A trip to Maher Oval this Saturday to take on Turvey Park Bulldogs, the weekend of celebrations behind us and a focusing of efforts as we begin the journey toward finals.
Coolamon Grasshoppers senior selection team of Jamie Maddox, Connor Neyland and Mitch Robinson have made two changes to the first grade side that defeated Mangoplah last week. Into the Hoppers side comes Bay Leary and Mitch Stibbard, two local juniors on debut, and both rewarded for a season of fantastic consistency in the U17s. (There’s a book running on whether Gezza might be chartering a plane from where ever he and Kerry are on their outback holiday at the moment, to support Bay). The First Grade chance is a step up that both young green men deserve and are ready for.
Out of the Hoppers side goes Lach Crawford, another U17, who has disappointed no one in the top grade and already proven he’s not only a player, but also a huge contributor in the senior team when given his chance. It’s also a massive reflection of Lach’s character that he was the first player in the sheds to jump up and get around Bay and Mitch on the announcement of their selection. Out of the side also goes Shannon Charlie for….., let’s just call it a post 125 Year night misadventure that led to him developing some ordinary blisters on the soles of his feet.
Turvey haven’t won since their Round 9 victory over the Eagles, but are fresh and super keen coming off the bye and are backing themselves on their home deck. They’ll get respect from the Hoppers as well, after they led them by 49 points at half time in the first encounter this year, only to see Turvey storm back to within seven points in the final term. The Bulldogs will not lie down and will be desperate to win to stay in touch with the top five.
For the Hoppers, the boys know they did enough to win last week without setting the world on fire and that there’s plenty to do to get their game to where it should be. The focus will be to start well and maintain the effort for the full four quarters.
First Grade 2.10 pm
B: Ryan Allen, Will Graetz, Connor Neyland
HB: Josh Buchanan, Zach Bradley, Coop McKelvie
C: Bay Leary, Nick Pleming, Max Hillier
HF: BJ Glyde, Joe Redfern, Hayden Bradley
F: Jerry Maslin, Matt McGowan, Jamie Maddox
Fol: Ben Edyvean, Jake Barrett, Luke Redfern
IC: Benj Gillett, Luke McLoughlin, Mitch Stibbard
In: Bayden Leary, Mitchell Stibbard
Out: Shannon Charlie, Lach Crawford
The Magoos keep on keeping on, staring down their sixth win on the trot. They’re up against a Turvey side desperate to win to stay in touch with the top five. Several players return to the Ressies after missing last week, headed by the energy bunny Tommy Besgrove, and it’s fair to say that Doona and Weanie took a while to sort out their 22 for this weekend’s clash.
There’s some awesome character developing in this twos side, going from enjoying running out, to now expecting nothing but best efforts from each other. It’s not only showing on the park at game time, but also in fitness work on the track. Things are starting to hot up in the run toward the semi-finals and the boys know that anything less than their best may just leave them disappointed come selection time in a little over a month when games start to get real serious.
Reserve Grade 12 Noon
Coaches: Daniel Crocker and Shaun Bradley
B: Dylan Frame, Andy Shaw, Tom Heffer
HB: Jarrod Edyvean, Jack Mason, Jeremy Bradley
C: Will Alchin, Tom Besgrove, Sam Robinson
HF: Jack McPherson, Lach Owens, Isaac Pattison
F: Adam Gain, Tom Carr, Ryan Maslin
Fol: Tyler Owens, Jeremy Robinson, Hayden Leary
Int: Ben Baker, Lachlan Pleming, Heath Petty, Adam Carroll
In the Thirds the young Hoppers are now three games clear in fifth spot on the ladder. Awesome effort. But let’s not sugar coat what’s in front of them. This week they face a Turvey side that they haven’t come near in the past few seasons. Winning the footy at the centre and the stoppage will be critical as will being accountable in defence all over the ground, as Turvey’s set up and structure is first class.
What the young green men can take from last week though, is a willingness to set the tone for the day, to fight for every possession and to help each other out. All game. They may have lost two regular ball winners to seniors this week, and Pete McCallum is also out with a broken thumb, but this provides a great opportunity for the other boys to put their hand up and take on the workload, to add another dimension to their game and to contribute in new ways.
Big welcome to the Club to Marly McGregor, playing his first game for the Hoppers after coming down from the NT. Let’s show Marly how it’s done.
Under 17.5s 10.20 am
Coaches: Hayden Bradley and Max Hillier
B: Will Doyle, Jake Neale, Jack Foster
HB: Jake Fifield, Callum Burns, Jake Manley
C: Alim Farah, Marly McGregor, Darcy Mackay
HF: Hugh Wakefield, Godfrey Okerenyang, Abdul Umar
F: Archer Bucheggar, Will McGowan, Nate Bloor
Fol: Harry Allen, Lach Crawford, Nick Buchanan
Int: Lachie Payne, Colt Parker
Go Green Men!!