LANCASTER’s 2023 SENIOR SQUAD
Gus Underwood sums up the Lancaster players
1. Nic Ryan: Mobile forward ruckman who saves some of his best games for the big occasions.
2. Nic McAuliffe: Strong defender who thrives on one-on-one contests, rarely beaten.
3. Charlie McLay: Versatile who can play most positions well and is an noted finisher.
4. Tanner Zerrone: Midfielder half-forward who helped cover the loss of coach Tom Davies. Makes good decision with the ball in his hands.
5. Camerson Simpson: Tough hard-at midfielder who works tirelessly and inspires teammates. Will be a key player in the clash.
8. Sam Vick: Half-forward midfielder and a hard tackler who can drift forward and kick a goal.
9. Morrie Serra: First-year recruit who has been very consistent and reliable through the midfield around goals. Has had a big year.
12. Sam Spedding: Vice-captain and winger who is prepared to work hard to gain possessions. Good decision-maker with the ball in his hands.
14. Matthew Fleming: Tall defender who usually gets a role on, can take timely intercept marks, provides plenty of run from half-back.
16. Logan Demasi: Rejoined the club this season and has been a very reliable ad consistent defender.
20: Zaid Besim: Clever flanker who has had some injury setbacks this season but is up to this standard if he gets a call-up.
21. Zac Cerrone: Potential midfield match-winner who rarely plays a bad game. Dangerous when he drifts forward. Another key player in this clash.
28: Jake Mills: Ace forward capable of winning games off his own boot. Strong mark and reliable kick who loves the one-on-one contests.
31. Kyle Kydd: Hard-working winger who has good defensive skills and never gives up.
33: Brad Orr: Captain who leads by example. Gets in and under the pack and never beaten.
34: Jack Donnell: Has a strong set of hands who can hurt sides with his finishing skills. Had an injury in the last round and missed the first final.
35: Phil Carroll: Veteran warhorse who is the general in a strong defence. Reads the play particularly well.
36: Coby O’Neill: First ruck who has had a big year. Strong mark and a good finisher who will be a key player in this clash.
39: Luke Davies: Has had top season and is part of a very strong backline. Good interceptor and providers a lot of rebound.
43: Lachlan Boscarini: Enjoyed a big first season with club who switched from defence to the midfield and has starred. Among the best users of the ball in the side.
48: Ricky Thomson: Big frame and powerful player who competes with plenty of vigour and can hold down several positions.
53: Noah Sewell: First full season and has stepped up to hold a defensive spot. Has good composure when he’s got the ball in his hands and hits targets.
60: Luke Donnell: Well balanced and clever left footer who has played some good games on a wing when promoted.
61: Jamie Scapin: Goalkicking forward who has kicked goals in the senior and reserves sides this season. Competes in well in the air and at ground level.
Lancaster coach Tom Davies said the 2023 Kyabram and District Football League premiership was the one his club aimed at winning two years ago.
But it got a somewhat unexpected bonus last year when it not only made the grand final but upset the hot favourite Murchison-Toolamba in a day-long downpour.
‘‘When I took over as coach from Corey (Carver) at the end of 2021 season the club was looking to rebuild in 2022 and hopefully be in a position to have a red-hot crack this year. So it was a little unexpected to win last year but a nice bonus,’’ said Davies.
Davies believes some more additions to this season’s line-up has potentially made it a lot stronger and potent than last year’s flag-winning version.
But he is also quick to point out that being stronger on paper needs to be translated to the playing field and sometimes this doesn’t eventuate.
‘‘Finals are entirely different and it doesn’t matter what you have done all season; it’s what you do on this day that the whole season hinges on,’’ added Davies.
Lancaster has already beaten its rival on Saturday Nagambie comfortably twice this season and Davies has the confidence in his charges to get the job done again, but knowing this will be a lot tougher test.
Minor premier Nagambie comfortably accounted for an injury-hit Shepparton East in the preliminary final at Dookie on Saturday to earn the right to contest the premiership against Lancaster.
Davies believes the midfield tussles will be crucial in the outcome but has the confidence in ruckmen Coby O’Neill, Nic Ryan and Ricky Thomson to get on top and ground level ball players led by Cam Simpson, Zac and Tanner Cerrone, Brad Orr and Morrie Serra to provide the team’s forwards, led by potential match-winner Jake Mills, to kick a winning score against the Mark Nolan-led Lakers’ defence .
‘‘They also have some dangerous prime movers in their midfield led by Mark Wilson and Blake Fothergill so we will need to work hard to get on top,“ Davies said.
Davies is also confident Lancaster’s defence, led by experienced and big-game specialist Phil Carroll, can keep the Nagambie forwards, led by another veteran and proven goalkicker, Pat Rattray, to a losing score.
Davies, one of the stars of last year’s premiership triumph, won’t be on field to inspire his team this season.
He will direct traffic from the sidelines after suffering a cruel ACL tear midway through the season which will sideline him for up to a year.