KERANG will look to record an 11th consecutive victory against Tyntynder tomorrow when the teams meet at Riverside Park.
The five-time Central Murray Football Netball League defending premiers go into the game as strong favourites following last weekend’s 68-point win against Tooleybuc/Manangatang, whilst the Bulldogs produced a comeback in its eight-point victory against the Cohuna Kangas.
Travis Matheson’s side will find it much easier to enter its forward 50 tomorrow compared to last weekend, with Tyntynder coach, Jay McDonald relying on attack rather than putting players behind the ball to win.
McDonald will take on the challenge of stopping either Luke Cotchett or Scott Lockwood in the Blues’ forward line, with Luke Brown to provide valuable assistance.
Down the other end of the ground, the battle between Brett Collins and Kerang recruit, Patrick Taban will be critical to the visitors’ scoring hopes, with Kerang boasting the best defensive unit in the competition.
However, this match will be won in the midfield, with Ryan Gillingham, Marty Kelly and Troy Coates – who returned for the Blues last weekend – to be too versatile for Bryce Delmenico and company.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 40 points.
Tough challenge for Kangas
THE Cohuna Kangas will go into tomorrow’s match against the in-form Woorinen at home as underdogs.
The Central Murray Football Netball League’s southernmost side has not won a match since late April, with percentage keeping Scott Beattie’s side outside the top five.
A loss against the league’s in-form team – which has not dropped a match since round one – will leave the Kangas one win outside the finals spots.
The Kangas fell short against Tyntynder last weekend, going down by eight points, whilst Swan Hill became the Tigers’ eighth scalp of the season in a 126-point victory.
If the Kangas are to produce an upset victory, Rhys Bradley will need to guide the hosts’ young midfielders against seasoned performers Aaron Cadd and Matthew Iannucci.
Mason Fehing will need to stop Doug Palmer – who kicked seven goals in the Tigers’ win last weekend – in front of the visitors’ goal, whilst Beattie, Harrison Keely and Brett Collins will need to get plenty of ball in the Kangas’ forward 50.
PREDICTION: Woorinen will win by 60 points.
Eagles to be too strong
THE Mallee Eagles will aim for an eighth consecutive Central Murray Football Netball League win tomorrow against Tooleybuc/Manangatang.
The Eagles are one of three teams to have won more than six games in a row this season – the others being Kerang (rounds one to six) and Woorinen (rounds two to 10) – and will look to build on its percentage.
The Lalbert-based team defeated Koondrook/Barham by 104 points last weekend, whilst the Saints only managed three behinds for the game in a 68-point loss to the Blues.
It will be interesting to see if Lachie Gleeson employs similar tactics to what he did when the Saints faced Kerang last weekend. By stacking the back line with a large number of players, the Blues had to be patient to find an avenue to goal, but the move also robbed the Saints with goalkicking options.
This manoeuvre will help curb the likes of Zak Saad and Caine Hillier – who can dominate play when the ball enters the Eagles’ forward 50 – but rob Adam Tipungwuti and Tom Matarazzo the chance to score.
PREDICTION: The Mallee Eagles will win by 80 points.
