Hand-picked by coach Shane Skontra as the man to lead Ballarat into battle against the powerful Goulburn Valley Football League in the AFL Victoria Country Championship match in five days, Redan’s Peace is the most experienced interleague representative among the youthful line-up.

Set to play his sixth interleague match for Ballarat, his first dating back to 2005, Peace said he never even expected to be in the running to be named captain.

However, since being picked, he feels it to be his duty to lead from the front.

“I’m not going to be out there taking the big species or kicking the 50-metre goals, I never have been that sort of player,” he said.

“It’s about the things off the football, the tackles and the one-percenters. Shane has picked a side of contributors and they are the sort of guys we want in the side.

“I will be one of the older guys running around out there so it’s up to me to lead from the front.”

Ballarat held its third training session on Sunday, with a further two to be held on Tuesday and Thursday.

In contrast, the GVFL is planning to only hold two training sessions in the lead-up to the crucial 

match.

The winner of that game will earn the right to play in the ultimate match next year, in which the winning team will be declared the best league in country Victoria.

The appointment of Peace as captain on Sunday was coupled with the announcement of the BFL leadership group.

Darley duo Steve Kennedy and Shane Page, Redan’s Brenton Riordan and Sunbury’s Andrew Duhau have been named in the leadership group, with Ballarat’s Adam Sewell to serve as an assistant playing-coach.

“It’s been great to play and mix with the different coaches and players over the years,” Peace said. “There’s a great feeling among the group this year.”

The match against the GVFL will be held in Shepparton on Saturday, May 24.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au