Round 5 2021 – Preview
Holbrook young gun Coby Ross believes the youthful exuberance of the Brookers has been a major driving force behind their stellar start to the season.
Both sides remain undefeated after four rounds and clash on Saturday at Holbrook in what may be an early grand final preview.
While the Brookers boast plenty of experience in coach Matt Sharp, Luke Gestier and Andrew Dear, Ross said it has been the early season form of the club’s junior talent that has been instrumental in emerging as a flag threat.
Former juniors in Ross, Ewan Mackinlay, Lachie and Will Holmes and Corey McCarthy have all taken their game to another level this season.
Mackinlay, 17, is only in his second season of senior football after making his debut in 2019.
The clever small forward bobbed up with six goals against Rand-Walbundrie-Walla last week with his pace and goal sense proving a handful for most defences.
“We are pretty lucky to have so many talented juniors coming through at the same time,” Ross said.
“The two Holmes’ boys, Lachie and Will, Corey McCarthy and Ewan Mackinlay have all been in good form.
“Ewan in particular has only played a handful of senior games but has been a real standout.
“I think last weekend was only his eighth senior match but he has adapted so well and looks like he has played more than 50 matches.”
The 23-year-old said the arrival of Sharp in 2018 as coach had sparked the turnaround in the Brookers’ fortunes after playing finals in both 2018-19.
“Sharpie has put a lot of faith in the kids since he arrived and I guess now he is starting to reap a few of the rewards,” he said.
“He is always keen to promote the juniors and has been good in that regard.
“Sharpie has a bit of a different approach to coaching but is big on his structures.
“There is little doubt that he has been a huge part of why we are going so well at the moment.”
Ross was looking forward to the league’s toughest test on the weekend but had no idea who is likely opponent would be.
“We are more excited than nervous to be taking on Osborne,” he said.
“We are playing with a fair bit of confidence at the minute so we are excited to see how we match-up against the flag favourites.
“I don’t know who I will play on, Osborne rotate their players heavily.”
Brock-Burrum recruit Damian Cupido has ruled himself out of returning against Howlong this week.
Cupido said he was planning to return against Culcairn next week.
“I nicked my calf against the Giants and missed last week,” Cupido said.
“I started the season with a sore calf and Achilles.
“Whether that is due to the hard grounds I’m not sure.
“But it started feeling sore in the practice matches.
“It’s a two to three week injury but it’s feeling a lot better so hopefully I will be back next week.”
Cupido has been well below his best in his only two matches for the Saints, booting five goals.
“I’ve been playing on one leg and am nowhere near the form I’m capable of,” he said.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH IZAAC McDONNELL
Q: Are you glad you won’t have to tag your little sparring partner Nico Sedgwick this season?
Q: How have you found new coach Joel Mackie?
A: Joel is very passionate about his football and has one of the smartest football brains I have come across so far in my career.
Q: You found out the hard way not to poke the bear when you played on Joel in a practice match.
A: I was tagging Joel and gave him one of my trademark pokes in the back and before I knew it I was bent over and trying to suck in some air after he gave me a short jab in the guts and knocked the wind out of my sails.
Q: You have been recently given the nickname ‘Tickets’?
A: A few of the boys nicknamed me that because they reckon I don’t mind talking about myself after a few beers.
Q: Most people think it’s Osborne’s flag to lose, do you think this weekend’s clash against Holbrook could be a grand final preview?
A: I’m not so sure about that. I still rate Brock-Burrum and Howlong as two dangerous sides who will be a lot harder to beat in the second round and during finals.
FIXTURE
ROUND FIVE
SATURDAY, MAY 8
Holbrook v Osborne
Howlong v Brock-Burrum
Henty v Lockhart
CDHBU v Culcairn
Billabong Crows v RWW Giants
Murray Magpies v Jindera
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Holbrook v Osborne
Many expect this to be a grand final preview and it’s hard to disagree on exposed form. Both sides are undefeated and look to have a stranglehold on a coveted top-two finish. The Brookers have lived up to the hype as one of the most improved sides in the competition with youngsters Will Holmes, Ewan Mackinlay and Coby Ross enjoying terrific seasons. But Holbrook has its fair share of injury concerns and needs to be at full-strength to be any hope of toppling the Tigers.
Prediction: Osborne by 35 points
