PROFILE
After being the benchmark club for the best part of a decade, Kerang will once again be the hunted when they start their premiership defence against Tooleybuc-Manangatang in Round 1.
With Troy Coates continuing as coach and with the club retaining the bulk of their premiership list, the reigning premiers are expected to be the team to beat – despite the departure of their gun full-forward and joint coach Bryce Curnow.
While Curnow – along with Nick Stagg and Brandon Hayes – will be big losses, their absence shouldn’t deter the Kerang faithful from dreaming of further success. A winning culture and a hunger to improve have long been part of the Blues brand – as has their ability to regenerate their list from within, with this year set to be no exception, according to their coach.
“Obviously, we’ve lost some quality players, but we’ve got some good players coming in too and you can never underestimate the development of kids,” Coates said.
“It’s something our club still does well – we saw last year the development of guys like Sean Hunter and Tyson Clingan, as well as Rylee Smith, Josh Hunter, Rylee Gitsham and the Nitchske boys.”
“Josh Nitschke’s a great example of that, he turned himself from a back pocket player into being best on ground in the grand final and is one of the most underrated midfielders in the competition – his running ability is just next level for a guy that’s six foot three.”
Not only does Nitschke represent the future for the Blues, but following his breakout 2022 season, he now represents the present – with the on-field leader set to take on greater responsibilities in an ever-potent midfield. Joining him will be veterans Marty Kelly, Bradlee Pay, Ryan Gillingham and Sam Heavyside, with contributions from Clingan, Smith, Hayden Hall and Coates himself.
While Kerang’s midfield will have a familiar look to it – their forward line is set to undergo a massive renovation, with the departure of Curnow forcing them to shuffle around the magnets.
“With ‘Duck’ (Curnow) going out, we might have a look at playing Michael Dalrymple forward and see if he can give us an option up there,” Coates said.
“Our forward line was always going to look a bit different and at this stage it might be a bit smaller and a bit quicker than last season.”
“‘Runci’ (Michael Runciman) has put in a massive pre-season and we see him playing more of a hybrid forward role more so than a lead-up forward, along with Adam Hunter, Dalrymple and ‘Langy’ (Nick Lang) spending some time down there as well.”
Kangaroo Flat ruckman Nick Lang’s arrival will also force further adjustments to the Blues structure and will free up Troy Davis to move into back into defence alongside his brother Ashley, who returns to Kerang following a lengthy stint at Quambatook. But while the Blues may well look different on paper this season, the way they play the game won’t.
“We’ll go with a similar sort of game style again – we feel that was probably what won us the grand final in the end – with our running ability in the last quarter giving us a point of difference,” Coates said.
“It worked last year and we don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work again, particularly come finals time.”
“It may hurt us a little bit throughout the season, not having those bigger bodies in the middle of the ground – but come the end of the year, having those guys that can cover the ground will hopefully prove to be a positive in our favour.”
FROM THE COACH
“I think all coaches aim to finish in the top three, because you want to give yourself every opportunity with a double chance. That double chance really helped us last season with so many injuries and it just meant we didn’t have to rush blokes and allowed us to get guys fit for the grand final.”
INs & OUTs
INs
Nick Lang (Kangaroo Flat)
Adam Hunter (Newstead)
Ash Davis (Quambatook)
OUTs
Nick Stagg (Sandhurst)
Bryce Curnow (Sandhurst)
Brandon Hayes
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2023
Simply put, more of what we saw in 2022 from the Blues. With clean disposal, slick ball movement and their ability to maintain possession while attacking from the back half, the Blues will be hard to beat. Their biggest challenge will likely come from adapting to a new look forward line, while at the same time continuing to execute their well-organised defensive structures with the Davis brothers holding down the key defensive posts.
KEY PLAYER
Michael Dalrymple
Perhaps the best key defender in the Central Murray, Dalrymple is set for a seachange in 2023, with the premiership Blue set to move into attack. Has spent time up forward in the past with some success and will most likely take the opposition’s best defender each week, with his contested marking and ability to read the play considered elite in both categories. Has taken on the role of joint assistant coach this season and with his defensive capabilities well known, could become Kerang’s ultimate swingman in the same vein as former full-forward Curnow.
BIG IMPROVER
Sean Hunter
Won last year’s Central Murray Rookie of the Year with a stunning second season of senior football. Playing one of the hardest roles on the ground, the small forward excelled, playing every game in 2022 and cementing his spot as a key member of the team in their push towards the flag. With a big pre-season under his belt, Hunter will be hoping to push for time through the midfield, where both his speed and footy smarts can be put to good use.
THE BURNING QUESTION
How big of a loss will Bryce Curnow be in 2023?
There’s no doubt the hole left by the Blues premiership co-coach and 2021 Jack Betts Medallist is sizeable – both on and off the field. Not only will Kerang miss his forward craft and ability to read the play behind the ball, but they’ll also miss his leadership off the field. Curnow has returned to Bendigo as joint coach of Sandhurst. Had a serious health scare mid-way through 2022 which saw him miss four matches, giving the Blues a look at life without their key forward – but there’s no denying they were a better side with him than without.
KERANG PREDICTED BEST 22
B. Jack Daglish – Troy Davis – Josh Hann
HB. Lachlan Ross – Ash Davis – Jesse Clark
C. Rylee Smith – Marty Kelly – Tyson Clingan
HF. Troy Coates – Adam Hunter – Sam Heavyside
F. Sean Hunter – Michael Dalrymple – Ryan Gillingham
R. Nick Lang – Bradlee Pay – Josh Nitschke INT. Hayden Hall – Caleb Nitschke – Michael Runciman – Josh Hunter
