A MATCH that always stirs the emotions of Kerang and Cohuna faithful will have a bit of extra spice on Saturday at Riverside Park.
The Kangas will be desperate to hand the Blues their first loss of the season, having fallen short against their arch-rivals in last year’s grand final – which appeared Cohuna’s for the taking heading into the final quarter.
As history tells us, Kerang went on to win, defending their three-point lead at the final break despite Cohuna kicking with the wind.
But the 2023 side has a vastly different look, with new Kangas coach Tyson Findlay making significant changes to both structure and personnel.
While Findlay was happy with what he’d seen over the opening weeks of the season, he was aware Saturday will be a significant test.
He was sure his players were ready, however.
“We’ve had a really good couple of weeks, we’re not the finished product by any means, but we’re really chomping at the bit to get this opportunity early in the season and test ourself against a quality outfit like Kerang,” Findlay said.
He said they would look to get their hands on the footy first.
“If we can get on top through the midfield and play it more in our attacking half of the ground, I think that will go a long way towards getting the result we’re after.
“The other key element for us will be playing with that one-on-one mentality of putting pressure on them, and not allowing them to just to run the ball out with their link-up hands and use their skill set like they do – we just have to find a way to hold them up.”
Kerang coach Troy Coates agreed with his counterpart, with the veteran leader telling The Guardian he expected the match to be won and lost out of the centre square.
“The midfield battle will be huge and I think where the match will be decided,” Coates said.
“I think that’s where we won the grand final last year in that last quarter, was having the depth of midfielders that can rotate through there.
“We want to try and get them on the outside with our run and leg speed, and our fitness is probably an area we want to try and expose them in.
“We know they’re going to be really aggressive at the contest, but hopefully we can get the ball on the outside and bring our run and carry into the game.
“I think we match up pretty well through the middle, but time will tell.
“Marty Kelly always plays well on Joel Helman, it’s always a great battle watching those two go head-to-head.”
Making Cohuna’s task harder is the loss of one midfield rotation, with Pat Contin set to miss with a calf injury, along with Anthony Fagan.
Defender Toby Duncan was a chance to return from a quad injury in a potential welcome addition to the back six.
For the Blues, Troy Davis will return, along with Sam Heavyside, providing the gun midfielder/forward gets through training.
There is doubt over the availability of Sean Hunter, with the dashing half-back playing with a foot injury that may rule him out.
While a competitive contest is expected, Kerang have so far given no indication they will be any less of a handful this season, and should continue on their undefeated way at home.
Tip – Kerang to win by 15 points.
KEY MATCH-UP
Nick Lang v Christopher Anderson
WITH no Ben Archard lining up for Cohuna this season, the No.1 ruck baton has been passed to Christopher Anderson. The veteran Kanga is set to play a key role in his team’s chances of victory.
While Anderson dominated against the Jacob Simpson-less Lake Boga last Saturday, he won’t have things his own way on Saturday opposed to perhaps the recruit of the season in Nick Lang.
Super impressive since joining the Blues, Lang has not only been giving midfielders first use of the ball, but also provides a strong marking target around the ground and when pushing forward to create scoring opportunities.
If Anderson allows Lang to do as he pleases, such as he has in the opening three rounds, it will be all over very quickly for the Kangas.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Do the Blues return Michael Dalrymple to defence – or persist with him forward?
ON the back of four goals last Saturday, the Kerang brains trust will be very tempted to leave Dalrymple forward.
The flip side of that is how successful Dalrymple has been in the past opposed to Cohuna full forward Rhys Free, who returned to form last weekend with seven goals.
If the Blues feel that either of Ash Davis or Josh Hunter, or even a combination of them, can get the job done on Free, then expect Dalrymple to stay in attack, where he is proving just as adept at influencing a game as he did in defence.
See also:
Central Murray Football – Match of the round: Rivalry resumes
Central Murray Football Preview: Swan Hill v NNW United
Central Murray Football Preview: Tooleybuc-Managatang v Mallee Eagles
Central Murray previews: Eagle returns for Tyntynder
Central Murray Football Preview: Koondrook-Barham v Balranald
