THE Central Murray Football Netball League will be in the best possible position tomorrow to end a five-year AFL Victoria Community Championships losing streak.
The league’s top players will take to the Swan Hill Showgrounds to face a North Central line-up that is looking to break back into the top 20 competitions in the State.
The CMFNL has struggled in the competition since its win against Wimmera in 2010, losing to Gippsland (2011), Yarra Valley Mountain District (2012), Mallee (2013), Nepean (2014) and Heathcote District (2015).
Kerang premiership coach, Troy Coates will oversee this year’s campaign, and is aiming to move the side back into the top 20 leagues in Victoria.
“We’ve done a power of work early on, getting the squad set up before round one and contacting all the players involved,” he said.
“We’ve also been promoting the game to coaches and presidents of all the clubs to ensure all players will get up and want to play at their very best.”
North Central is looking to record a second consecutive win in the competition, after accounting for Geelong and District by 32 points last year.
The win propelled the league back into the top 20, before the inclusion of metropolitan teams dropped the league back to 21st in the rankings.
The league relied on a team of younger players in its campaign last year, something coach Daniel Gash has replicated for Saturday’s squad.
“We’ve really tried to push the younger blokes again, as they are keen and enthusiastic to take part,” the Wedderburn premiership player said.
“This is also the first year Sea Lake-Nandaly has taken part in the NCFL, and the club has really supported the program and are keen to take it up to Central Murray.”
The ruck duel between Tooleybuc/Manangatang stalwart, Ryan O’Sullivan and Birchip-Watchem’s Lochlan Sirett will be critical to the outcome of the match.
If O’Sullivan can get the ball to the CMFNL’s midfielders, led by Kerang premiership player Ryan Gillingham, Koondrook/Barham’s Frazer Neate and Lake Boga’s Pierce Liddle, the hosts could break their five-year losing streak.
Yet if Donald youngster Brody Haddow and his teammates, led by Caleb Bloomer (St Arnaud) and Matt Elliott (Sea Lake-Nandaly) control proceedings, North Central will be on track for one of its biggest wins.
“It will be important for us to get our match-ups right to break the game open,” Coates said.
North Central’s team is full of defensive options, giving Gash plenty of options to stop Coates, Kerang co-coach, Travis Matheson and Woorinen’s Douglas Palmer from dominating in front of goal.
Wedderburn defender, Jacob DeAraugo will go to Palmer, with St Arnaud’s Lachlan Cohen to take on Matheson.
Wedderburn premiership player, Danny Benaim and Sea Lake-Nandaly’s Billy McInnes will be the visiting team’s focal points in front of goal, with Coates to place the CMFNL side’s sole Cohuna Kangas representative, Rhys Bradley onto Benaim.
“Nothing much changes compared to playing on a Saturday, just the pressure and intensity increases,” Gash said.
The victor of this match will jump to 20th on the AFL Victoria Community Championship ladder and meet the loser of the Sunraysia v Wimmera game in 2017.
The loser will fall to 23rd in the rankings and face the prospect of taking on either the Southern Football League or Ellinbank District Football League in 2017.
PREDICTION: Central Murray will end its run of losses with a 10-point win.
