Weekly Times | A HUNGER for redemption will drive a Central Murray representative team that has not tasted interleague success since 2010.
Coach Troy Coates said the group’s determination to turn around their form was the fuel that would ignite his side on Saturday when they clashed with the North Central league in the Worksafe AFL Victoria Community Championships.
“We are pretty keen to get back on the winners’ list and start climbing that ladder,” Coates said. “Having lost the last five, there’s a determination among the boys to get the league the recognition it deserves.”
The coach said a few fresh faces would get their chance to complement Central Murray’s experience.
“It’s exciting for a few younger guys to get their first opportunity. They’re the guys who will hopefully take the league in the direction we want it to go,” Coates said.
“Senior guys like Matthew Wade has played a lot of rep footy. Ryan O’Sullivan is vital in the ruck, Ryan Gillingham in the midfield, Mitch Bosward — they’re just four off the top of my head that will be really important.”
It will be Coates’ first time coaching at interleague level, a trait shared by his opposite number Daniel Gash.
Gash will lead the North Central team up to Swan Hill for the match and the away fixture was not a problem.
“We’re not worried about it really. The young blokes love getting up there,” Gash said
“We’ll go up the Friday night and it gives us a bit of extra time to bond.”