Navarre v Avoca
Navarre host Avoca on Saturday and will expect to continue on their winning way as the Bulldogs have not been travelling very well with only one win from four games.
The Grasshoppers have not been beaten for the past 26 games and on form there is no reason why they won’t make this 27 consecutive wins after this round. Navarre is strong in all areas of the ground, starting in the middle with youngsters Josh Fowkes and Rhett Murphy in the ruck, who are well supported by Sam Kaye, Daniel Parkin and Louis Hannett on ball, in stark contrast to the Bulldogs inexperienced midfield.
The Bulldogs have troubles finding an avenue to goal and it will not be any easier this week against Navarre defenders Brent Flood, Jayden Fowkes and Bryce Tickner, with Tickner’s run out of the backline crucial in setting up Navarre’s drive. Ash & Cody Driscoll are marking everything that comes their way up forward, with Kris Brennan also difficult to keep under control.
The Bulldogs are in a rebuilding stage and have a lot of promising young juniors mixed in with a number of new experienced recruits and it will take time before they see the benefits, but it may be a tough lesson on Saturday against the league powerhouse who held Dunolly to only one goal last week.
Navarre to win comfortably.
Navarre
B: Jayden Fowkes, Brent Flood, Matt Newton
HB: Aaron Slorach, Lachlan Slorach, Josh Fowkes
C: Luke Jordan, Sam Kaye, Bryce Tickner
HF: Kris Brennan, Daniel Reading, Nicholas Murphy
F: Cody Driscoll, Ashley Driscoll, Jesse Hannett
R: Rhett Murphy, Louis Hannett, Daniel Parkin
Int: Riley Bibby, Curtis Bibby, Aiden Lee, Harley McKenny
Emg: Paul Carson, Thomas Hannett
In: Luke Jordan, Curtis Bibby
Out: Shaun Clohesy, Billy Parry
Avoca
B: Toby Beavis, Matt Veitch, Jesse Britton
HB: Hugh Bucknall, Devon Svilicic, Joel Carter
C: Jay Armstrong, John Bucknall, Desmond Critchley
HF: Bryce Howell, Blake Salmon, Cameron Holland
F: Daniel Howell, Joel Howell, Luke Mahoney
R: Lachlan Morganti, Jacob Nicholson, Michael Henningsen
Int: Xavier Slater, James Walton, Haydn Slater, Amos Wilson, Nicholas Drury
In: Luke Mahoney
Trentham v Maldon
Night football returns to Trentham this week as the Saints host their third and final night game for the year against Maldon.
The Saints have been impressive in their last two night encounters, notching wins against Talbot and Campbells Creek, and they’ll be hoping to do the same this Saturday night as they face a Maldon side that have been impressive in patches this season, and gave high-flying Harcourt a run for their money last week.
The key to Maldon’s performances this year has been their midfield, with Shaun Burchall slotting back in nicely and Joel Cross playing to his usual high standard. If Trentham’s on-ball brigade can get on top early and ensure a constant stream of footy to the likes of Luke Whitehouse and Mark Strickland up forward, then it will set the Saints up well.
Hayden Kelly looms as the danger man for the Saints to stop this week – he has been in electric form for Maldon this year and if he gets a hold of the game, then the Bombers could find themselves in the box seat.
This game could go either way, and could be crucial in setting up either team’s season.
Trentham
B: Brok Wightman, Jonathon Nadin, Daniel Lendrec
HB: Taylor Drew, John Cowell, Brendan James
C: Luke Adams, Christopher Whelan, Jamie Cutler
HF: Paul Smith, Lucas Byrne, Luke Whitehouse
F: Mark Strickland, Curtis McNamara, James Cann
R: James Wicker, Ross Moloney, Kasey Williams
Int: Hayden Sundblom, Elliot Drew, Justin Hoffman, Isaac Jennings
In: Isaac Jennings, Curtis McNamara, Justin Hoffman, Paul Smith
Out: Lewis Bruton, Jake Keogh, Jack Hayward, James Gray
Maldon
B: Matthew Gray, Jamie Cox , Mark Webb
HB: Vaughan Williams, Marc Carroll, Joshua Roberts
C: Bryce Roberts, Hayden Kelly, Matthew Thompson
HF: Nicholas Kelly, Luke Davey, Leigh Halliwell
F: Kyle Winstanley, Justin Trevan, Jeremy Cross
R: Michael Mulholland, Shaun Burchell, Joel Cross
Int: Christopher Milham, Lachie Josey, Joshua Hutchinson, Jake Elliot
In: Luke Davey, Jeremy Cross, Justin Trevan, Marc Carroll
Out: Nicholas Petersen, Harley Brereton, Josh Pascoe, Isaiah Hartley
Royal Park v Talbot
After a slow start to the season, the Royal Park Tigers have moved up the ladder to sit in sixth position with wins in each of their last two games and it is noticeable that they are finishing their games off strongly.Talbot are yet to win a game and sitting in 13th position on the ladder, however they always been competitive against Royal Park
A seven goal final term against Rovers a fortnight ago and a ten goal final term against Campbells Creek last round indicates that the Tigers fitness levels are high and will only improve as the season progresses.
