Penola footballers show class alongside temporary teammates

Josh Currie Dsc 4680  TBW Newsgroup
ON THE ATTACK: Penola's Josh Currie kicked an important goal for Kalangadoo in the side's opening Limestone Coast Football League victory against East Gambier at McDonald Park on Friday night. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

Josh Currie Dsc 4680 TBW Newsgroup
ON THE ATTACK: Penola’s Josh Currie kicked an important goal for Kalangadoo in the side’s opening Limestone Coast Football League victory against East Gambier at McDonald Park on Friday night. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

DESPITE the Penola Football Club not fielding a senior side this year, many Eagles have still shown their flying colours throughout the Limestone Coast.

No less than 13 Penola players have put the blue and white jumper away for a season and tried on some new colours for the unique 2020 season.

With only six sides competing in the Limestone Coast Football League, a flurry of senior players have left McCorquindale Park.

Brad Bryant, Harry Porter, Josh Currie, Jesse Martin, Sam Gartner, Gerard Merrett, Dylan Walker and Hayden Lambert have all arrived at Kalangadoo to help the Magpies fill senior and reserves sides.

Due to the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Junior Football League remaining an Under 17 competition, some young stars were also left with little choice but to jump ship.

Top-aged players Jacob Robbie, Aden Brand, Caleb Lythgo, Zac Currie and Kane Whitehouse all moved to Under 18 teams in the Western Border and Mid South Eastern junior competitions.

After the Eagles were denied the chance to fill just the one senior side in the LCFL, all of their footballers were left with nowhere to play in 2020.

But Kalangadoo was on the search for new faces to fulfil the LCFL requirements and sensed an opportunity at McCorquindale Park.

The MSEFL outfit approached Penola Football Club president Marcus Devereux and A Grade coach Tony Porter to make sure the talented Eagles were able to continue running onto the football field.

It is a decision Devereux does not regret.

“We would have put our hand up to play if we were only allowed to have one grade, but once we voted no, Kalangadoo tried pretty hard to fill two sides,” he said.

“They spoke to Tony and myself to get a feel if they could utilise our players to make sure they have the numbers for two sides.

“Kalangadoo approached the interested players and a few reserves players have also gone over with their friends.

“I think it is great for those players to keep playing.”

Each player who is now wearing the black and white jumper is on a permit-based system for the revamped 2020 season.

The SANFL directive means the Penola players are effectively loaned to the Magpies until the end of October.

Devereux said the move has formed a relationship between the two clubs.

“There are no hidden agendas or taking players,” he said.

“It is just to help Kalangadoo this year and make this Super League work properly.

“At least they are trying to do the right thing for the Super League to get players from clubs who are not in action, rather than turning away 10 of their own locals.”

Unfortunately not all of the 13 Eagles are allowed to play in the top team due to the competition’s points system.

Each Penola player is worth three points, so only three are allowed to perform in the A Grade side at a time.

That means many names have been shuffled around the two squads, but they have shined brightly when given their chance.

Porter performed in Kalangadoo’s breakthrough A Grade win against East Gambier on Friday night to be named as the best on ground, while Josh Currie kicked an important goal.

Bryant has become a key part of the side and been one of the first picked in all three games, while Gartner has made two outings in the top grade.

The B Grade’s second highest goal scorer is Merrett and Martin has also shown strong form.

The five junior Eagles playing abroad have also made an impression.

Robbie’s new chapter at Millicent continues to go from strength-to -strength with three mentions in the best in as many games.

In the Mid South Eastern junior league, Penola’s Nangwarry Senior Colts trio has also settled in nicely.

Lythgo has impressed the coaches in every game, while Zac Currie and Whitehouse have played important roles in the Saints’ two victories.

The Magpies’ Senior Colts side has one young Eagle in Brand, who kicked one of the side’s two goals on Saturday against Tantanoola.

Devereux is happy knowing so many Penola names are still kicking goals on grounds all over the region and hopes to see them return when the Eagles are back at full flight.

“It is up to the individual where they want to play footy next year,” he said.

“If we lose one or two of them, that is life, but we hope they will be back ready to run in the blue and white again.”