Avoca v Lexton
Avoca will be happy to have had a week’s rest to allow a number of their injured players extra time to recover as they face a fit and firing Lexton Tigers at Avoca on Saturday.
The Tigers lost their only match to Carisbrook under lights back in round 4, but rebounded with an exceptional performance against Dunolly the following round, keeping the Eagles to just three behinds for the game.
The Tigers were also well represented in last week’s interleague game with five of their players selected to represented the league including Nick Spolding who is having a stellar season down back for Tigers and was rewarded with the AFL Victoria Country Medal as the MCDFNL’s best player last Saturday.
Avoca has been struggling to post a score of any substance and it is difficult to see the Bulldogs fortunes changing this week as they face the might of Spolding and his defensive unit which is one of the best in the league.
Lexton should be able to win this game quite comfortably.
Avoca
B: Toby Beavis, Devon Svilicic, Jesse Britton
HB: Hugh Bucknall, Brady Williams, Mitchell Holland
C: Cameron Holland, John Bucknall, Taylor Raine
HF: Bryce Howell, Matt Veitch, Desmond Cricthley
F: Daniel Howell, Joel Howell, Taylor Raine
R: Lachlan Morganti, Jacob Nicholson, Michael Henningsen
Int: Xavier Slater, James Walton, Haydn Slater, Luke Mahoney
Out: Joel Carter
Lexton
B: Jordan Egan, Tim Buby, Bryce Karslake
HB: Lachlan Murray, Liam Cullinan, Nicholas Spolding
C: Jordan Phelan, Michael Smith, James Templeton
HF: Damon Aspland, Riley Browne, Dylan Barr
F: Lachlan Pryor, Matthew Brown, Cohan Poulton
R: Nigel Reid, Mitchell Kennedy, Scott Clark
Int: Trevor Johnson, Luke Evans, Nathan Barnes, Ryan Wait
In: Lachlan Pryor, Michael Smith, Cohan Poulton
Out: Jacob Spolding, Justin White, Joshua McVitty
Campbells Creek v Carisbrook
Campbells Creek face another big test at home this week as they welcome Carisbrook to the Creekerdome this Saturday.
The Magpies would have been thankful for the interleague break after a sound defeat at the hands of Harcourt in the lead-up, whilst Carisbrook’s form has been exemplary this year as highlighted by a strong win under lights over the Maryborough Rovers last round.
2013 Berry Powell Medallist Matthew Bilton has been extremely impressive for the Redbacks this year and one was of the MCDFNL’s best players in last week’s Interleague loss to the Ellinbank & District Football League, booting six of the league’s 12 goals on the day. If Bilton can get going through the midfield along with the likes of skipper Luke Treacy, Ryan Hudson-Morgan and Nathan O’Keeffe, the Redbacks will be hard to stop.
Campbells Creek are always a much better side at home than on the road, and if Mark Ashmore can have a big impact on the scoreboard then the Magpies will fancy themselves a chance, but they will need everything to go right if they hope to land an upset win this weekend, with the Redbacks starting hot favourites.
Campbells Creek
B: Shannon Berriman, Chris Klimeck, Liam Stubbings
HB: Matthew Lorenz, Ross Slater, Nathan Stubbings
C: Tim Conder, James Boag, Matthew Halacas
HF: Jye Cartledge, Carl Simmons, Davin Nicholls
F: Cordie McKendry, Mark Ashmore, Shaun Boag
R: Dylan Gordois, Brayden Beer, Brandon Greenwood
Int: Ryan Jeffrey, Anthony Taylor, Rhys Griffiths, Luke Pritchard
In: Rhys Griffiths, Luke Pritchard, Brayden Beer, Liam Stubbings
Out: Jayden Molloy, Luke Ashmore, Cody Adamson, Daniel Klimeck
Carisbrook
B: Benjamin Kick, Jake Bucknall, Liam Tranter
HB: Jonathon Gray, Hayden Barby, Kurt Bruechert
C: Jacob Dyer, Nathan O'Keefe, Riley Herd
HF: Matthew Jukes, Jack Ross, Luke Treacy
F: Kieran Johns, Adam Hurse, Ryan Hudson-Morgan
R: Ty Stewart, Lachlan Edwards, Jakob Tidyman
Int: Jayden Taggart, Isaac Long, Timothy McKay
In: Riley Herd, Kieran Johns, Kurt Bruechert
Out: Brady Neill, Nathan Wright, Cole Roscholler, Matthew Bilton
Maryborough Rovers v Harcourt
Harcourt will look to keep their undefeated start to 2015 alive as they travel to Jubilee Oval today to take on a Maryborough Rovers side still licking their wounds after copping a heavy defeat at the hands of Carisbrook before the interleague break.
