THE Ovens and King Football Netball League officially launched its 2012 interleague campaign this week by announcing star Tarrawingee mentor Finton Eames as the senior football coach.
After missing interleague action in 2011 the OandK senior side will play the Picola and District North West Football League on Saturday, May 26 at the Barooga Sports Ground.
Peter Hines will coach the under 18 team, which will play the Kyabram and District Football League in a curtain raiser to the senior match.
Eames, who is held in high regard throughout the league, said he was excited about taking on the job.
"I'm absolutely rapt," he said.
"Rick Lawford rang me a couple of months ago and said they were looking at going down the path of a playing coach.
"I've always been a big supporter of rep footy so I basically said yes straight away."
Helping Eames choose the side will be five-time Moyhu premiership skipper Andrew Balfour, Bright's VCFL representative Steve Nightingale and current Greta senior coach Daniel McLaughlin.
Eames said his three selectors were almost certain to be picked if they put their hands up.
"I'm hoping they'll be part of the side but that's up to them," he said.
"They'll help me select the side and if they want to play then they probably will."
But it wasn't just his fellow selectors that Eames is hoping will be available as he called on the rest of the competition to show their support to interleague football.
"It's a hard one because people don't want to get injured and then ruin their normal season," he said.
"But I hope this season the players embrace it.
"It's the first time we've been noted on the VCFL top 20 list."
OandK chairman Peter Byrne said while choosing Eames as a playing coach was somewhat different to past mentors, he said the league was confident he would do a great job.
"A playing coach is certainly something a bit unusual for interleague football, but we are excited by the prospect of Finton leading from the front on the field and trust he'll do a fantastic job in coaching the side also," Byrne said.
Eames said he and his fellow selectors would meet within the next two weeks to select a squad of around 30 and discuss training dates.
By - JEREMY WILSON.
www.nenews.com.au
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LEADER: Finton Eames will lead the Ovens and King interleague team after recently being appointed by the league.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
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Last Modified on 20/04/2012 12:13