Natte Bealiba v Harcourt
Harcourt will face the biggest threat to its unbeaten record this weekend, with the second-placed Lions set to confront Natte Bealiba on Saturday.
The Lions are currently one of two undefeated MCDFNL sides, alongside Navarre, but the boys in blue and yellow have had a dream run thus far, and are about to put to the test over the next four weeks, coming up against the Swans, Lexton, Navarre and Royal Park in successive rounds.
The major key to Harcourt's success so far has been the potency of its forward line, led by veteran Chris Stone and boosted last week by a last-minute return of former interleague representative Matt Giri, but with Natte's defensive lynchpin Chris Jardine likely to return from injury this weekend, the Lions' goalkickers could find things a little tougher than usual.
Harcourt will also miss the drive created by top midfielder Paul Chaplin, who continues to recover from a broken arm, and with the Swans boasting one of the competition's most complete midfield brigades, the likes of Kyle McLean will need to step up to fill the void created by former Berry Powell Medallist Chaplin's absence against a Natte side on the rebound from a hard-fought two point loss to Lexton last round.
Natte Bealiba
B: Trent Mortlock, Nathan Ross, Dean Graco
HB: Kurt Mortlock, Brayden Mills, Jamie Evans
C: Daniel Gifford, Jacob Long, Thomas Douglas
HF: Matthew Stagg, Karl Morley, Zachary Perez
F: Brent Mortlock, Adrian Pilgrim, Stephen Ross
R: Lachlan Cameron, Jarrod Bateson, Jarrod Graco
Int: Michael Columbro, Emmet Smith, Evan Weir, Jack Kennedy
In: Evan Weir, Michael Columbro
Out: Ashley Evans, William Collicoat
Harcourt
B: Christopher Ling, Alan Mack, Kyle McLean
HB: Christopher Smart, Joshua Collinson, Daniel Smith
C: Sean Moss, Brendan Josey, Alex Birch
HF: Clinton Donohue, Jack Douglass, Matthew Giri
F: Sean Smith, Christopher Stone, Joel Smith
R: Adam Pollock, Jeffrey McMurtrie, Adam Ward
Int: Jordan Gartside, Andrew Chapman, Michael Dwyer, Liam Kerkvliet
In: Jordan Gartside, Andrew Chapman, Daniel Smith
Out: James Gale, Scott Jordan, Paul McKay
Talbot v Maldon
Maldon will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing round seven loss this week when the Dons come up against cellar dwellers Talbot this weekend.
The Bombers were caught napping by a Maryborough Rovers side on the rise last week, with a slow start eventually costing the Dons the game, and they will be keen to avoid a repeat effort against the winless Hawks in round eight.
Nick Kelly has proven to be somewhat of a surprise packet for the Bombers over the last few rounds, stringing together two ultra-impressive performances against both Natte and Rovers, and the Hawks defenders, who will be missing captain Tim Solomon due to broken ribs, will need to keep a close eye on the mid-sized forward. Other key performers for Maldon in the forms of Shaun Burchell and Hayden Kelly also loom as risks to Talbot's hopes of landing their breakthrough win of the year, and no doubt co-coaches Matt Smith and Dallas Byars will have put plans in place to limit the impact of the Dons' top names.
For Talbot, the same names continue to impress, including Jonny Arnel, Luke Kemp, Ross Wise and recruit Liam Belcher, but Smith and Byars will be hoping some of the side's other players can rise to the level of their more consistent teammates and score their first victory.
Talbot
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Maldon
B: Mark Webb, Jackson Douch , Matthew Gray
HB: Damien Gatti, Joshua Roberts, Vaughan Williams
C: Jake Elliot, Hayden Kelly, Bryce Roberts
HF: Nicholas Kelly, Jeremy Cross, Kyle Winstanley
F: Christopher Milham, Jamie Cox, Joshua Hutchinson
R: Josh Pascoe, Nicholas McKnight, Shaun Burchell
Int: Leigh Halliwell, Lachie Josey, Michael Mulholland, Ashley Woodman
In: Hayden Kelly, Joshua Roberts, Ashley Woodman, Vaughan Williams
Out: Harley Brereton, Benjamin Rowbottom, Isaiah Hartley, Marc Carroll
Navarre v Trentham
Trentham will need all the morale it can must from its barnstorming round seven win over Newstead this weekend, with the Saints the latest team tasked with putting a halt to the seemingly unstoppable Navarre in round eight.
The Saints scored their most impressive win of 2015 so far last round, with a 70-point demolition job of a young Newstead side giving a much-needed boost to coach Clayton Scoble's side, which has narrowly missed out on several victories so far this season. Luke Whitehouse continuse to be the standout performer in the Saints' side this season, but Scoble would be pleased to see some of his lesser-known names beginning to step up to the plate.
