AFL Community Championships: MPNFL ready to tackle Ovens and Murray at Rosebud

MPNFL interleague coach Chris Holcombe is confident of victory ahead of the Sharks clash with Ovens and Murray at Rosebud on Saturday.

Michael Debenham kicks the MPNFL forward in last year’s AFL Community Championships match against Northern at Preston Oval. Picture: James Ross

MPNFL interleague coach Chris Holcombe made lofty predictions about Lachie Street after last year’s interleague clash.

Twelve months on and Street, out of the strong Frankston YCW club, made an impressive VFL debut for Richmond last week.

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This year Holcombe believes there’s another group of players capable of coming through.

Their starting point will be in the interleague clash against Ovens and Murray at Rosebud on Saturday.

Holcombe’s MPNFL side will be young and talented.

MPNFL coach Chris Holcombe. Picture: Chris Eastman

Asked to nominate the next wave of exciting types, the coach named Blaine Coates (Mt Eliza), Matt La Fontaine (Frankston YCW), Shannon Gladman (Sorrento), Sam Guerts (Dromana), Sean Downie (Rosebud) and Harry Prior (Frankston Bombers).

“There are a couple who I reckon have got real good futures,’’ he said.

Holcombe on:

Blaine Coates: “He’s made huge inroads this year. He wasn’t even on the radar at the start of the year but now he gets tagged most weeks at Mt Eliza. He moved from the wing to on ball on the weekend and was one of their best. He’s one to watch. He’s only young and he’s six two and just runs like the wind. So hopefully we get him out on the wing on the weekend to cause a bit of damage.”

Matt La Fontaine (right) playing for Collingwood in a VFL practice match in 2017. Picture: Hamish Blair

Matt La Fontaine: “He had a crack at Frankston last year but he’s a special player. Whether or not he goes back and has a crack at state level…I think he should. He’s another one who will play a key role on Saturday. He’s hard. He gets in there and has a real crack. He’s one to watch.”

Holcombe is confident the MPNFL can beat Ovens and Murray on Saturday.

“The guys we have in the squad are playing good footy at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve got a bit more experience this year to complement the young kids.

“Trent Dennis-Lane will have a kick, which is exciting for the guys. Shane McDonald will play as well,’’ he said.

“And there’s a strong YC contingent because they just love interleague which is great.

We should go alright I think.”

The under-19s kick things off at 10.30am, followed by the netballers at 11.15am, before the senior football clash gets underway at 1pm.