THE Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League will seek redemption when it travels to Robe for the annual South East Zone Interleague Carnival this weekend.
The Knights went down to rivals Western Border Football League by a slim two goals in the grand final at McDonald Park in 2017 and will hope to reclaim the bragging rights this year.
No football league has won back-to-back honours in the carnival’s history and the KNTFL will do everything in its power to knock WBFL’s hopes of earning that right.
However, the two sides should not rule out the Mid South East Football League.
MSEFL is yet to win the carnival, but some top recruits have committed to play under Robe coach Jack Kelly in the round robin carnival on his home deck.
Kaniva Leeor United coach Nick Murphy has taken KNTFL’s reins for the interleague carnival and will seek support from his assistant Cameron Sandercock from Bordertown, while Penola’s Simon Berkefeld will again lead the Knights in the captaincy role.
Berkefeld is one of three Penola footballers to make the final 23, the others being Jordan Galpin and Brad Maney.
Murphy was pleased with the level of commitment from the footballers selected and said the decision was far from easy.
“The team is shaping up really well,” he said.
“We had a number of players try out over the three training sessions and when you have an 11-team competition and you have to narrow that down to 23, there is always going to be a lot of depth, but also disappointed players.
“The benefit is we were able to pick both a really strong and balanced side.”
While admitting selection was not an easy process, Murphy said he believes the Knights will be extremely competitive tomorrow.
“I am very happy with the final 23 players I have selected,” he said.
“It is great to reward the footballers who are playing well and I look forward to working with them all.
“They are all keen to play, they have put their hands up, they are all excited and ready to learn.”
Murphy said the ultimate goal – in his first year at the helm – is to win the carnival.
However, he will take the day one step at a time.
“I just want to get the best out of the group, I think that is very important,” he said.
“As soon as we can get the team to bond and work together as efficiently as possible, the better.
“It is never going to be perfect because we are coming from different clubs, but if we can fast-track those relationships and play team-orientated football our result in the carnival will benefit.
“We have a proud history and we are out to win it and look forward to working towards that goal.
“I would love to win it in the end, but it is hard to predict.”
Murphy comes into this weekend some-what blind.
He has never played or coached at the interleague competition, but looks forward to the challenge.
“From what I understand the key will really take your opportunities in these short games,” he said.
“There are a lot of good players out there from the opposing two leagues, so if you do not use the football when you have it, it will be hard to win.”
Murphy said he has faith his 23 players have the ability to return the bragging rights to the KNTFL, particularly with footballers such as Berkefeld on side.
“His playing resume speaks for itself,” he said.
“He has won a league medal in the KNTFL, he has played in this interleague side a number of times and is an obvious choice for the captaincy role.
“His football ability and commitment to this individual program that is interleague are also two reasons he deserves the role.”
Murphy also expects big efforts from the other Eagles’ footballers – Galpin and Maney.
Galpin is playing in his second consecutive season at the higher senior level.
“I am hoping to get a bit of outside class from Jordan,” he said.
“He is very clean when he gets the ball on the spread and moves really well.
“We will probably position him at half forward, or on a wing.”
Meanwhile, there is no doubt Maney will feel the nerves when he makes his senior debut for the Knights.
However, his form this season has proven he is more than capable of having a big impact.
“Brad will play down back more than likely,” Murphy said.
“He provides us with a little bit of height and he is versatile.
“If something happens to our ruckman, he gives us that coverage.
“We are looking at Brad as either a lock-down defender or his height may be required in the ruck at some stage throughout the day.”
Murphy said all-in-all he looks forward to a day of the best footballers in the region doing battle, with high hopes of reclaiming the honours for KNTFL.
“It is my first experience at the carnival, I have never played in it and it is the first time I have coached it,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to representing the KNTFL and am honoured to take the coaching job.
“Hopefully we can get the best out of all of our players and make it a good experience for all involved.”
