Border Mail Interleague – Preview
BROCK-Burrum ball-magnet Nico Sedgwick is set to make his inter-league debut as a 26-year-old.
“There were probably a couple of reasons why I put my hand up,” Sedgwick said.
“My fitness is one thing because I missed a few games with suspension earlier in the season and the other is I’ve never played inter-league before.
“I’m getting older so I want to give it a go before I finish footy.
“At the moment I’m feeling good and the extra run could help me get a bit more out of myself.”
Sedgwick played his only representative football as a 16-year-old when he represented the Ovens and Murray’s under-18s.
“It was a long time ago,” he said.
“I can’t even remember who we played.
“I usually go away fishing at this time of the year so it will be good to play in one.”
Sedgwick has achieved almost everything possible since arriving at Brock-Burrum from Lavington including winning the 2014 Azzi medal and playing in three premierships for the Saints.
He enjoyed his first training run under Piltz at Jindera on Tuesday night.
“Training was alright,” he said.
“‘Piltzy’ is a legend and we all had a laugh together.
“We had about 20 there and hopefully we get a few more along on Thursday.
“I reckon we’ll have a pretty good side.”
While Hume has had a number of key players pull out of the side including Howlong’s Steve Jolliffe and Peter Hancock, Henty’s Damian Cupido and Rand-Walbundrie-Walla’s Myles Aalbers, the league is still set to field a highly-competitive side.
Sedgwick, Jordan Harrington and Marty Bahr are in the mix for midfield roles while Duncan McMaster, Bernie Lieschke and Mick Collins shape as possible defenders.
Osborne youngster Connor Galvin is a forward option while his Tiger teammate Kodie O’Malley could play in the ruck.
OSBORNE’S Marty Bahr couldn’t have asked for a better game to make his debut as Hume league skipper than against Farrer on Saturday.
“It’s a big honour,” Bahr said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the past few years playing.
“It makes it a bit more special being at Osborne.”
Jindera’s Ryan Speed has been appointed vice-captain.
Bahr hasn’t played in a losing side since breaking into Hume league ranks four years ago.
He played in the league’s thrilling win over Riverina at Wagga in 2016 before being a key player in wins over Tallangatta and District and Ovens and King.
Bahr has liked what he has seen during Hume league training at Jindera this week and hopes it will translate to a victory over Farrer.
“It’s shaping up pretty well,” he said. “We’ve had a few pull out which always happens but we’ve got a pretty good mix.
“I know a few of the Farrer league guys and they certainly have a few handy players in their side as well.”
While Hume has had a big turnover of players from last season, Bahr and Osborne teammate Connor Galvin, Rand-Walbundrie-Walla’s Brian Lieschke, Speed, Culcairn’s Tim Haines and CDHBU’s Mick Collins will be backing up.
Six Osborne players – Bahr, Connor and Declan Clancy, Declan O’Rourke, Duncan McMaster and Kodie O’Malley – have made the side.
Farrer has also named a new-look side with only eight players remaining from the line-up which was thrashed by Riverina last season.
Former Holbrook player Curtis Steele has been picked.
