AFTER winning the 2016 South East Zone Interleague Football Carnival in Naracoorte, the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Knights will look to claim back-to-back honours at McDonald Park this weekend.
With a new coach at the helm, along with a mixture of fresh and experienced interleague representatives, some would say the Knights have the perfect recipe for success.
However, it is no secret Western Border has put together a strong side and will be eager to redeem itself after a winless 2016.
While some of Mid South East’s best are not available for the competition, it will also be no easy feat.
The Knights defeated Mid South East in the 2016 grand final by a solitary goal and with captain Simon Berkefeld and vice captain Tim MacKenzie leading from the front, while it will be difficult, they could be on their way to more success.
Travelling players are always hard to convince for these carnivals, but Penola ruckman Seb Guilhaus has put his hand up for the challenge, which will make the tap a hard one to win for both Western Border and Mid South East.
With Adam Merrett leaving the coaching role vacant, it has given room for two-year assistant Brad Richardson to step into the position.
Currently coaching Kingston in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League, Richardson has put the squad through their paces over the last two weeks and believes they will be in good stead coming into the carnival.
“We have blokes that have played at this level before and some new guys coming into the side,” he said.
“We think we have a good blend of young and experience.”
Richardson has full faith in his two leaders – Berkefeld and MacKenzie – and believes they will guide the squad in the right direction.
“Berkey has captained at high levels and I know he will lead from the front,” he said.
“Tim MacKenzie played at interleague level last year and he will be our general down the backline.
“We have great faith in both of them.
“They are are all quality players, so it is not like they are going to need much coaching, I am there for a bit of direction on the day.”
Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara’s main aim will finish the carnival on Saturday with its second consecutive victory and Richardson believes he has the team to do so.
“All the guys we have chosen are really keen to represent the league,” he said.
“They are all eager to defend the title.
“There is a bit of pride on the line for each league, it is a good concept.
“We know the carnival is going to be tough, Western Border have put together a pretty good squad this year and Mid South East are always tough.”
McDonald Park is a small oval and while the Knights are used to their wide open space, Richardson said he has a side with the “football smarts” to get over the line.
“I think we have picked a team that has good balance between inside hard players and outside runners, so we should be able to get the ball into the open and use it to our advantage,” he said.
“We have plenty of depth in the midfield, so we will be rotating to keep fresh so we are running as hard at the end of the day, as we are at the start.”
Penola Football Club is well represented, with the five selected in the initial squad, chosen in the final 23.
With their results week in, week out proving they are in form, Richardson said the five will be big influences on the end result.
“Seb will help us a lot, he is a dominant ruckman, not only in our league, but on a bigger scale,” he said.
“He is just so big and hard at the contest and will be important in giving our onballers first use.”
The Knights have the services of the “powerhouse” ruckman Guilhaus, but also Berkefeld and Jordan Galpin.
“Jordy is a smooth moving half forward that always bobbs up for a goal and he has really good skills,” Richardson said.
“Simon Berkefeld, well he is a stand out player in our league with his work rate and the amount of football he wins.”
Richardson is also impressed with two young Eagles Scott Merrett and Luke Walker who have been selected as Under 21s in the final team.
“Scott won best Under 21 for us last year at the carnival and he is strong and hard at the contest,” he said.
“Luke Walker has been really impressive on the track and I saw him play the other week, where he won plenty of the footy.”
With a strong side and a passion for the sport, Richardson said he looked forward to the challenge.
“I get to interact and manage the best and most elite players in our league, so it is always a good environment to be in,” he said.
“We are just really excited to get out there and prove ourselves.”