Navarre will enter this match, as it does with most other, quietly full of confidence to extend their winning streak into the 30s. All the side's big names, which is virtually every player, continue to fire on all cylinders, seemingly carrying the Grasshoppers towards yet more September glory.
Navarre
B: Brent Flood, Aiden Lee, Matthew Grinham
HB: Harley McKenny, Jayden Fowkes, Billy Parry
C: Bryce Tickner, Sam Kaye, Lachlan Slorach
HF: Ashley Driscoll, Kris Brennan, Riley Bibby
F: Jesse Hannett, Shaun Clohesy, Cody Driscoll
R: Josh Fowkes, Daniel Reading, Aaron Slorach
Int: Louis Hannett, Dale Ansell, Nicholas Murphy, Austin Squire
Emg: Jeremy Harrington, Jackson Birthisel
In: Aaron Slorach, Brent Flood, Louis Hannett
Out: Matt Newton, Daniel Parkin, Josh Driscoll
Trentham
B: Jonathon Nadin, Brendan James, Paul Smith
HB: Daniel Lendrec, John Cowell, James Gray
C: Isaac Jennings, Christopher Whelan, Elliot Drew
HF: Brian Cole, Curtis McNamara, Luke Whitehouse
F: Mark Strickland, Taylor Drew, Justin Hoffman
R: James Wicker, Lewis Bruton, Kasey Williams
Int: Hayden Sundblom, Brok Wightman, Lucas Byrne, Luke Adams
In: Lucas Byrne
Out: Jamie Cutler
Avoca v Carisbrook
Carisbrook and Avoca will face off at Avoca on Saturday and the Redbacks will be favoured to continue on their winning way after they demolished Dunolly to the tune of 143 points last Saturday.
While Avoca has not won since round 1 they have been very competitive in recent games, but they will need to be at their best this week as the Redbacks have not lost a game since the opening game of the season and they are winning by big margins.
Matt Bilton was absolutely outstanding last week as he slotted eight goals and he was well supported by Jack Ross with five goals, but it is in the middle of the ground that the Redbacks are gaining there dominance over there opponents and it was the younger players such as Jakob Tidyman and Riley Herd that created a lot of attacking moves, and Nathan O’Keefe also provides plenty of opportunities for the Redback forwards.
The last two rounds have seen the Bulldogs provide some very competitive match ups for teams in the top five and if they can continue to improve as they have, then this encounter will be another challenge to the ever improving group, that they can match it with the better teams in the competition.
Carisbrook should be able to continue on their winning way, but Avoca are not expected to make it easy for them.
Avoca
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Carisbrook
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Maryborough Rovers v Campbells Creek
Maryborough Rovers host Campbells Creek at Jubilee Oval on Saturday in the battle of the Magpies as both teams are sitting outside of the top eight and knocking on the door, with the Rovers, in particular, sitting outside the top flight only by percentage.
Rovers managed to hold of Maldon in the second half last week, but not before getting an almighty fright as the Bombers got to within 13 points at three quarter time, but they could not go on with it and the final margin was 14 points in Rovers favour.
The form of Brayden & Ryan Guareschi was noticeable last round as was the effort of Danny Whitnall, Brad Fraser and Grant Ryan and these players must fire again if they are to topple Campbells Creek. It is also imperative that Karson Guareschi can have another day out in the goal mouth such as the five goal haul that he produced against the Bombers.
Creek have only had one win for the season and will find Rovers an easier opponent than the might of Navarre who they faced last week, but Rovers are the team that will go into the game as favourites as they have the added incentive of a spot in the top eight for encouragement.
Rovers should be able to win the Battle of the MCDFNL Magpies, but Creek will provide a scare if they play at their best.
Maryborough Rovers
B: Daniel Jennison, Brayden Guareschi, Danny Whitnall
HB: David Popovski, Aaron Westbrook, Scott Sellers
C: Tyler Bennett, Ryan Guareschi, Dylan Gibson
HF: Tristan Knights, Brendon Hedger, Bryce Fletcher
F: Adam Mclean, Karson Guareschi,
R: Dion Hedger, Richard Phillips, Grant Ryan
Int: Kel Chaffey-Jones, James Rowles, Christopher Gunn
In: Tyler Bennett, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Daniel Jennison
Out: Austen Murphy, Bradley Fraser, Joel Radlof, Liam Bruce Radlof
Campbells Creek
B: Shannon Berriman, Chris Klimeck, Shaun Boag
HB: Matthew Lorenz, Ross Slater, Nathan Stubbings
C: Tim Conder, James Boag, Matthew Halacas
HF: Daniel Klimeck, Carl Simmons, Jye Cartledge
F: Cordie McKendry, Mark Ashmore, Jayden Molloy
R: Dylan Gordois, John Prendergast, Brandon Greenwood
Int: Luke Pritchard, Ryan Jeffrey, Ryan Crawford, Luke Fellows, Glen Wallis
In: John Prendergast, Glen Wallis
Out: Brayden Beer, Anthony Taylor
Dunolly v Royal Park
In a game where there has been a strong rivalry between the two clubs, the Dunolly Eagles host Royal Park at Deledio Oval on Saturday.
