Saturday, July 31, 2010

Colin Shepherd to play his 500th game on Sunday


Photo: Colin Shepherd...will make his 500th senior appearance on Sunday [PlessPix]


Colin Shepherd will play his 500th senior football match when he takes the field for Beachside in their home match against DOSA at Sandown Park on Sunday.


The veteran has starred in the past for University, New Town Eagles, Caledonians and now Beachside, who are on top of the Division One ladder and favourites for the title.


“That’s a great achievement for a player and we hope to mark it with a victory,” said Beachside coach, Nathan Robinson.


Luke Atkin will start for Beachside because Jason Harvey has family commitments and is unavailable.


The rest of the line-up is unchanged from that which played Metro in Beachside’s previous outing.


Beachside should win comfortably and may well increase their lead at the top to 13 points with five matches remaining.


Second-placed Metro entertain fourth-placed Hobart United at North Chigwell on Saturday and this promises to be yet another cracker, as games between these sides always are.


Jason Dawes, the league’s leading marksman, will pose a huge danger to United and they will need to keep him under control to have any chance of winning.


Fifth-placed Nelson Eastern Suburbs host sixth-ranked Southern FC at North Warrane on Sunday.


Defenders Matt Fone and William Stalker are back in the Nelson line-up after missing the defeat to University weeks ago.


Bill Hanley has returned from a New Zealand holiday and will be on the bench, but he will play in the reserves beforehand.


Nick Roberts, Max Caulfield and Ollie Ireland will also be on the bench, while Cody Flynn has recovered from an ankle injury and will start in midfield.


“We have a full-strength squad available this week so there are no excuses if the team doesn’t perform,” said Nelson coach, Michael Roach.


“I’m sure Southern will give it everything and, as usual, we’ll have to put in a solid performance to get a result.”


The remaining match of the round is at Olinda Grove on Saturday, where bottom-side FFT/Under-15s take on third-placed University.

9 comments:

Charlie White said...

great player and great guy. Congratulations Shep.

Brian Young said...

Congratulations Shep. I great player & a fine guy!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 500, hail the sherpier.

Hugh said...

Played with Shep in the seniors at university and in his prime was in the top 3 in the state. Congratulations Sheppy

Brian Roberts said...

Congratulations . I recall your sterling efforts for Tasmania.

One of the few Div 1 players to be selected.

Anonymous said...

I can recall that game at South Hobart as well, Brian.

I believe it was against NSW and was a high standard encounter. Walter - can you remember it? I think Tassie self destructed in the last 20 minutes after dominating all day. Shep didn't look out of place, he is a class act.

A gentleman of the game. 500 games a terrific effort and shows the benefits of a strict personal fitness regime.

Walter said...

I certainly can remember it! It was against NSW at South Hobart. Tasmania were leading 4-1 with 20 minutes to go when NSW coach Rale Rasic brought on Vlado Zoric. He hit a hat-trick and they got one more goal and won 5-4. I have spoken to Rasic many times about it and he said he couldn't believe Tasmania's performance and bringing on Zoric was his last roll of the dice and it paid off.

zlatko belanic said...

Congratulation Shep,a great effort especially for an outfield player.A pleasure to play against,coach and know.Great character and example for all.

Anonymous said...

Huge congrats Shep...can't believe those legs got you to 500 games but all power to you that they did.