Sharks face hot Ovens

By Mark Gullick
THE Mornington Peninsula Nepean Sharks face off against interleague heavyweights Ovens and Murray at Frankston Park on Saturday.
Casey Cardinia will again play an integral role in the formation of the team.
While the final line-up will be determined later in the week, Justin Berry (Cranbourne), Luke Walker, Dean Blake and Chris Smith (Pakenham), Michael Collins and Nick Scanlon (Narre Warren) appear certainties to make the team.
Several other players – such as Berwick’s Nathan Page, Cranbourne’s Matthew Fletcher and Narre Warren’s Lee Boyle – are also in the mix.
Additionally, Cranbourne captain and goal kicking champion Marc Holt is a chance to hold down the goal square for the Sharks.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland continues his coaching duties with head coach Paul Kennedy.
“Paul and myself took over three years ago and we’ve obviously made progression,” Holland said. “We’ve always said we’re in the top three or four leagues in Victoria. Three years ago we dropped down to seventh or eighth.”
Last year, the Sharks comfortably defeated the Hampden league at Camperdown.
“We’re going to have to take another step this week against Ovens and Murray,” he said. “They’ll be stung by losing to Goulburn Valley last year.”
The Ovens and Murray team, under first-year coach Matt Prendergast, will provide a tough challenge for the Sharks with a host of ex-AFL players and local stars.
The Sharks will field a settled line-up.
“In the squad of 28, there would be 13-14 players from last year, which is good because we’re still a nucleus of that side, plus some quality players that have come to the league or have made themselves available this year,” Holland said.
“It will be as good a side as we’ve put out there in the last three years. “We’re going to be a mix of experience and youth. We’re going to go out there and attack the game full-on, and if the boys execute well, there’s no reason why we can’t come away with a win.”
Other prominent players in the team are the classy Patrick Cadd (Seaford), big man Glen Michie (Hastings), key defender Rikki Johnston (Dromana), and the experienced Brian O’Carroll (Frankston Bombers).
Holland is also enthused about Langwarrin defender Kane Taylor and Frankston YCW ruckman Ash Eames, who previously represented the Ovens and Murray league.
As always, combining the vast talent across the leagues will be difficult.
“People say we’ve got three divisions to choose from, and we’ve got a bigger pool of players, but the advantage of the other leagues is that they all know each other,” Holland said. “We’ve been pretty fortunate in the last few years in that we’ve kept a core of players, who have played through those three carnivals. Overall, the transition has been pretty good.”
The senior game begins at 1pm and those unable to make it to the venue can watch it on their computer via a live stream on www.mpnfl.vcfl.com.au, which starts at 12.30pm.
The Under 18s kick off at 10.30am.