A FAST start will be critical to the Cohuna Kangas’ chances of going through the Central Murray Football Netball League B Reserve season undefeated.
The Kangas take on Woorinen in a highly-anticipated grand final, with both sides evenly matched across the court.
The league’s southernmost side’s 12-goal win against the Tigers in the second semi-final was the largest margin between both sides in 2017, with previous meetings resulting in a one-goal victory in round 11 and a five-goal success in round 18.
“We’ve been keeping things fairly quiet leading into the game, trying to keep it business as usual,” Kangas coach, Karen Peace said.
“We hope to make a fast start to the game, something we have been able to do all year.”
The Kangas’ 10-player squad have all seen game time this season, with the club thrilled that Angela McNeil received the league’s best and fairest honour on Sunday.
However, the side will not take the Tigers lightly, whose two losses of the season came against the Kangas.
“The Tigers seem to defend well and are strong through its mid-court,” Peace said.
“Both sides seem to match up well.”
Eagles’ double chance
THE Mallee Eagles will have two chances of claiming Central Murray Football Netball League silverware tomorrow.
The club’s A Reserve and B Grade teams will both take on Swan Hill in their respective grades, with the B Grade squad well placed to head back to Lalbert with a title.
The Eagles’ B Grade team hold a 3-0 record against the Swans this season – a 14-goal win in round six, a 17-goal victory in round 17 and a 12-goal second semi-final result.
The Swans progressed to the grand final thanks to a one-goal preliminary final win against the Cohuna Kangas.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ A Reserve side goes into its grand final against the undefeated Swans as underdogs.
The teams met twice during the home and away season, with Swan Hill producing a 10-goal victory in round six and an 11-goal win in round 17.
This will be the first time the sides will meet during the finals, with the Eagles rebounding from a qualifying final loss to Woorinen to defeat Tyntynder and the Tigers in the past two weekends.
An annual fixture
IN what is becoming an annual event for both sides, Koondrook/Barham and Tyntynder will clash in one of the Central Murray Football Netball League’s junior netball grades – this time in the 15 and Under decider.
During the past two seasons the Raiders and Bulldogs have met in the 13 and Under decider, with the pattern of these groups of girls dominating the competition set to be a feature in higher grades in coming years.
The Bulldogs finished the home and away season on top of the ladder, which gave the side a break during the opening weekend of the finals.
The Raiders progressed to the second semi-final following a 16-goal qualifying final win against the Cohuna Kangas, then produced a one-goal upset win against Tyntynder to book a grand final spot.
The Bulldogs responded at the weekend with a 21-goal preliminary final win against the Kangas, and go into the grand final as favourites thanks to a 2-1 record against the Raiders this year.
