Border Mail | IT SAYS a lot for the strength of the Ovens and Murray under-19 team that Jono Spina’s hamstring injury caused a few anxious moments for Paul Maher on Wednesday night.
With names like Dom Brew, Ethan Boxall, Brad Melville and Brady and Riley Sharp at his disposal, Maher was preparing to lose one of his best players to replace the injured defender in the senior line-up.
Thankfully for the under-19 coach, that scenario was avoided and he will take an imposing team into Saturday’s interleague match against Hampden at Warrnambool’s Reid Oval.
Brew has been a driving force behind North Albury’s strong start to the season, Boxall would be close to leading Wodonga Raiders’ best and fairest and the imposing Sharp brothers have held down key positions for a young and improving Myrtleford outfit.
“It was disappointing to see Spina go down with the hammy and it nearly impacted on us,” Maher said.
“It just goes to show the depth we have around the place at the moment, that they can make a phone call to the under-19s and still have a hell of a lot of quality to choose from.
“Ethan, Dom, the Sharp boys, with the impact they’ve had at senior level this year they certainly wouldn’t have been out of place in that senior team.
“We’re really excited about Ethan being a great leader for us on Saturday. His speed and skill will be a huge asset.
“The Sharp boys will be our bookends at centre half-forward and centre half-back and then you’ve got Dom, who’s been outstanding for North Albury.”
Brew will captain the side with Corowa-Rutherglen’s Bill Hansen to be his deputy.