KOONDROOK/BARHAM will be aiming to win its first match at the Swan Hill Showgrounds in more than seven years tomorrow when the competition’s in-form team takes on Swan Hill.
Last season’s grand finalists have not dropped a match since losing to reigning premiers, Kerang in round one, winning their last five games.
Neil Bradley’s men will be equal on points with the Blues if the Raiders win tomorrow, with Nyah-Nyah West United the only other side alongside Kerang and the border team to have lost one match so far in 2016.
It is a different story for the Swans, who are ninth on the ladder after seven rounds with a 2-4 record.
Tim Ruffles’ men have lost their past two games – including last weekend’s 21-point defeat at Lake Boga – but hold a strong recent record against the Raiders.
Swan Hill defeated Koondrook/Barham by 33 points when these sides last met in round 16 last year, and hold a comprehensive record at the league’s grand final venue.
Despite these factors, the Raiders will go into the game as favourites due to their on-field depth.
Although the ruck duel between the Raiders’ Rhett Sutton and Swan Hill’s Tobias Thoolen will be pivotal to the outcome, the visitors have a greater number of midfield options, led by Frazer Neate and Lucas Matthews, to take on the likes of Matthew Wade and Leighton Dullard.
Kaylem Hartley will be given the role from stopping one of the Raiders’ forward options, Daniel Mowat, from dominating, with Michael Grant to battle Swan Hill’s leading goalkicker, Mitchell Makepeace in the home team’s forward 50.
PREDICTION: Koondrook/Barham will win by 30 points.
