The second match day of the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League arrives on Sunday — and with it another round of GVBBL Fantasy.
The key to success in round one was clearly having a dominant captain — with Cobram Panel Works Panthers marquee Jack Craig starring — but selecting the biggest names will certainly hold coaches in great stead.
Craig produced stellar work with bat and ball and selecting all-round talents in your fantasy outfit is again an astute approach for when the competition lands at Cobram this weekend.
Having a playing emergency is also crucial, as squads from the four franchises will not be set in stone until Sunday morning most weeks.
To recap, send your GVBBL Fantasy team to sport@sheppnews.com.au to enter the running to win $300 cash thanks to Crane Aid and a $200 voucher from Kookaburra.
You did not have to have a team in round one to win the prize, but you do have a bit of ground to make up — 476 points to be exact.
Some of the sports team have again given you their thoughts and teams ahead of the round to guide you — whether that be in the right or wrong direction is up to you.
THE NEWS TEAMS
Choir of Eckard Knocks
Coach: Tyler Maher
James Nanopoulos (captain)
Adam Ward
Paul Newman
Jack Craig
Scott Edwards
Michael Eckard
Jack Neylon
Hamish Winter-Irving (vice-captain)
Joel Brett
Grant Hutchins
Rehan Bari
Jake Burge (12th man)
Comments: It was not quite a disaster for the Choir in round one, but there remains plenty of work to do. Picking two players who did not take to the field was not ideal, so this round we are trying to luck into a 12 which all garner points. You have to pick Netherlands international Scott Edwards — and then search him up on YouTube — while James Nanopolous and Adam Ward will add plenty to the Hounds. We wanted to pick Stuart Turner after his round one heroics, but just could not squeeze him in.
Dragon Cass-idy's Majors
Coach: Aydin Payne
James Nanopoulos (captain)
Scott Edwards (vice-captain)
Jack Craig
Layton McCann
Paul Newman
Peter Cassidy
Mitch Winter-Irving
Andrew Hogan
Joel Brett
Josh McDonald
Jack Neylon
Michael Eckard (12th man)
Comments: Last week was possibly my best opening round of any fantasy competition that I have entered. I’m thinking I should pull together a team at the last minute more often.
In terms of my side for round two, the main players all remain from the first round. Peter Cassidy, Jack Craig, Joel Brett and Paul Newman had big scores, so it was a no-brainer to lock them in again.
Andrew Hogan gets a gig after his sublime first round, but knowing our luck, he’ll fork out a low total (let’s hope the stars align again).
Premier Cricket maestro James Nanopolous was a no-brainer, the bloke takes wickets for fun down in Dandenong and can hit the ball a mile. Looks a solid captain’s choice.
Strathdale big-hitter Jack Neylon slots in too. A video that the Mud Dogs shared on their social media was enough to sway me. And the Panthers’ international recruit Scott Edwards slapped a silly 137 not out off 39 deliveries. I may have seen better bowling in local C-grade matches, but it’s not everyday an international batsman lines up on our pitches.
The Overthrows
Coach: Max Stainkamph
James Nanopoulos (vice-captain)
Jack Neylon
Jack Craig
Peter Cassidy
Adam Ward (captain)
Jake Burge
Mitch Brett
Paul Newman
Scott Edwards
Michael Eckard
Mitch Winter-Irving
Jedd Wright (12th man)
Comments: Round one of GVBBL Fantasy nailed home some obvious truths. The first was you need to pick playing players, which is tough when sides aren’t naming squads until the coin toss. Nonetheless, if you want points you’re gonna want someone who’s bowling with a whole heap of points on offer for a wicket.
So, I’m targeting the men who’ll do some damage with the ball — I’m not backing any ability to pick this week’s Andrew Hogan who’ll star with the bat. Some big ins this week from the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds, too, who I’m slotting right into my side, as well as an international player, if you don’t mind.
GVBBL FRANCHISE SQUADS
SRP MUD DOGS
Mitch Winter-Irving (captain)
Hamish Winter-Irving (marquee)
Layton McCann (marquee)
Jack Neylon (marquee)
Jake Burge
Taylor Beard
Riley Gow
Rhys Irwin
Angus Martin
Mitch Troy
Kobyn James
Mason Reeves
Brendan Scott
Joel Brett
Keegan Armstrong
Alastair McCann
Liam Smith
JARVIS DELAHEY CRUSHERS
Josh McDonald (captain)
Liam Buchanan (marquee)
Peter Cassidy (marquee)
Tim Ludeman (marquee)
Rhiley Lau
Mitch Brett
Grant Hutchins
Rehan Bari
Stephen Barrett
Fraser Ellis
Stuart Turner
Brad O’Shea
Ramadan Yze
Dwain Vidler
Ash Saunders
Corey Hickford
Connor Holland
HURLEY’S HOTEL HOUNDS
James Nanopoulos (marquee)
Tom Donnell (marquee)
Paul Newman (marquee)
Todd Murphy (marquee)
Kyle Mueller
Jedd Wright
Brenton Campbell
Jackson McLay
Michael Archer
Adam Ward
Dylan Cuttriss
Darin Ohlsen
Sean Williams
Matt Hinks
Jesse Barker
Scott Morris
Jake Gascoyne
COBRAM PANEL WORKS PANTHERS
Matt Jaensch (captain)
James Seymour (marquee)
Jack Craig (marquee)
Jackson Koop (marquee)
Scott Edwards (marquee)
Ash Borella
Drew Cameron
Andrew Hogan
Tyron Baden
Brad Todd
Dan Ellis
Zac Simmonds
Lachie Hyde
Isaac Willett
Adam De Cicco
Michael Eckard
Ben Fulford
Lachlan McMillan
More local sport
After The Jack returns for the new year
Lochinvar Art tackling small field in Shepparton Gold Cup
Football news | Teagan Brett joins VFLW ranks, Harry Boyd heads to Norwood