Border Mail |
OVENS and Murray selectors have moved quickly to cover a swag of late omissions by adding Albury speedster Lonnie Hampton, Lavington midfielder Mitch Palmer and Yarrawonga forward Corey Greer to its squad to play Peninsula at Visy Park on Saturday.
The in-form trio were called up as the big names continued to fall with Wangaratta’s Ben Davies, Albury forward Josh Maher and Pigeons co-coach Drew Barnes the latest to succumb to injuries.
But selectors remain hopeful Yarrawonga sharpshooter Kayne Pettifer will have a change of heart and be able to take his place in the Matt Pendergast-coached side.
Pendergast is confident the league has enough depth to cover any possible losses as it fights Peninsula for the right to play off for the No. 1 ranking in country Victoria next year.
“We will train at Wang tomorrow night and have a good look at which way we want to go with the side,” Pendergast said.
“You never like to lose good players, but we have brought in some really good ones as well.”
Meanwhile, Peninsula looks set to blood up to 10 interleague rookies.
Coach Stephen Ryan said yesterday the competition had been hit by injuries with former Hawthorn player Beau Muston set to miss.
Several other stars, including former Melbourne player Paul Wheatley, have also withdrawn from the squad.
“By the sounds of it both sides will be inexperienced,” Ryan said.
“We will have a lot of first-gamers in interleague playing.
“A lot of 24 or 25-year-olds will be out there.
“They are keen to play which is a good thing as we only want guys who will run out will give 100 per cent.”
To compound Ryan’s selection headaches, former North Albury star and Frankston-YCW ruckman Ash Eames will miss with a long-term knee injury.
Ryan said Eames was in danger of missing the rest of the season.
The MPNFL recorded a thrilling two-point win over the O and M two seasons ago when it fielded a team boasting players from the Mornington, Peninsula and Nepean leagues.
But with the leagues being split up, Ryan said the task would be tougher on this occasion.
“It obviously makes it harder, but I can understand why the changes were made,” he said.
“We have one competition now and the boys selected will be keen to represent it.”
Ryan hinted long-time Peninsula players Byron or Tony Barry were likely to captain the side.
The clash starts at 2.10pm.
