KERANG v WOORINEN
FIRST-PLACED Kerang will host second-placed Woorinen to end the home-and-away season tomorrow, with the Blues expected to head into finals with their 16th consecutive win.
With the Blues and Tigers destiny secured, it’s expected both clubs will rest key players ahead of a gruelling finals series.
Sam Heavyside (adductor), Adam Hunter (concussion) and Jack Daglish (hamstring) are all expected to be left out for Kerang, while Woorinen are also expected to rest several players ahead of next weekend’s qualifying final against Balranald.
While the Blues have taken all before them so far in 2023, the Tigers have long been a team that has challenged Kerang, with their well organised defence and pressure around the contest often worrying the home side.
Woorinen would have gained a lot of confidence from their round 7 encounter with Kerang this season, where despite leading for much of the afternoon, Kerang walked away with just a seven-point win.
The Tigers had more scoring shots (15 to 12) that afternoon and if it wasn’t for a five-minute burst of dominance from Kerang in the third quarter, the story may have been very different.
The ruck battle between Nick Lang and Lachlan Gardner looms as a crucial one for both teams, especially if Kerang’s midfield can win first use of the ball.
The addition of Caleb Nitschke for his first game of the season added an extra dimension to Kerang’s forward line last Saturday, and with Josh Nitschke, Rylee Smith and Ryan Gillingham all in solid form, expect the Blues’ unbeaten streak to continue.
Tip – Kerang to win by 12 points.
