Sunraysia football: Imperials’ Bryce Hards, Mildura’s Finn Ellis Castle, South’s Jackson McEwan

A recruit from Melbourne suburban footy and a former state cricketer were among this week’s standouts.

Imperials midfielder Bryce Hards attempts to escape a tackle in the round 3 Sunraysia football match against Red Cliffs at Mildura's Brian Weightman Oval. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

It was a thrilling weekend of Sunraysia football, with two of the four matches going right down to the wire.

The individual standouts of the round included a young rising star and a former Victorian state cricketer.

Plus, after two returning players stood tall for Imperials last week, a Melbourne recruit made his presence known this week.

Let’s take a look at who impressed around the grounds in Round 3.

Bryce Hards (Imperials)

As if opposition coaches didn’t have enough on their plate trying to contain three members of the Hards clan, this season a fourth has been thrown into the mix.

Brothers Brad, Ryan and Colby Hards have been joined at Imperials by their cousin, Bryce Hards.

Bryce Hards gets a kick away for Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern Football League (EFL). Picture Davis Harrigan

Against Red Cliffs, the latest arrival was demonstrating what he could do as a midfielder who can go forward and hit the scoreboard.

Bryce is based in Melbourne and travels up to games with Ryan.

He has previously played for Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern Football League.

Imps co-coach Brad Hards said Bryce had always had an interest in playing alongside his cousins and had intended to join them last year before COVID-19 intervened.

Brad said Bryce’s experience as a forward complemented what he could do in the midfield.

“He wins his own footy, he’s very strong over the ball, but he’s pretty smart on the outside as well – he uses his skills pretty well,” Brad said.

During a tight first half against Red Cliffs, Bryce was credited with being able to get into space and find outside runners.

Brad said Bryce then won some of his own outside ball during the second half.

He also kicked a goal.

Imps converted a 14-point half time lead into a 69-point win against the Tigers, with Colby Hards, Alex Douglas and Matt Mazzini also impressing.

Finn Ellis Castle (Mildura)

The Demons won a thriller away to Wentworth, with a late Josh Martin goal sealing a five-point victory after the Roos had chased down a three-goal deficit at the last change.

Among the standouts for the visitors was Finn Ellis Castle.

The 19-year-old has spent time with the Bendigo Pioneers but last year missed out on the chance to impress AFL recruiters.

Mildura co-coach Ilario Cavallo said Ellis Castle spent time playing in Darwin and had showed his development.

“He’s really matured, he’s playing the best footy I’ve seen,” Cavallo said.

Ellis Castle is playing as an intercept defender who Cavallo said “doesn’t get beaten one-on-one” and provides plenty of run.

Cavallo said the win showed the group’s belief in its game plan.

“We lost a couple of boys in the first quarter to injury and from that, it was just us grinding it out and finding a way to win,” he said.

Cavallo said Zac Nelson, Tyler Martin and Tanner Deckert were also among the Demons’ best players.

The match was Kane Dawson’s 200th, while Cooper Allford was making his senior debut.

Vinnie Rodi (Merbein)

In the weekend’s other thriller, Merbein came from behind to knock off an Ouyen United side that had made a raft of changes – including the return of former All Australian Mark Jamar.

The Magpies trailed by 25 points at half time but inaccuracy was clearly a factor, with the scoreboard reading 2.7 to 7.2.

Ultimately, the home team were able to get back in front and register a four-point win.

Merbein co-coach Pat Irwin said Vinnie Rodi was one of his side’s best for the afternoon.

Rodi, who played junior football at Mildura and has returned to the district after studying in Bendigo, has proven himself a key inclusion this season at Kenny Park, taking on an assistant coach role.

He kicked two goals on Saturday.

“He’s a really talented guy who can play off half back, half forward, through the middle,” Irwin said.

Jackson McEwan (South Mildura)

A recruit from the Goulburn Valley league, Jackson McEwan has settled in quickly at South Mildura.

Bulldogs co-coach Ben Dalton said McEwan, who previously played for Rochester but has moved to Mildura for work, had a great tank to run out games.

“He’s probably been our best player nearly every game,” Dalton said.

Against Robinvale Euston on Saturday, McEwan was again a leader as the Bulldogs made it two wins on the trot with a 28-point victory.

Dalton said it was a balanced team effort, with contributors across the ground.

After the Bulldogs won the wooden spoon in 2019 with just two wins for the entire season, Dalton said there was a great energy and atmosphere around the group.

“We want to keep that momentum going,” he said.

Jake Reed (Red Cliffs)

Red Cliffs forward Jake Reed in the round 3 Sunraysia football match against Imperials at Mildura's Brian Weightman Oval. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

He’s more well known for his exploits on cricket ovals, but Jake Reed is proving handy at football as well.

Playing at full forward for Red Cliffs, the 30-year-old kicked five goals against Imperials.

The bulk of those came in the first half, when the Tigers were pushing the home team.

It brings Reed’s season tally to eight goals, one off South Mildura’s Matthew Min for league leader.

Harley Cole (Merbein)

Irwin was full of praise for his side’s defenders and wanted to give credit to Harley Cole.

“He just leads by example, just his run from behind, his contested footy, he just does all the right team stuff,” Irwin said.

Josh Carmichael and Ash Rowe were again important contributors for the Magpies.

Irwin also acknowledged Matthew Rix and Jacob Breguet for their work against Jamar.

Jayden Cogan (South Mildura)

Another defender to play his role well was Jayden Cogan.

South Mildura have thrown the big-bodied midfielder down back in recent works and it now looks set to be a permanent move.

“He’s really made that job his own, that’s where he’s going to stay,” co-coach Dalton said.

Ruckman Tyler Curtis, along with goal kickers Matthew Min (three) and Haydn Kiel (two), also stood out.

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