Who makes Leader’s mid-season Riddell District inter-league team

We’ve brought together the best players in the Riddell District Football League. How would this team fare on inter-league weekend?

The Queen’s Birthday long weekend is traditionally a time for inter-league football.

So we’re acting as selectors and picking our Riddell District mid-season All-Star team.

While the top teams do dominate the 22, we’re shunned the easy option of picking exclusively from the front-runners.

Instead, at least one player from every club has been chosen.

It’s meant some big names, including the likes of Brenton Cox, Bryce Williamson and Cole Laurie have missed out.

Check out our team below.

Wallan’s Matthew Perri keeps his eye on the ball. Picture: Rob Leeson

BACKS

The back six is dominated by Diggers Rest, with three players selected. Andrew Tyquin, Taylor Hine and Luke Delahey have all enjoyed strong starts to the season and are a major factor in the Burras sitting on top of the ladder at the half-way mark. Angus Storey has been a key pillar for Romsey, playing seven of eight games and impressing with his ability to quieten even the best forwards. At centre half-back is Wallan’s heart-and-soul leader Michael Mannix, who continues to set the bar for defenders across the league. Finally, we’ve turned to Melton Centrals youngster Jake Sygidus, who has impressed in his first season with the Blues and shows no fear in defence, perfect for a back pocket.

FORWARDS

As you can imagine, the attack basically picks itself. Wallan pair Matt Perri and Corey Grindlay and Diggers Rest’s Mitch Day are the top three goalkickers in the competition, while Jason Cooke is fifth. All four have the ability to tear opposition teams apart and kick big bags. We’ve gone for a bit of a surprise at centre half-forward, picking Riddell captain Josh Grabham. One of the best ruckmen in the competition, he hasn’t actually kicked a goal this season but is mobile and can take a strong contested mark, which you need in modern day footy. Lancefield’s Jay Russell earns a spot on a flank after an impressive start to the season, despite the Tigers struggles. Russell can run through midfield and has booted 12 goals this season, eighth most in the competition.

Nathan Hoy in action for Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

MIDFIELD

Considering the hot competition among rucks, Romsey ruckman Nathan Hoy was a pretty easy selection as the reigning RDFL Team of the Year big man and last season’s Bowen Medal runner-up. He’s joined by Diggers’ Mitch Jensen and Wallan’s Steve Boyall. Jensen has been a sensation in his return to the league, playing predominantly as a midfielder but still getting forward to kick 30 goals – fourth most in the competition. Boyall, meanwhile, is reliable as the day is long. Riddell recruit Michael Edwards centres the midfield after a dazzling start to life at the Creek. He’s hard to miss with a flowing red mullet. On the wings are Wallan’s reigning Bowen Medallist Ricky Schraven and Macedon’s Matthew Dick. The pair is capable of winning possessions at will but also breaking the lines and running out of defence or delivering inside forward 50m.

INTERCHANGE

Western Rams co-captain Mitch Portoglou claims the second ruck-forward spot from Woodend-Hesket’s Tom Gawthrop after a strong start to the season and can rotate with Josh Grabham and Nathan Hoy. Dylan Tarczon has missed a couple of games in his return to Riddell but his influence has been significant in a more midfield-dominant role and he’s just impossible to leave out. Woodend-Hesket recruit Jake Arceri and Romey’s Matt Burkett can consider themselves unlucky not to be starting in midfield but we can’t pick everyone. They have both impressed this season and can find the ball on the inside or outside and make their teammates better.