KERANG continued their unbeaten season with an eight-point win over a gallant Balranald at Greenham Park.
But the Roos lost no admirers, proving their attacking game style is capable of matching it with the reigning premiers ahead of what shapes as an intriguing finals series.Balranald will take plenty of confidence from the 14.10 (94) to 13.8 (86) loss ahead of their qualifying final against Woorinen in the first week of the finals. If they win that, a much anticipated rematch in the second semi against Kerang awaits.
The Blues will sweat on the finals availability of Jack Daglish (hamstring) and Adam Hunter (concussion), who both left the field in the first quarter on Saturday, leaving Kerang two rotations down for much of the afternoon.
It was a bitter blow for Daglish, who had missed the previous three matches with a hamstring strain, while Hunter’s finals campaign also appears in doubt after his heavy collision with Jaxon Neagle forced him from the ground with concussion and a subsequent facial injury.
Neagle was also momentarily dazed in the collision, but he bounced back and produced one of his best games in the blue and white stripes, not only intercepting countless forward entries, but also creating many attacking forays.
The only player who was more influential was Kerang’s Ryan Gillingham, with the veteran onballer dominating around the stoppages and in general play.
Rylee Smith, Josh Nitschke, Josh Hann and Hayden Hall also found plenty of the ball for Kerang, while Jesse Clark, who played his 200th senior game in navy blue, was impactful off half back. Smith also hit the scoreboard, kicking a game high four goals for the Blues.
Balranald’s midfielders Kobe Lloyd, Colin Andrews and Ethan Gant were just as damaging, however, resulting in a fast-paced, end-to-end contest.
The game was in the balance during the third term, with Balranald leading by six points, when Caleb Nitschke produced a 10-minute purple patch.
In his return from a shoulder injury that saw him miss last year’s premiership, Nitschke turned the game on its head with three unanswered goals to give the Blues a 13-point at the final change.
But the Roos hit back, with Roos spearhead Ben Fuller producing his own purple patch with three straight goals, including a miraculous kick out of a forward 50 stoppage that gave his team the lead five minutes into the quarter.
Fuller was otherwise well held for much of the match by Troy Davis, who was able to play the match out on defence such was the dominance of Nick Lang in the ruck.
With both Jordan Wilkins and Nathan Ablett out of the Balranald side, Lang’s ability to play a kick behind and intercept mark in the second half was influential.
The Blues steadied late to secure the win in a perfect hit out ahead of the finals. The Blues round out their home and away season against fellow finals contender Woorinen, while Balranald will face a Swan Hill team that must win to play finals.
FINAL SIREN
| BALRANALD | 3.2 | 7.4 | 9.5 | 13.8 | 86 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KERANG | 2.1 | 7.2 | 11.6 | 14.10 | 94 |
VOTES
3 – Ryan Gillingham (Kerang)
2 – Jaxon Neagle (Balranald)
1 – Rylee Smith (Kerang)
