A HOT contest is expected when Nyah-Nyah West United hosts Woorinen tomorrow afternoon if recent history is any guide.
After a fiery clash in round 11 last season, which the Tigers won by 19 points, the Demons then turned the tables to deliver a shock semi-final elimination.
Combine last season with departure of current NNW United coaches Jason Murphy and Nick O’Neill from Woorinen and another chapter looks set to be written in the modern rivalry.
After strong wins last weekend for both sides, the opportunity is there for the winner to sit atop the Central Murray ladder by day’s end.
But Murphy said that for his side, the challenge of testing themselves against one of the league’s best had them excited.
“There’s going to be a bit in it, both clubs have probably been eyeing this game off all summer, and while we had to get past last week, this one has been in the back of the mind for a while,” he said.
“(Woorinen) had a really good first half last week against Swan Hill and their pressure was there early, so it will be up to us to come back at them with our own pressure, as well as handling theirs.
“Just watching their game last week, they look to have changed the way they move the ball and want to get the game moving a bit quicker than they have in the past, with a lot of forward handballing.”
Tigers coach Marcus Demaria shared the sentiment, telling The Guardian his team was not only wanting to atone for last season’s semi-final defeat, but test out their new game style.
“There’s been a bit of feeling between the two teams over the past few years, but it will be business as usual for us,” Demaria said.
“It’s probably more exciting than anything, obviously with ‘Nicko’ (O’Neill) and ‘Murph’ previously being at Woorinen and just to see what sort of impact they’ve had at Nyah.
“We’re just excited for the contest and, with a few changes with our personnel and game plan, it was exciting to see our brand come to the fore in the first half last weekend.
“I’d like to think that the way we’re trying to play, we’ll be able to implement that against anyone.
“Obviously we want to restrict the opposition’s best players and limit their impact on the contest, but we also want to make sure we implement our style and that we’re improving that every week.”
Woorinen expect just one change, William Collicoat likely to miss at least the next month with an ankle injury, set to be replaced by Regan Vesty for his first game since returning to Tigerland this season.
NNW United will also have a different line-up to the one which defeated Koondrook-Barham by 46 points, Corey Daniels and Lucas Iudica expected to play their first games for the season, while Brady Davidson will need to pass a Thursday night fitness test.
The Tigers’ faster brand of football and the Demons’ offensive style based on speed and attack will put a lot of pressure on both teams’ back six.
Half-back, where much of the run and drive is generated by each team, will be a key focal point
Henry Thompson, Doug Beames and Taylor Cameron are a damaging combination, but so too is Joel Walsh, Jaydyn Stirling and Campbell Everitt.
In fact, very little separates either side across each line, with match-winners across the ground and strong midfielders.
The one big advantage that Woorinen have is in the ruck, where Arnold Kirby and Lachlan Gardner are set to pose a significant challenge to NNW United’s Blake Larkings.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 10 points.
KEY MATCH-UP
Brandyn Grenfell v Ben Booth
THE former Marong full forward Grenfell comes to the Demons with massive wraps, having kicked 264 goals over the past two seasons.
Starting off with four goals last weekend against the Raiders, he showed glimpses of his undoubted ability, but was also relatively well held by Scott Wood.
His task won’t get any easier tomorrow, as he comes up against arguably the best full back in the Central Murray in Ben Booth.
The Demons will be aiming to funnel most of their forward entries through Grenfell’s hands, or at least have their key target bring the ball to ground for their fleet of small forwards to take advantage.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can the Demons open Woorinen up on the outside with speed – or have the Tigers learnt their lesson?
NNW United’s outside speed and attacking style caught many teams off guard last year, including Woorinen during a blistering first-half performance in the first semi-final.
Six months on, Woorinen seem to have followed suit somewhat based off their round 1 performance, moving the ball quicker than in previous seasons.
While its one thing to do it against a Swan Hill side still finding its feet, it is a whole different equation to do it against the best, with the Demons likely to welcome the free-flowing game style.
