CENTRAL Murray footy returns with a blockbuster – powerhouses Cohuna and Woorinen facing off in the Good Friday feature match.
It has quickly become one of the fixture’s most anticipated contests and both these clubs will be looking to start their redemption campaigns in the best possible fashion.
Both recruited well in the off-season, filling the needs required for them to take the next step.
Cohuna’s signings were highlighted by Blackburn trio Pat Contin, Anthony Fagan and Luke Conca.
All can play through the midfield, and the added depth and experience will enhance the games of established guns Joel Helman and Jarrod Findlay, according to Kangas senior coach Tyson Findlay.
“Their resumes stack up – Pat and Anthony have captained Blackburn and that experience is an area we lacked a bit in last year,” Findlay said.
“They’ve bought into our game plan and come up for the right reasons. For Jarrod and Joel to have that extra support will benefit them.”
Woorinen themselves have made smart recruiting decisions, bringing in small forward-midfielders William Collicoat and former Richmond VFL player Danko Bzenic.
Senior coach Marcus Demaria identified his side needed more options up forward and additional support in the midfield, which the duo provide.
“Our forward structure is one thing we needed to change up,” Demaria said.
“We were fairly one-dimensional last year, but the dynamics have changed for us up forward – we now have those athletic smalls to make us more unpredictable.”
With Bzenic, the returning Lachlan Warburton and Patrick Veszpremi all expected to be added to the midfield rotations, it gives Demaria the option to deploy a tagging role on Helman on Friday.
“We’ll be looking at sending someone to run with him at stoppages to stop him driving through the contest,” Demaria said.
“We’ve got several guys capable of that in Robbie Miller, Josh Domaille and Warburton, but he is a superstar, so it could also be a whole midfield group effort.”
The near-limitless expanses of Cohuna Recreation Reserve have long been one of the Kangas’ best weapons.
Will Thrum’s return from Golden Square will make the Kangas’ run and carry all the more dangerous, with the wingman expected to play a significant role in 2023, according to Findlay.
“Young Nathan Taylor got great exposure (on the wing) last year, but Will is a key cog for us and he’s looking forward to playing with his mates again,” Findlay said.
Stopping the Kangas’ direct attacking approach was top of the agenda for Demaria and his coaching staff.
Expect the Tigers to tighten the game up as much as possible – though to Demaria this was easier said than done.
“It’s tough to stop them on their home ground with so much space,” he said.
“We’ll try and congest it and take away their space so they can’t utilise their run.
“Our plan is always to make sure there’s direct pressure on the ball carrier, forcing them to rush their decisions and cough up the ball in our front half.”
Both coaches were coy on their sides’ make-up, each saying a couple would be missing from their best 22.
Nonetheless, it was sure to be a cracking contest to get the 2023 season under way.
“It’s become a great day and gives us a good indication against a quality side – we know there always going to be around the mark,” Findlay said.
“I’ve got no doubt it’s going to be a ripping game.”
KEY MATCHUPS
Jake Hammond vs Doug Beames
FOUR-time premiership Tiger and gun utility Doug Beames returns to Woorinen in 2023.
Demaria said he’d be playing up forward on Friday and might line up on Kangas gun centre half-back Jake Hammond in a compelling battle.
After playing most of his footy at Blackburn as a forward, the Kangas chucked Hammond down back in 2022, where he quickly became the competition’s premier intercepting defender.
“He’s really enjoyed that role of reading the flight of the ball,” Findlay said.
“We’ll give him the license to have the big matchups on someone like Beames while also backing him in to go for those intercepting marks.”
Demaria also lauded Hammond’s abilities.
“He’s been amazing and made it a real battle for us last year,” he said.
“The way we’ll be moving the ball inside 50 will hopefully nullify him – we’ll lower our eyes and look for those hit-up short passes so we can draw him away out of the hole.”
Jake will be joined by his brother Nathan in defence for 2023.
Christopher Anderson vs Lachie Gardner
WITH no Arnold Kirby in the ruck, it leaves a massive hole for the Tigers in the position.
While Kirby is near irreplacable, the Tigers have done their best throwing Lachie Gardner back into the ruck, where he’s won a best and fairest.
Demaria said Gardner’s pre-season had been one of the most impressive in the whole Tigers squad.
“He’s got himself super fit and been amazing in our practice matches,” he said.
“Our only issue is finding someone to give him a chop out which at the moment is likely to be his brother Matthew Gardner.”
Lachie will face off with Kangas ruckman Christopher Anderson in a pivotal matchup.
“It’s going to be an interesting battle,” Findlay said.
“Kirby is obviously a big loss for them, but Gardner is quality also.
“Hopefully, Chris can get our midfielders first use, which we’re backing him to do.”
With both sides having new faces at centre bounces this season, finding timing and cohesion between rucks and midfielders will go a long way.
