AFTER strong wins in last Saturday’s water-logged opening round, both Lake Boga and Nyah-Nyah West United will enter this weekend’s all-important clash full of confidence.
The Demons look set to be one of the Central Murray’s big improvers and will be determined to push for a top five berth this season.
One of the clubs they’ll be fighting it out with for a finals spot come season’s end will be the Magpies, making Saturday’s encounter a must-win for both sides.
While NNW United couldn’t have been more impressive in their 114-point win over Koondrook-Barham, it came at a cost, with the Demons to be without both Jaydyn Stirling (knee) and Alex Erlandson (calf) for an extended period.
Making matters worse is the possible absence of Campbell Everitt, the young gun also in doubt with an ankle injury.
But while United will be far from full strength, joint coach Corey Daniels was confident he had the players to upset last year’s semi-finalists and make an early-season statement.
“We’re two very different sides, they rely a bit more on their bigger bodies, while we rely on our speed and our outside run,” Daniels said.
“Hopefully we can get the ball on the outside and cut them up that way.
“We obviously need to be really good at the contest, but it’s just going to be on transition that will be the key.
“If we can cause them to turn the ball over and then use it well going forward, that will hold us in good stead.”
Lake Boga were also impressive in their first-round win over the Mallee Eagles, with 24 scoring shots to 12 helping the Magpies to a 32-point victory.
Although the wet conditions weren’t conducive to fast, free-flowing football, Lake Boga joint coach Angus Monfries was still pleased with what his side produced – and was also hoping for more of the same.
“We were happy with our pressure, intensity and intent for the whole day last week, I thought we adapted to the conditions really well and brought good pressure all day and hopefully that trend continues,” Monfries said.
“We were a bit wasteful in front of goal, we had a lot of scoring shots and a lot of forward entries, but that aside, I thought it was a really good start for us.
“Jacob Simpson was fantastic around the ball for us, especially for a big man in the wet – his dominance helped our onballers get on top and win it out of the middle.”
The midfield looks to be an intriguing battle, with Simpson picking up his best-and-fairest winning form from last season and will be opposed to athletic big man Nick O’Neill.
Matt Payne was another who dominated last weekend for Lake Boga, but is rated only a 50-50 prospect to play on Saturday and will be a big loss if he doesn’t take his place.
The Magpies are deep through the middle, with Tyle Williams, Ricky Wild, Jake Warren, Cameron Johnson and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown all capable of influencing the contest from around the stoppages.
But while they may have had their fair share of the ball against the Eagles, the Demons will pose a much tougher challenge if last weekend is anything to go by, with both Kayne and Brady Davidson, along with Dylan Mclachlan, Ethan Saville and Matt Duffy, equally as damaging.
With Charlie Boulton (six goals) and Liam White (five goals) both hitting the scoreboard last week for NNW United, and Lake Boga having former AFL listed players David Gourdis and Monfries in their forward half, scoring shouldn’t be an issue.
Which left Monfries to predict the midfield battle likely to decide to result.
“Like most games, I think it’s going to be won around the contest and then, being a dry day, hopefully we can get some good forward half entries and take advantage down there,” Monfries said.
“If we can win it out of the midfield, I think we should be able to get the job done.”
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 10 points.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jacob Simpson v Nick O’Neill
A MASSIVE task for the Demons joint coach O’Neill, who will be giving up both size and strength to the Magpies ruckman Simpson. What he won’t be giving up though is his athleticism and ability to move like an extra onballer, which he’ll be hoping to exploit against Simpson. If the Demons can some how break even around the stoppages, that should go a long way to claiming the four points, as their speed and outside run will be hard to stop.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can NNW United’s undermanned defence hold up against Boga’s new and improved forward line?
THE one player the Demons could ill-afford to go down with an injury was Alex Erlandson, who looks set to be out for four to six weeks after tearing his calf against the Raiders. Compounding their issues is the fact they are already missing key defenders Cal Dobbin and Dean Harrop, leaving them extremely vulnerable down back against the Magpies. Gourdis looked good last Saturday against the Eagles, despite the wet weather, and will take some stopping in the dry, while Monfries will only improve this season now he isn’t playing a lone hand in attack.
