Essendon District Football League interleague coach Mick McGuane knows what it’s like to play representative football and is bringing that experience to the EDFL’S interleague side.
McGuane, who also coaches Keilor in the premier division, played four State of Origin matches for Victoria.
And he said he expected the EDFL players to apply the same dedication to their task as he puts in to coaching the team.
The EDFL will play the Southern Football League on March 28 as part of AFL Victoria Metro Championships.
“The signature message to me from some of the most respected players in the league is that there is buy-in,” McGuane said.
“Anyone involved has an obligation to the league they are representing.
“We’ve come up with a group that we believe is going to be excited about representing the competition.”
The 39-player initial squad is an experienced one, with 10 players having previously been on AFL lists – Kyle Reimers, Luke Davis, Andrew Browne, Ryan Bathie, Gavin Urquhart, Michael Ross, Ash Arrowsmith, Adam Iacobucci, Josh Toy and Patrick Rose.
Last year’s EDFL grand finalists, Aberfeldie and Strathmore, have most players in the squad with six each.
The premier division’s joint leading goal kickers, Dean Galea and Patrick Rose, will again team up to lead the EDFL attack.
Greenvale has three representatives in the squad, Daniel Campisano, Stephen Brewer and Sam Zumbo.
All 10 premier division sides have players in the squad, including newly promoted West Coburg with two.
McGuane said while the squad was an experienced one, some younger players had also been included.
“The introduction of some developing young players is exciting for them to feed off the experience and wisdom of some of the senior players in the squad.
“We know the squad doesn’t equate to the 24 selected for the game so some players have to earn the right to be selected.”
Championships rules say only players who played in the EDFL in 2014 are eligible for selection, ruling out former AFL players Brock McLean and Jason and Cameron Cloke who joined in the off season.
Reigning Reynolds medalist Mark Blake wasn’t available for personal reasons.