Royal Park will be looking to fine tune their game as they prepare to face Navarre next week at Hedges Oval in what will be the match of the round.
But before that, they will be looking to get their game back on track after a hard fought clash with Avoca last week.
Dunolly was very disappointing last week, especially in the opening term, when they allowed Carisbrook to kick twelve goals in a 32 goal landlside.
The Eagles were no match in the middle for the Redbacks and will find the midfielders for Royal Park just as formidable opponents as what they faced against Carisbrook.
Hopefully, Tony Bellenger will be back for the Eagles to add some grunt in the middle, but even if he is available, it will be a tough proposition against a very strong Tigers outfit.
Murray Bond showed on Saturday why the Tigers recruited him this season, with a best on ground performance against his previous club Avoca, and he will need to be well guarded by the Eagles defence.
Royal Park should be able to win this game comfortably, but the home ground may help the Eagles as they seem to play better at home.
Dunolly
B: Hayden Wellard, Jeremy Hancock, Jackson Baker
HB: Grant Raven, Jordi Philbrick, David Bilton
C: Steven Shovan, James Blackwell, Jamie Townsend
HF: Adam Wright, Justin Laird, Tony Bellenger
F: Peter Wytkamp, Chris Wright, Justin Moore
R: Matthew Stiles, Joe Thompson, Matthew Gibbs
Int: Michael Campbell, Patrick McGregor, Corey Dawson, Bradley McHugh
In: Jordi Philbrick, Chris Wright, Tony Bellenger, James Blackwell, Adam Wright, Patrick McGregor
Out: Jason Haley, Graeme Kennedy, Orion Crilly-Downing, Jakson Gibbs, Martin Gale, Xavier Walsh
Royal Park
B: Taylor Stewart, Zachary Dunne, Lawrence Perks
HB: Zachary Tunbridge, Shane Gray, Jay Anderson
C: Hamish Blake, Ashley Hardy, Jacob Cahill
HF: William Short, Murray Bond, Stefan Pye
F: Joshua Brown, Ross Waters, Zachary Stewart
R: James Sutherland, Jake Pring, Trent Pye
Int: Ben Clay, Sam Anderson, Ashley Noonan, Brendan Murdoch
In: Ashley Hardy, Shane Gray
Out: Chris Cowan, Christopher Morley
Newstead v Lexton
Sunday football returns to the MCDFNL for the first time in June as Newstead will host Lexton, with the Tigers coming off a very tough two point victory over Natte-Bealiba.
After Newstead was trounced by Trentham last round it is fair to say that a victory against the fourth placed Lexton would be very difficult to see and most probably quite unlikely.
Newstead do have the ability to play very good football at their home ground, but whether they have the ability to restrict the strong Tigers unit for four quarters is the question mark going into this game.
Matthew Brown is leading the goalkicking table at the moment and this could be an opportunity for him to increase his tally as the Tigers midfielders provide precision passing to him on the lead, with Lachlan Murray also featuring heavily on the scoreboard at times this season.
The Tigers have a tough draw around the corner and will be endeavouring to have their team playing at an optimum level for when they face Royal Park, Harcourt and Navarre from round 10 to Round 12, and it is expected that they will win very comfortably at Newstead on Sunday.
Newstead
B: Dale Bott, Cody Kirby, Ashley Webster
HB: Blake Renfrey, Dylan Connor, Brent Devereaux
C: Cameron Hepburn, Patrick Cummins, Jonty Entwisle
HF: Bradley Richardson, Adrian Conn, Michael Dalrymple
F: Joel Smith, Nathan Webster, Adam Hunter
R: Jayden Bott, Courtney Brown, Scott Beames
Int: Rhys Smith, Oscar Lynzaat, Ricky Bastin, Matthew Hunter
In: Dale Bott, Adam Hunter, Jayden Bott, Adrian Conn, Ricky Bastin
Out: Zachary Tanner, Darcy Ahern, Joel Thomas, Nicholas Richardson, Ben Krol
Lexton
B: Jack Faull, Ryan Wait, Jordan Egan
HB: Jordan Phelan, Liam Cullinan, Nicholas Spolding
C: Jacob Spolding, Dylan Barr, James Templeton
HF: Lachlan Pryor, Cohan Poulton, Scott Clark
F: Bryce Karslake, Matthew Brown, Lachlan Murray
R: Nigel Reid, Damon Aspland, Michael Smith
Int: James Morrish, Trevor Johnson, Justin White, Nathan Barnes
In: Jack Faull, James Morrish, Nathan Barnes
Out: Mitchell Kennedy, Riley Browne, Tim Buby
Last Modified on 19/06/2015 15:20