Mid South East Football League playing coach Clint Gallio expects his team will acquit themselves well in Saturday’s historic game against the new Limestone Coast Football League at Blue Lake Sports Park in Mount Gambier.
Despite some key players having to withdraw due to injury or illness, Gallio said he and fellow selector Reece Duncan will choose a team capable of victory.
The pair have a good knowledge of the opposition having recent experience against players in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League.
Assisting them with their footy smarts and nous are Tantanoola coach Jack Dawe and Kongorong mentor Cam Sandercock.
Saturday’s team will be announced tonight (Thursday) after the third and final training run at Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr.
The Mid SE selectors would have liked to have played Hatherleigh coach Tom Hutchesson but he has been unwell.
Another first-choice selection to miss will be Robe’s Mail Medallist Tom Wachtel who will be resting an injured knee.
Nevertheless, Gallio is confident there are plenty of other options on hand.
“Blue Lake Sports Park is big, wide and long and said to be the same dimensions as the MCG,” Gallio said.
“The Mid SE will field a team with speed, fitness and talent. It will be fast footy with lots of rotations.”
Having coached the Western Border interleague team in 2023, Gallio is well aware of the potential of the opposition.
He has singled out Frazer Bradley, Jake Schultz, Mitch Sims and Nick McInerney as the Limestone Coast players likely to pose the most headaches for the Mid SE.
As he enters his 16th season of senior football, Gallio remains passionate about interleague and representative football.
“I love playing at the next level as there is fun and you also meet new people,” he said.
“You cannot play footy forever and so you have to do it while you can.”
There are a couple of other reasons why Gallio is keen to secure bragging rights.
His Millicent workplace Big Trev’s Gas and Plumbing has four tradies likely to play on Saturday.
Along with Gallio, Hatherleigh ruckman Sam Waring will be pulling on the red and black guernseys.
They are set to take on workmates and Millicent players Kade Varcoe and Sam Willis.
The other motivation for Gallio is that former Mount Burr and Millicent teammate Tom Renzi is at the helm of the Limestone Coast.
