James Murphy
TEAMS are locked in for today’s Switch the headspace Match for Mental Health and there is no shortage of stars.
The likes of former AFL players Dane Swan, Shane Mumford, Jordan and Brodie Murdoch and Leon Davis are big attractions, but there is also wealth of local legends in the mix.
Those come from both football and sporting backgrounds, as well as some prominent community members eager to put their skills – or lack of – to the test for the worthy cause.
The two teams, the Pacific Ale’s and Pale Ale’s, are coached by Luke Thomson and Matt Roscow respectively.
They will each take to the field as playing coaches and have also been key members of the organising committee.
Behind them will be a high-profile roster of players which are sure to attract plenty of interest.
They include past SANFL stars, Mail Medalists, premiership players and coaches from across all three South East football leagues, a Pioneers basketballer and even a local MP – to name just a few.
“It will be good for the local community to not only see your Dane Swans and that play, but it will be interesting to see the likes of (Darron) “Roo” McElroy and (Adam) “Hoggett” Merrett playing together,” Thomson said.
“You look at the locals and you have Brett O’Neil and Nick McInerney playing together and things like that.
“I think it has created a fair bit of excitement, which goes to show we have probably chosen the right guys locally as well.”
There are plenty of rivalries between the teams, including a match up between Port MacDonnell brothers Ben and James McGregor.
James and Tim Brennan find themselves up against Jordan Brennan in another family affair, while there have been some more surprising rivalries emerge in the lead up to the match.
One of those has been a friendly faceoff over social media between a local fishing identity and barista.
“There’s been a really random (rivalry) with Jamie Coates and Don Pratt,” Thomson said.
“Coatsy started a kick-off over social media.”
“Coatsy started throwing barbs out saying he was going to kick a bag on him,” Roscow added.
One thing is a given, there will be plenty of banter out on the field.
That is no exception among the youth in the teams.
“We have some mates we are pretty keen on playing either with or against,” committee member Jesse Plunkett said.
The Mental Health Match was started by and for the youth in the region, who felt first hand the tragic effects mental health can have on those around you.
They now have a chance to play alongside some role models, while also raising crucial awareness and sparking conversations about mental health.
TEAM LISTS
Pacific Ale Team (Blue)
Adam Richards, Ben Juste, Ben Mules, Brett O’Neil, Connor Barry, Dane Swan, Darron McElroy, Adam Merrett, Jake Turner, James Brennan, James Byrne, James McGregor, Jamie Coates, Jason Dunn, Josh Kranz, Kaelan Denys, Kane de Wit, Lauren Frost, Leon Davis, Liam Van Schaik, Luke Thomson (playing coach), Nathan Humphries, Nick Koumouzis, Nick McInerney, Paul Robinson, Tim Brennan, Toby de Wit, Troy Bell, Will Vickery, Winis Imbi, Zack Williams.
Pale Ale Team (Green)
Adam Todd, Ben McGregor, Brady Cook, Brodie Murdoch, Connor Little, Dan Christian, Darcy Hunt, Darren Turner, Don Pratt, Ella Firth, Garth Willoughby, Isaac Raymond, Jack Donehue, Jacob Hutchesson, Jason Dawe, Jesse Pfitzner, Jesse Plunkett, Joel Virtanen, Jon Copping, Jordan Brennan, Jordan Murdoch, Koby Chant, Mason Engel, Matt Kurzman, Matt Roscow (playing coach), Sam Lock, Shane Mumford, Shannon Smith, Simon Berkefeld, Tom Inglis, Tom McCourt.
