PENSHURST coach Justin Eales will captain Mininera and District in its interleague comeback today.
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Mininera and District marks its return after a 14-year absence against Golden Rivers at Lake Bolac.
The two clubs are ranked 33rd and 34th on the country championships standings.
Mininera and District coach Mick Jennings said Eales was the ideal choice as skipper.
Eales has experience at major league level, having played for Warrnambool and Stawell.
“He’s a great leader,” Jennings said. “He loves footy, he lives and breathes it.”
Jennings said there was a “buzz around the league” surrounding its return to representative ranks.
“Players had a big push in wanting to get back interleague football,” he said.
“They were keen to get the league back on the map.”
A four-panel selection committee trimmed the initial Mininera and District squad of 50 down to 22 after five training runs.
“We endeavoured to go to as many club games as we could in the first five rounds,” Jennings said.
“We’d spend a half at one game and half at another. There was a lot of research and hard work in picking the best 22 to represent our league.”
Jennings said the team had a good blend of youth and experience.
Lismore-Derrinallum veteran Wayne Loader has used training runs to pass on his ample knowledge, while Great Western’s Lachie Malloy and Tatyoon’s Tim McDougall represent the next generation.
Ararat teenager Tom Taurau was expected to play before earning his TAC Cup debut with North Ballarat Rebels.
“He’s (Loader) 42 years old and plays like he’s in his prime,” Jennings said.
“He plays full-back for his footy club. He’ll be our general in the back line.
“There is a lot of speed in the team and hopefully the game will be on our terms.
“Experience in our team means if it’s not on our terms we can slow it down to get it back on our terms.”
The game starts at 1pm today.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au