The Rovers improvement this season has been noticeable, with Brendan and Dion Hedger teaming together to give the Rovers some tall timber and some real bite through the air, but it’s Harcourt that have been the season’s big improvers, as coach Sean Smith has going the Lions roaring along nicely.
Chris Stone leads the MCDFNL in goalkicking up to the interleague break, and he’s a tough man to stop on the best of days, not the least when you have giant ruckman Adam Pollock resting in a forward pocket and the high-flying Joel Smith also capable of a bag of goals, although he may be a game-day decision after withdrawing from the interleague squad through injury in the lead-up to the game.
Expect the Rovers to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Lions early doors, but Harcourt should be able to withstand it to sit clear on top of the ladder come game’s end on Saturday night.
Maryborough Rovers
B: Scott Sellers, Bradley Fraser, Daniel Jennison
HB: David Popovski, Brayden Guareschi, Aaron Westbrook
C: Karson Guareschi, Richard Phillips, Tristan Knights
HF: Dylan Gibson, Danny Whitnall, Grant Ryan
F: Christopher Gunn, Brendon Hedger, Adam Mclean
R: Dion Hedger, Ryan Guareschi, Bryce Fletcher
Int: Trent Monk, Tyler Bennett, Brohdie Smyth
In: Bradley Fraser, Christopher Gunn
Out: Andrew Hughes, Nicholas Clark, Kel Chaffey-Jones
Harcourt
B: Jack Douglass, Paul Chaplin, Alex Birch
HB: Sean Moss, Kyle McLean, Alan Mack
C: Sean Smith, Joel Smith, Daniel Smith
HF: Brendan March, Andrew Chapman, Harrison Weppner
F: Christopher Stone, Adam Ward, Paul McKay
R: Adam Pollock, Jeffrey McMurtrie, Christopher Smart
Int: Liam Kerkvliet, Scott Jordan, James Gale, Christopher Ling
In: Paul McKay, Andrew Chapman, Brendan March
Out: Brendan Josey, Damien Lock, Joshua Collinson
Natte Bealiba v Maldon
One of the round’s more intriguing clashes takes place at Natte Yallock this weekend as the Swans, who overcame a determined Newstead before the interleague break, take on a Maldon side that showed they’re determined to play games out for the full four quarters this season, as was evident by their final quarter run-down of Trentham under lights before the break.
It’s been no surprise to see that when Maldon have been winning games this year, the names Cross, Kelly and Burchall have been amongst their best players. Joel Cross, Hayden Kelly and Shaun Burchall have been in fantastic form for the Redbacks this year, and there’s no doubt that they’ll be the first three names that Swans coach Shane Green looks at in his opposition planning for this week.
Natte’s mix of experience and youth is serving them well this season, with the likes of Zac Perez, Brent Mortlock and Matthew Stagg continually joined by young guns Trent Mortlock and Tom Douglas amongst the Swans best players, plus they’ll be looking for a repeat of Adrian Pilgrim’s day out up forward last game, as he bagged seven majors against Newstead.
This could be a danger game - if Natte don’t come switched on, then Maldon will give them an almighty scare, but the Swans should just have too much depth and too much polish in the end which will see them over the line.
