PROFILE
SEA Lake-Nandaly are hoping an injection of AFL royalty will be the secret ingredient that returns them to the top of the North Central ladder this season.
After suffering a 33-point loss in last year’s preliminary final, the Tigers are once again expected to be among the teams to beat in 2023 under joint coaches Billy McInnes and Bryce Delmenico – who’ve taken over the reins from Joel Donnan.
With Justin Ellis the only member of last year’s squad not returning, the Tigers have managed to put together a formidable line-up.
Headlining their inclusions are none other than 225-game, triple premiership Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson and former Essendon, Adelaide and Geelong key forward Josh Jenkins.
Both former AFL stars were expected to play half of the home-and-away season, plus finals, in the yellow and black.
Joining Gibson and Jenkins at Tigerland this year will be former Modewarre half back flanker Matt Farrelly and Donald wingman Jordan Bath, with all four players set to have a big impact, according to Delmenico.
“We’ll play a pretty similar brand of football, but bringing Matt Farrelly and Josh Gibson in, hopefully we can push Luke Martin up the ground so we can get plenty of drive off half back,” Delmenico said.
“Josh will be great for us deep forward and can also give ‘Sully’ (Ryan O’Sullivan) a chop out in the ruck, while Jordan (Bath) is a class act too.
“We’ll be looking to play a quick, exciting brand of footy and give our forwards the opportunity to get a one-on-one, rather than give opposition sides the chance to double team or peel off on them.
“So, if we can move it quick and play predictable footy, that’s what we want to achieve.”
Jenkins and McInnes, who led the league goal kicking with 62 majors last season, will form a powerful combination up forward, while the Tigers could also throw swingman Austin Mertz forward for extra fire power if required too. Throw in midfielders Delmenico and the Donnan brothers, Trent and Wade, and there’s no doubting Sea Lake-Nandaly have a side capable of going all the way.
KEY PLAYER
Wade Donnan
Midfield gun who finished equal third in last year’s Feeny Medal. Knows how to find the footy and always puts his team in better position with his sublime foot skills.
FROM THE COACH
“We hope to be around the mark, similar to last season. We’ve set pretty high expectations through our training and we’ve put high expectations on ourselves and what we want to achieve this year as well.”
INS & OUTS
INS
Josh Jenkins (Woorinen)
Josh Gibson (Ballarat)
Matt Farrelly (Modewarre)
Jordan Bath (Donald)
OUTS
Justin Ellis (Tyntynder)
