CENTRAL Highlands Football League captain Jarrod Morgan believes the team’s strength lies with its potent attacking options and leg speed off half back and through the wings, ahead of Saturday’s AFL Victoria Country Championships encounter with Horsham District.
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Morgan, who is saddling up for his third senior appearance in league colours, is part of arguably the best side the competition has put on the park since returning to the interleague system in 2012.
The RSM Bird Cameron Highlanders will field some of the stars of the league on Saturday, despite the squad suffering a shake-up because of injuries to key players. Springbank backman Tim Malone (hamstring), Beaufort defender Damien Day (hamstring), Daylesford onballer Michael Cummings (collar bone), Bombers forward Jarrod Rodgers (ribs) and Bungaree midfielder Chris O’Keefe (quadriceps) all pulled out of the original side.
Morgan expected the likes of Paul McMahon and Will Young to cause headaches for opposition with their height and ability to move around the ground.
“They’re over six foot, but are super hard to match up on because they can move and have got big engines, so they’re really hard to play on,” Morgan said.
Morgan, who has been named to start in the midfield, said the interleague concept was gaining momentum within the league.
“Each year more and more are putting their hands up for it and see it as a real carrot and I think there’s a lot of pride within the league to see us get the up the rankings,” Morgan said.
Learmonth coach Brenton Powell has been named vice-captain of the team and is one of 17 players to make their Central Highlands senior debut in the clash at Horsham City Oval.
Coach Greg Middleton is in his second year in charge after guiding the team to a big win over Loddon Valley in 2014 and remains pleased with the 23-man line-up that he has at his disposal this weekend.
Middleton said it’s a balanced team, which features some fresh talent into the interleague system.
CHFL under-18 squad to play Horsham District: Josh Mitchell (Creswick), Joel Chester (Beaufort), Cam Lovig (Daylesford), Tom Button (Daylesford), Luke Prendergast (Newlyn), Daniel Johnstone (Rokewood-Corindhap), Zach Priddle (Rokewood-Corindhap), Lacota Stranks (Skipton), Mark Smith (Skipton), Alistair Rix (Springbank), Brett Maher (Springbank), Paul Coon (Clunes), Bryce Savage (Skipton), Lachie Johns (Waubra), Stuart Aberdein (Hepburn), Cam Ferrier (Hepburn), Jacob Brown (Hepburn), Jye Rich (Learmonth), Brandon Jenkin (Creswick), Cam Ralph (Daylesford), Sam Jackson (Hepburn), Brett Challis (Learmonth), Mitch Zakynthinos (Creswick). Emergencies: Thomas McGregor (Ballan), Brad Simpson (Sprinbank)
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
