DESPITE not having played finals for 13 years, Balranald will go into tomorrow’s qualifying final against perennial finalists Woorinen as favourites.
The Roos can put finals inexperience aside by taking confidence from winning both encounters between the two sides this season.
In fact, it was the way they won those fixtures that was most impressive, keeping Woorinen to just one goal for three and a half quarters in round 14 after holding a 55-point lead midway through the final quarter in round 3.
However, the Tigers did storm home to lose by just 16 points that day, proving their best is capable of matching it with the Roos.
Balranald coach Jydon Neagle was taking nothing for granted now the business end of the season is upon his side.
“We’re confident, but at the same time we know this week is a completely different situation and a completely game,” Neagle told The Guardian this week.
“(Woorinen have) played finals for the past 10 years and this will be our first final in over 10 years, so it’ll be a very different ball game.
“We’ll need to calm our nerves and play our game as quick as we can, because we know that they’re a very handy side and we won’t be taking them lightly.”
With ruckmen Jordan Wilkins and Nathan Ablett returning last Saturday, that is likely to leave Braden Price on the cusp of selection for Balranald, with Ned Lay and Leyland Brougham also expected to be available.
Woorinen will also make several changes, with Jye Barry, Matthew Gardner, William Collicoat and Matthew and Charlie King all rested from the team that lost to Kerang by 55 points last Saturday.
Barry will be an important inclusion, with the dynamic midfielder likely to play a key role in the midfield, sure to be a key battleground.
Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria was aware of their dangers the Roos’ onballers potentially pose.
“Balranald are a very dynamic side, they have so many players that can have an impact in all parts of the ground and we’ll need to be at our best to counter them,” Demaria said.
“Guys like (Ethan) Gant, (Jydon and Matthew) Neagle, Kobe Lloyd, they have a presence all over the ground.
“We’ll try to get our match-ups right and try to find some more avenues to goal, because it’s one area we’ve really struggled this season.
“We know they like to play the corridor and the one thing I’ve noticed with them is their better players, like Neagle and Gant, they bring everyone else into the game.
“Our plan will be to try and stifle their run, congest the corridor and not allow them that clean ball forward to (Ben) Fuller.”
While Woorinen prefer to employ a more measured and calculated method of moving the ball, the Roos will be aware of the risks should Josh Domaille, Robbie Miller, Mitch Uhlhorn and Barry win the ball out of the centre.
“Our midfield matches up pretty well with theirs, but we need to work hard to stop them controlling the match around the stoppages,” Neagle said.
“If we can get first hands on the ball, get it going forward and hold it in our forward half of the ground, I think that is where the game will be won and lost.
“They like to win the inside ball and look for that outside run, so we’ll need to shut both aspects of their game down as quick as we can if they start getting dangerous.”
The other big challenge for Woorinen will be in kicking a winning score, with Balranald’s back six improving by the week.
The Tigers are the ranked fourth this season for points scored, and while Lachlan Gardner has played forward in recent weeks to try and provide that marking target in attack, he will also be needed to counter Wilkins and Ablett in the ruck.
Collicoat’s return will provide Woorinen with the x-factor up forward, but they will also need big contributions from Danko Bzenic, Ben Hunt and potentially Matthew Gardner should he be swung forward.
Tip – Balranald to win by nine points.
