By Mark Perriman
Representative football returns to Warwick tomorrow with an QAFA Amateurs side taking on local lads the Darling Downs.
The regional rivals will faceoff at 2:30PM at Reddies Oval, in what will be prove to more than just a for city vs country.
The allure of representative football stems from pride and passion for the guernsey, of which will be at the forefront of tomorrow’s grassroots battle for regional bragging rights.
Late changes to the fixture saw QAFA coach Tim Pearson stepping up to the plate, calling upon QAFA players keen and eager to don representative colours.
Pearson notes that whilst preparations for the game have not been without the odd hiccup or two, he has been pleased with his side’s preparation.
“Two teams are playing this week, so we only really had seven teams to select from”, the QAFA coach revealed.
With leading goal kicker Alan Flower on board, Pearson believes the side is well balanced for form and age to make a fist of things.
“A good mixture. We have some elder statesmen, as well as some young guys, 17 and 19 year olds,” noted Pearson.
“But given Griffith Moorooka are 10-0, they were always likely to fill in some of the numbers anyway.”
Darling Downs Regional Manager Keith Webb revealed his selection delight and confidence in the players get the job done.
“It represents a good mix of youth, experience, versatility, size and pace,” he said.
“It gives us great confidence that the 22 selected players will gel well together and be committed to executing our game plan.”
Whilst suggesting the leadership qualities of captain Adam Bowater will be critical to the outcome, Webb also revelled in the pleasure of eight Warwick locals being included in the 22-man playing group.
“It’s also very pleasing that we have a number of players that are Darling Downs born and bred, which speaks volumes of the efforts by many in developing local DD talent,” added Webb.
With the visitors entering enemy territory on the back of a disrupted preparation, it will be interesting to see whether Pearson can get his boys up the clash against the local favourites.
Expecting a competitive encounter, he is hoping team spirit will be enough to get the boys over the line.
“Everyone is getting along well,” noted the coach.
“We had a bonding session Wednesday, and there is a compulsory bus ride up to the game.”
QAFA (A) TEAM
DECLYN GOODE (BEEN) NICK SPRING (RED) CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER (LOG)
ROBERT BUTLER (GM) HENRY PECKHAM (CAR) SAM JONES (PINE)
KYLE POWE (BEEN) JAY PARKER (GM) MATTHEW NICHOLSON (CAR)
BEN LONG (PINE) JAMES MASON (CAR) LUKE VALDES (GM)
CLINTON ROBSON (BEEN) ALAN FLOWER (GM) BRENT BURTON (PINE)
RUCKS
JORDIE GRAINGER (GM)
RHYS NOSSITER (CAR)
RICK SHAW (GM)
BENCH
NICHOLAS PEARSON (GM)
JACK PETERS (BEEN)
MICHAEL KETTWELL (PINE)
MATTHEW PEARCE (GM)
Captain – CLINTON ROBSON (BEEN)
Vice-Captain – ALAN FLOWER (GM)
