Round 2 Preview
Round two will see the first appearance of Marc Almond’s Wodonga Raiders who have a huge challenge at home to Wangaratta Rovers.
The headline recruit for Raiders is former AFL star Cam Ellis-Yolmen who will bring much needed physical presence around the ball and contest.
How well the Raiders go this season will depend on just how much improvement is obtained from its large group of talented youngsters who are into second and third seasons.
Rovers coach Sam Murray will be confident in his return to his old club of making it back-to-back wins with Murray form last week scintillating in his coaching debut.
Albury Tigers fresh from a brilliant four quarter performance at Mulwala last Sunday will host Myrtleford who pushed Lavington at home in round one.
The Tigers have made just one change with George Horlin-Smith unavailable, paving the way for former Murray Magpie Spencer Jones to make his debut.
The game will also be current Tigers co-captain and former coach Luke Daly 250th senior game in what has been a stellar playing career after debuting in 2004.
Five senior premierships where he was captain for three of them – his early part of his career included a host of matches in the twos where he took out the 2009 league B and F.
The Saints will be without Elijah Wales but will see brother Hugh Wales return. Former coach Jake Sharp is not far away from a return as his rehab continues in a positive manner.
Just how much have Wodonga improved? This question should be partly answered Saturday evening when they play Wangaratta under lights at the Norm Minns Oval.
The Bulldogs look to have a well-equipped defence in Charles Morrison, Michael Driscoll and Liam Andrews to handle the Magpies potent and tall forward line.
Yarrawonga make the trip to Bunton Park to take on North Albury – both teams suffered losses in their round one encounters.
The Pigeons have lost star onballer Michael Gibbons with another hamstring injury and have made four changes to last weeks team with experienced defender Beau Seymour returning.
North Albury played some of its best football in many years in the first three quarters last week before a final term fadeout, they do however have a much stronger looking outfit this week.
Four big inclusions captain George Godde, VFL listed Jackson Wiedemann from Port Melbourne, Carter Norman the Hoppers leading goalkicker in 2022 and Ryan Polkinghorne.
The Pigeons looked short of a gallop last week so with both sides better for the run a very entertaining contest looms large. Lavington have the bye.
Myrtleford after a huge win over Lavington last week should be able to repeat the result against the Tigers who were well beaten at Mulwala last week.
The dynamic duo of Liv Sinclair and Sophie Hanrahan has sparked and rejuvenated the Alpine outfit that should see them press hard for finals in 2023.
Can North Albury upset the mighty Yarrawonga at the Paula Carey Court at Bunton Park? It’s a big ask for Emily Browne’s charges but not an impossible one.
Sophie Kohlhagen and the Moloney sisters will face their biggest test against the defending premiers led by Laura Davis, Analise Grinter and Bridget Cassar.
Wodonga face a huge challenge when they take on last years runners up Wangaratta. The Bulldogs showed some glimpses of form in last week’s loss to the Hoppers.
Wangaratta had no problem in defeating the Rovers and are only going to get stronger as the new members like Brooke Pryse and Kellie keen mould into the side.
Wodonga Raiders after a long and arduous preseason under coach Jodie House finally start their 2023 campaign when they host Rovers who are in a development phase.A lot of good judges think Raiders can return to finals action with a strong core group from last year plus the addition of Emily Stewart crossing from Lavington.
Her ability to support last years big improver Taylor Donelan will be a huge factor in how far they can progress along with defensive recruit Eliza Howard.
