Picture: ASHLEY EARL
THE Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League has released its final lineup for the Limestone Coast regional football carnival to be held at Naracoorte on Saturday, as the league looks to record back-to-back victories.
Three Penola players have been included, with Scott Merrett named as vice captain and fellow Eagles Josh Currie and Brad Bryant also in the lineup.
A notable out is Simon Berkefeld, who has struggled with injury this season.
Kaniva Leeor United coach Nick Murphy has taken the reigns again this season, with Naracoorte’s Zac Donnely as his assistant.
Murphy said Berkefeld was apologetic about his unavailability.
“His body is struggling a bit,” he said.
“He called me last week and is a bit devastated really.
“He likes that type of football and has always played it.
“He really felt he was letting us down.”
As for Merrett’s job as vice captain, Murphy said he has earned the position and would be well supported by the remainder of the team and captain Josh Searle.
“Scotty is pretty experienced with representative football,” he said.
“He has played a lot of zone games and is well known around the league.
“He is a talented on-field leader and was really a perfect fit.
“Josh Searle is a very experienced player within the KNTFL and interleague.
“He is a terrific communicator and is motivated and passionate about interleague.
“He is someone Scotty can learn from as a future leader.”
Murphy said he expects a lot of drive out of the defensive zone from Bryant, who he said was playing good football since joining Penola this season.
“I have not quite finalised all the positions yet, but the drive Brad provides for Penola out of the backine is a fair indication of where we would put him,” he said.
“He has been in terrific form and very much deserves a spot in our team.”
As a young player Josh Currie is someone Murphy is also excited to see in action at the top level.
“His outside run and his ball use is probably what I am looking forward to the most,” he said.
“We will probably utilise him along the wing possibly, sit him out there and let the inside mids feed him.”
Overall Murphy said he was pleased with the commitment from the players this season, which includes a handful of travellers from Adelaide who regularly play in the KNTFL.
“I am very happy with the participation, involvement and willingness to play,” he said.
“We do not want to force people to play, we want players who want to be there.
“We have a number of players who live in Adelaide and have still put their hands up to travel down – Graham Hampton, Matt Tonkin, Tyler Baker, Jack Armfield, Blake Dodson and Alex Brown.
“We have probably increased our number of the players who have put their hand up to play even though they live in Adelaide.”
Around the ground Murphy expects some good returns from his players, with the forward line including some of the best in the league.
“James Hinge is one of the premier goal kickers in the competition,” he said.
“Jake Vandermeer kicked eight on the weekend and while George Johnson has not kicked a lot of goals this year, he has been a very good forward in the KNT for many years.”
Likewise he said his backline should also deliver.
“One of our experienced players Ray Jaensch has been a stalwart of interleague and is a strong lock-down defender,” he said.
“Matt Tonkin is a strong runner, while George Hampton is an attacking running player.
“Rory Tink is actually eligible to play Under 17.5, but is playing such good footy he has put his hand up to play in the senior side.
“He will slip in down back as well.”
Murphy was also excited to have Donnely on board in the absence of last year’s assistant coach Cam Sandercock.
“Zac is a younger coach and is keen to learn,” he said.
“He is the runner as well so will be a big help.
“He has obviously played at Naracoorte and has knowledge of the ground.
“He helped with selections and will help tactically on the day.”
Overall Murphy said he was pleased with the feel around the group as they chase back-to-back titles.
He said the passion among the group was clear and the vibe at the limited training sessions was positive.
“We have a good mix of players, some who have played for many years, then a couple who have put their hand up for the first time, or have only played a few times,” he said.
“They have built the initial relationships with the limited time we have had together, so I am looking forward to seeing how the team gels within a game situation.”
The carnival kicks off on Saturday at 9.50am at Naracoorte with the first Under 17 game and continues throughout the day.
The KNTFL seniors will face the Western Border league in their first hitout for the day at 10.40am.
The day finishes at around 5pm with the senior grand final, followed by presentations.
Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara interleague final team: Captain Josh Searle Bordertown, vice captain Scott Merrett Penola, Josh Currie Penola (U21), Reagan Tink Bordertown (U21), Daniel Obst Padthaway, Matt Tonkin Kybybolite, Fraser Adams Border Districts, Alex Brown KL United, Josh Vandermeer Padthaway, Brad Bryant Penola, James Hinge Mundulla, Nick Mosey Mundulla, George Johnson Keith, Brad Mitchell Naracoorte, Lachie Jones Lucindale (U21), Ray Jaensch Padthaway, Henry Tregoweth Lucindale (U21), Graham Hampton Border Districts, Jack Armfield Kingston (U21), Tyler Baker Kingston, Blake Dodson KL United (U21), Daniel Skinner Border Districts, Rory Tink Bordertown, Luke Kelsh Lucindale – emergency.
Coach Nick Murphy, assistant coach/runner Zac Donnely, team manager Bruce Jaensch.
