YOUTH versus youth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is how Camperdown coach Phil Carse and his Cobden counterpart Wayne Robertson are billing their clubs’ Hampden league Anzac Day showdown at Leura Oval today.
Both sides enter the round two clash off round one wins — the Magpies produced a final-term blitz against South Warrnambool and the Bombers won every quarter against Hamilton Kangaroos.
First-year mentor Carse watched Cobden in the pre-season and liked its brand.
“They really impressed me to be honest, more than any other side in the Boag’s Cup with their speed and ball skills,” he said.
“They’re a young side and we are too and that generates a lot of enthusiasm.”
Inclement weather is expected to play its part, as it did in round one.
Carse said adjusting to the conditions would be paramount, particularly given the game starts at 3pm to cater for an Anzac Day service.
“It looks like it will be another shocker,” he said of the weather forecast.
“It will be interesting to see who settles best.”
Camperdown lost midfielder Jake Dowell to a broken thumb at the selection table on Thursday night.
Carse said the Magpies had a number of players to bring back into the senior line-up in the coming weeks which was exciting for the club.
“We still have a lot of guys sidelined like Clinton Fitzgerald, Billy Arnold and Nick Bateman will have his first game back in the twos,” he said.
Robertson said the two sides were evenly matched.
“I see a lot of similarities. They have a lot of youth in their side too and they have some strong bodies and leaders too,” he said.
Both coaches said they were honoured to lead their teams on Anzac Day.
“I think it is a privilege to be playing on the day with what it represents,” Robertson said.
“We’ll attend the Anzac service at 11am in town and we have one of the best leaders we’ve had at the club playing his 200th game for us so it’s a significant day for us.
“I know ‘Fozzy’ (milestone man Paul Foster) just wants us to do the best we can.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au