THE in-form side of the 2016 Central Murray Football Netball League season will host the competition’s top side for the past four years in a Queen’s Birthday round blockbuster tomorrow.
Barham/Koondrook will host Kerang in one of two games occurring as part of a split round nine – one of two games occurring within the region.
Sitting second and third on the ladder respectively, the Blues and Raiders’ form this season has helped create this epic encounter between last season’s grand finalists.
A 10-minute period in the third term cost the Raiders when these sides met in round one, with Kerang running away with a 53-point win.
Since then, the Raiders have not dropped a game, with Kerang’s sole loss coming in round five against competition leaders, Nyah-Nyah West United.
“I reckon the rivalry between both sides is great. We have a huge respect for each other,” Raiders coach, Neil Bradley said.
“We did not play really well back in round one, and the boys were hurting after the loss.”
The match is the start of a key fortnight for the Raiders, who take on the Demons on June 18.
“We’re looking forward to the next two weeks to see how we are against the top sides,” Bradley said.
The Blues had its first bye last weekend, with the side defeating Woorinen by five points when the team last played on May 28.
“Some of our players had a few soft tissue injuries, so the break came at a good time,” Kerang coach, Troy Coates said.
“We also had eight to nine of our regular players out when we played Woorinen, so we should be back close to full strength for this weekend.”
The home side’s chances took a blow last weekend with forward, Daniel Mowat injuring his hamstring – ruling him out for three weeks.
Add in a long-term injury to Tom May (neck) and the hosts are relying on its younger brigade to set up wins in the coming weeks.
The absence of Mowat and May – who lead the Raiders’ goalkicking list this season with 16 goals each – leaves Jay Reynolds (11 goals) and Tom Lamb (10 goals) as the only players to record double figures this season.
Reynolds missed last weekend’s win against the Swans, and his presence will be pivotal tomorrow if he plays.
Kerang’s back line will be bolstered by the return of Mark Lloyd and Mark Walter, who will return after suffering a knee injury earlier in the season, with Lamb facing the prospect of battling fellow interleague teammate, Troy Coates across the Blues’ half-forward line.
The ruck duel between Troy Davis and Rhett Sutton, who also missed last weekend’s match at Swan Hill, will be just a pivotal to the result, but the Blues’ midfield brigade – led by Bradlee Pay and Ryan Gillingham – will be too strong.
PREDICTION: Kerang will move back to the top of the CMFNL ladder thanks to a 40-point win.
