WDFNL round six teams: Dennington inject experience, South Rovers lose three to injuries, illness

Dennington is hoping a number of experienced inclusions will aid in its attempt to upset one of the league's powerhouses. Lewis Campbell-Gavin, Tyler Duynhoven, George Serra and Joby Baker return for the Dogs ahead of their round six Warrnambool and District league clash against Nirranda at Deakin University on Saturday. Dakota Davidson, Joe Douglas and Will Fogarty return to the under 18s while Jack Woodall lines up in the reserves. Coach Leigh Anderson said Duynhoven and Serra would strengthen his side's on-ball brigade, Campbell-Gavin would provide run through the centre and wing while Baker comes in as a pressure forward. "We've obviously identified it will be a massive challenge going up against one of the powerhouses of the competition," Anderson said of the fixture. "We just want to play accountable footy and be really stringent on that and see how we go." Meanwhile, premiership midfielder Reece Holwell returns for the Blues after he was unavailable last round. Allansford will unveil a senior debutant in its clash against South Rovers, with coach Tim Nowell confirming Jonty Roberts would come into the side. Roberts, a former North Warrnambool Eagles junior, made his return to football this year, after overcoming a number of serious injuries. "He's played a couple of twos games and played pretty well," Nowell said of Roberts. "He's got a bit of height and he's pretty fit so we can play him in a few different roles." Meanwhile, Tom Knowles returns for the Cats after he had an injury niggle last round, with Travis Membrey rested. The Lions, meanwhile, have lost some of their height with defenders Sam Hodgins and Sam Wilde out with hamstring injuries, while ruck Jake Morton misses through illness. Jake Bacon comes in for his first senior game this year, with Joe Higgins, Brad Bushell and Josh Harvey further inclusions. "Brad will play key back, Josh will come in and play ruck and forward," coach Tim Condon said. "That will be it, we'll have to play undersized up forward." Ladder-leaders Merrivale will blood a new senior player, with Lachlan Swayn called up for its away game against Timboon Demons. Jaxon Johnstone misses for Merrivale due to unavailability. Swayn, a half-forward-wing, crossed to the Tigers this season from Hampden league outfit Camperdown, where he played reserves in 2022. "He's come to the club this year, and had a really successful pre-season and put in the work," Tigers coach Josh Sobey said of Swayn. "He's been really patient and the opportunity has come his way. "He'll be a great asset, he's just been unlucky due to the way we've been playing. "We're really excited to see how he embraces it." The Demons have made three changes for the clash, with co-coach Ben Newey returning, along with Ash Hunt and Lyndon Alsop. Ben Harding misses with a wrist injury, while Cam Mackenzie and Ben Mathews are other the outs. Panmure makes three changes for its crunch clash against Russells Creek, with Wilbur Pomorin making his first senior appearance for the season. Matt Colbert and Daniel Meade also come into the side, with Pat Ryan (ankle) missing, Jacob Taylor returning to reserves and Hugh Fleming resuming under 18 duties at Warrnambool. "Colbert will give us a lot down back," coach Chris Bant said. "And Wilbur, he's had a delayed start with work and family commitments, he's had another baby. It's good to get him back in." (As supplied by clubs) Timboon Demons v Merrivale Timboon Demons B: L.Smith, H.Stansfield, C.Dower HB: K.Delaney, S.Newey, T.Marshallsea C: B.Matthews, N.Deppeler, O.Stansfield HF: B.Harding, J.Gaut, L.Alsop F: E.White, C.Trotter, S.Negrello R: M.Wallace, L.Rosolin, M.Hickey Int: B.Hobbs, H.Whiting, C.McKenzie, A.Hunt Merrivale B: S.Doukas, E.Barker, W.Lenehan HB: O.Doukas, S.Barnes, O.Watson C: H.Owen, C.Rix, B.Hancocks HF: J.Brooks, M.Sandow, S.Gleeson F: J.Wilson, D.Weir, J.Neave R: R.Barling, T.Porter, B.Bell Int: L.Swayn, M.Hausler, C.Britton Allansford v South Rovers Allansford B: B.Lee, D.Chapman, J.Kirkwood HB: A.Gordon, B.Hunger, B.Edge C: R.Swan, F.Gleeson, B.Williams HF: Z.Mungean, B.Bull, C.McLean F: C.Day, R.Hare, T.Knowles R: B.Coutts, Z.Jamieson, L.Read Int: J.Roberts, T.Mott, M.Gristede South Rovers B: B.Oates, C.Britten, B.Bushell HB: R.Hehir, T.Harman, B.Turland C: D.Dews, M.Edwards, J.Bacon HF: J.Harvey, A.Bosse, T.Bishop F: T.Ryan, J.Higgins, J.Bell R: J.Dalton, K.Lenehan, S.Williams Int: E.Boylan, B.Fedley, J.Fedley, B.Goodall Nirranda v Dennington Nirranda B: C.Wagstaff, L.Weel, D.Philp HB: A.Parsons, T.Dalton, M.Lloyd C: J.Stacey, D.Willsher, L.Irving HF: R.Holwell, J.Lee, J.Primmer F: J.Matheson, D.Lees, I.Stephens R: J.Willsher, J.Paulin, J.Walsh Int: S.Willsher, T.Coates, J.Irving, M.Primmer Dennington B: T.Lee, M.Clark, L.Pearson HB: T.Fitzgerald, J.Keen, B.Baker C: J.Garner, L.Campbell-Gavin, T.Noonan HF: J.Turner, T.Noonan, B.Thornton F: L.McKane, J.Hamilton, J.Baker R: N.Alexandrou, J.Noonan, T.Duynhoven Int: B.Barton, E.Dowd, J.Dwyer, G.Serra Old Collegians v Kolora-Noorat Old Collegians B: J.Lucas, D.Gleeson, N.Forth HB: W.Owen, N.Wallace, J.Cust C: J.Cleaver, M.Lenehan, J.Creed HF: J.Zippel, J.Wallace, J.Brooks F: J.O'Flynn, C.Barby, R.Fox R: T.Kennedy, H.Hall, J.Bateman Int: F.Williamson-Loft, S.Walker, K.Kelly Kolora-Noorat B: S.O'Connor, J.Larcombe, T.Glennen HB: L.Tebble, J.Evans, J.Dillon C: S.Judd HF: D.Barbary, E.Lee F: L.Boyd, D.Vick, P.Baker R: J.Wallace, F.Beasley, S.Uwland Int: J.Vaughan, T.Henderson, C.Scanlon, M.Wyss, T.McKenzie, J.Brooks Panmure v Russells Creek Panmure B: J.Parsons, M.Colbert, T.Wright HB: Z.Reeves, J.Taylor, L.Kew C: L.McLeod, T.Murnane, L.Gavin HF: W.Fleming, Z.Ledin, J.Dalton F: N.Keane, H.Turnham, B.Gedye R: H.Searle, T.Gardiner, S.Mahony Int: H.Fleming, J.Moloney, D.Bourke, J.Norton Russells Creek B: D.Finlayson, Z.Welsford, J.Edwards HB: T.Wason, L.Edwards, G.McLeod C: X.Short, P.Brady, P.Chatfield HF: S.Grinter, J.Brown, T.Smith F: C.Templeton, D.Herbertson, J.Chatfield R: T.Lovett, S.Brady, S.Alberts Int: B.Melican, L.MacKley, J.Chatfield, D.Burns MORE SPORT Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. 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