An MCG appearance awaits rep players from the Mornington Peninsula and Geelong leagues

MPNFL coach John Hynes says his side could not be better prepared for its state title-deciding clash with Geelong FNL at the MCG on Saturday.

Kevin Sheedy with Jason Davenport (left) of the Geelong Netball football league and Rikki Johnston (right) of the Mornington Peninsula Nepean football league who will play in the curtain raiser to the round 8 Country Game between Essendon and Geelong at the MCG. Pic: Michael Klein

MPNFL coach John Hynes says his side could not be better prepared ahead of its state title-deciding clash with Geelong FNL at the MCG on Saturday.

And he says his players are jumping out of their skin to run on to the famous ‘G’.

The Peninsula interleague side has been training since January, determined to take the number one mantle in Victorian country football off Geelong.

“We couldn’t have done it better,’’ Hynes said.

“Whether or not we are good enough, we’ll wait and see. But in terms of our preparation, you couldn’t fault it and the commitment.’’

The MPNFL side will be captained by Dromana star Rikki Johnston, who is used to playing in major sporting stadiums, albeit in a different sport. He is a former minor league baseball pitcher who played in the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies systems.

Former Frankston VFL ball magnet Luke Potts will be vice-captain.

The side will also include former West Coast, North Melbourne and Richmond forward Aaron Edwards and ex-Demon hard nut Luke Tapscott. Edwards has booted 67 and 66 goals for Pines in the past two seasons and has begun this season strongly.

Hynes, whose four games for Carlton in 1998 were all on the MCG, says playing on the hallowed turf will be a career-highlight for many of his players.

MPNFL coach John Hynes.

“The boys are so keen to run on to the ‘G’,’’ he said.

“They are all putting their hand up, that’s for sure.

“Only four or five have played on the ‘G’. For the other 18 blokes, it’s a pretty big opportunity. It wouldn’t matter if there was no one there. Just playing on the ground itself is enough of a carrot I think.

“These blokes will remember it forever. To be able to share that with them is going to be special as well. I can’t wait.’’

The MPNFL squad will complete preparations with training on Tuesday and Thursday night at Frankston Park, with a selection dinner on Thursday night.

Hynes expects a tough battle from Geelong FNL, but says, “hopefully we can catch them off guard’’.

The big game on Saturday will start at 3pm and is a curtain-raiser to the Essendon and Geelong country game.

There are no games in the MPNFL this weekend, with both the Peninsula and Nepean leagues having a weekend off.