SIX-TIME defending Central Murray Football Netball League premiers, Kerang face a tough test tomorrow when the Blues play their first match of the season.
In what is becoming common practice at Riverside Park, the Blues will unfurl last year’s premiership flag before a key match against Tooleybuc/Manangatang.
The game will be Kerang’s first competitive hit-out following last season’s grand final after the Blues and Balranald abandoned last weekend’s opening round encounter at Greenham Park following the collapse of reserve player, Patrick Featonby.
The Saints claimed a nailbiting four-point win at Tooleybuc against Koondrook/Barham six days ago, with Zachary Peake and Brodie Hodson leading the way.
The visitors will go into the match undermanned after key recruit, Dustin Gordon injured his groin in last weekend’s win, whilst the Blues will be fresher after no enduring the wet and windy conditions that impacted opening round games.
The battle between Kerang defender, Joshua Nitschke and Peake will be a highlight, with Logan Keighran and Patrick Taban to provide assistance in stopping fellow Saints forward, Simon Munkara.
Troy Davis should win his ruck duel for the hosts against Brenton Chislett, with Marty Kelly and Brad Pay to be pivotal in the midfield for the Blues.
Luke Cotchett and Caleb Nitschke will be Kerang’s key targets in the forward line, but need to get on top of their match-ups against Rhys Buddle and Ben Arentz if the Blues are to record a fourth consecutive victory against the Saints.
Kerang kept the Saints goalless in a 68-point win when the teams last met in June. A closer result will occur tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Kerang will win by 20 points.
Perfect start to continue
THE Cohuna Kangas will look to replicate its strong start to last season with a win tomorrow against Balranald.
The competition’s southernmost side recorded a seven-point win against Lake Boga tomorrow, whilst the ‘Roos did not take to the field following the collapse of Kerang reserves player, Patrick Featonby.
Although Balranald will be refreshed for tomorrow’s match, the Kangas boast a much stronger line-up to the one that produced two wins against the competition’s northernmost side last year.
Kangas coach, Scott Beattie showed his versatility last weekend, kicking three goals, whilst Mason Fehring was clinical in the midfield.
Fehring’s battle with Ryah Hodgson will be one of the day’s highlights, whilst Leyland Brougham will need to control the visitors’ back line if the side is to produce an upset win.
The Kangas have won their past 14 games against the ‘Roos, with last year’s two meetings producing results around the 60-point mark.
PREDICTION: The Cohuna Kangas will win by 40 points.
Opening win sought
TWO sides that recorded Central Murray Football Netball League opening round losses will meet tomorrow at Barham.
Both Koondrook/Barham and Nyah-Nyah West United were no match for their respective opponents last weekend. The Raiders fell four points shy of defeating Tooleybuc/Manangatang, whilst the Demons struggled against the Mallee Eagles in an 80-point loss.
The border side showed last weekend its new recruits would be more than capable of covering their replacements, with Cameron Arnold’s four-goal effort a standout.
Arnold benefited from the work of Raiders midfielders, Patrick Goble and Phil Smith, with the trio to be pivotal to the hosts’ chances tomorrow.
Aaron Sharpe kicked half of the Demons’ score last weekend, and will need others to help ease the load if last season’s elimination finalists can record a second consecutive win against the Raiders.
Matthew Dean will be given the role of stopping Sharpe, with Brandon Beggs best suited to take on Arnold.
Smith’s battle with Demons coach, Joel Campbell will be a highlight, whilst the return of Corey and Jacob Barrington to the Barham Recreation Reserve may give the hosts the edge.
PREDICTION: Barham/Koondrook will hold on for a 10-point win.
Game of the round at Lalbert
LALBERT will be abuzz tomorrow as the Mallee Eagles host not only an AFL legend, but the match of the weekend.
Former Richmond player and Essendon premiership coach, Kevin Sheedy will be a special guest at the venue as last season’s semi-finalists will host grand finalists, Woorinen.
Both sides go into the match following key wins last weekend against fellow 2017 finalists.
The Eagles – led by three-goal efforts from Caine Hillier, Ethan Pinchen and Sean Bedggood – defeated Nyah-Nyah West United by 80 points, whilst the Tigers were too strong for Swan Hill in their 21-point win.
Glenn Boyd and Jamie Nicholas led the way for Woorinen last weekend, but will face tougher opposition from the Lalbert-based opponents.
Nicholas will need to stop Hillier if the Tigers are to remain undefeated, whilst Brady Fordham will be given the role of stopping Boyd in the visitors’ forward line.
PREDICTION: The Mallee Eagles will win by 10 points.
* IN the weekend’s other game, Tyntynder will play its first match of the 2018 season, with the Bulldogs to host Lake Boga.
The game will be former Hay ruckman, Justin Ellis’ first match in charge of the Bulldogs, whilst the Magpies fell seven points shy of defeating the Cohuna Kangas last weekend.
Swan Hill has the bye before a April 28 meeting with the Mallee Eagles.
