MCDFNL Previews – Round 3
Royal Park v Campbells Creek
Royal Park host Campbells Creek in the Bendigo Bank MCDFNL this Saturday in a blockbuster Match of the Round.
Both clubs are on a high after starting the season with two wins apiece and neither team will be willing to post their first defeat this week.
The Tigers defeated Maldon last week in a game that they had the majority of possession, but coach Greg Stewart would be disappointed in the inaccuracy around the goalmouth, which will need to be improved if they are to have the upper hand over the Creekers on Saturday. The Tigers had thirty one shots at goal for ten majors against the Bombers and the forwards will no doubt have been practicing their goal shooting this week at training.
The Magpies showed their fighting qualities to get up against Talbot last week to get the points after trailing at half time. Coach Sean Smith defied his age and was inspirational around the packs in the last term as he sent the ball forward to his brother Joel who kicked two final quarter goals to seal the match.
Creek have also recruited a VFL ruckman from Frankston in James Hellwege and his contest with Will Short this week will be a highlight and it is expected that either Matt Walker or Jay Anderson will match up on the dangerous Joel Smith.
A big crowd is expected at Hedges Oval to witness a closely fought contest which could go either way, but the home ground advantage may favor Royal Park just slightly.
Royal Park
B: Matthew Walker, Ben McKay, Jayden Humphrey
HB: Jay Anderson, Zack Short, Taylor Stewart
C: James Shelton, Hamish Blake, Tristan Maher
HF: Zachary Tunbridge, Shane Gray, Jacob Cahill
F: Brendan Birch, Zachary Stewart, Dylan McLean
R: William Short, Trent Pye, Jarrod O'Connor
Int: Steven Shovan, Thomas Quick, Oliver Schmidt, Brendan Murdoch
In: Jacob Cahill, Shane Gray, Jayden Humphrey
Out: Craig McMickan, Sam Anderson, Daniel Moore
Campbells Creek
B: Aaron Murray, Shane O'Toole, Jayden Molloy
HB: Sean Moss, Ross Slater, Shannon Berriman
C: Nathan Stubbings, James Boag, Brett Thomson
HF: Sean Smith, Joel Smith, Joshua Hutchinson
F: Ryan Jeffrey, James Hellwege, Chris Cassidy
R: Adam Pollock, Brandon Greenwood, Joshua Adamson
Int: Kristian Bruce, Matthew McLean, Jayson Gilbert, Mark Williams
In: Matthew McLean, Mark Williams, Kristian Bruce
Out: Shaun Boag, Matthew Lorenz, Cordie McKendry
Avoca v Lexton
Avoca host Lexton on Saturday at the Avoca Public Park and it will be a tough assignment for the Bulldogs to post their first victory of the season against one of the premiership fancies.
Lexton coach Shane Fisher, however, would be looking for a marked improvement from his charges after a disappointing display last Sunday against Dunolly. The Tigers were not their usual well-oiled machine and overused the ball throughout the game.
The Bulldogs have been very competitive till half time in both of their matches to date, but fail to see out the game, as they fade out in the second half. It will be interesting to see if Alec Wiltshire is fit for this match after being concussed last round and the Bulldogs will also be hoping that veteran full back Ben Howell is available for his first match of the season.
The Tigers are expected to be back to their best this week and their all-around strength across the ground will be too strong for Avoca.
Avoca
To be selected from:
Jesse Britton, Nicholas Drury, Alec Wiltshire, Cameron Holland, Joel Carter, Jacob Glen,
Murray Bond, Nolan Gould, Joel Howell, Rhys Walkley, Matt Veitch, Brady Williams,
Teague Wilson, Jaye Farnsworth, Jon Goad, Ben Howell, Bryce Howell, Hugh Bucknall,
Brad Schiltz, Adrian Pilgrim, Mitchell Kennedy, John Bucknall, Thomas Nankivell
In: Ben Howell
Lexton
B: Mark Ferguson, Jordan Phelan, Jack Faull
HB: Nicholas Spolding, Ryan Wait, Daniel Chester
C: James Templeton, Trevor Johnson, James Morrish
HF: Lachlan Murray, Justin Hobson, James Cusack
F: Justin White, Matthew Brown, Timothy Oliver
R: Nigel Reid, Dylan Barr, Damon Aspland
Int: Michael Smith, Dean Murray, Lachlan Pryor, Ashley Davies
In: Nicholas Spolding, Lachlan Pryor, Justin White, Dean Murray
Out: Patrick Pekin, Lachlan Nevett, Nathan Barnes, Michael Jennings
Dunolly v Newstead
Newstead travel to Deledio Reserve on Saturday to take on the improving Dunolly who pushed Lexton till the third term last week in a very scrappy game.