The form of Josh Brown up forward has been a key factor in the Tiger’s good form and his nine goal haul last round played a big role in the win over the Creekers.
If Brown does not fire, then there are others such as Murray Bond and Zac Stewart that are capable of kicking a bag, and it is doubtful that the Hawks have enough key defenders to trouble the Tigers. Matt Smith is more than capable across half back or through the midfield for the Hawks, and Josh Sullivan can play at both ends, but the Tigers should have the upper hand in their forward 50.
A good contest is expected but Royal Park should be able to kick away again in the final quarter.
Royal Park
B: Matthew Walker, Chris Cowan, Zachary Dunne
HB: Taylor Stewart, Zachary Tunbridge, Christopher Morley
C: Kayne Wilson, Stefan Pye, James Lindeback
HF: Murray Bond, , Hamish Blake
F: Ben Clay, Zachary Stewart, Michael Noonan
R: James Sutherland, Jay Anderson, Ashley Noonan
Int: Jacob Cahill, Joshua Brown, Shane Gray, Brendan Murdoch, William Short
Emg: Ashley Hardy, Daniel Moore
In: Michael Noonan, Shane Gray
Talbot
B: Daniel Romeo, Josh Sullivan, Kane Heathcock
HB: Matthew Smith, Timothy Carroll, Kallan Boucher
C: Luke How, Luke Kemp, Robert Conroy
HF: Jonathon Arnel, Tom Sutherland, Ross Wise
F: Brendon Shine, Clarence Ferguson, Tim Solomon
R: Jarrod Kemp, Trent Barras, Drew Hancock
Int: Lachlan Griffiths, Liam Belcher, Matthew Whiteman, James Collings
In: Ashley Morgan, Drew Hancock, Ross Wise
Out: Jorde Bux, Bradley Coffey
Carisbrook v Maryborough Rovers
Maryborough Rovers have the ominous task of confronting a red-hot Carisbrook under lights this Saturday night in round five of the MCDFNL.
While the Magpies have undoubtedly improved in 2015, they will be stretched to the limit against a Redbacks side on a roll, with a 3-1 start to the season capped off by a crushing win against Lexton last weekend.
The catalyst for the Redbacks form appears to be the form of its on-ball brigade, led by Matt Bilton, while ruckman Brady Neill has blossomed following the departure of Jackson Bowen to feature among the side's best players in each of the opening four rounds of the season. The potency of the Brook's forward line, which already boasts plenty of firepower in the forms of Nathan Wright and Cole Roscholler, has also been boosted by the addition of highly-rated former junior Jack Ross, who booted one goal in his return to football after a long layoff with chronic injuries.
Rovers scored its second victory of the year last weekend with a morale-boosting win over Trentham, and you can sense that the long-term vision of Magpies coach Scott Sellers is beginning to pay off. In recent years, as the Magpies have battled for victories, Sellers has preached a message of rebuilding the club's list, and 2015 could be the year in which we see the results of that progress. The 2015 list is easily the strongest and most versatile which the club has assembled in the last five years, however it will take something special from the boys in black and white to put a halt to the Redbacks juggernaut.
