IT’S only taken three rounds of the season, but the first Central Murray Football Netball League top of the table clash for 2016 will occur tomorrow at Kerang.
The Blues – who have been based at the top of the ladder for the majority of the past four seasons – take on competition leaders, the Mallee Eagles in what shapes to be an exciting battle.
The four-time reigning premiers defeated Tooleybuc/Manangatang by 66 points six days ago, adding to the club’s opening round win against Koondrook/Barham.
The Eagles have been dominant in their two games so far this year, with the 2015 preliminary finalists recording victories against Woorinen and Balranald in the past fortnight.
Tomorrow’s match against the Blues will the biggest challenge Bo Alexander’s men will have faced since the start of the season, and the presence of a former Kerang player could be the difference.
Former Kerang forward, Andrew McDonald dominated in the side’s round one win against the Tigers, kicking 12 of the club’s 19 goals.
McDonald missed last weekend’s win against the ‘Roos, and his return to Riverside Park could help the Eagles record their first victory at Kerang’s home ground in more than a decade.
If McDonald plays, Mark Walter will be given the role of stopping the two-time premiership player from having a day out at a ground he knows well.
If the former Blue does not play, it will give Troy Coates and Travis Matheson’s men an added advantage, with the likes of Josh Bray and Blake Shay to handle Patrick Batten and Wes Bennett.
The midfield battle between the Eagles’ Josh and Dan Bibby against Brandon Hayes and Mark Lloyd will be critical to the outcome of the result, whilst Alexander will need to find suitable match-ups to stop Matheson, Troy Coates and Troy Davis from controlling proceedings.
Kerang won by 35 points when these team met in round 10, 2015. A repeat effort is on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 30 points.
THE Cohuna Kangas will go into tomorrow’s Central Murray Football Netball League clash against Balranald ready to record the club’s first win of the season.
The Kangas pushed Woorinen last weekend, with a goalless second term costing Rick Easton’s men in the 10-point loss.
Balranald are also 0-2 after the first fortnight of the season, with the side going down to the Mallee Eagles by 146 points.
The home side look set to be without key recruit, Laurence Angwin, who dislocated his shoulder in last weekend’s loss to the Eagles.
If Angwin plays, Rhys Bradley will be given the role of stopping the former AFL player.
However, of Angwin does not take to the field, the key defender will be asked to stop Luke Henery from dominating in front of the home team’s goal.
The battle between Balranald’s Raven Joliffe and the Kangas’ Dylan Friedberger will be pivotal to the outcome of the match, whilst both Easton and Kokwam Niki – who kicked seven goals in last weekend’s loss to the Tigers – could have a day out in front of goal for the visitors.
The Kangas have won their past eight games against Balranald, including a 20-point win when the sides met during their sole encounter in 2015. This streak will increase to nine tomorrow.
PREDICTION: The Cohuna Kangas will win by 40 points.
KOONDROOK/BARHAM will look to be entrenched in the Central Murray Football Netball League top five tomorrow with a win against Tyntynder at Swan Hill.
The Raiders bounced back from an opening round loss to Kerang, holding off Lake Boga last weekend to record a 13-point win.
The Bulldogs go into the game with a 14-day break under their belt following the side’s 89-point round one loss to Lake Boga, but are a different prospect on the confines of Alan Garden Reserve.
The Raiders’ nucleus of last season’s grand final side – led by Jacob Barrington, Lucas Matthews, and Daniel Mowat – who helped secure last weekend’s win, and the trio will be asked to replicate their efforts tomorrow.
Matthews may have to spend the game in the ruck again tomorrow against Jack Beaton if Rhett Sutton is ruled out for a second week after suffering a groin injury in the opening round.
Barrington or Matt Dean will be asked to stop Bulldog stalwart, Brad Carroll, from dominating in front of the home side’s goals, whilst the duel between Mowat and Patrick Crowe in the Raiders’ forward 50 will be just as critical.
The Raiders have won its past three matches against the Bulldogs, including an eight-point win during the only meeting between both sides in 2015.
PREDICTION: Koondrook/Barham will win by 30 points.
