A KEY question about the 2015 pecking order of Central Murray Football Netball League should be answered at Lalbert tomorrow.
The Mallee Eagles host Tooleybuc Manangatang in a fascinating game between two finals contenders.
Both sides have lost to Koondrook Barham in the opening fortnight, with the Eagles knocking off Tyntynder at home in Round 1 and the Saints having a bye last week.
The Raiders got up over a Saints side with a few key outs, with a whopping five inclusions possible for Brad Morris’ team tomorrow afternoon.
Morris is chief among those to be welcomed back, with his drive and experience in the middle likely to be important for the visitors.
The pacey Frankie Robinson will also be a welcome inclusion, while Darcy Spinks returns after singing a new two-year deal with the northern club.
Hayden Walters is also a possible return for Tooleybuc Manangatang.
Morris said there was a balance between blooding young players and playing experience.
“We had to play a couple of young kids and it’s good for their future, but you still like to have the seasoned bodies to strengthen up the midfield,” he said.
Some interesting contests look likely in the midfield, with the Eagles looking to good performances from the likes of Marty Kelly, Boden Alexander, Tyson Mihocek and Warren Carlyle.
The Saints turn to recruits Corey Kelly and Narby Kelly, as well as the likes of Morris and Robinson, with Ryan O’Sullivan to go head-to-head with Carlyle.
“They’ve got a good core and they’re always strong out there so we’ll have to be pretty accountable,” Morris said.
He said that while the Saints were a few players away from their best 22 against Koondrook Barham it was not an excuse for the loss.
“You can always say that we had a few out, but around the area most clubs have a few issues with their depth,” he said.
“When you bring someone up they’ve got to take that opportunity, we have to get games into these young blokes.”
Morris said the Saints had expected to take a bit of time to settle into the season.
“We’ve got a game plan we are trying to bring in and it is going to take a few weeks to settle down in to that,” he said.
“And we’ve got some new faces there… The more games we get in to them, the stronger we’ll be.”
This is a tough game to call early in the season. The Saints are strengthened by the inclusions but are still settling into a new season with a new-look team.
The Eagles couldn’t go all the way with Koondrook Barham last week, but were too good for an improved Tyntynder a fortnight before.
For more local footy previews see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (May 8, 2015).
