| EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS 16 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 4. Jackson Smith The X-factor for the Magpies. Has kicked 35 in 11 matches after a delayed start to the season. Has hit his straps in recent weeks with 17 goals in the past four games. A dangerous forward capable of the freakish, and will be used at centre clearances. 30. James Whelan Has returned to the club this season after another stint at Maffra. It’s been an injury interrupted season, but he has plenty of football smarts and is capable of turning it on when required. Experience could be a factor. 19. Ash Smith The only remaining member of the 2012 premiership side. The nuggety midfielder has played every game this season and always makes a contest and gives a good account of himself. Good at hitting up a forward target, hasn’t kicked as many goals this season as in the past, but dangerous with hands close to goal. 34. Matthew Hinks Has played some handy games at half back since crossing from Lexington Bamawn this season. Out of favour at present, but ready to go and won’t disappoint if given the opportunity. Uses the ball well. 20. Dion Grace First choice ruckman for years, now occupying the number two role. Still a great tap ruckman and has a good set of hands. As the second ruckman option he will test the ruck depth of the opposition. 20. Toby Leeds The surprise inclusion in the preliminary final after five reserves matches in five years, Leeds isn’t short of ability or confidence. Was serviceable in his return and will need to lift this week when asked to partner Wilkinson against Deon Grace and Jake Richards. 21. Joel McNamara The four-time best and fairest winner leads the engine room. Racks up the possessions at will while being hard at the contest and making his opponents earn every kick. Rarely plays a bad game and is a good user of the ball by both hand and foot. 1. Daniel Johnson Onballer who plays with his heart on his sleeve, works hard at the centre bounces creating plenty of space for Porter and Glenane, while is in and under and is often the last man up. Can be used as a tagger and can be assured if it gets rough and ready he won’t take a backward step. LUCKNOW SENIORS BOISDALE BRIAGOLONG SENIORS 24. Shaun Mooney The region’s coaching mastermind who yearns for another premiership. Still capable of matching it on the field, down back where he is a calming influence with plenty of poise, or forward hitting the scoreboard, as he did in the semi final. 2. Brandon Rimington Can be used as the extra forward or back. Certainly hasn’t been as prolific around goals this season as he can be, but more than capable of lighting it up if given space. Tough and puts his head over the ball. 25. Stevie Bertino Reliable half back flanker who gives his all. Courageous and can put clamps on the opposition’s best small forward. A deceptively good mark for his size. 3. Cal Egan The rejuvenated forward has been one of the surprises of 2024 after spending the entire 2023 season in the reserves. Always makes a contest up forward, often bringing the ball to ground so that the Bomber mosquito fleet can go to work. A good kick for goal. 37. Glen Perkins Hard running wingmen who adds run and carry to the Magpie game. Tried as an onballer during the season but much more at home on the wing where he is both an offensive and defensive threat. 5. Nicoll Sandison Has returned to the side in the final month of the season after it looked like injury would cruel his campaign. Has slotted in across half back where his strong marking and courage have been to fore in recent weeks. Will get a dangerous tall in the grand final and expect him to rise to the occasion. 40. Jack Saulle A youngster with an old head who is still eligible for the thirds. Used primarily as a back, but can run through the midfield. Good overhead and a booming kick which can be seen on display at kick outs. 7. Tim Dessent The helmet might be gone in 2024 but the trademark endeavour, courage and commitment are still there for all to see. Has added goalkicking to his repertoire this season and can be used forward or back. Expected to play a vital role as a high half forward in the grand final. 43. Jessie Pescod The excitement machine is usually where the serious action takes place. Heart and soul defender with a huge leap and thirst for the contest. Can go forward and be hard to contain. Crossed from Orbost Snowy Rovers at start of season and has had another good year. 8. Billy Marshall The team of the year defender has had another consistent season across in back half, while still using the exquisite skills he used when one of the competition’s premier midfielders not long ago. His long raking kicks are valuable in clearing from defence on windy days. 45. Sam Park Mr reliable. A quiet achiever in the back half who often gets the big jobs to allow Nelson to impact as an intercept option. Plays tall and is adept at ground level. Might concede a goal or two but rarely a bag. 10. Thomas Bradshaw Hasn’t reached the heights of 2023, but showed in the preliminary final that a big performance is just around the corner. Hard running half back who reads the play well and uses it to advantage. 48. Zack Smith The former Ovens Murray player has plenty of ability and will be a key component in the midfield in the quest to quell the influence of Porter, Jolly and Glenane. Hard nosed and knows how to win the contested ball. 13. Nick Marshall Another solid season in defence with the hard running left footer on the periphery of the league team of the year. Can play short or tall and become an attacking wingmen if need be. Consistent, rarely plays a bad game. 5. Ryan Halford Has had an injury interrupted season but has enormous pace and ability to carry the ball. Vital contribution in the semi final and is a quick starter who makes an impression on games right from the first bounce. 14. Ryan Marshall The quiet achiever in the Bomber back six, doesn’t get the kudos of his older brothers or Andrew Quirk, but just as effective and doesn’t know who to put in a bad performance. Good user of the ball by both hand and foot. 7. Nick Mooney Youngster still eligible for the thirds, possesses serious ability and the character to match. Can play forward and fly for marks where he hits the scoreboard or be used as a key line breaker. Built for the big stage. 