#INFOCUS2018 | DONCASTER
- rlong69
- Mar 30, 2018
- 3 min read
By: Daniel Cencic
Twitter: @DC_EFL
Doncaster senior coach Andrew Tranquilli is confident his side can mix it with the best in Division 1.
The test of Blackburn awaits this afternoon when the Sharks travel out to Morton Park for the standalone Good Friday clash, as they meet the Panthers for a third consecutive time.
Finishing fourth in 2017, Doncaster came up against Blackburn in Round 18 of last year, followed by a 38-point elimination final loss that ended the Sharks’ campaign.
“We’re thinking that we’ve got a squad that can mix it with the best,” Tranquilli said.
“The last three games have been against Blackburn, and they’ve got the upper hand but we’ve shown signs we can match it with them.
“We’ve just got to watch their outside run and their speed with their spread – that’s a real strength of theirs.
“What we’ve worked on over summer and who we’ve picked up, we’re looking forward to a good contest.”
Returning to Schramms Reserve this season is former junior and Sharks premiership player Jesse Liebelt, who wanted to play at a higher level again this season, along with Todd Vander Haar – the son of Essendon great, Paul.
Vander Haar signed at the Sharks last season, but was unavailable due to commitments with Casey in the VFL, and has decided to play at local level this year.
Meanwhile, Doncaster has signed 2014 Shepparton Swans premiership captain Jesse Finnen from the Goulburn Valley Football League, who Tranquilli believes will be an invaluable addition to the line-up.
Outgoing players include Michael Battista (Heathcote District league), Daniel Cooper (South Croydon), Elliot Kavanagh (Ballarat league) and Luke Parker (Warrandyte).
“(Daniel Cooper) is a loss and he’s a quality player, but the players we’ve picked up are more than capable of fulfilling what he would have given us,” Tranquilli said.
“Daniel made a choice and South Croydon where he wanted to lay his hat to call home for this year and we wish him well.”
Seasoned veterans in ruckman Greg Jarvis, backman Matt Schimmelbusch and forward Josh Lumicisi are all set to go again, with the latter playing his 200th match in the big occasion today.
“They’ve had a good pre-season,” Tranquilli said.
“They’re still capable of playing senior football and (today) is Josh’s 200th game, so we’re looking forward to having a big one for him.”
Schimmelbusch has stood down as one of the Sharks’ captains, with 2017 Chandler medallist Chris Annakis announced as the club’s sole captain earlier this week.
“Chris has been our captain for the past three years, it’s just now he’s the sole captain – Matt Schimmelbusch has stepped down and has actually come on board as part of the coaching panel,” Tranquilli said.
“Chris now continues the captaincy in his own right and we’re looking forward to another step in development for him.”
Tranquilli says Doncaster has embraced the occasion of Good Friday footy.
“The only thing that I’ve had to sell to the boys is this will be your only opportunity to play potentially in front of anywhere between two to five thousand people,” he said.
“These opportunities don’t come very often and they’ve really embraced it.
“Once we put our heads down and said we really want to be a part of it, the whole club from players, committee, supporters really embraced it, (and) we’re looking forward to a good day.”
Can’t make it to the game? Catch all the action LIVE on EFL.org.au or tune in to 98.1FM from 1pm – 5pm for full coverage, including exclusive pre and post match interviews!
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