THERE will be no shortage of promising talent on display across the Limestone Coast Regional Carnival, when three junior football grades will fight for interleague honours this weekend.
Today, the Under 17 grade will share the spotlight with the seniors at Naracoorte, before the Under 14 and 15’s take centre stage at Kingston tomorrow.
The Under 17’s will mirror the same format as the seniors, with the Western Border (WBFL), Mid South East (MSEFL) and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara (KNTFL) leagues to duke out for a place in the final to decide regional bragging rights.
However Sunday’s South East Junior Football Carnival will be run slightly differently, with a Glenelg side joining the party in a three-game round robin series.
The highest placed team will be awarded the trophy.
The Under 17 WBFL outfit will hope to defend its 2018 crown, but with a slightly different squad.
Only seven members of 2018’s premiership team will return this year and one of them will be captain Finn Grimes from Millicent.
North Gambier’s Tom Gould and South Gambier’s Kaleb Bowd have also received leadership roles as vice captains.
Mark O’Brien and Mick Muhovics will coach the side.
The Under 15 squad will head into its campaign high on confidence after an undefeated run to the title last year in the Under 14 grade.
A total of 19 players remain from the side, which leaves the team well placed to repeat success.
A key target in front of the big sticks will be East’s Riley Flamank, who was the leading goal scorer in last year’s carnival and appears in ominous form to replicate the feat.
Marshalling the troops will be coaching pair Sam Griffiths and Darren Sims, while Millicent’s Ty Lang will captain the side.
The new-look Under 14 squad will have some big shoes to fill after their predecessors’ efforts.
But stability remains at the top as title-wining coach Damian Delaney holds the position for another carnival.
Delaney said he does not hold any expectations this year and was more concerned about giving his players valuable experience at representative level.
“I am more focused on the players enjoying the experience of playing football and concentrating on what they can control,” he said.
“One of the key messages is to play the game and not the occasion.
“We are impressed with the depth of talent in this year’s team.”
The side will be captained by South Gambier’s Lachie Thiele, while East Gambier’s Liam Delaney has enjoyed a stand-out season so far with 18 goals and multiple best-on-ground appearances.
The Mid South East Football League’s expectations have been boosted by strong numbers and competition for spots in all three representative sides.
The Under 17 outfit will be led by Hatherleigh’s William Chay with vice captain Will Vickery as support from Kongorong.
Coach Zac Deane will be determined for his team to go one better after last year’s defeat in the grand final.
The Under 15 side will also enjoy the same coach through Matt Faulkner, while Glencoe’s Kyle Maney has stepped up to captain his teammates.
Reece Carlson will supervise the Under 14 outfit for the first time with Robe’s Oliver Haggett named as skipper.
Cade Kelly and Kallan Bevan from Tantanoola and Mount Burr respectively will offer support in the duel vice-captain role.
MSEFL Junior executive Shane Kelly said his three sides appear in good shape after receiving healthy numbers in preparation.
“We have had good numbers in all grades and a lot of kids to choose from,” he said.
“There is a fair bit of excitement around the place.
“We are not expecting to be world beaters, but we are expecting to be competitive.”
Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League’s 2019 assault has also built nicely towards the big weekend.
The Under 17 squad will be loaded with experience at the helm as Sam Gartner and Oscar Peltz are named as co-captains, while Scott Carberry will supervise from the coaches box.
In the Under 15’s Sam Thomson will captain with the support of coach Will Nolan, while Craig Watson and Charlie Hillier will coach and captain the new-look Under 14 outfit respectively.
KNTFL’s Tim Harding said the top two junior grades appear steady, but it will be a learning experience for the Under 14 outfit on the weekend.
“We have had good numbers for the coaches to select from and they will be certainly out there to try and win,” he said.
“The Under 17’s are fairly even across the group and the 15’s were reasonably strong last year.
“The Under 14’s is an unknown as it is a new squad, so it could be more of a developing group.”
The Under 17 Limestone Coast Regional Carnival will begin at 9.50am and will run simultaneously with the seniors at Naracoorte today.
Sunday’s South East Junior Carnival will begin at 8.30am at Kingston.
