ARARAT Eagles will be looking to record their first win for 2016 when they host Caramut this Saturday in the Mininera and District Football League.
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Coach Brian Jenkins said on Wednesday he has virtually a full list to choose from. The only exception is his nephew, Aaron Jenkins, who was suspended for one match prior to the interleague break.
Despite sitting on the bottom of the table without a win, Jenkins said his team has improved from 2015. Ararat Eagles have a realistic chance of winning against Caramut, who are sitting one spot above in 11th position.
“We give ourselves a chance, all things going well,” Brian Jenkins said.
“It’s an important game for us and we’ve been playing pretty good footy. This weekend will be the closest to a full side I’ve had all year.
“I’m reasonably happy with how we’re going. Only one side – Glenthompson-Dunkeld – has kicked over 20 goals against us this season. I think there were more teams doing that against us last year.”
Jenkins remains realistic about his side in 2016.
“I wouldn’t think we’d be troubling the stronger sides in the competition, but there is certainly improvement there,” he said.
“The feedback we get from opposition teams is also telling us that. They’ve been quite impressed with the way we attack the footy, and our tackling pressure.
“We get it in the forward 50 no worries, but just don’t have the bigger blokes to take a mark and kick a goal.”
Stand out players for Ararat Eagles so far this season include the club’s younger brigade in Barlee Maxwell, Ben Robertson, Zac Jenkins and Fred Stokes.
Maxwell is a rugby league convert, who started playing AFL in 2015. He started the season on the half back flank and moved onball.
Nathan Wemyss and Aaron Jenkins are the elder statesmen of the side. Both players regularly appear in the Ararat Eagles’ best and would be the front runners for the club best and fairest at the moment.
The Cooles, Mark and Justin, have also been solid so far in 2016.
Jenkins hopes the interleague break has freshened his side up as it looks to take more positive steps during the second half of the season.
In other Mininera matches, Moyston-Willaura travels to play Woorndoo-Mortlake, SM&W Rovers are at home to Penshurst while Tatyoon and Lismore-Derrinallum face off in a grand final rematch.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac welcomes Glenthompson-Dunkeld and Great Western is away to Hawkesdale-Macarthur at Macarthur.