Harrow-Balmoral v Natimuk United
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Ground: Harrow Recreation Reserve, Friday, 2.45pm.
Umpires: C. Pickering, N. Duxson and R. Morrow.
Last time they met: Round 13, 2013. Natimuk 4.7 (31) d Harrow-Balmoral 2.4 (16).
NATIMUK United will honour its Horsham RSL Diggers roots in the district league’s first Anzac Day clash.
The Rams will take on Harrow-Balmoral in Harrow and are determined to build on their strong showing against Taylors Lake in round three.
For the Roos, it will be a chance to stay unbeaten and keep in touch with ladder leader Laharum.
Coaches of both sides said they expected a tough fight.
Natimuk United coach Tim Friend said his side would continue to rely on the physical defensive pressure that earned it a win against the Lakers.
“We are going to have to bring the pressure that we brought in our last game if we want to make it a close contest,” he said.
“I tipped Harrow as the big improver at the start of the season, and with blokes such as Callum Hobbs, Hamish Ellis and Anthony Close in the side this year, it’s going to be hard to beat.”
Friend might be able to breathe a bit easier, with Ellis and fellow Roo Joel Staude ruled out.
Brent Penny will return to play his 299th game.
Roos coach Brent Forsyth said he would not dramatically alter the side that had won its first three games convincingly.
Forsyth said his charges were ready to accept the pressure Natimuk would apply.
“We’re expecting a pretty fierce contest,” he said.
“They rate themselves pretty highly on contested footy and we think in our first three weeks our contested ball work has been really good as well, so it should be a good contest in close.”
Natimuk United players Adam Coutts and Bryce Hateley are available for selection, but Friend said the team was not finalised.