BALRANALD’S minor premiership aspirations lean heavily on the result of their match against a Lake Boga side who sit precariously ahead of the chasing pack.
The Roos can lock in second, and the double chance, with a win, which would also ramp up interest in their top-of-the-table clash with Kerang next week.
Balranald coach Jydon Neagle said his side were firmly focused on the game ahead of them, but a win would be huge a big boost for the rest of the season.
“This is almost another final for our guys, much like our game against Woorinen two weeks back,” Neagle said.
“Boga play their ground pretty well – they’ve really got their press working at their home.
“They prey on opposition turnovers and explode from there, but if we can be tidy with our possession and our defensive structure, we should be sweet.
“We’re expecting them to come out pretty hard, and if our guys can stand up and come away with the four points there, then we’ve really got a free licence against Kerang next week.”
Although it’s been an up and down month for the Magpies, they’ve won the games expected of them and sit a game clear in fourth ahead of NNW United and Swan Hill.
They will be hoping to claim a big scalp and solidify their position in the top five.
But the Magpies’ defenders will need to be on their toes from the get-go, with Balranald’s forwards in blistering form.
Roos forward Benjamin Fuller, who kicked eight goals last week, leads the CMFNL goalkicking table with 41, three goals clear of Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s Joshua Williams.
Coach Jydon Neagle and Drew Lloyd are sixth and seventh on the goals tally respectively, giving the Roos a forward line full of attacking threats.
Another Roo in goal-kicking form is midfielder Ethan Gant, who kicked six goals against Koondrook-Barham, but the classy midfielder also provides fantastic service to his forwards.
Coach Angus Monfries said his side would need to work both individually and collectively to shut down Balranald’s attack.
“They’ve got some real firepower across their front six,” he said.
“I think our emphasis will be making sure that we are beating our direct opponents first and foremost.
“But then we also need to have enough courage to come across and assist, and give others chop-outs.
“The pressure from the midfield will be key for us. If they’re getting unpressured inside-50s then it will be a really tough ask for our defenders.
“Once the footy hits the ground, then we can back in our leg speed and cut them up through the middle on our way back.”
Expect the battle in the ruck to be one of the game’s main attractions, as Lake Boga’s Jacob Simpson has continued his impressive form.
Simpson was one of Lake Boga’s best players when the two sides met earlier this year, separated by just 15 points in round 5.
Balranald will be without one of the league’s in-form ruckmen Jordan Wilkins for the game, who was suspected to have a broken elbow.
Wilkins received good news at a recent x-ray, however, with Neagle saying the tall could be set to return as soon as next week.
Neagle said the news was a “big relief” for their upcoming finals run.
“Jordan had felt a little elbow pop early in last week’s game,” he said.
“But when he went in and got an x-ray and saw a physio earlier this week, and it had actually popped back.
“He’d have been able to play this week, but he’s still just a bit sore.
“Even if he doesn’t get up for next week’s game against Kerang, he’ll be ready for the last round.”
With Nathan Ablett carrying hamstring concerns, the battle with Simpson may rest on the shoulders of utility Drew Lloyd.
A decision was to be made on Ablett’s fitness at Thursday night’s training, but Neagle said his side was confident with Lloyd carrying the burden.
“We know that big Simpson over at Boga gets first hand on the ball most of the time, and we just have to try to nullify that,” he said.
“We’ve got no problem with Drew Lloyd jumping up against him all game, then he’s really able to be another midfielder there at those contests.”
With Lake Boga still playing for a spot in the top four, Monfries said his side’s fate was in their own hands.
“Every week now is really important at this time of the season, I’m pretty sure that if we win two out of our last three, we can lock ourselves into the finals,” Monfries said.
“We don’t want it to have to come down to something like percentage, so we’ve just got to make sure that we’re winning in these next couple of weeks and we can put it beyond doubt.”
Tip: Balranald by 12 points.
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KEY MATCH-UP
Jacob Simpson v Drew Lloyd
What would have been a battle between two of the league’s premier ruckmen, has been derailed by an elbow injury to Balranald’s Jordan Wilkins. But Balranald’s Drew Lloyd will be up for the battle if Nathan Ablett is unable to return due to hamstring soreness. While Simpson has the height and body advantage, it’ll be up to Lloyd to use his mobility to the Roos’ advantage. Touted as an extra midfielder by coach Jydon Neagle, Lloyd’s ability to cover ground will be a key asset, while he will also be able to attack the drop of the football if his opponent gets first touch at the tap.
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BURNING QUESTION
Can Lake Boga keep Balranald’s forwards in check?
Balranald have been in fine scoring form, with a league-best three players in the CMFNL top-10 goalkickers. But Ben Fuller, Jydon Neagle and Drew Lloyd may be broken up with the latter expected to carry the load in the ruck. Lake Boga’s half-back line might be unable to provide the same drive if they are too focused on keeping Fuller and Neagle quiet. Players like Daniel Szufer and Matt Taverna are more than capable of being two-way players on their days. However, they will need their midfielders to be strong at the football to stop Balranald’s usual efficient forward movement.
