The return of reigning Jack Betts Medallist Bryce Curnow from a recent health scare highlighted Kerang’s crushing win over the injury-ravaged Mallee Eagles at Lalbert on Saturday.
The Blues spearhead had not played since Round 10, but came on after quarter-time and played less than a half of football in a restricted return, contributing two goals.Kerang also had a number of senior players sitting on the sidelines on Saturday, including Nick Stagg (groin) joining fellow midfielders Ryan Gillingham and Rylee Smith (both hamstrings) and Josh Hann (hamstring).
Blues co-coach Troy Coates said the focus was getting the team fit and healthy ahead of what looms as a physical finals campaign.”We not taking any risks with a few of guys at the moment – we probably could have played a couple of guys, but we just want to make sure they’re completely right and ready to go for in a few weeks’ time,” Coates said.
“We played a couple of injured guys against Woorinen and it probably hurt us, so we learned our lesson there.
“We got through without any fresh injuries on Saturday too, which was great, because we haven’t had that for a while.”
The Mallee Eagles were also without a host of senior players for the clash, including midfield bull Harry Allen and intercept defender Zac O’Meara, who both joined a growing injury list for the Eagles.
The Blues took control from quarter time onwards on Saturday – with seven unanswered goals in the second term blowing their opposition away and shutting the door before the main break. The home side could manage just one goal for the first three quarters as Kerang set up a comfortable 20.20.140 to 3.2.20 victory.
After the Blues were outhunted and pressured around the contest during their loss to Woorinen the previous week, their attack on the footy was a clear focus on Saturday, according to Coates.
“Our whole intensity and tackle pressure and our intent to win was much better than last week and was an area we really identified as one we needed to improve in after the Woorinen game,” Coates said.
“I think the boys responded pretty well, we were pretty disappointed with our last game.
“Footy’s a game that’s played between the ears and it was the kick up the ass we needed that loss to Woorinen – in the space of two weeks we’ve seen what our best footy can be and what our worst footy can be.
“The challenge for us is to try and bring our best footy for the next three weeks leading up to finals and then continue it on.”
Michael Dalrymple was one of Kerang’s better players, completely shutting gun Eagles full-forward Sam Dunstan out of the game. The Blues midfield of Sam Heavyside, Marty Kelly, Brad Pay and Jesse Clark off half back, along with Samuel Nitschke were also in their best, while the Eagles were well served by Darcy McGrgeor, Toby Sheahan, Jake Foster, Beau Bennett and defenders Ayden Tessari and Tom McGregor.
VOTES
3 – Michael Dalrymple (Kerang)
2 – Martin Kelly (Kerang)
1 – Sam Heavyside (Kerang)
MATCH RESULTS
MALLEE EAGLES 0.0 0.1 1.2 3.2.20
KERANG 1.3 8.7 13.15 20.20.140
GOALS – MALLEE EAGLES – Toby Sheahan 2, Sam Dunstan 1.
KERANG – Michael Runciman 5, Troy Coates 4, Bryce Curnow 2, Rylee Gitsham 2, Martin Kelly 2, Jesse Clark, Hayden Hall, Brandon Hayes, Josh Nitschke, Bradlee Pay 1.
BEST – MALLE EAGLES – Darcy McGregor, Toby Sheahan, Jake Foster, Ayden Tessari, Beau Bennett, Tom Mcgregor
KERANG – Michael Dalrymple, Martin Kelly, Sam Heavyside, Samuel Nitschke, Bradlee Pay, Jesse Clark
