KERANG
FAST FACTS
PREMIERSHIPS – 10 (2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023)
PRESIDENT – Ashley Wise
COACH – Troy Coates
2024 BEST & FAIREST – Sean Hunter
2024 AT A GLANCE
LADDER POSITION – First
2024 FINALS RECORD – 1 win, 0 losses
HOME AND AWAY RECORD – 14 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw
PERCENTAGE – 173.96
AVERAGE POINTS FOR – 87.76
AVERAGE POINTS AGAINST – 52.09
QUARTERS WON – 46 of 68 quarters
2024 JACK BETTS MEDAL – TOP FIVE
17 – Martin Kelly
14 – Nick Lang
10 – Josh Nitschke
9 – Tyson Clingan
8 – Sean Hunter
LEADING GOALKICKERS
29 – Brett Kennedy
24 – Jordan McNeil
21 – Sean Hunter
14 – Tyson Clingan
14 – Jarryd PertzelPROFILE
IT’S often said defence is the cornerstone of any successful side – and that is definitely the case when it comes to Kerang.
The Blues have built their era of dominance around a ‘defence first’ attitude and have long been the competition leaders in this area.
Despite losing several key players from their back six after last year’s grand final, Kerang still have the number one defence in the Central Murray, conceding just over 52 points per game on average – leaving them as the number-one-ranked team this season, with Cohuna the next best with more than 57 points per game.
Lachlan Ross is the cornerstone to the Blues’ back six, along with Jesse Clark, with Ross’s versatility enabling him to play on any sized forwards and play any role, from lockdown defender to intercept marker or rebounding backman.
Kerang have once again been the benchmark this season, with their only loss coming all the way back in round 1 in the grand final rematch with Balranald.
Since then, their only blemish came against the Mallee Eagles in round 6, with the two teams forced to share the points after producing a 43-point-all draw.
The Blues have since peeled off 12 consecutive wins and go into tomorrow’s grand final as the team to beat thanks to their blend of form and grand final experience.
Fifteen of the 22 players who are expected to line up for Kerang tomorrow have played in at least one premiership for the Blues, while Adam Baird is also an experienced premiership player with Golden Square and Mount Pleasant.
There’s no doubt Kerang have the edge when it comes to big-game experience, with both Ryan Gillingham and Troy Coates looking to win their 10th senior premiership for Kerang tomorrow afternoon, along with Jesse Clark and Bradlee Pay who will be chasing their ninth.
It’s an enviable record that most footballers can only dream about, but for Kerang it’s one that hasn’t come by accident, with long-time senior coach Coates well regarded as being one of the competition’s most organised and astute leaders.
Although Kerang will be looking to add a third straight premiership to their bulging trophy cabinet tomorrow, they have also taken a different path to this year’s decider, having taken the direct route after earning themselves a bye in the first and third weeks of the finals series.
While the minimal game time should have them feeling fresh, the Blues run the risk of being underdone, having played just one game in the past 27 days.
Kerang’s other big strength is their midfield, which is as talented as any running around in the Central Murray this season.
Nick Lang is the most impactful ruckman in the competition and is a key reason why his team is able to dominate opposition sides around the stoppages.
It isn’t just Kerang’s high-end midfield talent such as Josh Nitschke, Marty Kelly, Sam Heavyside and Josh Hann that is hard to stop, but also their depth, with Tyson Clingan, Liam Jardine, Bradlee Pay and Brett Kennedy all capable of impacting in the middle.
Add in Adam Baird, who is expected to return from a hamstring injury and the Blues have more than enough firepower out of the centre to devastate NNW United.
Kerang’s recent record against NNW United is strong, having won their past 13 encounters, including last year’s preliminary final by 81-points.
You have to go all the way back to round 5 2016 – the last season NNW United made the grand final – to find the last time Kerang lost to the Demons, which should see the Blues go into tomorrow’s contest as red-hot favourites.
