WDFNL teams: Panmure make three changes for top-five clash, Merrivale bolster defensive line with inclusions

Panmure will be without key forward Jesse Dalton (wrist) and Matt Colbert (calf) for its four-versus-five game against Russells Creek on the road, with Jacob Taylor (unavailable) a third out.

Bulldogs coach Chris Bant said defender Tyler Murnane, along with utility James Norton and mid-forward Harry Searle, would come into the side. Bant was pleased with the inclusions, with all three playing multiple senior games this year.

The game is must win for both Panmure and Russells Creek, if they are to solidify their standings as potential top three or top five teams come finals.

Meanwhile, top-five contender Allansford has called up Connor Bellman and Lachlan Higginson to face South Rovers.

Bellman, a regular in the Cats' 2022 senior team, returns for his first top grade game of the year following work commitments. The on-baller returned via reserves last round.

Meanwhile, Higginson, a big-bodied utility, has been in the club's best players best in back-to-back reserves games. Ben Lenehan (away) and Jordan Eldridge will miss.

Cats coach Tim Nowell said a win against the Lions was vital to keep the side within striking distance of the top five.

"We played some really consistent and good football last week (against Merrivale) so all I'd like to see is all the boys bring that same focus and commitment they did last week," he said.

Ladder leaders Merrivale have eyed defensive reinforcements ahead of its home game against Timboon, with Oliver Watson and James Fary earning call-ups. Skipper Jack Gleeson will miss the clash, after pulling up sore against Allansford last round.

"We just decided not to take the risk with him" Sobey said of Gleeson. "Hopefully he's back firing against (South) Rovers next week."

Watson, who featured in six of the Tigers' opening eight senior games, missed part of the season with an European holiday before returning through reserves in round 14.

Meanwhile, Fary, who had a delayed start to the season, will play his first senior game of the season after enjoying a strong month of reserves football. Sobey said Fary, a past captain, would provide vital on-field leadership.

The Tigers coach said his team, irrespective of being unbeaten, were keen to improve elements of their game and find its best football at the right time of the year.

"There were a few things last week where we let ourselves down," he said. "It definitely wasn't to the standard that we accept.

"We're looking for a decent response (against Timboon) and I think it started on the track (on Tuesday night)."

Dennington has made three changes for its fixture with top-two Nirranda, with Tyler Duynhoven, Tom Lee and Joseph Dwyer all unavailable. Joby Baker, Ben Haddin and Matthew Farmer come into the side.

The Blues have handed under 18 talent Ryan Bellman a senior debut ahead of the clash, with Jason Lee a second inclusion. They come in for James Willsher (away) and Jeremy Stacey (knee).

Meanwhile, Kolora-Noorat has called up goal sneak George Beasley and tall utility Paul McSween for its home game against Old Collegians. Beasley will make his third senior appearance this year, while for McSween, it will be his first.

Henry Kenna (groin) and Darcy Vick (holiday) will miss.

The Warriors make one like-for-like positional change, with Josh Lucas replacing Nathan Forth (overseas).

Russells Creek v Panmure

Russells Creek

B: L. MacKley, Z. Welsford, J. Edwards

HB: T. Wason, S. Alberts, L. Edwards

C: T. Boyle, P. Brady, S. Brady

HF: B. Hewett, T. Smith, S. Grinter

F: J. Chatfield, C. Templeton, D. Herbertson

R: L. McLeod, T. Lovett, D. Morris

Int: J. Brown, M. Noonan, P. Chatfield, J. Chatfield

Panmure

B: H. Turnham, D. Meade, N. Keane

HB: Z. Reeves, T. Sinnott, Z. Ledin

C: T. Wright, D. Moloney, T. Murnane

HF: P. Ryan, C. Bant, B. Bant

F: L. McLeod, L. Gavin, J. Moloney

R: B. Gedye, L. Kew, T. Gardiner

Int: J. Norton, J. Parsons, S. Mahony, D. Bourke

South Rovers v Allansford

South Rovers

B: T. Bishop, B. Bushell, J. Dalton

HB: J. Harvey, J. Cashin, S. Wilde

C: J. Higgins, M. Picken, K. Lenehan

HF: R. Hehir, J. Bell, B. Oates

F: C. Britten, B. Turland, T. Ryan

R: J. Fedley, S. Williams, J. Morton

Int: M. Edwards, D. Dews, B. Goodall, H. O'Callaghan

Allansford

B: T. Membrey, J. Kirkwood, B. Lee

HB: L. Higginson, B. Edge, A. Gordon

C: B. Williams, K. Jans, R. Swan

HF: C. McLean, B. Hunger, C. Day

F: F. Gleeson, R. Hare, M. Gristede

R: L. Read, Z. Mungean, Z. Jamieson

Int: C. Bellman, T. Mott, K. Gordon

Merrivale v Timboon Demons

Merrivale

B: J. Fary, S. Doukas, W. Lenehan

HB: O. Doukas, S. Barnes, E. Barker

C: H. Owen, T. Stephens, A. Campbell

HF: M. Hausler, J. Wilson

F: N. Krepp, B. Bell, D. Weir

R: T. Porter, J. Porter, M. Sandow

Int: Z. Neave, J. Neave, J. Henderson, C. Rix, O. Watson

Timboon Demons

B: H. Stansfield, L. Smith, C. Dower

HB: I. Arundell, C. Trotter, L. Alsop

C: A. Hunt, N. Deppeler, L. Rosolin

HF: S. Negrello, T. Thorburn, K. Delaney

F: T. Marshallsea, S. Newey, T. Hunt

R: B. Newey, M. Hickey, M. Wallace

Int: L. Cunnington, O. Stansfield, E. Gaut, S. Harkness

Kolora-Noorat v Old Collegians

Kolora-Noorat

B: R. O'Connor, S. OConnor, J. Brooks

HB: J. Evans, T. McKenzie, O. Curran

C: N. Marshall, E. Lee, J. Dillon

HF: P. Baker, G. Beasley, D. Barbary

F: L. Boyd, N. Bourke, C. Kavanagh

R: S. Uwland, F. Beasley, S. Kenna

Int: T. Glennen, P. McSween, T. Kenna, N. Castersen

Old Collegians

B: B. Brooks, D. Gleeson, H. White

HB: J. Lucas, J. Cust, N. Wallace

C: J. Cleaver, T. Mahony, J. Creed

HF: J. Dunne, I. Williams, T. Lewis

F: J. Brooks, J. O'Flynn, C. Barby

R: J. Bateman, H. Hall, T. Kennedy

Int: S. Walker, J. Zippel, C. Duro, F. Williamson-Loft

Dennington v Nirranda

Dennington

B: D. Threlfall, L. Pearson, T. Noonan

HB: D. Paton, J. Keen, L. Campbell-Gavin

C: E. Dowd, J. Hamilton, J. Turner

HF: B. Thornton, J. Woodall, L. McKane

F: B. Barton, B. Hadden, T. Noonan

R: T. Fitzgerald, J. Garner, B. Baker

Int: J. Douglas, N. Alexandrou, M. Farmer, J. Baker

Nirranda

B: C. Wagstaff, L. Weel, B. Poole

HB: J. Irving, B. Harkness, R. Nutting

C: D. Philp, L. Irving, D. Willsher

HF: J. Couch, A. Parsons, B. McCann

F: J. Payne, J. Primmer, D. Craven

R: J. Walsh, J. Paulin, J. Willsher

Int: J. Lee, H. Giblin, B. Kew

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