Players and spectators from all over the Eyre Peninsula will descend to Port Lincoln this weekend for the annual Bendigo Bank Mortlock Shield.
765 5CC will be calling the games live play-by-play from 12:30pm on Saturday and 11:30am on Monday.
We preview the teams below:
Great Flinders
Shields: 27
1936, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1972,1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022
Coach: George Pedler
Captain – Michael Crettenden Vice Captain – Matthew Williams
Players to watch:
Michael Crettenden (United Yeelanna) – A dominant force in the Great Flinders competition for over a decade. A powerful midfielder capable of racking up disposals on the inside and extremely dangerous when resting forward.
Xavier Watson (United Yeelanna) – The Rolls Royce of Eyre Peninsula football. An experienced campaigner who has played at a high level consistently over the past 10 years. Distributes superbly on both sides of his body, dual Bampton Medal winner.
Joe Walker (Tumby Bay) – Has been impassable on the half back line for Tumby Bay this season. Reads the ball quicker than his opponent allowing him to intercept seemingly at will. Fantastic leader who loves rep footy.
Latrelle Sumner (Tumby Bay) – Taken his game to the next level since bringing his talents to the Great Flinders League. Blistering leg speed away from stoppages with the ability to finish his work in front of goal.
Stephen Crettenden (United Yeelanna) – Hard-working key forward and consistent goal kicker for the Eagles. Never loses a contest and often bring others into the game. Experienced Eyre Peninsula rep. Can play at either end if required.
Matthew Williams (Elliston Districts) – Tough in and under midfielder who finds plenty of the ball and distributes effectively. Experienced in rep footy. Former Mail Medal winner and leads by his on-field actions.
Eastern Eyre
Shields: 6
1939, 1958, 1989, 1991, 1995, 2016
Coach: Pat Jenner
Captain – Ian Jericho Vice Captain – Sid Masters
Players to watch:
Ian Jericho (Central Eyre United) – Strong bodied defender with plenty of experience at this level. Often takes the opposition’s best forward and rarely loses a 1 on 1 contest. Great leader.
Sid Masters (Ports) – The premier full forward on the Eyre Peninsula, has dominated at this level and higher in previous years. Very strong hands with a lethal left foot that can easily clear 50m.
Kane Grocke (Central Eyre United) – Absolute man-mountain and the most in-form ruckmen in the league. Named in the best players in every single game played this season, can change the game in a quarter of football.
Cooper Llewelyn (Ports) – Tough in and under midfielder who can drift forward and kick a goal. Reigning Mail Medallist and leading goal kicker for the league. Thrives on the physical contest.
Sam Clements (Kimba) – Outstanding midfielder who racks up disposals seemingly at will. Rarely plays a bad game, also named in the best every game this season. High workrate.
Western Eyre (Formerly Far West)
Shields: 7
1960, 1969, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990
Coach – Darren Bennett
Captain – Broadie Chandler
Players to watch:
Sam Jonas: Brother of Tom (Port Adelaide Captain). This guy can really play. SANFL experience with Sturt, Best on ground in last years grand final for Blues and the Anzac medallist this year. Very smart and tough key defender. Looking forward to seeing how he performs at this level.
Broadie Chandler: Coach of the Blues Football club and Mortlock tragic! Loves playing rep footy and gives it all. Captain of the Western Eyre Mortlock team and leads by example. Can play defence or midfield if required.
Dylan Kelsh: Big mobile unit carrying the ruck duties for Western Eyre. Previous EP player. Missed last year’s Mortlock but is really keen to contribute this year. Former Mail Medallist who is extremely athletic for a big man.
Jesse Chandler: Quality player. Brings lots of experience and skill to the team. Strong overhead with booming left foot kick. Previous Mail Medallist and EP Representee and regular Mortlock player. Loves to challenge himself at a high standard.
Jake Warmington: Only young yet extremely experienced at this level. Currently leading the Western Eyre Footballer of the Year leaderboard. Midfielder who can play on the inside or outside and hit targets with ease.
Lincoln City
Shields: 7
1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 2004, 2012, 2017
Coach: Matthew Goodwin
Captain: Luke Wilkins Vice Captain: Jonty Seal
Players to Watch:
Luke Wilkins (Lincoln South) - Courageous defender who can also play midfield. Loves the contest and leads by example. Rarely loses a one-on-one battle and experienced at this level. Not afraid to do the one-percenters.
Jonty Seal (Waybacks) – One of the best CHF’s on the Eyre Peninsula. Extremely high work rate and very good below his knees for his size. Experienced Mortlock Shield and EP Rep. Strong lead up forward and reliable kick at goal.
Jacob Stoll (Tasmans) – Huge athletic ruckmen who rarely loses a ruck contest. Sets up behind the ball extremely well and takes plenty of intercept marks. Tasmans coach. Has dominated at this level before.
Billy Haebich (Tasmans) – Exciting player who can break lines with his leg speed. His work rate is outstanding to watch. Midfielder who can also drift forward to finish goals. 2022 Mail Medallist and Best U/21.
Waylon Miller (Lincoln South) – Blistering leg speed with the ability to play a wide variety of positions. Can change a game in the space of a few minutes, exciting to watch. 2022 EP Rep.
Lincoln Districts:
Shields: 9
1968, 1971, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1994, 1999
Coach: Brett Watherston
Captain:
Kingsley Bilney Jnr (Mallee Park) – Blink and you’ll miss him. Lightning fast with supreme skills on both sides of his body. Experienced Mortlock and Eyre Peninsula rep and great on-field leader.
Daniel Minney (Marble Range) – Small in stature but plays twice his size. Consistent midfielder who steps up in the big moments. Racks up disposals all over the ground, part of the Marble Range midfield juggernaut.
Jaxon Bennett (Marble Range) – Another Marble Range midfielder and former Eyre Peninsula rep. Always seems to have time under pressure, allowing him to distribute the ball excellently to his teammates.
Jed Woolford (Marble Range) – One of the best ruckman on the Eyre Peninsula. Dominates clearances and outstanding intercept mark all over the ground. Extremely agile for a big man, former EP rep.
Billy Byass (Marble Range) – Hard working wingman / half forward who can find plenty of the ball. Has plenty of leg speed and always seems to find space inside forward 50, rarely wastes a disposal.
Fixture:
Saturday:
9:55am – Women’s Blue vs Women’s Red
11:00am – Eastern Eyre vs Great Flinders
12:00pm -Western Eyre vs Lincoln City
1:00pm – Eastern Eyre vs Lincoln Districts
2:15pm – Great Flinders vs Western Eyre
3:30pm – Lincoln City vs Lincoln Districts
Monday:
10:00am – Western Eyre vs Lincoln Districts
11:00am – Lincoln City vs Eastern Eyre
12:00pm – Lincoln Districts vs Great Flinders
1:15pm – Eastern Eyre vs Western Eyre
2:30pm – Great Flinders vs Lincoln City
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