Carey Park optimistic on road

Richard Barnard’s Carey Park will travel to Donnybrook on Saturday afternoon — and like the town’s famous apples — Barnard hopes the Dons may be ripe for the picking.

“With Donnybrook being the reigning premiers, we will show them the respect they deserve,” he said. “But we are heading out to Donnybrook in the hunt for the four points.

“Obviously their strength is in the midfield. I feel that if we can match it with them one versus one in the middle and around the ground, it will go a long way towards getting the victory.”

Barnard confirmed experienced midfielder Rory O’Brien will make his debut for the Panthers while rising stars Sheldon Hough, Zane Verhaaf and Blake Helgeland could all push for selection this week.

Later in the afternoon at Busselton, the Magpies open the 2019 campaign against the Lions, who are brimming with confidence under the guidance of new coach John Baggetta.

Harvey Bulls and Bunbury complete Saturday’s solid slate of match-ups at the Harvey Recreation Oval, with Craig Nicholls guiding the home side for the first time in his tenure.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Collie Eagles entertain Brett Maguire’s Eaton Boomers.

Fixtures

Saturday: 2.20pm Augusta-Margaret River v South Bunbury at Gloucester Park, Donnybrook v Carey Park at VC Mitchell Park; 4.40pm Busselton v Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Harvey Bulls v Bunbury at Harvey Recreation Oval.

Sunday: 2.20pm Collie Eagles v Eaton Boomers at Collie Recreation Ground.