HAMPDEN league officials believe they could have their strongest representative side for several years to take on the Ovens and Murray at Warrnambool.
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Despite more than half of the Bottle Greens’ 42-man squad having never represented the league, coach Chris McLaren is excited by their prospects for the May 21 showdown.
“We expected Hampden to name a strong list and it looks like they have,” Ovens and Murray co-coach Jon Henry said.
“While we are concentrating on ourselves at the minute before our training starts next week, we will certainly be finding out what we can on the opposition.”
The Hampden league’s two powerhouses, Warrnambool and Koroit, have the most players in the squad with eight and seven.
Former Collingwood VFL player Tim Hunt is in the squad.
“Potentially we could field the strongest team we’ve had for quite a while,” McLaren said.
“I’m rapt with the squad.
“It’s a strong squad but that doesn’t always mean a strong team because of availability and injuries.”
Although Henry said the Ovens and Murray had several injury concerns, he believes the squad remains in good shape three weeks before the match.
Wodonga’s Brett Doswell injured his groin against Wodonga Raiders on Anzac Day while Raiders captain Jack Di Mizio is battling the same complaint.
North Albury’s Shaun Mannagh and Corowa-Rutherglen’s Jay O’Donoghue have been selected in the senior and under-19 squads.
Mannagh enhanced his prospects with a four-goal performance against ladder leader Albury at Bunton Park on Anzac Day.
The Ovens and Murray will train together for the first time at Lavington Oval next Wednesday.
