Shepp News |
The disappointed faces on those who missed out was possibly the best sign Goulburn Valley not only has a strong squad, but the players care about staying No. 1.
Much has been made about the high-profile players who have withdrawn from interleague contention through injury, but Goulburn Valley’s much-vaunted depth was on show last night.
Goulburn Valley interleague coach Travis Ryan unveiled a 23-man team brimming with versatility, class and experience — and, like last year, he will turn to some youth.
Benalla young gun Nick Warnock will play alongside fellow key forwards Paul Newman, who will captain the side again, and Mooroopna’s Daniel Lewis, a multiple state representative with Queensland and Western Australia.
Shepparton United swingman and Victoria Country representative Tim Looby is vice-captain.
Goulburn Valley will aim to match arch-rival Ovens and Murray’s record of winning four straight AFL Victoria Country Championships when it travels to Kardinia Park to face host Geelong on Saturday.
‘‘This is definitely our toughest test by a mile,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘They’ve all been against tough opposition, but you see their squad and it’s good — there are a lot of VFL players and AFL players.
‘‘Their midfield is awesome and we’re travelling down there and we’re going to be up against it, but we’ve got a pretty versatile side.’’
Echuca’s former AFL-listed midfielder Jordan Williams and two players who won their club’s best-and-fairest award last season in Benalla’s Al Jacka and United’s Matt Rendina were three who failed to make the cut.
Ryan also made Geelong-based Cats ruckman Mark Blake’s interleague absence official.
Blake joins Mooroopna teammate Mitch Keddell, Mansfield’s Josh Fraser, Seymour’s Paul and Brent Colbert, Demons Shaun Huy, Jason Eagle and Ryan Butler, Rochester’s Grant Weeks, Tatura’s Leigh Owen and Euroa’s Matt Quinton in pulling out due to injury.
Bulldogs veteran Paul Kirby, who was stiff not to win the best-on-ground medal last year for his performance against Mornington Peninsula Nepean giant Ash Eames, will lead the ruck division.
Athletic tall pair Lewis and James Wall, of Tatura, are Kirby’s most likely ruck back-ups.
The defence looks strong, with Kyabram’s Jason Morgan, Shepparton Swans Dan Lovick and Andrew Riordan — who both played in Geelong Football League last year — Bulldog Tom Miller and Seymour’s Matt O’Keefe the lockdown options.
In-form Bombers backman Tom Sheldon will also have a key role across half-back with his exquisite long kicking.
‘‘It’s a big thing playing for the No.
‘‘We did the same thing when we started winning the title; we built up and won it and stayed there, so it’s big for us.
‘‘It helps the competition as a whole.
‘‘If clubs are trying to find players .
The match starts at 2
GOULBURN VALLEY’S INTERLEAGUE SIDE
B: Andrew Riordan (Swans), Tim Looby (United), Matt O’Keefe (Seymour)
HB: Tom Sheldon (Kyabram), Jason Morgan (Kyabram), Dan Lovick (Swans)
C: Simon Buckley (Echuca), Brendon Hollow (Tatura), Tom Sullivan (Tatura)
HF: Simon Seddon (Kyabram), Daniel Lewis (Mooroopna), James Wall (Tatura)
F: James Brain (Rochester), Nick Warnock (Benalla), Paul Newman (Kyabram)
Foll: Paul Kirby (Tatura), Brady Green (Rochester), Luke Morgan (Benalla)
Inter: Linc Wellington (Tatura), Tom Durward (Tatura), Sam Vale (Rochester), Liam Ogden (Kyabram), Tom Miller (Tatura)