17. Matt Wilkinson The big fella has taken all before him this season. Has assumed the number one ruck mantle and made it his own, his efforts earning him the runner-up trophy in the league best and fairest. Can go forward and take a big grab but has struggled to convert in 2024. 8. Andrew Nelson Has crossed from Bairnsdale this season and had a huge impact down back. Outstanding intercept mark who has seldom been beaten in one-on-one contests. A cool customer who weighs up the options before delivering adequately by hand or foot. Key player. Premiership player with Narre Warren in 2013. 23. Jackson Glenane Crossed this season after a long career at Sale. A smooth mover with an accurate left foot which often hits gun forward Jimmy Reeves on the chest. Complements the midfield set up and knows where to get to get the hands from the smart Kel Porter. 26. Rhys Johnson A tough half back who never takes a backward step, making his opponent earn every kick. Can get a bit excited but his attack on the football could never be questioned. Might have to play tall in the grand final which may test him. 33. Andrew Quirk Mr reliable who has been rarely beaten since joining the Bombers in 2021 after a stellar career at Sale. Plagued with knee problems, but still rolls out for the big games, marking timely in defence or punching with the iron fist. 41. Shaymus Wain Talented wingman who can rise to the occasion. Will be keen to bounce back after a sub par effort in the preliminary final. Covers plenty of territory, getting back to assist the defenders, and is capable of bursting forward and kicking a goal. 43. Jim Reeves The skipper and spiritual leader, blessed with mercurial ability, can fly high and hunt at ground level. Has a big heart and bleeds black and red. Big game player who can use his leg speed to get into a contest if the pickings are bare close to goal. A player to watch. 31. Kyran McNaughton Another solid effort in the reserves on preliminary final day sees him in the mix to replace the suspended Brendan Flinn. Has been solid in six senior appearances this season and more than capable of holding his own if given the nod. 57. Paddy Mack A straight lined half back and wingman who can be used as a stopper. Never shirks the issue and is fearless, often sneaks forward and bobs up with a goal. Won’t leave anything out there. 74. Will Brunt The talented left footer wasn’t prolific in the preliminary final but did some telling things, including a clutch mark in the final minutes and kicked a crucial goal from outside 50 in the third quarter. His experience and poise will be invaluable. 24. Logan Croucher Youngster who looms as the logical replacement for Brendan Flinn after a best on ground performance in the reserves in the preliminary final. Has played five senior matches this season while still being eligible for thirds and hasn’t looked out of his depth. Could play midfield if need be. 9. Kel Porter Still the best player in the competition at 34, a crucial clearance player, who never wastes a possession, bringing his teammates into the game. Born for the big occasion, as he showed in several grand finals when at Maffra, expect another huge performance. 27. Jake Green Returned to the club this year after an absence. Courageous half forward with enormous ability. Injured in the middle part of the season but has put together some serious game time in recent weeks and is close to a big performance. 99. Sam Bedggood The coach will be hoping to end his tenure with a well-deserved premiership. The Bombers have improved each season under his reign and a crowning moment is within arms reach. Started the season as a half back, before converting to a crumbing forward mid season. Has kicked 29 goals this season. 41. Connor McAuliffe After concentrating on playing soccer for several seasons, starting playing football mid season in the reserves and immediately impressed. A tall wingman who can take a mark or make a contest against the tall opponents, very athletic and kicks it a mile. Surprise packet. 11. Jesse Glassborow The skipper who is equally adept at half back as he is in the midfield, where he has moved since the injury to Nick George. A great leader who lets his actions tell the story, both skillful and fearless. 13. Jake Richards Ruck/forward who has assumed the number one rucking duties. Possesses with a huge leap which he uses to his advantage at centre bounces, while is more than capable of taking a big mark and hitting the scoreboard when he goes forward. Could give his side an armchair ride. 14. Dallas Smith A talented forward who is usually good for one or two goals a game. Can get on a roll and be dangerous to stop, has good hands and is a good kick. If he has a day out, it will be in a premiership side. 16. Bayley Croucher Youngster who has returned this year after a season off. Hasn’t been at his best but has shown glimpses. Good overhead and a nice kick, can be used as a forward or as a wingman. Capable of shining on the big stage. 6. John Gooch A new addition to the roster in 2024 who has added plenty of grunt as a dangerous forward or as midfielder who finishes the job as good as any. Has a Gippsland League premiership medallion in his collection from his days at Sale. Won’t be overawed by the occasion. 10. Damian Hodder A young veteran who hasn’t played since doing his hamstring in round 14 against Wy Yung. Seen as a like-for-like replacement for Brendan Flinn, who is capable of having a serious scoreboard impact on his day. 28. Broden Kewish Played 17 consecutive games before missing out on the preliminary final side. Honest wingman and half back with plenty of scope. Faces a tough task to regain his spot. 19. Tom Jolly Has put together two exceptional seasons since crossing from Maffra. Can be used in the midfield or forward. Loves to hit the scoreboard and works well with Porter at the centre clearances when sent in to pinch hit. A good user of the ball by both hand and foot.
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