Smith will be keen to see big games from some his star performers, including the Gale brothers, Josh Collinson, Joel Smith and Matt Giri.
However, the Saints will be no pushovers, as they proved in their clash with Lexton last round. Trentham were leading Lexton at half-time of their clash last week, and Saints coach Clayton Scoble will have pointed out to his charges that this is evidence they can mix it with the best in the competition. Again it was Mark Strickland, Luke Whitehouse and Lewis Bruton leading from the front for the Saints, and Scoble will be implying some of his other key players to lift for this weekend's clash.
Trentham
B: Paul Smith, Brendan James, James Gray
HB: Taylor Drew, Curtis McNamara, Jonathon Nadin
C: Luke Adams, Christopher Whelan, Isaac Jennings
HF: Hayden Sundblom, Mark Strickland, Luke Whitehouse
F: James Cann, Josh Murphy, Daniel Lendrec
R: John Cowell, Lewis Bruton, Ross Moloney
Int: Michael Day, James Wicker, Jamie Cutler, Peter Connor, Jared Muir
In: Michael Day, Jonathon Nadin, James Cann
Out: Simon Boxall, Trystan Paderno
Harcourt
B: Michael Dwyer, Joshua Collinson, Alex Birch
HB: Brendan Josey, Jordan Gartside, Michael McMurtrie
C: Alan Mack, Brendan March, Paul McKay
HF: Kyle McLean, Jeffrey McMurtrie, Lachlan Mika
F: Adam Pollock, Joel Smith, Christopher Stone
R: Adam Ward, Andrew Chapman, Rhys Keogh
Int: Scott Jordan, Sean Smith, James Gale, Christopher Smart
In: Rhys Keogh, James Gale, Scott Jordan, Sean Smith, Christopher Smart
Out: Sam Gale , Justin Michielsen, Tasman Scoles, Jason Shaw, Daniel Smith
Last Modified on 31/07/2015 14:05