by Jim Gordon
The Mallee Football League takes on the might of the Wimmera League at Hopetoun on May 26 in what should be a great game of football showcasing the very best talent from the two leagues. Interleague football has certainly served the Mallee well in the past couple of years with a wonderful win against Horsham League in 2010 and an even better win against North Central last year.
‘Those wins will make history,’ said Alan Malcolm, President of the Mallee Football League. ‘The MFL has come of age in the past two years and we are looking to continue our progress this year.’
‘Coach Col Durie has another outstanding group of footballers to work with and don’t forget that those teams were dominated by born and bred Mallee players,’ Malcolm added. ‘In the past two years Col has raised the bar and raised the standard of representative football in the Mallee League and the players have responded accordingly with a great wins against firstly Horsham and then against what was a very good North Central side.’
Sponsored by Bill and Tania Morrish’s Top End Training, this year’s team looks like it will be just as strong as the last two years. Mallee football is in a very healthy state at the moment. Last year Ouyen United and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers played off for the flag, this year any one of three or four sides are capable of winning. The Mallee is bristling with talent.
As well as the senior team, Mallee will field an Under 17 side coached by Dale Shannon and an Under 14 side coached by David Baulch.
The Under 17s will have access to one overage player from each club. This is aimed to help us bridge the gap between the two leagues, as they obviously have a much larger population and therefore more players to choose from. This will give us the opportunity to add even more players with senior experience to our team. Overage players are Dan McEwen (Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers), Bradley Summerhayes (Ouyen United) and Ben Reid (Hopetoun) have all been in the best players for their respective senior teams in recent weeks, as well as some of the 17 year old players in Nathan Cocks (Jeparit Rainbow) and Jackson Fisher (Hopetoun)
‘These boys should play major roles in the team,’ said coach Dale Shannon. ‘Every overage player has had at least some experience playing senior footy, as will some of our 17 year old players, which will help playing against some of the bigger bodies that the Wimmera team may have.’
As well as the honour of representing their League, there is much to be gained by being selected to play Inter League football. There is a lot in it for the local footballer eager to improve his standing, gain the respect of his peers and play at the highest level available.
This is the biggest showcase for the very best players. It is a chance for MFL players to show their ability against the highest quality opposition. It is arguably the highest level that most players can play at and it is an opportunity for Clubs to promote the League and to attract other players to playing here.
For the younger player, it is a vital step on the way to impressing talent scouts on that slippery route to possible AFL stardom. It is then a permanent record of achievement and can be used when moving from club to club which is an unfortunate (or fortunate) modern aspect of country football.
Last Modified on 15/05/2012 21:30
