Backbone of the league

By Ken Moore
THEY mightn’t all be the best footballers in the Ellinbank and District Football League … but our All Star team of 2011 was selected by the positions players were in for most of the season.
Similar to last season, the league is well-stocked for quality midfielders, so it has been hard to find a spot for many top on-ballers who dominate at their respective clubs.
While some very capable ruckmen have been overlooked, picking “up and down the spine” players was far more challenging, due to many central position players having left the league – or failing to impose themselves on a consistent basis during the season.
Seven players – Luke McFarlane, Brendan Kimber, Callum Pattie, Chris Urie, Tom Marsh, Ben Hobgen and Shane Brewster – were also selected in the starting 20 of 2010, while Garfield coach Brent Eastwell has worked his way into the team after being chosen as an emergency last year.
A number of players were unlucky to miss selection.
Among the top teams, Bunyip’s Doveton recruit Michael Laszczyk, Garfield utilities Shane Reid and Jim Bow and Neerim Neerim South hard man Cam Hinkley were close.
Cora Lynn’s ruckmen Dan Harders and Brad Horaczko, uncanny forward Ryan Gillis and under rated stopper Tim Payne, who silenced some of the best forwards this season, were well in contention while at Lang Lang, running defender Aaron Creasey and centre half back Dan O’Hara had good seasons.
For the teams in the middle of the ladder, Nar Nar Goon back pocket Tom Hallinan was unlucky not to be selected, while Longwarry’s hard at the ball pair Leigh McDonald and Mark Light warranted a lot of thought and Luke Serong had great season in front of the big sticks.
Ellinbank defender Andrew Quirk and midfielder Josh Petersen had a good season, as did Catani midfield recruit Nat Rodda.
At the lower end of the table, Kooweerup full back Craig Dyker and ruck rover Jack Carson, Buln Buln’s coach Daniel Charles and Nyora trio Corrie Wilson, Aiden Cumberland Adam Tagliaferro were names mentioned.