COACH and captain have been named for the Central Rivers interleague side seeking regional football supremacy in six weeks’ time.
After the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to interleague, a combined team of the top players from the Central Murray and Golden Rivers competitions are preparing for its return, taking on northern rivals Sunraysia.
The match will be hosted on a bye weekend for each of the leagues on Saturday, July 6, from 2.30pm at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.
Central Rivers will be coached by Woorinen senior coach Marcus Demaria, who in 2019 led the Central Murray team to a nine-point interleague win over Gippsland.
He will be supported by Balranald senior co-coach Jydon Neagle, who has been named assistant coach and captain for the interleague push.
Demaria said Neagle’s combination of on-field leadership and footballing ability made him “the first guy that comes to mind” for the job.
“I’d spoken to Jydon about taking an assistant coaching role, as well as the captaincy, and I was really excited when he confirmed he was keen,” he said.
“He was a no-brainer to get in touch with, the way he goes about his football and coaching is just unbelievable.
“He demands excellence from his players, and he is fantastic at bringing the people around him up the level he expects from himself.
“Speaking to some of the Woorinen guys, when I mentioned that Jydon would be taking part, they were extremely excited about the potential to line up alongside him.
“As soon as you get a name like that on board, the excitement really grows.”
Demaria said he was looking forward to coaching a “mix of up-and-coming local talent, alongside a few of the new recruits who have joined the leagues” against the stars of Sunraysia.
“From all reports, all of the gun players within Sunraysia’s league have put their hand up,” he said.
“I think Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is one who will be involved, and Irymple’s Dan Coghlan is another one we need to keep an eye on.
“We are hoping we can see a return of all the best local talent as well of some of the new players that have come in this recent influx of talent to the league.
“Having the top talent involved, and for it to be a privilege to represent your league against a neighbouring league like Sunraysia, will hopefully allow interleague matches to really flourish for years to come.”
It will be Neagle’s first match representing his current league, having last played interleague for Ovens & Murray in 2018.
Neagle said the return of senior interleague football was “something that is very needed at the grassroots level”.
“I think this is a great chance to play with some of the top-end talent around the league,” he said.
“I know that people say that footy is just a game, but across all levels it brings people together.
“It will be great to meet a few new boys and hopefully have a good day against Sunraysia.
“Playing alongside the best and against the best of other leagues is a good test to see what standard of footy you can play at.
“I’m sure there will be people from everywhere coming up to Mildura to watch the game.”
Neagle said it would be a good chance to catch up with some of the big names he played alongside during his stint with Essendon
“I actually played with (Anthony) McDonald-Tipungwuti and Dan Coghlan in my time with Essendon,” he said.
“I also played with Nick Mee at the senior level of Vic Country as well, so it’ll be a good chance to catch up with them again.
“I’m not too sure on the other guys who have put their hands up, but they’ve got some very talented footballers there, guys like Sam Kerridge who have played at the AFL level.”
Demaria said the return of senior interleague was an opportunity cherished by local footballers.
“I remember when I was growing up, watching the old Country Championships that used to be televised on Channel 10,” he said.
“Back then the league was the Mid-Murray, and it was such a big thing for everyone.
“Then I was the coach back in 2019, and it felt like we were starting to make some ground in the interleague rankings.
“We’d just beaten Gippsland, and I think we jumped up to 11th in the league rankings before COVID came along and put an end to everything.
“We’ve still had junior interleague and the netball matches, but I think bringing it back to the senior football level really does build that sense of excitement.”
Players across the Central Murray and Golden Rivers football leagues can register their interest in playing interleague online until Sunday.
