INTERLEAGUE football is back, with the Western Border set to defend its 2017 title against the Mid South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues in the South East Zone Carnival at Robe.
WBFL coach Steve Duldig has put his charges through their paces over the last couple of weeks and has all-but finalised his side.
Unfortunately some players have not made themselves available, while others are injured or suspended, but Duldig is happy with how the side has come together.
“We had a good week on the track and the enthusiasm looks good,” he said.
With the WBFL as defending champions comes a bit of pressure to perform again, with no other league having achieved back-to-back titles in the history of the zone carnival.
The side defeated the KNT league in a classic come-from-behind win last year and the chance to create history is something Duldig said has been spoken about.
“I think there is a bit of pressure, but it is hard because you get that turnover of players each year,” he said.
“You have guys coming in who weren’t involved last year or at the interleague level before and they probably don’t feel the pressure, whereas some of the guys who have played over the last few years and had that success last year might.
“It has been mentioned at training it would be great to be the first league to defend the title.
“I think the players have embraced that and they are really keen to try to achieve something that hasn’t been done before, which is pleasing.”
A couple of notable players missing from last year’s side are the injured Nick McInerney and Matt Scanlon – who has been absent for much of the WBFL season due to work commitments – while Casterton Sandford star utility Callum Currie is not available due to suspension.
However, Duldig said it is hard to compare this year’s group.
“It is a younger squad – I think our oldest player is around 28 years of age,” he said.
“We will go into the game with more Under 21s, but I am happy with that.
“They are all good kids and I think last year our kids were the ones who carried us in the final.
“It is exciting to see what they are capable of bringing at that level.”
South Gambier goal kicker Brayden Kain – who has enjoyed an exceptional year in front of goals – is named at full forward, coming off a big nine-goal bag last week in the Demons’ first win of the WBFL season.
Millicent’s Dylan Bromley, East Gambier’s Mark Rumbelow and North Gambier’s Fraser Marshall line up across the half forward line, providing plenty of options in the air and on the ground.
The mid-field boasts the likes of North Gambier’s Brock Egan, Bulldog coach Matt Willson and Demon Brett O’Neil.
Those three players should provide a solid foundation for a strong engine room for the side in their own right.
“I think our mid-field will be our strength,” Duldig said.
“I would say probably half our team are on-ballers at their clubs, but they are all capable of playing other positions, like pockets and flanks, back or forward.
“I think our strength will be our ability to win the ball and run it with pace and skill, because we are not going to be a tall team.”
Cats ruckman Will Macdonald has not made himself available due to injury concerns, with Saint Jonah Grimes to take on the bulk of the ruck duties.
He will be assisted by Bromley, which Duldig said should work well.
“Jonah has done a great job for Millicent this year shouldering the ruck and I have faith in him,” he said.
“Dylan Bromley can give him a rest at times, but with the strength of our mid-field, I think as long as we can break even in the ruck contest our on-ballers will do the rest.”
Key roles down back will be covered by Tiger Jordan Hollitt, along with Bulldogs Alex Pfieffer and Matt Ferguson, which Duldig said would provide some flexibility with placements on the day.
Overall he said he was pleased with how everything had come together and looked forward to the challenge tomorrow.
“I am more than happy with the team,” he said.
“As we lost players through injury or suspension it was a bit nerve racking what we would be left with, but when I put it on paper it looked really impressive.
“We are happy with what we have and there will be no excuses.
“KNT looks pretty strong, but there are a few areas I think we will have them covered.
“Last year was really close and I can’t see why that won’t be the case this year.
“In this competition the top players in each league probably matchup pretty evenly, so there should be some good battles.”
