
KERANG will aim to go into its ninth consecutive Central Murray Football Netball League finals appearance with its eighth win in a row.
The four-time reigning premiers take on Woorinen tomorrow, with both teams assured of action in late August and early September.
The Blues dished out a 51-point win against Swan Hill under lights last weekend, with the Tigers confirming an elimination final appearance against Tooleybuc/Manangatang with a 185-point victory against Balranald.
The Tigers challenged Kerang back in round seven, with the four-time reigning premiers prevailing by five points in a match that saw Woorinen produce a final quarter fight back.
Despite missing Ryan Gillingham last weekend, the Blues’ boasted a stronger line-up against the Swans than the one that took to the field at Woorinen back in May.
Even if Gillingham misses his fourth consecutive match, the likes of Troy Coates, Bronson Booth and Bradlee Pay will be able to contain Woorinen’s midfielders – led by Matthew Iannucci, Aaron Cadd and Josh Domaille.
Mark Walter faces a battle to stop Tigers forward, Jason Iannucci from kicking a bagful of goals for a second consecutive week, with Kerang ruckman, Troy Davis to be too strong in the ruck.
If Joel Donnan is moved from the back line to be the Tigers’ sole ruckman, it will enable the likes of Travis Matheson and Michael Runciman to add to their performances six days ago.
Kerang will be assured of top spot if it loses, as long as Koondrook/Barham does not defeat the Cohuna Kangas by more than 125 points. However, a key win at the end of the home and away season will boost confidence in what shapes to be an exhilarating premiership race.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 30 points