Carisbrook
B: Isaac Long, Hayden Barby, Benjamin Kick
HB: Jonathon Gray, Jake Bucknall, Kurt Bruechert
C: Jacob Dyer, Luke Treacy, Liam Tranter
HF: Lachlan Edwards, Adam Hurse, Jack Ross
F: Brady Neill, Nathan Wright, Cole Roscholler
R: Ty Stewart, Jakob Tidyman, Matthew Bilton
Int: Matthew Jukes, Ryan Hudson-Morgan, Nathan O'Keefe, Timothy McKay
In: Isaac Long, Nathan O'Keefe, Timothy McKay
Out: Ashley Robinson, Mitchell Whelan, Riley Herd
Maryborough Rovers
To be selected from:
Tristan Knights, Ryan Guareschi, David Popovski, Brayden Guareschi, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Karson Guareschi, Dylan Gibson, Dion Hedger, Danny Whitnall, Grant Ryan, Trent Monk, Scott Sellers, Brendon Hedger, Bryce Fletcher, Christopher Gunn, Richard Phillips, Adam Mclean, Nicholas Clark, Tyler Bennett, Aaron Westbrook, Brohdie Smyth, Daniel Jennison
In: Danny Whitnall, Tyler Bennett, Brendon Hedger
Out: Corey Wilson, Justin Peck, Brett Monk, Bradley Fraser
Lexton v Dunolly
Dunolly coach Shaun Smith will be wary of coming up against a wounded Lexton this weekend, with the Eagles set to take on a Tigers outfit coming off the back of a disappointing loss on Saturday.
Lexton coach Shane Fisher will have delivered a tough week on the training track after the Tigers became the latest victims of a rampant Carisbrook last weekend, and will have his charges primed to bounce back with a strong showing against Dunolly this weekend. The Tigers were walloped in just about every facet of the game last weekend, and some of the side's bigger names will be keen to give a better showing this weekend, and with a side boasting talent such as Damon Ashland, Matt Brown, Lachlan Murray and plenty of others, it's easy to see them delivering a pasting to an Eagles side bereft of a win.
Dunolly is struggling to find form so far in 2015, with the Eagles at rock bottom following a 170-point thrashing at the hands of Navarre last weekend, and they could be in for more pain again this weekend. The same names continue to feature in the best for the Eagles, with Jordi Philbrick, Mick Campbell, Matt Gibbs, Jamie Townsend and Joe Thompson continuing to do all the heavy lifting for a side seemingly in lack of some important key position players. Unless some of the aforementioned players' teammates can lift for this clash, things could get ugly for the Eagles.
Lexton
B: Mitchell Kennedy, Ryan Wait, Lachlan Murray
HB: Luke Evans, Riley Browne, Nicholas Spolding
C: Liam Cullinan, Nathan Barnes, James Templeton
HF: Justin White, Tim Buby, Jacob Spolding
F: Joshua McVitty, Matthew Brown, Dylan Barr
R: Nigel Reid, Damon Aspland, Trevor Johnson
Int: Jordan Phelan, Jordan Egan, Scott Clark, Bryce Karslake
In: Liam Cullinan
Out: James Morrish
Dunolly
B: Grant Raven, Jeremy Hancock, Hayden Wellard
HB: Patrick McGregor, Jordi Philbrick, Michael Campbell
C: Corey Dawson, Jackson Baker, Steven Barnett
HF: Jamie Townsend, Peter Wytkamp, Bradley McHugh
F: Dean Foster, Cory Collins, Brendan Redpath
R: Justin Moore, Matthew Gibbs, Joe Thompson
Int: Braydan Hodge, Ryan O'Keeffe, Chris Wright, Adam Wright
In: Ryan O'Keeffe, Patrick McGregor, Steven Barnett
Out: Steven Shovan, Jordan Fraser, Cameron Anscombe
Newstead v Natte Bealiba
Natte Bealiba will head to Newstead with the knowledge that it needs a big win to help hold on to fourth position on the MCDFNL ladder.
The Swans are currently locked in a battle with Carisbrook and Lexton for supremacy on the ladder, and with Natte only fractionally ahead of Lexton on percentage, Shane Green will have drilled the importance of scoring a big win over the Roos into his charges.
A significant boost to their chances of doing so could be delivered this weekend however, with former star junior Ash Evans expected to take the field for his junior club in the first of his appearances in red and white for season 2015. Evans has spent a number of years starring for Mt Gravatt in the AFL Queensland competition, and slotting into a midfield already boasting Stephen Ross, Jarrod Bateson and Brent Mortlock, he should make a major impact for his junior club.
