Bundoora’s Matthew Dennis and Montmorency’s Jesse Donaldson named co-captains of Northern Football League interleague team

THE Northern Football League’s AFL Victoria Community Championships side will be led by two players with representative experience.

Matthew Dennis (left) will lead the NFL against the Peninsula FL. Picture: Hamish Blair.

THE Northern Football League’s AFL Victoria Community Championships side will be led by two players with representative experience.

NFL coach Rob Hyde last night announced Bundoora ruckman Matt Dennis and Montmorency on-baller Jesse Donaldson would be co-captains of the side which takes on the Peninsula league next weekend.

Dennis has forged a reputation as one of the NFL’s best players at the Bulls and took out the Frank Rosbrook Trophy in 2012.

Donaldson was tipped to lead the NFL after he was added to the leadership group last year by then interleague coach Jason Heatley, who said: “I think Jesse Donaldson is the way of the future for the competition, one day this team could well be his own.”

Hyde said the pair’s loyalty to the representative concept was a key factor in their appointment.

“I’m going to make Matt Dennis and Jesse Donaldson co-captains this year,” Hyde told Local Footy on Wednesday.

“Matt Dennis, his loyalty, and he’s a good player as well. Those two will be co-captains and share the load.

The NFL squad has been beset by injury and unavailability, with the initial squad of 45 down to about 23.

Jesse Donaldson has been named co-captain of the NFL interleague side. Picture: Kris Reichl.

Hyde said players from outside the squad would be drafted in to take on the Peninsula league on May 21.

For more NFL news, read Whittlesea, Preston or Northcote leader next week.