Football
3 May, 2024
Round two set for blockbuster matches
Ararat and Southern Mallee Thunder face off at Alexandra Oval in one of the matches of the round when round three of the Wimmera Football Netball League gets underway tomorrow.
Ararat will be without Tom Mills, Jack Ganley and Xav Vearing among others and knows it will be tough. Tom Mills said there is still an unknown about it as it's hard to tell how good the Thunder are.
"We have played against half of the team last year so we know partly what to expect, but a lot of it is still unknown," Mills said.
"We need to match it the best we can with them by shutting them down and getting the game on our terms and get our ball movement up about and hit them with our pace."
Warrack Eagles will look to improve when they face the Horsham Saints at Coughlin Park. Both teams have gone through the first two rounds without a victory.
The Saints are still battling injury so the Eagles know they have a chance, but only if they get the fundamentals right according to coach Matt Walder.
"We plan to win every match and it will be tough without having a full team to choose from, but the Saints are in the same boat, so we will go into the match positive," Walder said.
"We have to get our house in order and pattern down the fundamentals if we are to win. At the end of the day, it's on us and if we can't get our basics right, it will be hard so we just need to concentrate on what we can improve on ourselves."
The Demons will travel to Murtoa Recreation Reserve to take on Minyip Murtoa. The Burras are battling a few injuries and Demons coach Jordy Burke is wary of the wounded.
"They have improved and they are going to be one of the teams up there this year. They have a good midfield and rebound well," Burke said.
"They have a good ruck division and in the midfield, we just need to win that battle and stop the likes of the McIntyre boys, Tanner Smith and Kade Petering."
"We are happy with how things are going at the moment, but there is more we can improve on and we are looking forward to the test as a young side."
In the last match, Stawell will look to remain unbeaten when they travel to Dimboola Recreation Reserve to take on a Roos side that will be fired up after last week.
Coach Tom Eckel knows it won't be easy.
"Their on-ball brigade is solid led by Andrew Moore and their forward line is potent with Jackson Calder who looks like he can kick a few goals, so we can't give him free rein," Eckel said.
"We need to win the midfield battle because if they get a run on they are going to play some good football, so getting on top in the midfield is the key to winning this match."