Border Mail Round 8 – Preview
LOCKHART recruit Neil Irwin doesn’t want to limp into retirement.
The motivated big man instead wants to go out with a bang.
And he is leaving no stone unturned in having as big as impact as he can this season with the Demons.
Irwin arrived at Lockhart this season after playing for Leeton-Whitton the past three years including the Crows’ flag two seasons ago.
The giant Demon is based in Canberra and is in his fourth season of making the weekly trek from the nation’s capital.
“My kids are getting to the age now that they are starting to take up sport so this will probably be my last season,” Irwin said.
“Travelling doesn’t bother me, I just leave on match-day and head home again after the game or stay if the club has got a function on.
“Being my last season, I don’t want to just go through the motions and still want to have an impact.
“I’ve made a commitment to the club and want to give 100 per cent.
“I work hard on my fitness and do three or four gym sessions during the week and hardly drink alcohol.
“I also put a lot of emphasis on recovery after matches and do a lot of stretching most afternoons or evenings.”
MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
Irwin first caught the eye of Lockhart recruiting manager Ian Pertzel during a practice match in 2016.
“I remember I got his phone number after that practice match and I’ve called him every year since trying to get him to Lockhart,” Pertzel said.
“Thankfully it paid off and Neil has been enormous in our improvement this season.”
Despite turning 38 on Saturday, Irwin still rucks the whole match for the Demons.
“I love playing in the ruck,” Irwin said.
“I can’t jump anymore and I’ve lost some pace but I just read the play and get into the right spots.
“I like the physical stuff and you won’t see me running away from blokes.
“We have got a fairly young side and I try to provide some on-field leadership while Nathan (McPherson) coaches from the sidelines.”
Despite playing at the higher level in Canberra and in the Riverina league, Irwin said there was still plenty of talent in the Hume league.
“I’ve found the top half-a-dozen in most sides are talented footballers,” he said.
“What probably separates the top-sides from the bottom is their bottom six-players and that’s where you can get exposed.
“There is a few good ruckman running around and Howlong’s Peter Hancock is probably the best I’ve come up against so far.”
Lockhart face Henty on Saturday.
HENTY’S injury and unavailability crisis is set for some relief.
With the Swampies missing eight of their best players last weekend, coach Joel Price is confident the situation will improve in time for Saturday’s clash with Lockhart.
“It will get better, but how much better I’m not too sure yet,” Price said.
“I’ve never seen anything like last weekend before.
“It all just hit us at the one time.”
Henty played without a host of big-name players against Billabong Crows including Daniel and Dale Cox, Jared Brennan, Heath Ohlin, Will Farrer, Harry Nunn, Kim Kantilla and Dan Leslie.
Meanwhile, Jindera will be chasing its third straight win when it takes in Billabong Crows at Jindera on Saturday.
The Bulldogs must win to stay in touch with the top-six as they have one of the toughest draws in the competition.
Stopping Bronson Schofield and Josh Evans will be two of their challenges.
ROUND EIGHT
Saturday, June 8
Brock-Burrum v CDHBU
Culcairn v Howlong
Henty v Lockhart
Holbrook v Murray Magpies
Jindera v Billabong Crows
Osborne v Rand-Walbundrie-Walla
TIPS
LUKE BRAUER
(Former Brock-Burrum coach)
Brock-Burrum
Culcairn
Henty
Holbrook
Billabong Crows
Osborne
TOTAL: 33
BRETT KOHLHAGEN
(The Border Mail)
Brock-Burrum
Culcairn
Henty
Holbrook
Billabong Crows
Osborne
TOTAL: 33
ANTHONY ARMSTRONG
(Osborne stalwart)
Brock-Burrum
Culcairn
Henty
Holbrook
Billabong Crows
Osborne
TOTAL: 27
CAMERON JONES
(Holbrook life member)
Brock-Burrum
Culcairn
Henty
Holbrook
Billabong Crows
Osborne
TOTAL: 26
SNIPPETS
COACHING CHANGE
Don’t be surprised if up to eight clubs are looking for new coaches next season.
While Rand-Walbundrie-Walla’s Myles Aalbers announced his intentions earlier this week, more are set to follow in the next month.
Brock-Burrum’s Kade Stevens is one of the few to be locked in.
SWAMPED
Henty’s injury crisis has had one plus.
With 10 first graders missing last weekend, coach Joel Price took the opportunity to play young midfielders Taylor Clark and Jono Male in the centre square.
Damian Cupido and Zainel Bin Busu were the only non-locals to line-up against the Crows.
DEMONS TOP UP
Lockhart has added to its midfield with veteran Stace Creasy joining the club from Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.
Creasy made to switch to play alongside his brother, James.
He played a handful of games for MCUE towards the end of last season.
