Football is well and truly underway in Great Flinders with some interesting results in Round 1. Tumby Bay and United Yeelanna both had blowout wins, whilst the young Ramblers side came from behind to score a gutsy win against Elliston Districts at Elliston.
This weekend will see ANZAC Medals given to the player who demonstrates the ANZAC spirit in both A Grade football and netball.
The ANZAC commemorative Guernsey’s worn between the United Yeelanna and Ramblers A Grade teams will be auctioned off to raise money for the Chandler family. Levi Chandler started minis in 2011 for Ramblers FC and was in the minis premiership team in 2015 with Marty coaching, then played for United Yeelanna from 2017.
In November 2021, Levi who was 16 at the time, was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue sarcoma in his chest (a type of childhood cancer), and the family moved to Adelaide for 6 months for Levi to receive intensive treatment (surgeries, chemo & radiotherapy). In May 2022, the post treatment scans showed no disease. Regular follow up scans have all been clear, until February this year where it showed a relapse. Further surgery has been done, and another type of treatment has started.
In keeping things as normal as possible while facing these ongoing health challenges, the Chandlers hope to be able to travel and share family experiences while Levi is well enough to do so.
If anyone wishes to do something outside of the guernsey auction, then please contact Matt Haarsma and he will help facilitate this.
Onto this weeks games:
Cummins Ramblers vs United Yeelanna
Ramblers Ins – Logan Dennis, Jack Crettenden, Ashton Howard-Ham, Tyler Langley Outs – Toby Modra, Seth Dobbins, Billy Pilgrim, Jacob Parsons
Eagles Ins – Matt Dyer,
Outs – Bryce Breed (Shoulder), Lenard Lawrie (Calf)
Both sides are coming off impressive wins last week. The Eagles didn’t take long to remind everyone as to why they are known by many as one of the best sides in country football. The young Ramblers side also managed an impressive win as they ran over the top of the Roosters at Elliston.
Beau Sampson was brilliant for the Eagles through the midfield in his debut game whilst Will Haarsma brought his 2022 form into Round 1 of 2023.
Matt Crettenden loves playing against Eyre United, kicking 13 last week, making it 40 goals from his last 3 outings against the Saints. The Maggies forward line will only get better as the year goes on, especially with Jimmy Richardson as he gets more games under his belt.
Ramblers’ future stars in Ethan Langley and Darcy Claughton stood up last week when their side needed a lift and will be needed this week against the experienced Eagles.
Jaiden Agars had his best year of football in 2022, holding down a key back spot and will play a big part in this game.
Should be a close first half but the Eagles will have too much depth all over the ground.
Lock vs Cummins Kapinnie
Lock – Bye last week
Lock new players – Kory Beard, Luke Durdin, Levi Brown
Cummins Kapinnie
Ins – Dyl Wandner, Dylan Doudle, Charlie Sheppard, Harry Sheppard (Debut), Connor Gale (Debut) Outs – Daniel Puckridge (Hamstring), Ryan Hazelgrove (Groin), Mitch Laube (Concussion), Saxon Rogers (Gladular Fever), Mitch Barnes, Leroy Brown-Baldock
This game here should be an interesting matchup. The Cougars side last week were without their playing-coach Thomas Phelps and Dylan Wandner, arguably two of their most important players. Lock had the bye in the first round and have 6 key players out for their opening clash this week due to injury/other
commitments.
The Cougars side were more than competitive in the first half against a Tumby Bay side who will no doubt be there at the end of the season before fading away after half time.
The inclusion of former SANFL players in Kory Beard and Luke Durdin will strengthen up the Roos already strong backline whilst Levi Brown will add toughness and skill around the ball.
Cougars will be looking to use their young legs on the large Lock Oval with Reuben Hill, Daniel Puckridge and the Turnbull brothers impressing last week.
Lock playing coach and 2022 Mail Medallist Ty George will be looking to dominate the midfield as they did last year with Blaze Kay and Guy Morton winning plenty of contested ball.
Although the Roos will be without several key players, their inclusions over the pre-season should see them get over the line.
Tumby Bay vs Eyre United
Tumby Bay Ins -Nigel James, Latrelle Sumner, Luke Roach, Connor Newton Outs – Tyson Whitelaw, Mitch Anesbury, Will Nankivell, Hudson Franks
Eyre United Ins – Anthony Webb, Jordan Telfer, Matthew Keen
Outs – Marley Butler, Malachi Fatchen, Nathan Peters
Tumby Bay were super impressive after half-time last week with new player Grant Mcleod, Tyson Whitelaw and the McDonald twins dominating around the ground. Eyre United unfortunately had to come up against the reigning premiers at full flight to start the year, yet still battled hard all day led superbly by their captain Max Baldissera.
The inclusion of Nigel James and Latrelle Sumner will provide even more avenues to goals for the Blues who have an excellent mix of youth and experienced heads. After spending majority of time in defence last year, Ezra Foster slotted 5 goals in Round 1.
The Blues will be led from the front by Captain Mitch Lawrie, an ANZAC game specialist, ably supported in the midfield by Lachie Gale and Jagga Cross. Whilst the Saints will rely on their bigger bodies in the Forrest brothers to allow their young stars a chance to get the ball and run. The inclusion of veteran Jordy Telfer will provide a cool head in defence.
The Blues have had a great pre-season under coach Craig Curtis and are focussed on putting together a 4-quarter performance. The Saints youngsters will have their moments, but depth will play a big part in the final outcome.
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