NNW UNITED
Coaches – Jason Murphy and Nick O’Neill
KEY PLAYER
Joel Walsh
Was among NNW United’s best players against the Eagles last Saturday and is the one player Balranald must put time into tomorrow.
Reads the play better than most and has quickly developed into one of, if not the premier intercept defender in the Central Murray over the past two seasons.
Spent some time off the ground late in the qualifying final having only just returned from a hamstring strain.
Needs to be at his best if the Demons are to be any chance of avoiding a straight sets exit, with so much of their attacking play generated off half back through his and Jaydyn Stirling’s boots.
BURNING QUESTION
Can NNW United’s midfield compete with Balranald’s?
There is no denying that the Roos have one of the most exciting and talented midfield combinations in the Central Murray, with the likes of Matthew Neagle, Kobe Lloyd and Harrison Soraggi all capable of winning a game off their own boot.
The trio played out of their skins in the second half of last Sunday’s elimination final and as such, were big reasons in Balranald turning a 49 point half-time deficit into an eight-point win.
Add names like Jydon Neagle, Ryan Middlebrook and Drew Lloyd into the mix, and the Roos engine room not only runs deep, but is also full of talent.
The Demons also have plenty of midfield talent at their disposal and were able to match it with the Eagles last Saturday, but as history tells us, came up short.
There are no second chances now for NNW United, who despite being extremely dangerous with the outside run, will be relying heavily on Ethan Saville and the Iudica brothers getting their hands dirty to compete with Balranald.
BALRANALD
Coaches – Jydon Neagle & Tom Lister
KEY PLAYER
Matthew Neagle
Already regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league, it was Neagle’s third quarter which turned last Sunday’s elimination final on its head. Dominated the game out of the middle, winning several centre clearances among the Roos run of eight consecutive goals, before also putting his team back in front with five minutes to play with his third goal of the game.
Can run all day and rarely wastes a possession, but it’s his ability to hurt opposition teams both at the contest and on the outside that makes him so valuable to the Roos chances of victory.
Can push forward and hurt his opposition as well, having kicked 26 goals this season from 15 games.
BURNING QUESTION
How big of a loss will Jaxon Neagle be to Balranald’s defence?
There’s little doubt that the Roos are a much better team with Jaxon Neagle than without him. Structurally, he is the glue that holds them together and organises their back six.
Is unquestionably one of the best intercept markers in the Central Murray and his run and carry from half back is critical to his team’s ball movement further up the ground.
Although his attacking flair will be largely missed, it’s his ability to lock down on the opposition’s key forwards that could hurt Balranald the most, especially with Brandyn Grenfell and Nick O’Neill awaiting the Roos on Sunday.
KEY MATCH-UP
Brandyn Grenfell v Jackson Ferguson/Jack Jones
The Roos have a big decision to make here – who gets first crack at the Central Murray’s leading goal kicker?
Jackson Ferguson seems to be the logical match-up for Grenfell with his height, but with Jordan Wilkins (broken hand) out of the side and given how well he performed in the ruck last Sunday, he may well start there.
That leaves Jack Jones as the next best option, despite giving away height and strength to Grenfell.
Having scored 75 goals this season, stopping Grenfell is no easy task for even the most accomplished and experienced key defenders, but if the Roos can find a way to limiting his influence, they could be one step closer to a preliminary final berth.
See also: Demons, Roos set to do battle
