A GRIPPING battle three weeks ago sets the scene for Kerang and Balranald’s fight for a grand final spot at Greenham Park on Saturday.
The Blues, led by Rylee Smith and Ryan Gillingham, last month earned a hard-fought eight-point victory – part of a now 16-game unbeaten run this season.
Kerang coach Troy Coates was aware his team would need to be at their best if they want that streak to continue.
“We know, on their home deck, that they will approach this game like it’s their grand final,” Coates said.
“They’ll be tough, not only from a player point of view but a supporter point of view, and they’ll all be trying to will them on.
“We lost two players in the first 10 minutes of the game last time we played them, and then we lost (Sam) Heavyside at half-time and had one on the bench for a half, while also having some of our better players out.
“The boys really faced that challenge head on and I’ve got no doubt it will be even more of a challenge, especially with (Jordan) Wilkins back in the ruck.
“We’ve won six games by under two goals this year and I think that shows the character of this playing group, when the game heats up, our boys seem to embrace the challenge.”
Heavyside will return from his adductor strain, along with Nick Lang, Lachlan Ross and Michael Dalrymple, with Samuel Nitschke the only confirmed omission with a quad strain.
Balranald were expected to make several changes to the side that defeated Woorinen by seven points last Saturday, with Ryan Middlebrook, Tom Salau and Nathan Ablett all in the frame to return.
The match will likely to be won and lost in the middle, with both midfields full of talented and match-winning onballers.
Gillingham, Smith, Josh Nitschke and Josh Hann were major contributors last time against Balranald, while Marty Kelly, Tyson Clingan and Heavyside are all capable.
For Balranald, Ethan Gant, Kobe Lloyd, Colin Andrews and Neagle brothers Jydon and Matthew are every bit as dangerous winning and using the ball going forward.
Roos coach Jydon Neagle was also keen to tidy up the little things.
“Our skills will need to be better,” Neagle said.
“If we move the ball like we did last weekend and butcher the ball like we did, then we’ll get beaten pretty easily.
“(Kerang have) been on top for a long time and played a heap of finals and know what’s expected, while we’re a bunch of kids that are still learning what it takes at this stage of a season.
“We’ll just go out there and try and play our game and take them on, while still putting our head over the ball and working on spreading from the contest.”
Both teams are well organised in defence, with Sean Hunter and Jesse Clark providing Kerang with plenty of run and drive off half-back.
The Roos are just as miserly, with Jaxon Neagle now a key component of the back six, along with Jack Salau, Harrison Soraggi and Toby Lay.
Coates will be keeping a close eye on his defence.
“The last time we played them … the attacking side of our game was good, but we probably didn’t run back hard enough to support our backs and at times they got a hold of us,” he said.
“We probably didn’t support ‘Truck’ (Troy Davis) enough in the last quarter, so we’ll probably have a little bit more of a defensive mindset.”
While the loser will still have a second chance, neither side will be considering that with a week’s rest and direct path to the decider at stake.
Tip – Kerang by three points.