Newstead will head into Saturday's clash with a little more confidence than previous weeks however, after the young Roos scored their breakthrough win of the 2015 season over Avoca last round. Brad Richardson continued his stellar rise among the Roos' ranks with a three goal performance, while Courtney Brown has experienced a second wind in his senior career, with the premiership veteran featuring among the Steaders' best on a regular basis. However, coach Nathan Webster will need some massive efforts from some of his other charges if the Roos are to knock off a star-studded Swans.
Newstead
B: Dale Bott, Cody Kirby, Ashley Webster
HB: Brent Devereaux, Ben Krol, Blake Renfrey
C: Adam Hunter, Patrick Cummins, Joel Pearson
HF: Bradley Richardson, Jonty Entwisle, Zachary Tanner
F: Nicholas Richardson, Michael Dalrymple, Joel Smith
R: Jayden Bott, Courtney Brown, Brian Elliott
Int: Ricky Bastin, Scott Beames, Matthew Hunter, Dylan Connor
In: Zachary Tanner, Dylan Connor, Nicholas Richardson, Matthew Hunter
Out: Jordan Long, Darcy Ahern, Adrian Conn, Cameron Hepburn
Natte Bealiba
B: Dean Graco, Christopher Jardine, Nathan Ross
HB: Brayden Mills, Kurt Mortlock, Trent Mortlock
C: Thomas Douglas, Jacob Long, Daniel Gifford
HF: Zachary Perez, Jamie Evans, Stephen Ross
F: Brent Mortlock, Adrian Pilgrim, Matthew Stagg
R: Lachlan Cameron, Jarrod Graco, Jarrod Bateson
Int: Jack Kennedy, Michael Columbro, William Collicoat
In: Jack Kennedy, William Collicoat
Out: Reece Perry, Lachlan Douglas, Emmet Smith
Harcourt v Campbells Creek
The Castlemaine Derby is played at Harcourt on Sunday where the Lions will host across town rivals Campbells Creek.
There also may possibly be a bit of spice in this game as Creek’s coach from last season, Sean Smith, is now coaching the Lions and has taken a number of key players with him.
Harcourt is undefeated and sit in second place on the ladder, while Creek sit in tenth place after only one win against Newstead in Round 2.
Jeff McMurtrie kicked eight goals against Avoca a fortnight ago, but was well held last week by the Maldon defenders, however Joel Smith was back to his best last week with a seven goal haul and Adam Pollock did not play last week, so if all three of these players combine well, then they will be very difficult to stop.
Formline indicates that Harcourt should continue their winning run, but there is always a good contest in the Castlemaine Derby, so they may not have it all their own way. But the Lions should be able to remain undefeated at the end of the day.
Harcourt
B: Alan Mack, Christopher Ling, Daniel Smith
HB: Sean Moss, Christopher Smart, Joshua Collinson
C: Brendan Josey, Paul Chaplin,
HF: Harrison Weppner, Jack Douglass, Alex Birch
F: Sean Smith, Joel Smith, Christopher Stone
R: Adam Pollock, Jeffrey McMurtrie, Adam Ward
Int: Kyle McLean, Liam Kerkvliet, Scott Jordan, James Gale
In: Adam Pollock, James Gale, Sean Smith, Jack Douglass
Out: Paul McKay, Aaron Murray, Andrew Chapman, Jackson McMahon, Michael McMurtrie
Campbells Creek
B: Shannon Berriman, Chris Klimeck, Anthony Taylor
HB: Matthew Lorenz, Ross Slater, Nathan Stubbings
C: Tim Conder, James Boag, Matthew Halacas
HF: Jye Cartledge, Luke Ashmore, Davin Nicholls
F: Cordie McKendry, Mark Ashmore, Shaun Boag
R: Jayden Molloy, Daniel Klimeck, Brandon Greenwood
Int: Ryan Jeffrey, Carl Simmons, Dylan Gordois, Cody Adamson
In: Carl Simmons, Cordie McKendry, Nathan Stubbings
Out: Jayson Gilbert, Brett Thomson, Benjamin O'Byrne
Last Modified on 15/05/2015 13:19