by Jim Gordon
MALLEE V CENTRAL MURRAY
SWAN HILL
MAY 25
In this year’s VCFL Country Championship match Mallee Football League comes up against Central Murray in seniors and Under 16/17s. To be played at Swan Hill on Saturday May 25, this game matches up the 13th and 14th ranked VCFL sides with Central Murray holding the higher rank.
Nevertheless Mallee are coming off three outstanding Inter League wins in the past three years and will be all out to continue their winning streak. This will be the first time that these two VCFL Leagues have clashed.
There are some big names in the Mallee side. Sponsored by Bill and Tania Morrish’s Top End Training, this year’s team looks like it will be just as strong or stronger than previous sides. The initial squad will be cut from 50 to half that number and competition is fierce for a place in the final lineup. Coach Col Durie has some stars at his disposal. Ex-AFL players Damian Cupido and Laurence Angwin are in the squad along with Callum and Micah Buchanan, David Piasente, Mitchell Taylor and Wade Champion.
Three years ago Mallee began its climb up the VCFL ladder with a wonderful win against Horsham League, now VCFL ranked 22. An even better win against North Central (ranked 20) followed in 2011 and this win was topped off by last year’s 40 point demolition of Wimmera (ranked 17) at Hopetoun.
The Mallee side approached the game against Wimmera like a team that had played together for years and in the end this desire to play for one another was a huge factor in the outcome of the game. Their intensity at and around the contest was outstanding and the pressure that they were able to maintain on the opposition was eventually too much for Wimmera.
‘It was a great win by the Mallee,’ said Mallee coach Col Durie. ‘Every player played their role for the team and I was very proud of their achievement.’
It seems that Wimmera did not like being beaten by Mallee. So eager are Wimmera to have themselves reinstated as a major VCFL player, that they put together their Inter League squad at the end of 2012 and have had training sessions regularly since then.
‘We are very keen to continue Mallee’s success,’ said Alan Malcolm, President of the Mallee Football League. ‘The MFL has come of age in the past three years and we are looking to further our progress this year against Central Murray.’
‘Coach Col Durie has another outstanding group of footballers to work with,’ Malcolm added. ‘In the past three years Col has raised the bar and raised the standard of representative football in the Mallee League and the players have responded accordingly with some great wins.’
Mallee football is in a very healthy state at the moment. Last year Walpeup Underbool and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers played off for the flag, this year any one of four or five sides are capable of winning. Mallee football is alive and well.
Along with Col Durie coaching the seniors, Damian Hall will be coaching the Under 16/17s. Gareth Hose will be assisting Col and Matt Elliott is working with Damian.
‘We congratulate all those who have been selected in the squads,’ said Malcolm, ‘and look forward to seeing two strong Mallee sides run into the field in Swan Hill.’
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 MFL 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 11/05/2013 22:04
