Weekly Times |
VICTORIA Country will field an inexperienced but passionate side when it takes on its metropolitan cousins in Saturdays AFL Community Cup.
Just three country players remain from the team that fell three points short of the Victorian Amateur Football Association last July.
This time, Vic Country will take on the best from AFL Victoria’s six metropolitan community leagues — the VAFA along with the Eastern, Southern, Northern, Western Region and Essendon District leagues.
Vic Country coach and Hawthorn great Peter Knights said Vic Metro posed “a big challenge”.
“It’s a bit different this year, we’re a little bit inexperienced,” Knights said.
“We’ve only got three that were with us last year, which is probably the least number we’ve had from one year to the next in the five years I’ve been involved.
“Ideally it’s good to have six to eight.
“It’s just the way it’s panned out with injuries, form and availability and the retirement of a couple of players, like our former captain Guy Campbell.”
This weekend’s bout at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium is the second time a game has been played between the two groups of community leagues.
The first clash at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval in 1986 was won by the country side, 26.13 (169) to 12.8 (80).
Nine goals from Gavin Exell and six from current Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley fuelled the win.
Knights said his 24-man team boasted “a lot of flexibility” and a genuine passion to represent Vic Country.
Goulburn Valley representatives Tim Looby, Tom Sheldon and Brendan Hollow remain from last year’s team. New faces include Geelong league captain Tim Sheringham, Benalla coach Luke Morgan and Golden Square onballer Jack Geary.
“It’s probably the most versatile group that I’ve had in my five years,” Knights said.
Vic Country will hold its final training session in Carlton tonight, when it will cut the squad from 26 to the final 24.
- Vic Country v Vic Metro, Simonds Stadium, Geelong, 4pm Saturday
Former AFL assistant coach and Western Bulldogs Team of the Century rover Brian Royal will lead Vic Metro, with fellow Bulldogs great Scott West among his assistants.
The Vic Country No. 2 and under-19 teams will take on the VAFA at St Albans earlier on Saturday.
VIC COUNTRY
- Coach: Peter Knights
- Chris Giampaolo (Redan)
- Steven Kennedy (Darley)
- Jonathon Coe (Golden Square)
- Brodie Filo (Eaglehawk)
- Jack Geary (Golden Square)
- Tom Waters (Gisborne)
- Kevin Bourke (Geelong West-St Peters)
- Jordan Erskine (Grovedale)
- Tom Gillies (St Mary’s)
- Daniel Nicholls (St Albans)
- Tim Sheringham (Bell Park)
- Tom Stewart (South Barwon)
- Brendon Hollow (Rochester)
- Tim Looby (Shepparton United)
- Justin Maddern (Shepparton Swans)
- Will Martiniello (Benalla)
- Luke Morgan (Benalla)
- Tom Sheldon (Kyabram)
- Daniel Willis (Shepparton)
- Paul Hinkley (Cobden)
- Lonnie Hampton (Albury)
- Joel Mackie (Albury)
- Brandon Symes (Yarrawonga)
- Rohan Heasley (Mt Eliza)
- Kane Taylor (Seaford)
- Lachlan Wallace (Frankston YCW)
Originally published as Bush ticker men