Blues tackle Tigers in preliminary at Cohuna
IT’S the Blues against the Tigers as Kerang and Woorinen clash in the Central Murray Football League’s 3SH-backed senior footy preliminary final on Saturday at Cohuna.
Although it finished on top of the ladder on a 15-1 record, Kerang faces a tougher run to the grand final after a 37-58 loss to Cohuna Kangas in last Saturday’s second semi-final at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
The Blues only loss in the home-and-away series was to Woorinen in round 13.
On that occasion the Tigers won 80-42 on the Blues’ turf as Lachlan Wright kicked four goals and Lachlan Gardner and Patrick Veszpremi chipped in with three.
Kerang’s attack was led by Troy Coates on two.
The Tigers’ best were Ben Booth, Lachlan Wright, Patrick Veszpremi and Matthew Gardner.
Best for the Blues were Martin Kelly, Josh Nitschke, Lachlan Ross, Troy Davis.
In round three, Kerang won in Tigers’ territory by 68 points.
Woorinen has made its way to week three of the finals on a one-one record.
The Tigers were beaten by Cohuna, 92-77 in the qualifying final, but hit back for a 64-43 victory against Lake Boga in last Sunday’s first semi-final at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
Kerang is chasing its ninth premiership.
Most recent for the Blues was in 2017.
The Tigers marked their third premiership victory in 2019.
Key players for Kerang include rover/forward Nic Stagg, a first-year player with the Blues after a superb run with Sandhurst which included a premiership win.
The Blues also have Bryce Curnow, a star in Strathfieldsaye’s grand final victory in 2019 at centre half-forward; Martin Kelly in the centre; Michael Dalrymple at centre half-back; and Troy Davis in the ruck.
Others to watch in the Kerang line-up are Michael Dalrymple, Ryan Gillingham, Sam Heavyside and captain Josh Nitschke.
Woorinen’s best in the first semi were Henry Thompson, Jye Barry, Arnold Kirby and Regan Vesty.
The Tigers will also look to ruckman Lachlan Gardner, centreman Josh Domaille, full-back Ben Booth, wingman Robert Rushj, and forwards Thomas Isma and Clayton McCartney to compete strongly.
Woorinen will also be represented in the reserves clash with Tyntynder from 12.25pm.
The Tigers had a 15-1 record in the regular season to be top of the ladder, but went down in the second semi-final clash with Kerang, 36-59.
The Bulldogs from Tyntynder have fought their way from an elimination final.
On day two of the finals series, Tyntynder beat Koondrook Barham in the elimination final by 34 points.
The Dogs won last Sunday’s first semi-final against Lake Boga by two goals.
Woorinen has won both showdowns with Tyntynder this season by margins of 89 and 21 points.
The under-17 ½ clash will feature Lake Boga and Koondrook Barham.
The Magpies from Lake Boga marked a 14-2 run in the regular season, but are on the rebound from a 44-47 loss to Kerang in the second semi-final.
Koondrook Barham dominated the qualifying final against Kerang to mark a 106-11 victory and then won a thrilling first semi against Swan Hill, 59-55.
The Magpies have won both showdowns with the River Raiders by 115 and 17 points.
Preliminary final day kicks off with the Mildura Health Fund under-14 ½ match between Lake Boga and Tyntynder.
On day one of the finals, Lake Boga scored a 48-15 victory against Kerang in the qualifying final.
The Magpies were then outplayed by Swan Hill to the tune of 81 points in the second semi.
Tyntynder’s run includes a 43-point win against Koondrook Barham in the elimination final, and 32-15 result against Kerang in the first semi.
Only meeting between the preliminary finalists was in round nine where the Magpies beat the Bulldogs, 61-37 at Lake Boga.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Cohuna Recreation Reserve:
Under-14 ½ at 9am: Lake Boga v Tyntynder.
Under-17 ½ at 10.20am: Lake Boga v Koondrook Barham.
Reserves at 12.25pm: Woorinen v Tyndynder.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Kerang v Woorinen.
Written by Nathan Dole.
