‘Monument’ to take toppling
A LOT of influential people have worn the No.29 jumper in the game of Australian football.
Geelong pair Gary Ablett and Ken Hinkley, Garry Wilson at Fitzroy, Kevin Bartlett at Richmond and North Melbourne superstar Brent Harvey are just some.
The brains trust at NTFL club Nightcliff would do well to add another name to that list at PSC BM (Nightcliff) Oval this afternoon.
Palmerston Magpie Matthew Dennis is a rare breed of the black and white bird known more for its habit of swooping on an unsuspecting pedestrian than playing a prominent role in winning football matches.
But this Magpie is different. A 200cm giant, Dennis can mark, jump and run with the best of them.
His ability to get the ball to teammates like Sam Talbot and Peter Nash at the seaside ground will be crucial for Alwyn Davey’s Magpies as they chase a second straight win to start the 2018-19 NTFL season.
Nightcliff boss Chris Baksh has already hinted at a double team act on Dennis, throwing ruckmen Jonno Miles and Blake Penney in against the player some fans are calling the “Monument’’.
Dennis’ reply to how he will handle the two twin towers from Tigerland was predictable: “They can only throw one of them at me at a time so I’ll see how I go from there.
“The important thing is the players are up after the win over Waratah and it’s given them confidence.’’
The Magpies have named last season’s Rising Star Rodney Baird at fullback and workaholic utility Aaron Lonergan in a forward pocket where he is likely to change with rover Sam Talbot.
They will need big games from their Elcho Island connection of Lochlan Dhurrkay and Ralph Dhamarrandji if they are to beat a home side keen to add to their opening round win against St Mary’s.
Defender Kaine Riley was in stellar form last week and Trent Melville showed he will be an important addition to Nightcliff’s forward half.
Baksh will want a confidence building win over the Magpies with a tough five weeks of football in front of his side, including beachside rivals Waratah at Gardens Oval and the Tiwi Bombers on Bathurst Island a week later.