Natte Bealiba
B: Dean Graco, Christopher Jardine, Nathan Ross
HB: Trent Mortlock, Kurt Mortlock, Brayden Mills
C: Thomas Douglas, Jacob Long, Daniel Gifford
HF: Matthew Stagg, Karl Morley, Stephen Ross
F: Brent Mortlock, Adrian Pilgrim, Emmet Smith
R: Lachlan Cameron, Zachary Perez, Jarrod Bateson
Int: Jack Kennedy, Jamie Evans, Michael Columbro, William Collicoat
In: Karl Morley, Emmet Smith
Out: Jarrod Graco, Ashley Evans
Maldon
B: Matthew Gray, Justin Trevan, Mark Webb
HB: Damien Gatti, Joshua Roberts, Vaughan Williams
C: Bryce Roberts, Hayden Kelly, Jake Elliot
HF: Kyle Winstanley, Josh Pascoe, Nicholas Kelly
F: Christopher Milham, Jamie Cox, Marc Carroll
R: Michael Mulholland, Nicholas McKnight, Shaun Burchell
Int: Lachie Josey, Nicholas Petersen, Joshua Hutchinson, Isaiah Hartley
In: Lachie Josey, Nicholas Petersen, Josh Pascoe, Isaiah Hartley, Nicholas McKnight
Out: Leigh Halliwell, Joel Cross, Jeremy Cross, Brereton Harley, Matthew Thompson
Newstead v Royal Park
Newstead host Royal Park on Saturday and should be buoyed with confidence after they nearly pulled off a big upset against Natte Bealiba last round, when they pushed the Swans to be level at three quarter time.
As Natte Bealiba defeated Royal Park in round one, the Steaders could fancy their chances of an upset, but they will have to be at their best if they are to topple the Tigers who have gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed.
Royal Park was never troubled in their round 5 match against Talbot and once again they finished the game strongly with a six goal to one final term. The three pronged forward line of Zac Stewart Josh Brown and Murray Bond kicked ten goals between them, but it was Stefan Pye that got the ball rolling through the middle for the Tigers and he has proven to be a very good recruit. As has Mick Noonan who is an experienced leader around the ground and James Sutherland is having a good year in the Ruck.
The Steaders have dropped away a bit this season, but their fighting qualities haven’t and with youth on their side they will give a good account of themselves, but the Tigers will go into the game as favourites.
Newstead
B: Dale Bott, Cody Kirby, Ashley Webster
HB: Brent Devereaux, Ben Krol, Blake Renfrey
C: Cameron Hepburn, Patrick Cummins, Adam Hunter
HF: Zachary Tanner, Jonty Entwisle, Bradley Richardson
F: Nicholas Richardson, Michael Dalrymple, Joel Smith
R: Jayden Bott, Courtney Brown, Jordan Long
Int: Scott Beames, Ricky Bastin, Matthew Hunter, Dylan Connor
In: Jordan Long, Cameron Hepburn
Out: Bryan Elliott, Joel Pearson
Royal Park
B: James Lindeback, Zachary Dunne, Taylor Stewart
HB: Matthew Walker, Chris Cowan, Zachary Tunbridge
C: Jacob Cahill, Christopher Morley, Hamish Blake
HF: Stefan Pye, Murray Bond, William Short
F: Joshua Brown, Ross Waters, Zachary Stewart
R: James Sutherland, Jake Pring, Kayne Wilson
Int: Ashley Noonan, Daniel Moore, Brendan Murdoch, Ben Clay
In: Daniel Moore, Ross Waters, Jake Pring
Out: Michael Noonan, Jay Anderson, Shane Gray
Dunolly v Trentham
Trentham make the trip to Deledio Park on Sunday to tackle Dunolly and after coming off two successive losses the Saints will be looking to return to the winners list against the struggling Eagles who are yet to win a game for the season.
The Saints will definitely go into the game as favourites as they have been playing some very good football, but have been failing to run out the game, which Coach Clayton Scoble will have been focusing on at training.
Trentham has been in a rebuilding phase the past couple of seasons and are now starting to see the benefits as their promising juniors become more experienced players.
Dunolly has had a disappointing start to the season, particularly in its past two matches against powerhouse clubs in Navarre and Lexton, where they have only kicked one goal against Navarre and none at all against the Tigers.
