KERANG’S place within the top third of the Central Murray Football Netball League ladder will be challenged tomorrow by another of the competition’s improving sides.
The Blues – who won by eight points last weekend against the winless Balranald – travel to take on Lake Boga, the only side this season to have defeated competition leaders, Nyah-Nyah West United.
The result of tomorrow’s game will have an impact on the race for the minor premiership and double chance.
If the Blues win, the four-time reigning premiers will remain as low as third, depending on results in the Koondrook/Barham v Woorinen and Mallee Eagles v Nyah-Nyah West United games, with the Magpies to remain fourth and be two wins outside the top three.
However, if the Magpies win the two sides will be equal on wins and will be one victory off top spot. It would also be the first time since 2011 the Blues have lost three games in a season.
If the Blues are to defeat the in-form side of the competition, which has won its past four games, the reigning premiers will need to adapt to the conditions at a ground it has a strong record at.
Ruckman, Troy Davis and utility, Blake Shay will be welcome returns, with the pair to relieve the pressure on the midfield, led by Ryan Gillingham and Bronson Booth.
Pierce Liddle and Raven Marika will oversee the home team’s hopes, with the duo aiming to get the ball to Cliff Ryan and Cody Mirtschin.
Mark Walter will jostle with Ryan in the Magpies’ forward line, with Brandon Hayes and Mark Lloyd to act as rebounders off the half-back line.
Luke Livingston and Troy Coates will be dangerous in the Blues’ forward line, with Adam Quigley to go to Livingston and Oliver Rohde to battle Coates.
Another factor will be fatigue. The extra day’s break due to the Magpies playing in the AFL Victoria Game of the Month last Sunday will benefit Kerang, who do not play a top five side again until round 14.
Kerang won by 41 points when the side travelled to Lake Boga in round six, 2015, and prevailed by 161 points at Riverside Park in round 17.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 30 points.
