From the Shepp News |
Goulburn Valley’s challenger for Victorian country football’s No. 1 ranking yesterday picked a side littered with ex-AFL talent for the May 25 clash at Geelong’s Kardinia Park.
Geelong Football League officials released a 48-man squad that included eight former AFL-listed players.
Geelong premiership players Matthew Scarlett and David Wojcinski head the list, which also includes Raphael Clarke, Peter Street, Nick Batchelor, Peter Hardy, Adam Donohue and Luke Vogels.
Geelong interleague coach Glen Wallace said Scarlett and Wojcinski were keen to play and would help ensure the team’s defensive six was its strongest third of the ground.
“I’m actually rapt (with our squad), particularly with some of the top-liners who have stuck their hand up,” Wallace said.
“We’re going to have the best players represent our league this year, which is terrific, but we’re expecting some stiff opposition as well.
“We set the goal in my first year as coach to be playing this match at this time in two years and this is year three of our three-year plan.”
Former Goulburn Valley Football League players Ryan Normington, Dan Roy and Nathan Tweddle did not make Geelong’s squad.
Wallace said two-time Shepparton United premiership star Normington, who was in Geelong’s extended squad last year, was stiff to miss out and could yet break in.
Another notable player in Geelong’s squad is on-baller Tim Sheringham, who shared his league’s Mathieson Medal with new Shepparton Swan Dan Lovick last year and is the brother of Geelong AFL player Jackson.
Other Mathieson medallists in the side are Batchelor and Ben Lavars, while coach Wallace, a former WAFL forward who has coached extensively in Geelong, won the medal in 2000.
Key forward Clinton Wells also looms as a significant stumbling block for Goulburn Valley.
Wallace said Lovick was a star and would be “sadly missed” and was thrilled to see another Swan and ex-Grovedale player Andrew Riordan make Goulburn Valley’s initial squad.
“Andrew was first emergency in our match two years ago, so I’m rapt for him and I hope he plays,” Wallace said.
“He doesn’t look as good as what he is. He just gets the job done and is a really good contributor, so I wish all the best for him.”
Wallace said Goulburn Valley was “clearly the best side” in country Victoria, having defended the No.
GEELONG FOOTBALL LEAGUE INTERLEAGUE SQUAD
Bell Park: Steve Paulke, Zane Vail, Nick Batchelor, Tim Sheringham, Mitch Cuthill, Jason Graham, James Rock, Tim Austin (development squad). Colac: Jacob McGuane, James Linton, Andrew Kelly. Grovedale: Jordan Erskine, Ryan Abbott, Jarrod Young, Adam Donohue, Ryley Hall, Nathan Deans. GWSP: Luke Vogels, Anthony Chirnside, Patrick Eastman (development squad). Lara: Shaydon Bloomfield, Peter Street, James Allan, David Stretton, David Isbister, Rhyce Prismall. Leopold: Jai Thompson. Newtown & Chilwell: Jai Sheahan, Justin Perkins, Nick Spolding, David Wojcinski, Jarrod McCorkell, Nathan Braddock. North Shore: Brad Surkett. South Barwon: Clinton Wells, Matthew Scarlett, Tom Stewart, Casey Tutungi, Mitch Herbison, Luke Buckland, Peter Hardy. St Albans: Raphael Clarke, Cameron Hall, Dale Carson, Kieren Paliouras, Brant Haintz (development squad). St Mary’s: Mathew Hebbard, Andrew McLean, Brenton Snowdon, Robert Condy, Ben Lavars, Luke Bath.