The running play of Jay Pitto and Joe Thompson helped the Eagles to be the competitive unit that they were last round and Coach Tony Bellenger was also using his strength around the packs, and they will once again need to be at their best against the likes of Nathan Webster and Ethan Ford who are very good at ground level.
Newstead boast some of the biggest players in the league with Ben Krol, Adrian Conn & Daniel Christmas, and they have included former Maldon ruckman Patrick Ruggles to the list this season. Captain Mark Ramsey is also in some great early season form coming of an eleven goal hail against the Bulldogs last week, and the Eagles will need to nullify the dangerous forward if they are to have any chance of winning this game.
The Steaders will be too big and strong for the Eagles, but if the home team can produce the same form as last round they may be in it for some time.
Dunolly
B: Hayden Wellard, Harry Warren, Grant Raven
HB: Michael Campbell, Dylan Gordois, Craig Gloury
C: Justin Moore, Jay Pitto, Timothy Conway
HF: Jesse Olsen, Jed Ritchie, Jamie Townsend
F: Matthew Halacas, Bradley Schodde, Khai Collins
R: Adrian Devereaux, Tony Bellenger, Joe Thompson
Int: Dean Foster, Ayden Mines, Mitchell Harper
Out: Lee Jackson
Newstead
B: Bradley Richardson, Liam Bright, Michael Dalrymple
HB: Adrian Conn, Shane Mcnabb, Matthew Manning
C: Adam Hunter, Nathan Webster, Joel Pearson
HF: Zachary Tanner, Joel Smith, Lachlan Chapman
F: Ashley Webster, Mark Ramsey, Mathew Merlo
R: Jayden Bott, Patrick Cummins, Mitchell Gilboy
Int: Mitchell Woods, Jacob Dalrymple, Brent Devereaux, David Wall
In: David Wall, Liam Bright, Michael Dalrymple
Out: Tom Ruggles, Ethan Ford, Ben Krol
Natte Bealiba v Maryborough Rovers
Natte Bealiba will look to bounce back from its round two loss at the hands of Carisbrook as it takes on a Rovers side which represents an unknown quantity thus far in the 2014 MCDFNL season.
After enjoying a round one win over arch-rivals Avoca, the Swans were brought crashing back to earth last week by a Carisbrook side intent on making amends for its round one loss. The Swans look set to welcome back a number of key players for the important clash with the Magpies, including small forward Ryan Weir, who slotted six majors in round one, and experienced defender Jamie Evans, both of whom missed last week’s clash with the Redbacks. The Swans’ number one issue so far this season appears to be its ball use, with numerous errors proving costly for the Natte side in round two.
Maryborough Rovers are yet to register a victory in 2014, but the word is that the Magpies have already shown signs of improvement compared to their infamously dismal 2013 season. New recruit Kel Chaffey-Jones has already proven he will be a valuable cog in the Pies’ midfield, while the return of Grant Ryan, who missed much of the 2013 season with a knee injury, has added some much-needed hardness to the Rovers line-up. Despite a belting from rivals Royal Park in round one, the Pies bounced back in round two to push Trentham to the limit, and will be keen to do the same against the Swans on Saturday.
