Gippsland Times |
THE Gippsland League needs to defeat the Yarra Valley-Mountain District league tomorrow to remain in the top 10 on the AFL Victoria Country rankings.
To do so, Gippsland will be looking to run the visitor out of the contest, to be played at Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve from 2pm.
After last year relying on taller players, the selection committee, headed by coach Hayden Burgiel, has named a squad of players with speed and skill.
With a lack of players available, Gippsland last year lost at Bendigo. The side is set to benefit from having more players available for tomorrow's home game.
When it last played at home, Gippsland thumped Central Murray at Morwell.
For around half the players named in the squad, it will be their first taste of interleague football.
Burgiel will need to cover the absence of Sale coach Matt Ferguson and Maffra spearhead Darren Sheen, though Mitch Davis and Daniel Bedggood are in form for Sale and Maffra respectively.
Three other Sale players - Jordan Dessent, Luke Collins and Ryan Pendlebury - were named in the squad.
Maffra's Kelvin Porter and Ryan Foat have also been included in the squad.
The final team was named after last night's training season.
Based on the current standings, the winner will next year meet the loser of the match between Ballarat and Bendigo. The loser will play the winner between Central Murray and Mallee.
Elsewhere, the Alberton league will host Ellinbank and District tomorrow at Inverloch.
Mid Gippsland, the only other Gippsland league taking part in the championships, will play the north-west division of the Picola and District league at the neutral venue of Visy Park in Melbourne on Sunday.
GIPPSLAND and YVMD will also meet in an under 18 match from 11.45am.
Sale's Jayden Allison, Mackenzie Bristow and Evan Johnson were named in the Gippsland squad along with Maffra's Jesse Ross.
THE two leagues will clash on the netball court from 11pm.
Attacker Ella Bertacchini is the only player from ladder leader Sale selected in the Gippsland team.
The Gippsland League is considering moving the preliminary final and grand final to a Sunday to avoid a clash with the Federal Election. For details read Friday's Gippsland Times.
