Round 2 Preview
Round two and the Easter Bunny will wait and see who gets the chocolates before he delivers his final offerings on five big games over three days of footy and netball.
It just won’t go away though our nemesis – bloody Covid still disrupting and playing havoc with teams as they struggle to get full lists onto the park.
Wodonga Raiders will go into its massive Good Friday clash away to Rovers minus at least three players from last week.
Alex Daly who was the Raiders best defender in round one is out along with the St John brothers Charlie and Brad.
The Rovers look likely to include Tom Boyd for his first game but will still be missing key big man Shane Gaston and full back Tyson Hartwig.
Easter Saturday action will see two big games played with Corowa Rutherglen at home to Albury and Wodonga Bulldogs hosting the top of the table Wangaratta.
Without doubt the highlight will be Kade Kuschert breaking the Corowa Rutherglen record for senior games played when he runs out for game number 334 – Bradman like numbers !
Coming in from Buraja Kade has played in thirds and senior premierships with the Roos and has represented the Ovens and Murray as well as being a life member of both the Roos and OMFNL.
He has played under eight different coaches during his time and has coached the thirds on two occasions, he has two boys playing juniors at the Roos – well played Kade !
The weather forecast looks kind with a huge crowd expected at the John Foord Oval where the Roos will try and stretch its winning streak to three in a row.
Albury bounced back in typical fashion in round one after being shell shocked the previous week by the Magpies in a season opener first quarter blitz.
Wodonga certainly have been confronted with a tough fixture to start the season with Wangaratta heading to the John Flower Oval in red hot form.
The Dogs had high hopes last week of upsetting the Tigers, but were given an early season reality check – can they ruffle the Pies feathers this week ? Time will tell.
Super Sunday will see Myrtleford play host to North Albury with both sides coming off losses last week, with the Saints in particular very disappointed by its energy levels at Lavington.
They badly missed the heartbeat of the side in Matt Dussin – his return and an expected large home crowd will make it a tough task for the Hoppers.
The picture-perfect surrounds of the McNamara Reserve accompanied by great weather should see a bumper crowd – the speed of North Albury will take some handling if the Saints are off their game.
Perhaps the closest match of the round will be at the Lonsdale reserve in Mulwala where round one winners Yarrawonga and Lavington will clash.
The Panthers were super impressive in beating Myrtleford and if they bring the same enthusiasm and aggression at the ball, they can topple another top five rival.
They will regain skipper Luke Garland from a corked thigh. The Pigeons blew the Raiders away after half time last week without Leigh Williams and Michael Gibbons.
The duo are unlikely to play this week in a game that the outcome so early in the season could have a big say in both sides finals ambitions.
Round two of the netball will be hoping for some closer contests with the top four from last year again looking to dominate again in 2022.
The match of the round will see Yarrawonga at home to Lavington who unveiled former GWS Fury player Emily Stewart last week in an impressive debut.
The Pigeons did enough last week against raiders and will look forward to the Panther challenge where goal shooter Sarah Senini comes up against her old side.
Wangaratta Rovers under the guile of Jo Cresswell should breakthrough for its first win of the season against Raiders, after impressing in its first two outings.
The Raiders had some good patches against Yarrawonga – the key is bringing the consistency for longer periods, and they will fancy their chances against Rovers.
Wangaratta with the two most recent premierships in the cabinet are looking as strong as ever with recruit Georgia Clark starring under the ring.
Clark shot twenty-six goals last week and her seamless transition into her new league has made her a great replacement for the departed Kellie Keenes.
Wodonga will be hoping to take the momentum of last weeks final quarter into the game, where the young Bulldogs outscored Albury in a strong finish.
Corowa Rutherglen and Albury will go into battle in front of a huge easter crowd at Corowa and this should bring out the best in the home side.
If Albury are to make a challenge for finals and beyond, they need to show plenty against the Roos. The return of the experienced Sarah Moore last week in goals was crucial.
Myrtleford will be very confident of making it two wins for the season when they host North Albury on Easter Sunday.
The stakes are high in this contest with the winner staking claims for top five, while the loser will have a tough task ahead to make that top bracket.
Enjoy Easter and look forward to reviewing a big round of the SSA Ovens and Murray Football and netball outcomes.