Maryborough Rovers
To be selected from:
Kel Chaffey-Jones, Ryan O'Shea, Christopher Gunn, Nicholas Clark, Trent Monk, Karson Guareschi, Grant Ryan, Richard Phillips, Bradley Fraser, Aaron Westbrook, Scott Sellers, Andrew Nelson, David Popovski, Ryan Guareschi, Ty Stewart, Graeme Kennedy, Daniel Rossi, Kegan Ross, Dion Hedger, Brohdie Smyth, James Rowles, Tim McLean
In: Andrew Nelson, Nicholas Clark
Out: Marcus Forbes, Steven Purtell
Natte Bealiba
To be selected from:
Daniel Gifford, Jason Hunt, Jacob Long, Brayden Mills, Nathan Ross, Lachlan Cameron,
Zachary Perez, Shane Mortlock, Samuel Coloe, Benjamin Weir, Joshua Tong, Jared Hall,
Dean Graco, Ryan Weir, Christopher Jardine, Alexander Banko, Trent Mortlock, Stephen Ross,
Brent Mortlock, Matthew Stagg, Kurtis Torney, Joshua Mottram
In: Ryan Weir, Matthew Stagg
Out: Tyson Mortlock, Ryan McClelland
Navarre v Talbot
Talbot faces the biggest test to its resurgent form this season when it comes up against reigning premier and competition yardstick Navarre this weekend.
After a promising start to the year, the Hawks were brought back to earth with a loss to Campbells Creek last round, and now face an uphill battle in order to push Navarre this weekend. Trent Barras has been the standout for Talbot so far this season, relishing the chance to make the transition from full-time forward to midfielder under new coach Rick Andrews, while still making his mark on the scoreboard, while the move of assistant coach Matthew Smith from the midfield to a creative half-back role has also paid dividends for Talbot thus far. Both these players, along with the rest of the Hawks squad, will need to be at their absolute best if the Hawks have any hopes of beating Navarre.
The Grasshoppers have been in scarily good form in the opening two rounds, with wins against Lexton and Harcourt seemingly coming with ease for the Grasshoppers. Navarre’s big names have all made impressive starts to the season, with Daniel Parkin, Bryce Tickner, Ben Scott and Brent Flood all standouts thus far, while Ash Driscoll has been in sublime form up forward, including an 11-goal haul against Harcourt last round.
It will take a mighty effort for the Hawks to knock Navarre from their perch, and as much as the side appears to have improved in 2014, it may be too much to ask of a Talbot side on the rise.
Navarre
B: Matt Newton, Jayden Fowkes, Cody Driscoll
HB: Luke Hendy, Brent Flood, Ashley Driscoll
C: Bryce Tickner, Josh Driscoll, Aaron Slorach
HF: Daniel Reading, Lachlan Slorach, Aiden Lee
F: Nicholas Murphy, Kris Brennan, Josh Fowkes
R: Rhett Murphy, Sam Kaye, Daniel Parkin
Int: Zach Parry, Harley McKenny, Billy Parry, Samuel Robertson
Emg: Brian Lovison, Tyler Mc Sparron
In: Zach Parry, Samuel Robertson, Billy Parry
Out: Ben Scott, Louis Hannett
Talbot
B: Benjamin Heathcock, Boe Gilmour, Ross Wise
HB: Karl Gunther, Anthony Tatchell, Matthew Smith
C: Tylan Humm, Rowan Prentice, Mathew Whiteman
HF: Timothy Solomon, Tom Sutherland, Jonathon Arnel
F: Lachlan Griffiths, Josh Sullivan, Joshua Parsons
R: Nathan Smith, Luke Kemp, Trent Barras
Int: Kane Heathcock, Ricky Andrews, Dylan Wittingslow, Bradley Fleming
In: Tom Sutherland
Out: Brodie Glen
Carisbrook v Harcourt
Carisbrook will look to build on its round two victory over Natte Bealiba tomorrow when the Redbacks host an underperforming and undermanned Harcourt under lights on the Redbacks’ home turf this weekend.
The ’Brook bounced back in emphatic fashion last round, systematically breaking down and beating Natte after a round one loss to Newstead, and Carisbrook coach Luke Treacy, who played a key part in the round two win with five goals to his name, will be keen to see his side carry some of that momentum into round three. New faces Brandon McRedmond and Cole Roscholler looked far more settled for the Brook last round, with both gaining plenty of possession through the middle of the ground and up forward, while star big man Jackson Bowen put his height and bulk to good use in an even team performance. The only change the Redbacks may be forced to make is replacing veteran backman Tim Heenan, who copped a heavy knock against Natte last round.
