NORTH Ballarat City’s rising star has been reflected in the Ballarat Football League’s interleague line-up to take on the Geelong league this month, with eight of its players selected for the BFL’s 40-player squad.
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Reigning Henderson Medallist Jason McNamara headlines the North City contingent that also includes ex-AFL and VFL ruckman Tristan Cartledge, Michael Williams, Shaun Lyle, Jake Hicks, Ryan Hobbs, Simon McCartin and Tyler George.
However, North City best and fairest Ayden George is not part of the squad, which will be pared back to a final 23 ahead of the match on May 26 that will decide the second ranked league in the VCFL.
“We’ve been to the first two rounds of football, between me and the other coaches,” senior coach Shaune Moloney said.
“We’ve tried to get a mix of competitive players, that’s been our primary selection criteria, and we’ve tried to pick guys in form, with Nick Garner a classic example.
‘‘We’ve also picked guys who are proven at this level and who are back from injury or some other reason.’’
“Ayden George, whilst he is not named in the initial squad, I will speak with him in relation to his involvement heading into the campaign.”
All 11 BFL clubs are represented in the squad, with Malcom Niblitt the one and only player flying the flag for Sebastopol, and Darren Haby the only representative from Melton.
Last year’s grand finalists Redan and Sunbury are well represented, with Dean Chester, Jarrod Edwards, Nathan Horbury, Jarrett Giampaolo, Brendan Peace and Ryan Waight from the former, and Brett Chambers, Jay Cheep, Pat Cariss, Cameron McCabe, Ross Sleight, Jamie Lobb and Dale Ciunik from the latter.
The coaches personally delivered the invitations to the players at each club’s training last night.
“It wasn’t deliberate but we are delighted every club is represented,” Moloney said.
“We’ve picked a small squad of 40. There is still three rounds to go, so it is fluid. The squad will remain the same though, unless someone plays some really good footy.”
BALLARAT FOOTBALL LEAGUE SQUAD
BACCHUS MARSH: Tyson Shea, Alec Del Papa, Daniel Velden;
BALLARAT: Garrett Liston, Nick Garner, Shane Hutchinson, Tom Anson;
DARLEY: Darren Leonard, Jake Edwards, Brendan Porter;
EAST POINT: Dan Jordan, Matthew Bilton;
LAKE WENDOUREE: Tim Malone, Ben Taylor;
MELTON: Darren Haby;
MELTON SOUTH: Leigh Burke, Mathew Sutton, Matthew Notman;
NORTH BALLARAT CITY: Jason McNamara, Simon McCartin, Ryan Hobbs, Tyler George, Jake Hicks, Tristan Cartledge, Michael Williams, Shaun Lyle;
REDAN: Dean Chester, Jarrod Edwards, Nathan Horbury, Jarrett Giampaolo, Brendan Peace, Ryan Waight;
SEBASTOPOL: Malcolm Niblett;
SUNBURY: Brett Chambers, Jay Cheep, Pat Cariss, Cameron McCabe, Ross Sleight, Jamie Lobb, Dale Ciunik.
COACH: Shaune Moloney.
ASSISTANT COACH: Ben Jordan, Julian Field, Robbie Waters, Ross Henderson.
