KERANG maintained their unbeaten start to 2022 with a convincing 119-point victory over Nyah-Nyah West United at the weekend.
The Demons came into the game missing a number of key players, including key forward Brent Arho, Ethan Saville, Dylan McLachlan and Matt Duffy. The visitors took immediate advantage with a six-goal-to-one opening quarter.
Things didn’t get any better for United, with the Blues holding the home side to just two goals for the opening three terms and eventually come away with a commanding victory.
The news wasn’t all good for Kerang, however, with Ryan Gillingham and Rylee Smith – in their first games back from injury – and Bronson Booth suffering hamstring injuries.
All three are likely to be unavailable for the Blues’ top-three clash with Woorinen this Saturday.
Kerang’s injury issues mattered little against the Demons, with the visitors dominating the game out of the middle. Brad Pay, Martin Kelly, Sam Heavyside, Josh Nitschke and Nick Stagg all did as they pleased at various moments of the match.
Midfielder Pay in particular was unstoppable, spending his time rotating through the Blues’ forward line to great effect and kicking a game-high seven goals. His ability to find and use the football was unmatched on a day when a number of Kerang midfielders found plenty of possessions.
The fact that Kerang had 49 scoring shots to NNW United’s 10 for the game only serves to highlight the premiership favourites’ dominance. The final margin had the potential to be far greater if not for their inaccuracy in front of goal.
The Kerang midfield wasn’t the only dominant aspect of Kerang’s game. The defence, led by key defender Michael Dalrymple, also held strong for the four quarters. The Blues’ back six, long a big strength, is proving powerful again this season.
NNW United coach Corey Daniels led the way with four goals for his side, while Blake Larkings in the ruck and Jarrod Skinner up forward could also be happy with their individual performances, along with midfielders Jaydyn Stirling, Brady Davidson and veteran Joel Campbell.
Kerang will face their toughest test for a number of weeks this weekend when they host an improving and refreshed Woorinen, while NNW United will take on the injury-ravaged Mallee Eagles as they chase their fourth win of season 2022.
VOTES
3 Votes Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
2 Votes Josh Nitschke (Kerang)
1 Votes Michael Dalrymple (Kerang)
MATCH RESULTS
NNW UNITED 1.0 2.3 2.3 5.5.35
KERANG 6.3 9.12 16.23 21.28.154
GOALS – NNW UNITED – Corey Daniels 4, Alex Erlandson 1.
KERANG – Bradlee Pay 7, Troy Coates, Michael Runciman 3, Sean Hunter, Nicholas Pay 2, Martin Kelly, Caleb Nitschke, Josh Nitschke, Rylee Smith 1.
BEST – NNW UNITED – Blake Larkings, Jarrod Skinner, Corey Daniels, Joel Campbell, Jaydyn Stirling, Brady Davidson.
KERANG – Bradlee Pay, Josh Nitschke, Michael Dalrymple, Sean Hunter, Joshua Hunter, Martin Kelly.