Harcourt continued to struggle for consistency in round two, and will need to have seriously improved if they are to test, or even withstand, the Redbacks this week. Midfield lynchpin Paul Chaplin has been superb for the Lions thus far, both through the middle of the ground and up forward, but after an off-season exodus of sorts, he needs more teammates to help carry the load. Reports are that injuries have taken their toll on the Lions so far, so co-coaches Daniel Smith and Scott Whitehead will be hoping that their full squad becomes available sooner rather than later before too much damage is done to their finals hopes.
Carisbrook
To be selected from:
Brandon McRedmond, Jeremy Mc Innes, Nathan O'Keefe, Andrew Lovett, Luke Treacy, Troy Nolan, Jakob Tidyman, Jonathon Gray, Stephen Marr, Jackson Bowen, Liam Cunningham, Cole Roscholler, Mark Cox, Hayden Barby, Clayton Furniss, Nichlos Wright, Brayden Collicoat, Isaac Long, Benjamin Kick, Aaron Carr, Nick Robinson, Patrick Jenes
In: Benjamin Kick, Aaron Carr, Troy Nolan, Hayden Barby
Out: Timothy Heenan, Ryan Hudson-Morgan
Harcourt
B: Kris Davis, Paul Chaplin, Alex Birch
HB: Jacob Fitzpatrick, Timothy Faliszewski, Michael Dwyer
C: Sam Gale, Jordan Gartside, Brendan Josey
HF: Kyle McLean, Paul McKay, Christopher Ling
F: Alexander Purdon, Justin Michielsen, Jackson McMahon
R: Nickolas Quinn, Lewis Short, Daniel Smith
Int: Justin Trevan, Dean Watson, Christopher Stone, Lachlan Van Schaik
In: Jordan Gartside, Lewis Short
Out: Nathan Mitchell, Benjamin Leech
Maldon v Trentham
Maldon host Trentham on Sunday at the Bill Woodful Reserve where a tough contest is always assured.
Maldon have lost a number of players from their list from last season, but they are always hard to beat at home in front of their parochial crowd. The consistent Hayden Kelly continues to shine for the Bombers with another outstanding effort last week against the Tigers, and Ben Doyle has been a welcome inclusion to share the ruck work with Josh Pascoe.
Trentham are on a high after a hard fought win over the improving Maryborough Rovers under lights last Friday Night and they will fancy their chances against the Bombers. Coach Clayton Scoble was the on field leader last week often going forward and finished with five goals, while Matthew Traynor also showed that he will be a quality recruit for the Saints with a best afield game.
The Saints are in good form and it could be enough to get them over the line at the final siren.
Maldon
To be selected from:
Michael Mulholland, Jeremy Cross, Mark Webb, Xavier Mawson, Hayden Kelly, Braedan Turtle, Ben Doyle, Christopher Milham, Jake Elliot, Kyle Winstanley, Bradley Simpson, Nicholas Kelly, Jackson Douch, Christopher Mulholland, Cameron Bryan, Nicholas Thornton, Dyllan White, Damien Gatti, Joel Cross, Nicholas McKnight, Thomas Elliott
In: Jeremy Cross
Out: Josh Pascoe, Andrew Hall
Trentham
B: Scott Witmitz, Josh Murphy, Luke Adams
HB: James Gray, Justin Hoffman, Jamie Cutler
C: Hayden Sundblom, Christopher Whelan, Kasey Williams
HF: James Cann, John Cowell, Clayton Scoble
F: Mark Strickland, Taylor Drew, Lewis Bruton
R: James Wicker, Matthew Traynor, Jonathon Nadin
Int: Matthew Sundblom, Elliot Drew, Luke Whitehouse, Simon Boxall
In: Matthew Sundblom, Simon Boxall, Jamie Cutler
Out: Michael Day, Callan Wellings, Brok Wightman
Last Modified on 03/05/2014 10:16