Match of the Round Preview
Tyntynder v Balranald
BALRANALD will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice when their 2023 season gets under way at the Alan Garden Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The Roos succumbed to Tyntynder in the opening round last year but it’s this time Balranald who will go in as warm favourites.
With several quality inclusions, along with retention of the bulk of last season’s list, Balranald enter 2023 not only as the buzz team of the Central Murray, but one of the early premiership favourites.
Matthew and Jaxon Neagle will line up alongside brother and coach Jydon Neagle, while talented midfielder Kobe Lloyd will also return to his home club, along with former Central Districts onballer Ethan Gant and Moulamein wingman Jack Jones.
While much of the focus externally has been on the recruits, internally the Roos are concentrating on not making the same mistakes as 12 months ago, according to their coach.
“We had a slow start last year and didn’t really get going until round 4 or 5, so we need to hit the ground running this time around,” Neagle told The Guardian.
“Those first couple of games against Tyntynder and Tooleybuc-Manangatang were a couple that we let slip last season and probably cost us a finals berth in the end – so hopefully we start the year off with a good win this time around.
“It won’t be an easy game though, (Tyntynder) played finals for a reason and that’s because they are a quality side and we’ll need to be at our best to get the job done.”
While there has been plenty of Balranald hype this off-season, Tyntynder have preferred to fly under the radar following their first finals appearance in nine years.
The departures of Marcus Wattie and Tom Sala from the midfield will almost certainly add pressure on their engine room, especially opposed to the now deep and talented Balranald on-ball brigade.
It was an area Bulldogs coach Josh Stone identified as holding the key to both teams’ chances on Saturday.
“We’re confident we can match it with them, although they’re going to be a much-improved side and tough to beat,” Stone said.
“I’ve got them as one of the top three teams if they play the footy that I think they’ll be capable of.
“The midfield will be the issue for us – we’re going to have to at least break even in there and if we can get enough ball in our forward half, then we might be OK.
“We have to limit their ability to deliver quality ball into their forward half, because we know how dangerous (Ben) Fuller is and with us having a couple of key backs out this week as well, we’re going to be a bit smaller in defence.”
Cayden Crowe will be one of those missing from the Tyntynder defence, along with recruit Matthew Gilbee and Jackson Morris, who hoped to return from his knee injury later in the season.
Also missing the opening match of the season will be full-forward Jason Eagle as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, while Stone himself will be another absentee after breaking his hand during the pre-season.
Balranald will be near full strength, with Matthew and Jydon Neagle, Lloyd, Gant, Colin Andrews and Tom Salau all expected to rotate through the middle.
With an abundance of both depth and quality at his disposal, it’s an area of the ground that Neagle is hoping his team can exploit.
“The midfield battle will be massive, it’s certainly one of our strengths and considering it will probably be wet, whoever can play the smarter footy early will be a big chance of winning,” Neagle said.
“We’ll play a little bit different compared to last year, we’ve got a bit more run in our legs and we’d probably prefer a better day weather wise – but we’ll just take it as it comes and adapt accordingly.”
While Eagle’s absence will hurt, the Doggies will still go into the game with enough weapons to hurt Balranald if their midfield can give them enough supply.
Former coach Justin Ellis returns this season to hold down one of the key forward posts, while Liam Hamlyn and young gun Patrick Blake have also impressed with big pre-seasons.
The other surprise packet has been the emergence of Hugh Broad in the ruck, with the developing big man expected to get first crack at nullifying Balranald’s Jordan Wilkins.
If Broad can perform and hold down his spot, that will then free up Tyntynder’s reigning best and fairest Elia Ware to either return to half back or run through the midfield as another big bodied onballer.
With a wet start to the season predicted, it could well come down to who has the bigger bodies around the contest – that in mind, it’s advantage Balranald. Tip – Balranald to win by 24 points.
NOT sure exactly who the unlucky Bulldog is that will be given the task of quelling the influential Balranald forward, but Hulland seems the most likely to get first crack. Patrick Crowe and new recruit Tyrone Bean appear to be the other options, however both could be better served as intercepting and rebounding defenders.
Fuller’s importance to this Balranald outfit is without question, with the Roos’ early season form slump last year corresponding with him missing the first three games – including their 20-point round 1 loss. He kicked 69 goals from just 13 matches last season and will be hoping to carry that form into the new year.
ON paper it wouldn’t appear so, but with the expected wet conditions, that could at least level the playing field somewhat. Both Wattie and Sala are major losses for a midfield that will also be missing Josh Stone with injury.
While they will still be competitive, with Darcy Bibby, Brodie Bennett and Isaiah Bull having enough class to challenge the Roos, the real issue will come when they start their rotations and we find out just how deep they bat through the centre this season.
