KOONDROOK/BARHAM will travel to Swan Hill tomorrow to take on an improved Tyntynder side in what shapes to be one of the Central Murray Football Netball League matches of the round.
Both sides held on last weekend to record opening round wins, with the Raiders prevailing by seven points against Tooleybuc/Manangatang and the Bulldogs surprising the Mallee Eagles in a four-point victory.
Both teams have mixed fortunes going into the 2017 season, with the Raiders losing a number of key players that helped the side become a premiership threat in 2015 and 2016, whilst Tyntynder have enticed a number of key personnel to the club.
The Raiders showed last weekend that Dean Limbach will be a pivotal part of the team’s structure, with the forward kicking six of the border side’s 13 goals.
Patrick Crowe or Luke Brown will be given the task of stopping the former Doncaster East spearhead, with Frazer Neate and Darcy Grant capable of dominating in the Raiders’ forward 50 if given the chance to do so.
The midfield battle between Tyntynder coach, Jay McDonald and Troy Rogers will go a long way in determining the result, whilst Matt Dean will need to stop former Bulldogs coach, Brad Carroll if the Raiders want to return back to the area with a 2-0 record.
Another factor will be experience, with Tyntynder boasting a number of key players who have led their way at their former clubs, including Michael Dedini and Justin Ellis. If these two are able to control play, the hosts will match their 2016 record of two wins in 16 games in the space of the opening fortnight of the season.
The Raiders defeated the Bulldogs by 99 points when the teams last met in July, with the club’s last visit to Alan Garden Reserve in round three, 2016, producing a 58-point win.
PREDICTION: Tyntynder will hold on for a 10-point win.
Kangas face Demons test
THE Cohuna Kangas will face an early season test tomorrow when the Central Murray Football Netball League side travels to take on Nyah-Nyah West United.
Scott Beattie recorded a debut coaching win for the club six days ago, with the Kangas dominating in the second half to record a 57-point victory.
It was a different story for last season’s grand finalists, who came from behind last weekend to defeat Swan Hill under lights by eight points.
Beattie will be confident the Kangas will be able to challenge the Demons, who will look to the likes of Darryl White, Ashley Thompson and coach, Joel Campbell to record a win before the Easter break.
White is the Demons’ barometer, and any side that can shut down the former Brisbane premiership player is one step closer to recording a win.
Kieran Treacy’s defensive experience will be pivotal in stopping White and fellow home team forward, Alex Erlandson, with the Kangas’ best option to work in unison to double-team both players whenever the ball enters the Demons’ forward 50.
Down the other end of the ground, Adrian Knee will have a tough task of stopping Brett Collins from kicking another bagful of goals for the Kangas, with the duel between Calen Dobbin and young Kanga, Harrison Keely to be a highlight of the match.
History will be against the Kangas tomorrow, with the side losing its last meeting against the Demons by 90 points and not winning at Nyah in its past three visits.
PREDICTION: Nyah-Nyah West United will win by 20 points.
Blues seek big result
KERANG will look to enter the Easter long weekend on top of the Central Murray Football Netball League ladder with a big win at Balranald tomorrow.
The Blues held off Woorinen in last weekend’s match of the round at Riverside Park, prevailing by 14 points – the biggest winning margin involving both sides playing at Kerang’s home ground since 2012.
It was a different story for the ‘Roos, who challenged the Cohuna Kangas during the opening half before going down by 57 points.
The result left the ‘Roos 10th on the ladder, and a big win to the five-time defending premiers will see the team fall one rung come 5.15pm tomorrow.
Kobe Lloyd and Colin Andrews were major contributors for Balranald last weekend, but they will struggle to get to the ball if the likes of Joshua Nitshcke and Lachlan Barber shut down the hosts’ forward line.
Down the other end of the ground, it will be a tough day out for the likes of Rhys Gervasi and Jarryd Stead, who will need to shut down Michael Runciman, Travis Matheson and Patrick Taban from dominating in front of goal.
Kerang holds a strong record against the ‘Roos, with the competition’s northernmost side last defeating the Blues in the 2009 grand final.
Despite this poor record, the ‘Roos gave the Blues a fright in their last meeting, falling eight points short of what would have been a memorable win.
PREDICTION: Kerang will extend Balranald’s losing streak to 20 games with an 80-point victory.
