By Gareth Trickey
COUNTRY Victoria's District League side will have its work cut out when it takes on the South Australian Country Football League tomorrow at Central Park, Stawell.
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Hope of the side: Longwarry sharpshooter Ryan Donaldson. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin
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South Australia will use the match as a warm-up to next year's biennial Australian Country Championships in Victoria.
The VCFL side is also gearing up for next year's championships.
VCFL coach and former Richmond player Ron Thomas admitted the odds were stacked against his Division 2 side, but insisted his team had the passion to match it with the Division 1 South Australian squad.
"The preparations have been as good as they possibly can be considering the boys travel from all over Victoria," Thomas said.
"I'm not using that as a disadvantage, it may be an advantage because it's the boys' first time together and they're going to be very enthusiastic."
South Australia has not been in the country championships since it dropped out following a disappointing performance in 2002.
Unlike the VCFL District side, South Australia's squad is made of major and district-league players.
Victoria's team was finalised after a series of regional training session around the state.
This year's side includes captain Andrew Grant, VCFL leading scorer Ryan Donaldson and former VFL players Chris Urie and Shane Mumford.
Thomas said he was impressed by his players' form heading into tomorrow's clash with South Australia.
"It's going to be a very big challenge for the Victorian District team to come up against South Australia," he said.
"We're keeping in mind that South Australia has already had a representative game against the South Australian Amateurs and three weeks ago played in a two-day carnival at Port Pirie.
"The South Australians are well prepared but I couldn't be happier with our players' attitude at training."
Tomorrow's game at Stawell will give selectors a chance to see what is available as Victoria attempts to defend its 2006 title.
"Regional selectors have put a lot of time into selecting this team and you would think this would be an important stepping stone to next year," Thomas said.
"The main aspect of this game is to do our best and hopefully win the game and that' number one.
"Number is forming something together for next year's championships.
"It's a great chance to look at the next young group of players.
"Who knows what next year's championships could end up being for these boys."
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Country players' test at Stawell