New team determined not to follow in Gold Coast's footsteps

By Stephanie Muir
Updated November 7 2012 - 2:35pm, first published April 5 2011 - 12:39am
LEAPING INTO ACTION: Mangoplah coach Chris Willis, pictured taking an impressive mark ahead of Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong�s Jesse Lander, is expecting a tough battle with Riverina Football League newcomer Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka on Saturday. Picture: Les Smith
LEAPING INTO ACTION: Mangoplah coach Chris Willis, pictured taking an impressive mark ahead of Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong�s Jesse Lander, is expecting a tough battle with Riverina Football League newcomer Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka on Saturday. Picture: Les Smith

riverina football leagueMANGOPLAH coach Chris Willis is convinced Collingullie will not replicate the Gold Coast Suns debacle when it makes its Riverina Football League debut.Collingullie-Ashmont Kapooka will open its Riverina Football League campaign against Mangoplah-Cookardinia-United Eastlakes on Saturday.The Demons became the newest addition to the Riverina Football League this season after earning a place in the top competition under the promotion and relegation system.Critics have been quick to question the Demons' Riverina Football League credentials, claiming the team will not have the depth or talent to cope in the stronger competition. In much the same way as sceptics panned fledging AFL club Gold Coast; some pundits do not believe the Demons will replicate their domination of the Farrer League in the Riverina Football League.Willis was yesterday quick to dispel suggestions Mangoplah is quietly confident of an easy four points to open its tally."We are expecting it to be a real challenge," he said."They will be absolutely raring to go and we will need to be on our A game from the start to make a game of it."From what we have seen and heard they are a very well-drilled team that sticks well to their game plan."They are also a fairly fast team that, across the board, doesn't really have any weak links."They are a solid whole unit."Further stressing Mangoplah's respect for its new opponent Willis yesterday went as far as to say he expects Collingullie will be in line for a top-five finish."They will be good ? they will push the top five," he said."You only have to look at their history to see they know how to win games and how to take challenges."I think they are more than ready to come into the Riverina league and a lot of sides will be expecting a tough contest with them."No one would make the mistake of taking them easy."Willis yesterday said Demons stars Josh Meiselback and Marc Geppert have the potential to cause plenty of headaches for Mangoplah on Saturday."Josh is a big bloke that can run ? that's a powerful combination," he admitted."Gep (Geppert), down at full-forward, is one of their best players."We will be looking to stop the supply to him because he is very good one-on-one and could cause a few problems."Willis is confident Mangoplah will be at full strength for the clash with Collingullie.A large crowd is expected to pack Mangoplah Sports Ground for the first round rumble.Not only is new-comer Collingullie generating plenty of interest ahead of the blockbuster, Mangoplah's off-season recruit Andrew Lieschke is sure to help pull in a big audience."Andrew Lieschke will make his debut back with the club on Saturday," Willis said."He played his junior football for Mangoplah but has been playing away for the last few years."

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