LAST season’s Central Murray Football Netball League grand finalists, Koondrook/Barham will aim to inflict a third consecutive win against 2015 preliminary finalists, the Mallee Eagles tomorrow.
Both sides have 3-1 records after five rounds, with the victor to be entrenched in the top three going into the AFL Victoria Community Championship break.
This game will be the Eagles’ toughest test since its round three loss to Kerang, with tomorrow’s match the third time this season the Raiders have played one of last season’s top five sides.
Both teams recorded strong victories last weekend. The Eagles kicked six goal in the final quarter to defeat Tyntynder by 41 points, whilst the Raiders rallied after quarter time to record a 61-point win against Tooleybuc/Manangatang.
Little separated these teams when they met in each of the three occasions they played against each other last season.
The Raiders defeated the Eagles by 12 points when these sides last met in the 2015 preliminary final – adding to a 20-point win in round two and a 16-point victory in round 13 – with the Lalbert-based team’s last win against the border club coming in round 11, 2014.
This game will be won in the middle of the ground, with Raiders recruit, Rhett Sutton’s experience to be too strong for Eagle ruckman, Nathaniel Kendell.
If the ball gets to ground level, the battle between the Eagles’ Boden Alexander and Tom Lamb will be a highlight, with Beau Bennett (Mallee Eagles) and Tom May (Koondrook/Barham) to provide valuable assistance.
Koondrook/Barham defender, Blake Chant will be asked to contain Patrick Batten in front of the visitors’ goal, with Matthew White and Josh Bibby needing to stop Raiders goalkickers Daniel Mowat and Jay Reynolds from dominating.
PREDICTION: Koondrook/Barham will win by 20 points.
