WDFNL round 12 teams: Legendary forward locked and loaded, firepower returns for Bulldogs

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, who kicked 926 goals across his distinguished career, will wear his famous number 18 for the Warriors in the one-off appearance in the Warrnambool and District league against Kolora-Noorat.

Warriors co-coach Joe McKinnon said the 46-year-old loomed as the only addition this week and would slot straight into the forward line but would wait and see on how a few others pull up from training.

"We want the ball coming in quite quick, no matter if Lloyd is in or not, but it probably just allows our other forwards to get a weaker defender," he said.

"His (Lloyd's) knowledge is high class so for us to get one of the best key forwards ever is great. Hopefully we can pick his brains a bit.

"I'm not a Bombers fan myself, but to get an opportunity to play with one of the all-time greats, it's unbelievable."

McKinnon hoped a huge crowd would come out and show their support.

"It's great for the community too, there's a lot of Essendon fans in the south-west," he said.

"There's a lot of hype around it in town."

Kolora-Noorat is preparing to go in unchanged for the blockbuster clash, with co-coach Sam Uwland backing in his group to deliver on the big stage.

"For us, it's about focusing on things we can do for our own side," he said.

"It is an important game for us, we lost to Rovers a few weeks ago and then Dennington and it's put us in a position where we simply need to be winning these kinds of games, because (a loss) can put us out of race for finals.

"It's very critical for us. We'll focus on our game and not get all caught up in the game because Lloyd is playing. There will be a big crowd so we'll come prepared."

Russells Creek is prepared to back in its group ahead of a blockbuster clash against Nirranda.

Creekers mentor Dylan Herbertson said barring any late injuries he would go in unchanged.

Nirranda, however has loaded up with Esam Medal winner John Paulin back in the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, alongside defender Luke Weel.

Bronte McCann is the only confirmed out at this stage, confirmed coach Nick Couch.

Newly re-signed South Rovers coach Luke Kenna said the Lions would make two changes for its clash against Merrivale, with Sam Barker and Kye Brereton into the team.

Toby Bishop and Ethan Boylan are out of the side this week.

Allansford, meanwhile will welcome back Josh Kirkwood for its home game against Dennington but will manage one of its most important players.

Coach Tim Nowell confirmed Brad Bull would miss this week with the aim of building him towards finals.

"We won't put him under too much pressure, it's just managing him in the lead-up to the finals," he said.

"As long as he's raring to go near finals that's the ideal plan. He played half (last) Saturday and looked dangerous.

"But that was always our plan. We'll build him up."

Dennington coach Leigh Anderson confirmed his side was looking to go into the match unchanged.

Finals contender Panmure have loaded up for its must-win game against Timboon Demons with a swag of stars to return.

The Bulldogs have brought in some firepower and experience with Chris Bant, Tom Wright, Sam Melican, Sam Mahony and Damien Moloney all returning.

John Malone, Daniel Meade, Sam Carter, Jeremy Sharkey and Trae Reeves all come out of the side.

**All teams are as supplied by clubs

Allansford Seniors v Dennington Seniors

Allansford Seniors

B: M.Chivers, P.Higgins, B.Lee

HB: P.Drake, B.Edge, Z.Mungean

C: C.McLean, R.Parsons, J.Fedley

HF: R.Swan, B.Hunger, B.Williams

F: R.Hare, J.Kirkwood, K.Gordon

R: Z.Jamieson, A.Gordon, C.Day

Int: L.Read, F.Gleeson, K.Jans

Dennington Seniors

B: T.noonan, B.Barton, N.Onthaisong

HB: L.Pearson, M.Clark, J.Shircore

C: J.Turner, E.Dowd, D.Hoye

HF: J.Garner, D.Davidson, J.Blackney-noter

F: N.Alexandrou, T.Moana, A.Keen

R: T.Fitzgerald, F.Rowe, B.Baker

Int: D.Threlfall, H.Ponting, T.Noonan, C.Fenn

South Rovers Seniors v Merrivale Seniors

South Rovers Seniors

B: B.Oates, C.Elliott, B.Bushell

HB: L.Williams, T.Bishop, S.Wilde

C: S.Williams, A.Grant, M.Edwards

HF: A.Laidler, J.Bell, L.Ryan

F: S.Kelson, D.Cox, E.Boylan

R: J.Cashin, L.Cook, J.Morton

Int: L.Wilde, B.White, R.Mentha

Merrivale Seniors

B: J.Mahony - Gilchrist, W.Lenehan, S.Barnes

HB: F.Atchison, J.Britton, T.Harman

C: E.Barker, T.McLaughlin, J.Sauze

HF: M.Hausler, H.Gurry, O.Watson

F: N.Krepp, J.Porter, J.Neave

R: O.Doukas, R.Barling, S.Gleeson

Int: D.Scoble, J.Wilson, C.Graham, B.Bell

Panmure Seniors v Timboon Demons Seniors

Panmure Seniors

B: T.Gedye, T.Wright, B.Smith

HB: J.Anderson, N.Keane, H.Fleming

C: L.Gavin, J.Parsons, T.Murnane

HF: M.Sinnott, S.Mahony, P.Ryan

F: C.Bant, D.Bourke, L.McLeod

R: T.Wright, S.Melican, J.Norton

Int: B.Robertson, N.Greene, B.Bant, D.Moloney

Timboon Demons Seniors

B: E.Gaut, K.Gristede, L.Smith

HB: S.Newey, L.Alsop, A.Hunt

C: I.Arundell, N.Deppeler, B.Newey

HF: R.Ziegelaar, L.Rosolin, M.Gristede

F: E.White, R.Couch, M.Angus

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

Int: W.Moorhouse, T.Groves, O.Stansfield, T.Hunt

Russells Creek Seniors v Nirranda Seniors

Russells Creek Seniors

B: J.Askew, N.Edge, R.Cooke

HB: B.Rudland-Castles, S.Alberts, G.McLeod

C: M.Rook, L.McLeod, P.Brady

HF: Z.Timms, C.Templeton, T.Smith

F: T.Ryan, K.Smith, J.Chatfield

R: D.Burns, B.Harrington, A.Mcmeel

Int: J.Chatfield, C.Hoye, S.Brady, T.Boyle

Nirranda Seniors

B: R.Nutting, M.Primmer, L.Weel

HB: L.Kew, B.Harkness, C.Wagstaff

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

HF: J.Lenehan, B.Dobson, H.Porter

F: B.Kew, D.Lees, D.Philp

R: J.Willsher, T.Royal, J.Paulin

Int: T.Dalton, J.Lee, J.Walsh, J.Primmer

Old Collegians Seniors v Kolora-Noorat Seniors

Old Collegians Seniors

B: H.Hall, M.Petherick, S.Walker

HB: N.Wallace, J.Wallace, J.Bateman

C: E.Dempsey, C.Duro, J.Brooks

HF: J.Mckinnon, C.Boyle, N.Dawson

F: M.Lloyd, G.Bond, J.Hetherington

R: O.Noonan, C.Barby, H.White

Int: I.Williams, J.Cleaver, H.Jenkins, N.Forth"

Kolora-Noorat Seniors

B: N.Marshall, A.Robertson, S.O'Connor

HB: J.Carlin, J.vaughan, J.Aitken

C: L.Cahill, C.Kavanagh, N.Anders

HF: T.Glennen, J.Evans, J.Wallace

F: J.Sorgiovanni, C.Scanlon, E.Wyss

R: S.Uwland, M.Wyss, G.Beasley

Int: E.Brooks, O.Curran, N.Castersen, T.Barrett