Coach has youth on his side

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault coach John Baggetta is excited about several young players who could make a difference for his side against Donnybrook at Brunswick Oval on Sunday.

Such is the depth of quality in the Lions’ den, Baggetta feels it will truly be a team effort in reaching September.

“There are three kids in particular and two of them, Geoffrey Saunders and Liam Shepherd, have already played league,” he said.

“The other, Reid Kinninmont, may debut in the next few weeks. They are probably the three stand outs from our younger brigade.

“They would be playing league football week-in, week-out in any other side and are probably unlucky to not be playing.

“Saunders has probably played six of our 14 games and Shepherd has played two and in their games they have been amongst our better players.”

Last time both sides met in round nine at VC Mitchell Park, the Lions bolted out of the gate early, before the Dons charged home with a wet sail to finish seven points short.

It was a physical game and the Lions coach is tipping things will be equally arduous on Sunday.

“Playing these better sides we think it is going to take pretty much four quarters of footy,” he said.

“But at any stage we’ve proven to have the ability in bursts to probably blow games open so we will again be looking to play a consistent brand across four quarters.

“We think they have got pretty good coverage across the line and we’ll be out to take advantage of that.”

The Dons enter the game on the back of an impressive 95-point victory over the Harvey Bulls, along with retaining the Hickman Cup.

Despite missing Kieran Hug, Dillon Parker and Nicholas Martin, the reigning premiers looked strong and Dons coach Julian Burgess was impressed with how many of his younger players applied themselves.