THE ALLIES will look to build on their opening National Championships win when they play host to Vic Country at IKON Park tomorrow. Five debutants are set to enter the representative stage, including four from Vic Country and three bottom-agers, making for an exciting look to the future.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: Allies vs. Vic Country
WHEN: Saturday July 5, 12:15pm AEST
WHERE: IKON Park, Carlton North
WATCH: Live stream via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

ALLIES:

B: 19. H. Wilson – 39. J. Houston – 33. A. Thomas
HB: 3. E. Matthews – 21. C. Nancarrow – 10. L. Carmichael
C: 7. D. Patterson – 20. D. Annable – 30. N. Chamberlain
HF: 24. M. King – 41. T. Murray – 26. C. Collins
F: 4. J. Miller – 38. K. White – 28. R. Hamilton
FOL: 40. I. Waller – 8. K. Coulson – 9. L. Wootton

INT: 6. T. Prindable, 12. B. Kane, 22. T. McMillan, 29. R. Corrigan, 32. H. Kyle

IN: E. Matthews, T. Murray
OUT: J. Hay, K. McNamara

Athletic tall Taj Murray comes back into the lineup after being a late out for last week’s win over Western Australia. It’s a straight swap in the tall department with Tasmanian Jasper Hay making way, while Kaiden McNamara comes out for Ethan Matthews among the defensive group. The latter, a classy ball user out of the Giants Academy, shapes as the only bottom-ager the Allies have called upon thus far.

VIC COUNTRY:

B: 25. A. Taylor – 34. H. Moon – 31. J. Russell
HB: 6. J. Lindsay – 15. H. Dean – 7. W. Duursma
C: 11. T. Sinnema – 22. R. Onley – 26. M. Stevens
HF: 3. N. Hibbins-Hargreaves – 17. J. Pickett – 5. H. Mikunda
F: 1. T. Byrne – 37. T. Ah-Mu – 14. J. Mellor
FOL: 38. Z. Harding – 24. B. Atkins – 29. C. Smith

INT: 2. M. Prasad, 10. J. Jackson-Leahy, 21. C. Walker, 27. J. Varlet, 28. D. Szerszyn

IN: J. Jackson-Leahy, J. Pickett, M. Prasad, J. Russell
OUT: M. Lee, W. Malady, Z. O’Keefe, J. Scapin

Another block of four rotations sees Vic Country promote a quartet of debutants – two being bottom-age train-ons, and the other two top-agers from outside the initial squad. Dandenong pair Jasper Russell and Marcus Prasad add to the small stocks at either end of the ground, sure to inject energy and run to the play. Geelong high-flyer Jack Pickett is the other 2008-born debutant alongside Prasad, while Bendigo midfielder-forward Jaidi Jackson-Leahy gets a shot to showcase his clean hands and sharp kicking.

ONES TO WATCH

ALLIES:

Lachlan Carmichael (Swans Academy/NSW)
Defender | 183cm | 27/08/2007

Carmichael was among the standouts in his side’s narrow win last week, providing calm ball use and measured decision making off half-back. Look for him to again be the Allies’ conductor when moving the ball in transition, able to change angles or help drive the ball forward with repeat running efforts. Considered a first round prospect coming into the year, he’s only solidifying that notion.

Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy/NSW)
Defender | 185cm | 04/09/2008

The latest Allies debutant, Matthews follows in the footsteps of new teammates Carmichael, Noah Chamberlain, and Daniel Annable in breaking through as a bottom-ager. He is now one of five Giants in the squad, poised to settle in either across half-back or with a rotation to the wing. The classy left-footer is a sound distributor with great poise and skill, while also being a gutsy competitor overhead.

Taj Murray (North Adelaide/NT)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 02/05/2007

A late out last week, Murray makes his way straight back into the Allies’ starting 18 after his four-goal haul in game one. The athletic Northern Territory native made a splash with his spring-heeled vertical leap and ability to take marks at the top of his reach. Look out for more of the same this time out along with competitive work in the ruck and some serious mobility for a big man. He’s full of raw talent.

VIC COUNTRY:

Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons)
Forward | 185cm | 04/01/2007

Mellor has been one of Vic Country’s best performed forwards, especially after booting three goals last week. The Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy member has made great strides this year as a powerful hybrid type, able to impact aerially and hit the scoreboard in bunches. His strong set of hands will come in handy amid clear conditions tomorrow – hopefully he can convert his chances.

Hugo Mikunda (Geelong Falcons)
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 13/03/2007

Mikunda is a clever small utility who has snuck under the radar after an injury-interrupted start to the year. He was just about best-on for Vic Country in last week’s loss with 18 disposals, nine marks and a goal. Mikunda also had 11 score involvements for a side which registered 17 scoring shots, proving how impactful he can be as a high forward. He’ll continue to provide connection and creativity.

Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
Tall Forward | 193cm | 06/03/2008

One of four debutants for Vic Country, Pickett arguably has the greatest potential to do something extraordinary each time he takes the field. The bottom-ager is a freak aerialist, able to present at the kicker full-chested and attack contests with vigour. He’s another player who can kick goals in bunches and will be keen to build off a promising three-goal performance for the Falcons last week.

WHERE IT’S WON

The midfield battle will be important in this game, especially considering the Allies having potentially a half-dozen players over 190cm who can roll through their forwardline. Their speed in transition is another weapon which will help make use of that aerial potential inside 50. The Vics also possess marking power in the front half and have a solid range of connecting forwards, along with size and grunt in the middle.

PREDICTION

Pre-championships, this would have been a relatively straightforward result to chalk up in the Allies’ favour. They got on the board last week and ran South Australia closer than any other side could – the Vics only hung with them for a half. The old adage says they get better with each passing game, too. Vic Country will be competitive, especially on home turf, but this is a tough ask. Allies by 14.