THERE are just three weeks remaining until the NFL takes on the best of the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) at Visy Park.
Before the big clash, I have decided to cast my eye over the league’s representative squad and have assembled the team I believe may take on the EDFL on March 29.
With so much quality in the squad, it’s a tough gig trying to pick which players may be called upon by Jason Heatley and his team of assistants.
Regardless of the 24 that Heatley does decides upon, the NFL is sure to field a magnificent side against the EDFL.
Here is the team I think may line up on March 29:
B: Jason Kennedy Brad Leggett Trent Barbero
Jason Kennedy (Heidelberg) – Heidelberg’s captain is a ferocious competitor and makes his teammates stand taller. Has been a mainstay in Heidelberg’s team for the past seven years, during an era of dominance for the club.
Brad Leggett (Macleod) – Had a breakout season in 2013 when he emerged as one of the competition’s best defenders. The 22-year-old has spent the pre-season with Essendon’s VFL team which may enhance his game further.
Trent Barbero (Bundoora) – Has been named back pocket in the Division 1 Team of the Year for the past two years. Locks down on bigger bodied opponents each week and always gets the job done. Was one of Bundoora’s best in its 2013 Grand Final win.
HB: Paul Scanlon Shane Tennant Nick Carter
Paul Scanlon (Northcote Park) – May have turned 36 in October, but is still playing at the peak of his game. Despite missing much of Northcote Park’s 2013 campaign through injury, Scanlon played a played a handful of matches with the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League over the summer months and looks to have overcome his injury woes. Remains one of the NFL’s premier players.
Shane Tennant (Montmorency) – A reliable and fierce backman, Tennant has the ability to both shut down on his direct opponent and zone off to help out his fellow defenders. Reads the play well and leads the way in marks from opposition kicks.
Nick Carter (Northcote Park) – The twice reigning Northcote Park best and fairest winner is arguably the league’s most underrated player. Starred in the Cougars’ 2012 premiership win and backed it up with another stellar 2013 season. Wins his own footy and doesn’t waste a possession.
C: Jesse Donaldson Bronik Davies Ricky Dyson
Jesse Donaldson (Montmorency) – A goal-kicking midfielder who has starred at Diamond Creek and Montmorency over the past five years. Kicked 81 goals in 51 games for the Creekers, before adding a further 41 goals in 38 matches for the Magpies over the last two years, including a bag of five against West Preston-Lakeside last year.
Bronik Davies (Northcote Park) – Joint winner of the 2012 Frank Rosbrook Trophy, Davies is a ball magnet and one of the hardest working midfielders in the competition. Leads from the front as Northcote Park skipper and is likely to vie with Jason Kennedy and Ryan Jackson to captain the NFL rep side.
Ricky Dyson (Bundoora) – Dyson possesses a penetrating left foot kick which makes him a dangerous player in the forward half of the ground. Showed his genuine class in the 2013 finals series and was a dominant force in both Bundoora’s preliminary and Grand Final victories.
HF: Justin White Cameron Cloke Cathal Corr
Justin White (Macleod) – A smooth mover and very difficult player to find a match-up for. An exceptional mark for his size, White will out-mark small defenders, but will also out-run bigger bodied opponents. Possesses a lovely left-foot kick.
Cameron Cloke (Bundoora) – A man-mountain, Cloke has been the best player in the competition for the past three seasons. Last year he became the first player in league history to win a premiership, best and fairest and leading goal kicker award in one season. A big game player who is at the peak of his powers.
Cathal Corr (Macleod) – A big-bodied utility who thrives when the going is tough. Has booted 177 goals in 77 games for Macleod, and has also spent time on St Kilda’s rookie lists and with VFL clubs Coburg and Collingwood.
F: Gary Moorcroft Patrick Fitzgerald Shane Harvey
Gary Moorcroft (Bundoora) – Hard to believe he will turn 38 in April. Still has the leap and athleticism of a teenager and can find the big sticks from even the most difficult angles. Has kicked more goals than any other player in Division 1 over the past three years, booting 234 goals in 60 games for Bundoora since joining in 2011.
Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency) – Doesn’t always get the same recognition as his more high-profile teammates, but continues to dominate inside Montmorency’s attacking 50. Kicked a career-high 57 goals in 2013 and was named at full forward in the Division 1 Team of the Year. Can also pinch-hit in the ruck.
Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg) – Has been marvelling North Heidelberg crowds for years with acts of pure magic. Has booted more than 100 goals in four of his past five seasons at the Bulldogs and shared the Division 1 best and fairest in a three-way tie in 2008. His nine-goal effort in North’s 2012 Grand Final loss to Epping will be spoken about for decades to come.
