KERANG will aim to register a third consecutive win when the four-time reigning Central Murray Football Netball League premiers host Tyntynder tomorrow.
In the only game occurring within the Shire of Gannawarra tomorrow, a big crowd is certain to watch one of the competition’s top teams take on the league’s 10th-placed side.
The Bulldogs produced a final quarter fightback to defeat Balranald by 12 points last weekend, whilst the Blues held Lake Boga goalless in the fourth term to win by 52 points.
Despite boasting the likes of Glen Gasgoyne, Brad Carroll and Jesse Alty, last weekend’s win was Tyntynder’s first since late last season, and the Bulldogs will need to play at their best for the entire game to defeat the Blues.
Kerang boasts numerous game winning options, proven last weekend by Ryan Gillingham, with the midfielder kicking seven goals.
It could be another big day for the playmaker, as well as co-coach Troy Coates and Bradlee Pay if the trio can get on top of Bryce Delmenico, James Sala and Alty in the middle of the ground.
Although being held goalless last weekend, Luke Cotchett can be pivotal across the half-forward line for the Blues, with Brock Storer to go to the tall.
Mark Walter will battle Carroll in the visitors’ forward line, with Gasgoyne – who was moved forward in last weekend’s win against Balranald – to battle Troy Davis in the ruck.
Kerang has won its past nine games against the Bulldogs, with win number 10 a realistic goal tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 40 points.
OTHER CMFNL MATCHES: Woorinen v Tooleybuc/Manangatang; Swan Hill v Mallee Eagles. Bye – Lake Boga.
KOONDROOK/BARHAM will look to build its percentage tomorrow when one of the Central Murray Football Netball League’s premiership contenders travels to Balranald.
The Raiders are locked in a three-way battle with Nyah-Nyah West United and Kerang for the minor premiership, with percentage to play a role if the Demons drop one more game before the finals.
The border side are disadvantaged thanks to its for and against record of 122.26 per cent – 28 per cent less than the Blues and 90 per cent fewer than the Demons.
This can change tomorrow against the winless ‘Roos, whose best chance to end a 10-game losing streak slipped away in the final quarter of last weekend’s loss to Tyntynder.
Neil Bradley’s men need to be wary of the competition’s northernmost team, who are capable of pushing sides when the conditions and match-ups suit them.
Only two weeks ago Balranald came within one quarter of defeating the Blues, and challenged the previously winless Bulldogs last weekend.
Forward, Bailey Brougham and midfielder, Raven Joliffe loom as key players for the hosts, with Matt Dean to go to Brougham and Lucas Matthews to duel with Joliffe.
If the Raiders get forward, Daniel Mowat and midfieder, Tom May back for the trip to Greenham Park, the visitors will be on track to recording a big win.
Ben Jones will be given the role to stop Mowat or Jay Reynolds in the Raiders’ forward line, with Connor Soraggi to provide support for the ‘Roos in the midfield.
The Raiders have won their past nine games against Balranald, with last season’s grand finalists winning by 10 points when these teams last played in round 18 last season.
PREDICTION: Koondrook/Barham will win by 60 points.
THE Cohuna Kangas – fresh from last weekend’s bye – will travel to Nyah tomorrow looking to upset the Central Murray Football Netball League ladder leaders at home.
In what looms as a key game for the Kangas’ finals hopes, Rick Easton’s men take on a side that has only lost once this year and boasts one of the competition’s top forward duos.
The Demons defeated the Mallee Eagles by 101 points last weekend, whilst the Kangas’ last match was two weeks ago, resulting in a 57-point loss to Tooleybuc/Manangatang.
The Kangas need to win to remain in touch with the top five, with the side to be either one or three wins off fifth spot, depending on results at Nyah, Woorinen – where the Tigers will play the Saints – and at Swan Hill, where the Swans host the Mallee Eagles.
If the competition’s southernmost team is to produce one of the upset wins of 2016, the side will need to stop Darryl White and Adam Sambono from dominating.
The pair lead the league’s goalkicking title race, and have combined for 70 goals so far in 2016.
Teenager, Kaleb O’Flaherty and Damian Kefford will be given the roles of stopping the goalkicking duo.
Easton can be just a dangerous in front of goal, but will need to contend with Bradley Stokes, whilst Joel Campbell will go to Kangas forward, Ben Archard.
Chris Anderson will take on Ben Notting in the ruck for the visitors, with Jaydn Borchard (Nyah-Nyah West United) and Dylan Friedberger (Cohuna Kangas) to lead their respective midfielders.
The Kangas won by eight points when these sides last met in round 18 last season, but the Demons are a much tougher prospect this year.
PREDICTION: Nyah-Nyah West United will win by 50 points.
