BRENDAN LINES
EASTERN zone coach Matthew Dent could back the RFL’s youth in the team that will be named later this week for the 2021 SA Country Football Championships to be held in Victor Harbor this weekend.
Recently, a combined Riverland-Mallee team played Hills in an interleague match on the June long weekend.
The three leagues will combine to form the Eastern zone team.
Eastern coach Matthew Dent, a former AFL and SANFL player with Sturt said he was “impressed” by the young Riverland players contributions against Hills.
“Most of the average age is 21-22 and that’s pretty exciting, “he said.
“Because if those guys enjoy it and play well three quarters of the group might play for the next three or four years.
“Jesse Will and Drew Kassulke (Loxton) went well in the association game.
“Tim Woolford is a great lad and he’s been super keen for association footy and state country championships.”
Woolford is a lock for selection, after he was named as Eastern’s vice-captain.
Woolford was the Riverland’s best in the interleague match, and he has had a stellar year so far with Renmark, featuring in its best players on seven occasions in his eight matches played.
Barmera-Monash half forward Dylan Eleftheriadis is up for selection, after his good run at the interleague game.
Loxton North tall man Brad Beswick, a former Central District reserves player, renowned for his high marking ability could be a factor at half-forward.
Backman Hugo Kregar, of Berri, has been good form recently, playing a part in n in the Demons’ season-defining win over Loxton in round eight.
Dent said the championships would be an “opportunity” for players taking the next step.
“It is good for the guys to see where they stand out in the footy world,” he said.
“Players who have previously been to these championships…went on to play at a higher level.
“Normally on the end of the country championships there is a reward to play in the state country side.”
Meanwhile Karoonda coach Nathan Brown, an ex-Loxton North player, and the Mallee’s best from the interleague match, was named Eastern’s captain.