CENTRAL MURRAY ELIMINATION FINAL
COHUNA KANGAS
Coach: Jack Geary
KEY PLAYER
Joel Helman
ONE of, if not the best player in the league, Helman is built to perform on the big stage.
Helman has been one of the key reasons for the Kangas’ turnaround in form since the King’s Birthday bye.
His ability to win the ball on the inside combined with his run and spread from the contest makes him a must-stop player for Balranald.
Is one of the favourites for the Jack Betts Medal, kicking 29 goals from 16 games this season, and was among Cohuna’s better players in their 11-point win over the Roos in round 11.
BURNING QUESTION
Can Cohuna go all the way?
IT’S been nine years since a team has come from outside the top three to reach the grand final, but this year both Cohuna and Balranald are genuine chances to break that drought.
Having started the season 2-6, the Kangas come into this year’s finals series as in team in form, with eight straight wins that include victories over Balranald, the Eagles and Demons.
Cohuna’s biggest test may well come on Sunday against the Roos in what shapes as an enticing match-up for the neutral observers.
If they get past Balranald, a ‘home’ semi-final awaits them against the Demons or Eagles, both of which have suffered heavy defeats at the same venue in the past five weeks.
If the Kangas can repeat that form, then anything’s possible from there.
BALRANALD
Coaches: Jydon Neagle and Tom Lister
KEY PLAYER
Drew Lloyd
HAS developed into one of the most dynamic players in the competition and a key member of Balranald’s forward and midfield structure.
Lloyd has kicked 37 goals from 16 games this season, despite spending more time through the middle of the ground and pushing up to impact around the stoppages.
Has incredible strength and is strong through the hips, has speed to burst from contest and is capable of taking mark of the year every single week.
Didn’t have his usual impact when the two sides clashed in round 9, although conditions weren’t to his advantage, being a wet and windy afternoon.
BURNING QUESTION
Is Jydon Neagle ready to go back into the midfield?
ONLY Jydon himself will know the answer, but if he is, then expect the Roos to pull the trigger.
Can play any position on the ground and is arguably more effective forward than in the middle, especially with the likes of Colin Andrews, Drew Lloyd and Seth Connell around him.
Neagle’s presence alone up forward will have the Kangas defenders nervous and if last Saturday’s 100-point win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang was any indication, his own teammates grew immeasurably just having their leader out there with them.
Is as competitive as anyone playing and will be desperate to lead his team to victory regardless of how fit he is and if things are going pear shaped for Balranald, you can expect to see the Roos’ No.14 back in the action.
KEY MATCH-UP
Christopher Anderson v Jordan Wilkins
HAVING missed five games with a broken hand early in the season, Chris Anderson’s return against Kerang in round 9 has been one of the catalysts for the Kangas’ eight-game winning streak.
Highlighting this is that Anderson has been named among Cohuna’s better players in every game bar one this season and his ability to not only give his onballer’s first use around the stoppages, but impact around the ground with his contested marking will be a key consideration for Balranald.
Complicating things for the Roos will be the fitness of Wilkins, who played limited minutes in the ruck last Saturday against the Saints.
Balranald needs ‘Larry’ at his best to keep Anderson honest, with undersized youngster Cruz Jolliffe the back-up option.
