LAKE Boga’s form has been patchy at best this season, particularly against the better teams.
But joint coach Angus Monfries sees tomorrow’s clash against unbeaten Kerang as the perfect opportunity for the Magpies to take a big scalp and kick start their season.
“We’ve had a few tests against some good sides and so far come up short, so to play a quality side in Kerang and with everyone refreshed having had a couple of weeks off, it’ll be an exciting challenge for us,” Monfries said.
“We pride ourselves on being able to run out games and I know we’re definitely a lot fitter side than we were last year.
“We know they’re a good second half team and one that gets better the longer a game goes, but we’re confident that if we can stay with them for most of the day and be around the mark at three quarter time, then hopefully we’ll be in a position to overrun them.”
The Blues have won 13 of 16 quarters after half-time this season, more often than not blowing sides out of the water in the process.
Kerang will welcome back Marty Kelly, Troy Davis and Ash Davis for tomorrow’s clash, while Nick Lang and Tyson Clingan needed to pass fitness tests overnight.
Kerang coach Troy Coates, who will miss at least another week with injury, told the Guardian he was expecting a tough battle.
“They (Lake Boga) play their home ground well and, to be honest, they’re kind of a hard team for us to get a read on because we haven’t seen a lot of their top end players play yet,” Coates said.
“They always have a pretty strong midfield and obviously (David) Gourdis has been playing well and providing them with a really strong target up forward – I can see it becoming a bit of a battle of the midfields with it being an area of strength for both teams.
“They haven’t been blown off the park in any game they’ve played this year, so we’re expecting them to at least be competitive and we know it’ll be a tough hit out no matter what.”
Lake Boga will regain the services of Lincoln Frost for his first match of the season.
The key defender will help cover the loss of Rory Colville, who will miss after injuring his knee against Koondrook-Barham a fortnight ago, along with midfielder Matthew Payne.
Dustin Burns, who played his first game for Lake Boga against the Raiders, has committed for the remainder of the season and provide the Magpies with another avenue to goal.
“We’re going to need to hit the scoreboard, Lochie Laing played some really good footy for us, along with Dave Gourdis, against the Raiders, and we’ll need more of the same again,” Monfries said.
“It’s one thing for us to win the ball at the contest and get it inside 50, but to then have two key marking forwards that can do some damage when it gets in there will go a long way to helping us win.”
The Blues will back in their plethora of talented onballers with the likes of Josh Nitschke, Rylee Smith, Josh Hann and Sam Heavyside in dominant form.
While Lake Boga may be able to compete on the inside, expect Kerang’s outside run to be the difference.
Tip – Kerang to win by 29 points.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jacob Simpson v Troy Davis
Jacob Simpson is Lake Boga’s barometer, and if they are any chance to cause an upset tomorrow, he must be at his best.
Both Simpson and Davis faced off against each other just once last season, with the Magpies ruckman getting the points between the pair, despite Kerang recording a 79-point win.
While the height advantage may go to Simpson, Davis hates to lose, and will make the Lake Boga big man earn every touch of the footy tomorrow.
THE BURNING QUESTION
How big of a difference will Dustin Burns return have on Lake Boga?
Had a breakout season with the Magpies last season, and after heading south for school in the first half of 2023, has returned to his home club to play out the season.
Just where Burns will have the biggest impact is perhaps the real question though, with his ability to play as a smart, elusive forward highlighted by his form heading into last year’s finals series.
But is he perhaps better served playing through the middle, where his speed and accurate field kicking can be better utilised?
