KOONDROOK/BARHAM will aim to retain top spot on the Central Murray Football Netball League ladder with a win against Nyah-Nyah West United in a clash between the competition’s top two sides.
The winner of tomorrow’s game at Barham will sit on top of the ladder at the halfway mark of the season, with the loser to fall to third.
The Raiders won their seventh consecutive game of the season last weekend, recording their first win against Kerang in more than a decade.
The Demons pose another challenge for Neil Bradley’s men, with Nyah-Nyah West United being one of the most improved sides this year.
Boasting Matt Campbell and Daryl White – who both have experience in the AFL – the Demons are on track to challenge for their first premiership since 2001.
The visitors will be refreshed after last weekend’s break, with the side defeating Tooleybuc/Manangatang by 27 points two weeks ago.
Both sides played epic encounters when they met in 2015. The Demons produced a final quarter comeback to win by two points in round four at Barham, whilst the sides played out a draw at Nyah in round 15.
White was pivotal to the Demons’ hopes in both encounters last year, and his battle with Matt Dean will be critical to the result.
Fellow Demons forward, Alex Erlandson will duel with Jacob Barrington, with Rhett Sutton’s experience to help the home side in the ruck against Ben Notting.
Daniel Mowat, who kicked three goals in the Raiders’ win last weekend, faces the prospect of taking on Jarrod Skinner in the Raiders’ forward line, whilst the duel between Joel Campbell and Jake Hare will determine which side wins.
Tomorrow’s match will be the final time the Raiders have to face either the Demons or Kerang this season, with Nyah-Nyah West United to travel to take on the Blues in round 16. A win by the border side will move the club one step closer to the minor premiership.
PREDICTION: Koondrook/Barham will win by six points.
