KOONDROOK/BARHAM will aim to be a more organised unit tomorrow when last season’s Central Murray Football Netball League grand finalists take on one of the competition’s most surprising sides.
The Raiders – who lost to reigning premiers, Kerang by 53 points last weekend – host Lake Boga, who stunned Tyntynder by 89 points in the opening weekend of the season, in one of the games of the round.
The border side led early in the third term in last weekend’s game, before a 15-minute onslaught secured a Kerang win.
Defensive pressure was a key issue the Raiders lacked last weekend, with training sessions this week focusing on locking the ball in Koondrook/Barham’s forward 50.
“All over, our defence was poor last week. Kerang was able to get the ball out of our 50 too easily,” Raiders coach, Neil Bradley said.
“Expect to see a more ferocious football side on Saturday, one that will be more organised.
“Last weekend was the first time our four midfielders played as a group, so they will be better for the experience.”
Rhett Sutton – who injured his groin in the opening minutes of last weekend’s loss to Kerang, but played on – will push for selection, but three others will not be available due to a wedding.
Bradley will look to the club’s reserves grand final side, as well as the Raiders’ Colts players, to fill this void.
The Raiders’ coaching unit are aware of Lake Boga’s pre-season recruiting, including Darwin recruits Lochlan Dhurkkay and Ralph Dhamarrandji and forward, Cliff Young.
“Lake Boga has picked up some absolute A grade players, and Cliff Young provides a strong target up forward,” Bradley said.
Michael Grant will be the Raiders’ first choice to go to Young, who kicked four goals last weekend, with Patrick Goble and Troy Rogers to battle with Dhurkkay and Dhamarrandji on each of the wings.
Koondrook/Barham defeated Lake Boga by 39 points when these teams last met in round nine, 2015. A closer match will be on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Lake Boga will win by 10 points.
