KERANG will look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Nyah-Nyah West United with a home win against Central Murray Football Netball League rivals, Swan Hill tomorrow.
The Blues – missing premiership players Josh Bray, Travis Matheson and Mark Walter (knee) – could not fight back after a third quarter onslaught against the Demons, going down by 29 points.
The Swans fared significantly better at home, defeating the winless Balranald by 88 points.
The Blues and Swans have produced some memorable encounters during the past five years, but the visitors will be up against it taking on a side that has not lost consecutive games since at least 2009.
The match-up of the day will be between former AFL players and AFL Victoria Community Championship teammates, Troy Davis and Tobias Thoolan.
Davis’ ruck work has been one of Kerang’s strengths since returning to his junior club full-time last season, and his efforts tomorrow will benefit the likes of Ryan Gillingham and Bradlee Pay.
Thoolan has been one of the Swans’ key players following his AFL days with Collingwood, and his tap work will provide plenty of the ball to Matthew Wade and Leighton Dullard.
Bray’s return will help the likes of Logan Keighran – who could play in defence for a second consecutive week – and Jesse Clark contain Justin Condely and Mitchell Makepeace from dominating in the Swans’ forward 50.
Matheson’s presence will help Kerang’s numerous forward options, led by Luke Livingston and Luke Cotchett, win their battles with Sam Sartori and Ben Jones.
Kerang defeated Swan Hill by 11 points when the sides last met in round 13 last season, with the Swans’ previous visit to Riverside Park – which occurred in round 2, 2015 – resulting in a 68-point loss.
PREDICTION: Kerang will go into the AFL Victoria Community Championship break with a 5-1 record thanks to a 40-point win.
