KERANG
PROFILE
Despite losing eight premiership players this off-season, Kerang will still be the team to beat when the 2024 season gets underway next weekend.
With a large turnover of players, it will be a vastly different navy-blue outfit that runs onto Greenham Park next Saturday for their grand final rematch with Balranald than the one that defeated the Roos by 10 points.
The biggest loss will be that of club best and fairest Rylee Smith, who has returned to Nullawil, with the speedy onballer having established himself as one the Central Murray’s premier midfielders over the past two seasons.
Michael Dalrymple, Adam Hunter, Hayden Hall and Michael Runciman have also departed for Newstead, while Troy Davis, Troy Coates, Gregor Knight and Ash Davis all hung up their boots after decorated careers.
While Coates’ playing days may be over, he is staying on as senior coach of the Blues, with the long-time leader excited by the prospect of seeing the next generation of Kerang footballers get their opportunity at the senior level.
“We’ve been lucky to have a lot of talent come through our junior pathways over the years, but at the same time they tend to stay at our club because we give them opportunities to play at a young age,” Coates said.
“We’re mindful of not over-recruiting, there’s always a bigger picture at play and while we’ve been relatively successful in recent years, we’re also mindful of the need to back in our kids and it will be no different this year.
“We’ve lost eight of our grand final side and we’ve deliberately recruited only four players just so we can blood four of our local, younger players into the team and give them their opportunity.
“It’s exciting for the club, and we need these kids to start coming through because we have an ageing list that will probably finish up in the next couple of seasons.”
With Kerang’s reserves having won last year’s flag and their colts team reaching the preliminary final, there is plenty of young talent hungry for their opportunity.
But while the Blues will have a distinct focus on regenerating their list from within, they will also go into the new season as premiership favourites having recruited well from outside the Central Murray.
Former Golden Square premiership onballer and 2019 Michelson Medallist Adam Baird will pull on the navy blue this season and is sure to have an immediate impact for his new club, while lively half forward/wing Brett Kennedy will also pull on a Kerang guernsey for the first time.
Also set to return to the club is former premiership player Jarryd Pertzel, who spent last season with Merrigum, while former junior Archer Dibsdale will also return and fill the void left by Michael Dalrymple and Adam Hunter up forward.
While Kerang have long been the most efficient club at moving the ball by hand and foot, with the addition of genuine speed into their line-up, Coates is hoping to add another string to his teams bow.
“If anything, I think we’ll play even quicker and move the ball even faster,” Coates said.
“If you look at the guys we’ve lost, with the exception of ‘Smithy’ (Rylee Smith), all of them were a little bit on the slower side.
“So, to replace them with kids that possess genuine speed, I think we’ll be even quicker, and with our recruits, they’re all running type players as well.”
FROM THE COACH
“I think the league, as a whole, will improve this year, but our main aim is always to make finals. We think we have a list that is capable of finishing in the top three, which is crucial to earn that second chance and give yourself the best possible chance to make the grand final.
IN’S & OUT’S
IN’S
Adam Baird (Mount Pleasant)
Jarryd Pertzel (Merrigum)
Brett Kennedy (Nightcliff)
Archer Dibsdale (St Josephs)
OUT’S
Troy Davis (Retired)
Troy Coates (Retired)
Rylee Smith (Nullawil)
Michael Dalrymple (Newstead)
Adam Hunter (Newstead)
Hayden Hall (Newstead)
Michael Runciman (Newstead)
Gregor Knight (Retired)
Ash Davis (Retired)
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024
Just like death and taxes, you can be certain that Kerang will always compile a competitive side every season. Widely regarded as being the team to beat, the Blues will kick off their season with a grand final rematch against Balranald in what is sure to be a litmus test for their new look line-up.
After that Kerang’s fixture opens up, with the Blues playing just two (Balranald and Woorinen) of last year’s top five teams twice, with their biggest challenge likely to be a seven-game stretch without a bye heading into the finals.
While their midfield will continue to be the Blues biggest strength, they do appear light on for key position players, especially down back.
Whether opposition teams can win enough of the ball in the midfield to expose their defence will be the challenge.
KEY PLAYER
Nick Lang – Returning for his second season in Kerang colours, Lang will have to shoulder the ruck duties single handedly following the retirement of Troy Davis.
Looked set to take the Central Murray by storm in 2023, until a knee injury early in the season saw him miss six games. Returned in round 11 and slowly returned to his best, culminating in a dominant finals series and grand final.
One of, if not the best tap ruckman in the league, and is equally damaging around the ground and up forward with his contested marking ability.
BIG IMPROVER
Caleb Nitschke – Missed the majority of last season with a shoulder injury, but returned to the senior team in round 17 and five games later, became a premiership player. Despite a limited preparation, still managed to kick nine goals in five matches, including two in the grand final.
With a full pre-season under his belt, Nitschke will be like a new recruit, with the key forward set to lead the Blues front half of the ground.
THE BURNING QUESTION
How do Kerang kick a winning score?
I know it’s never been a problem in the past, but with Adam Hunter, Michael Dalrymple and Michael Runciman all heading to Newstead and Troy Coates retiring, Kerang will look vastly different up forward this season. Between them, the quartet kicked 70 goals last season, and if you include midfielder Rylee Smith’s 31 goals into that tally, the Blues will need to find another 100 majors from other avenues in 2024.
The return of Jarryd Pertzel will help, with the known goal kicker returning for his second stint at Kerang, as will the return of marking forward Archer Dibsdale. Throw in full seasons from Caleb Nitschke, Brad Pay and Sam Heavyside and the Blues should have more than enough firepower.
KERANG PREDICTED BEST 22
B. Josh Hann – Josh Hunter – Liam Jardine
HB. Jesse Clark – Lachlan Ross – Sean Hunter
C. Brett Kennedy – Martin Kelly – Adam Baird
HF. Jarryd Pertzel – Caleb Nitschke – Tyson Clingan
F. Bradlee Pay – Archer Dibsdale – Sam Heavyside
R. Nick Lang – Josh Nitschke – Ryan Gillingham
INT. Harry Bremner – Bohden McKnight – Scott Pay – Jack Daglish