R: Matthew Dennis Ryan Jackson David Mitchell
Matthew Dennis (Bundoora) – The prototype modern-day ruckman. Tall and athletic, Dennis has the ability to run opposition talls ragged as he racks up marks all over the field. Tied with Bronik Davies for the 2012 best and fairest and had a huge finals series in 2013.
Ryan Jackson (Montmorency) – Arguably the best midfielder in the Northern Football League who has previously been listed by AFL, VFL and WAFL clubs. Does it all on the field and added the Montmorency leadership to his bow last year. Loves to push forward and has averaged more than a goal a game in his 38 appearances for the Magpies.
David Mitchell (Bundoora) – Small in stature but plays with great heart. Mitchell racks up big numbers each week and has played major roles in Bundoora’s 2011 and 2013 premiership wins. Shared the 2008 competition best and fairest with Shane Harvey and Daniel Keenan.
INT: Michael Finn Bill Barden Gavan Connelly
Ben Walton Kane Shaw Ben Fennell
Michael Finn (Heidelberg) – The Heidelberg veteran continues to perform at an extraordinary level each week. The big Irishman is a fine ruckman who reads the game well. Works hard defensively to assist the back six. Gets the nod as back-up ruckman ahead of Patrick Flynn.
Bill Barden (Lower Plenty) – Captained Lower Plenty to the Division 2 premiership in 2011 and was the club’s best player in its return to the top flight in 2012. Can play anywhere on the field which makes him even more valuable. Spent the 2013 season with Collingwood’s VFL team and will be better for the experience. Depending on work commitments, his brother Darcy is also likely to feature in the final side.
Gavan Connelly (Eltham) – A three-time club champion and reigning Division 1 Coaches Player of the Year. Despite his accolades, Connelly probably still doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Knows how to find the football and is a very reliable user by foot.
Ben Walton (Montmorency) – Emerged as one of the league’s best forwards last season when he kicked 51 goals in 19 games, which included a season-high five goals in Montmorency’s six-point semi final win over Bundoora. Has a great set of hands and a penetrating kick. Was rewarded with a contract with VFL club, the Northern Blues over the pre-season.
Kane Shaw (Macleod) – Was named Macleod captain at the tender age of 20 in a move that proved to be a masterstroke. Has since won three best and fairest awards and led the club to the 2009 Division 2 premiership. Last year became just the second Macleod player to reach 200 senior games. It’s safe to say he’s been amongst his club’s best players in most of those matches.
Ben Fennell (Hursbridge) – Wont’ turn 22 until October, but has been one of the best players in Division 2 for a number of seasons. Claimed Hurstbridge’s best and fairest last season, as well as a place in the Division 2 Team of the Year. Has transferred to Montmorency in the off season and has also trialled with Collingwood’s VFL team.
PICK YOUR TEAM:
Think you know who will be in the NFL’s interleague team to take on the EDFL? Email your team through to 
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NFL Representative Squad
Alex Gleeson (West Preston-Lakeside), Ali Fahour (West Preston-Lakeside), Andrew Smith (Mernda), Ben Fennell (Hursbridge), Bill Barden (Lower Plenty), Brad Leggett (Macleod), Brent Marshall (Bundoora), Brock McLennan (Northcote Park), Bronik Davies (Northcote Park), Cameron Cloke (Bundoora), Cathal Corr (Macleod), Dan McLinden (Greensborough), Darcy Barden (Lower Plenty), David Mitchell (Lower Plenty), Dillon Ronalds (St Mary’s), Gary Moorcroft (Bundoora), Gavan Connelly (Eltham), Hal Hunter (Northcote Park), Jason Kennedy (Heidelberg), Jesse Donaldson (Montmorency), Josh Whitehouse-Summers (Diamond Creek), Julian Violato (Northcote Park), Justin White (Macleod), Kane Shaw (Macleod), Kent Delbridge (Bundoora), Lucas Hobbs (Whittlesea), Malcolm Dow (Fitzroy Stars), Matthew Dennis (Bundoora), Matthew Hyde (Greensborough), Michael Finn (Heidelberg), Nathan Hendry (Panton Hill), Nick Carter (Northcote Park), Nick Lynch (Macleod), Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency), Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty), Paul Scanlon (Northcote Park), Ricky Dyson (Bundoora), Ryan Docherty (Reservoir), Ryan Jackson (Montmorency), Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg), Shane Tennant (Montmorency), Tom Rogers (Eltham), Trent Barbero (Bundoora), Will De Bruin (Northcote Park)
