Picking a team of the year for the Omeo and District Football Netball League isn’t always an easy task, with players rarely playing all the games, some racking up enough just to qualify for finals.
The Advertiser have settled on a mark of eight games minimum for selection and has come up with a side full of talent and firepower.
The two key back positions pick themselves, with the competition’s leading full back of the last decade Tom King (Swifts Creek) getting one book end, while the centre half back spot goes to Omeo Benambra’s Chris Wheeler, who has both been unbeatable and impassable this season since crossing from Wy Yung.
Wheeler has a great set of hands and is seldom beaten in a one-on-one contest.
The back pocket and half back flank positions are all interchangeable and offer plenty of run and carry. Griffin Sherritt leads the pack, as adept at ground level as he is over head, he’s had an outstanding year for the Lindenow South after returning for a stint at Buchan.
Will Matthews is a key member of the Bruthen back six, his ability to read the play and dish to a teammate by hand or foot makes him an easy selection.
He’s also great at finding the correct option at kick outs, which is an underrated art and a key component in any backline.
Nathan Hayes (Swifts Creek) and Todd Redenbach (Omeo Benambra) both have had impressive years, Redenbach showing he’s lost none of the ability he showed as a youngster.
Hayes is the captain of the Demons, leading by example and with plenty of enthusiasm, fearless with his attack on the ball matched by very few in the competition.
The on-ball brigade is lead by Swifts Creek’s ruckman Andrew Sandy, who has taken all before him in 2024. He’s led the mid season resurgence with his ability to punch the ball to advantage, where players such as Beau Hack have benefitted significantly.
The centre circle brigade is rounded off by Nathan Pollard (Lindenow South), Beau Hack (Swifts Creek) and Josh Piper (Omeo Benambra).
Pollard needs no introduction, the best player the competition has produced in this millennium. After a season at Maffra in the Gippsland League, where he drew a game with Bairnsdale after the siren, he’s returned to the Swampies and continued to rack up possessions at will.
Beau Hack has had another great season, culminating in a league best and fairest, his performance in the final quarter of the preliminary final getting his side home.
Piper is a good old fashioned quarterback, the link between his side’s exceptional half backline of Redenbach, Wheeler and James Cottrell, and the side’s talented and prolific forward line that contains Harry Warfe, James Gibbs and former AFL star Ryan Harwood.
The forward six is star studded and oozes talent and class, one forward flank sees the much-decorated Harley Kenner (Bruthen), who has a handful of league best and fairest trophies on his mantlepiece. Kenner is a great kick for goal when afforded the opportunity to play inside the arc and almost unbeatable one-on-one.
Swifts Creek coach Connor Harvey lines up at centre half forward. He’s kicked 61 goals in 17 matches this season and has played considerable game time in the middle when his side has been short of midfielders. It’s no surprise his side has played its best football when he is roaming around the forward 50 kicking goals at will.
After another consistent year Aidan Hayward takes the other forward flank spot with brother Jai plying his trade elsewhere in 2024, the younger brother has come out of shadow and become a competition “A” grader. He lacks nothing in courage and is creative by both hand and foot.
Closer to goal, the competition’s leading goal kicker, Harry Warfe picks himself with 87 goals in 16 matches. He could he bring up 100 in a grand final.
It’s a long-shot but not impossible, he’s been a revelation as a small forward since crossing from Lakes Entrance with plenty of hype during the pre-season.
Bruthen’s Jirra Moffat gets the nod at full forward after slotting 57 goals in 13 matches from a combination of fast leads and football smarts when the ball hits the ground. His kicking is accurate and he works hard to keep the ball inside the forward arc.
The high flying Jordan Hack is a perfect foil for Warfe and Moffat, he’s kicked 39 goals in nine matches and has caused plenty of headaches for sides with his ability to fly high or mark impressively on the lead.
Interchange players are important in this day and age with rotations a plenty. Campbell Ahsam has been a key component of the Alpine Ranges success, he gets the job as the back up ruckman to Sandy. James Turner (Swifts Creek) has had another great year at half back for the Demons and is sure to have a big job on grand final day. Jan Cabaybay (Bruthen) has impressed in the midfield, after making the move from Wy Yung, he’s possesses plenty of pace and courage. Omeo’s Benambra’s Jordan Robertson is vitally important in their midfield structure, the former Stratford premiership player’s pace and carry ideal for High Country football. Will O’Keefe (Lindenow South) continues to develop and get better each season for the Swampies and is beginning to have a greater scoreboard presence, which rounds his game, while veteran Brodie Cameron still racks up impressive numbers and is hard to beat at the stoppages.