This game is an opportunity to turn things around and post a competitive score as they look to improve for the remainder of the season.
The Saints should be able to win this game comfortably, but it is an opportunity for the Eagles to gain some respect.
Dunolly
B: Justin Moore, Jeremy Hancock, Jackson Baker
HB: Michael Campbell, , Jamie Townsend
C: Steven Shovan, James Blackwell, Chris Wright
HF: Joe Thompson, Peter Wytkamp, David Bilton
F: Tony Bellenger, Adam Wright, Bradley Schodde
R: Grant Raven, Justin Laird, Matthew Gibbs
Int: Dean Foster, Patrick McGregor, Bradley McHugh, Hayden Wellard
In: Chris Wright, Justin Laird, Tony Bellenger, Bradley Schodde, James Blackwell, David Bilton, Adam Wright
Out: Charlie Knowles, Brendan Redpath, Corey Dawson, Craig Gloury, Cameron Anscombe, Pat Lowe, Martin Gale
Trentham
B: Paul Smith, John Cowell, Daniel Lendrec
HB: Brendan James, Taylor Drew, Jonathon Nadin
C: Elliot Drew, Christopher Whelan, Isaac Jennings
HF: Justin Hoffman, Mark Strickland, Luke Whitehouse
F: Luke Adams, Curtis McNamara, James Cann
R: James Wicker, Ross Moloney, Kasey Williams
Int: Hayden Sundblom, Lucas Byrne, James Gray, Lewis Bruton
In: Lewis Bruton, Ross Moloney, James Gray
Out: Peter Connor, Jamie Cutler, Brok Wightman
Talbot v Navarre
Talbot showed promising signs in the pre-season, but it has been far from promising as the season has progressed as they sit winless at the lower ranks of the ladder, and it is difficult to see things improving this Sunday as they face the undefeated Navarre, who are looking to post their 28th successive win.
The Hawks were at least competitive early in the season, but their past two games have seen them kick only five goals in each of their games against Natte-Bealiba and Royal Park last round.
Navarre’s back half which is led by Brent Flood is one of the toughest defences in the League, but Navarre will be without Flood this week due to a one match suspension, so this may advantage the Hawks, but Navarre has many that can fill the void in Flood’s absence.
Navarre’s leading forward, Ash Driscoll, was very quiet in the interleague game and will be looking to redeem himself in this game with a bagful of goals as he seeks to regain the lead in the league goal kicking table.
Beside Driscoll, the Grasshoppers have many avenues to goal to which they are expected to take full advantage of, and should be able to win quite comfortably at Talbot on Sunday.
Talbot
B: Daniel Romeo, Josh Sullivan, Kane Heathcock
HB: Matthew Smith, Timothy Carroll, Tim Solomon
C: Robert Conroy, Luke Kemp, Jorde Bux
HF: Jonathon Arnel, Tom Sutherland, Ashley Morgan
F: Brendon Shine, James Collings, Jarrod Kemp
R: Ross Wise, Trent Barras, Drew Hancock
Int: Lachlan Griffiths, Liam Belcher, Matthew Whiteman, Kallan Boucher, Luke How
In: Jorde Bux, Ross Wise
Out: Clarence Ferguson
Navarre
B: Curtis Bibby, Aiden Lee, Matt Newton
HB: Harley McKenny, Jayden Fowkes, Billy Parry
C: Bryce Tickner, Sam Kaye, Lachlan Slorach
HF: Joshua Rathgeber, Kris Brennan, Aaron Slorach
F: Cody Driscoll, Shaun Clohesy, Jesse Hannett
R: Josh Fowkes, Daniel Reading, Daniel Parkin
Int: Nicholas Murphy, Luke Jordan, Thomas Hannett, Dale Ansell
Emg: Riley Bibby, Austin Squire, Matthew Grinham
In: Shaun Clohesy, Dale Ansell, Joshua Rathgeber
Out: Rhett Murphy, Brent Flood, Louis Hannett
Last Modified on 29/05/2015 16:45