Horsham Saints v Horsham
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Ground: Horsham City Oval, Friday, 6.30pm.
Last time they met: Preliminary final, 2013. Horsham Saints 10.11 (71) d Horsham 9.8 (62).
HORSHAM and Horsham Saints will vie for Anzac Day victory when they meet under lights at Horsham City Oval.
The Saints and Demons both tasted success in round one and will look to continue their form on the big stage.
Demons coach Jordyn Burke said it was an honour to play on Anzac Day and a real test against last year’s preliminary final nemesis.
“We’re hopefully looking forward to continuing our good start to the year,” he said.
“We rate Horsham Saints very highly, so it’s a good opportunity to see where we’re at.
“It was a great win against Warrack, but you can’t rest on that going forward – there’s heaps we’ve still got to continue to improve.”
North Ballarat Rebels product Ryan Kemp will return for the Demons, while Tim Eldridge is set to miss with a hamstring injury.
Burke said winning the contested ball in the stoppages would be a key to his side’s chances, as would shutting down dangerous Saints forward Gavin Kelm, who opened his account with five majors in round one.
Up-and-coming defender Rhona Conboy could be the man for the job after an impressive showing in round one, while on-baller Nick Pekin and key position player Sean Christopher will again be important.
For the Saints, gun recruit Sam Clyne is set to make his club debut alongside Patty Kennedy and Kyle O’Connor. Daniel Rees and Joel Richards will miss with injury.
Saints coach Shayne Breuer said finding multiple options up forward would be pivotal against the Demons.
“It’s something we want to keep working on – having multiple contributors up forward and rotating guys who can go up there and hit the scoreboard,” he said.
“You need to convert and put that scoreboard pressure on and if you don’t do that against sides like Horsham they’re going to hurt you on the way out.”
Key to the Saints’ cause will be players including Pat Knott and Alexander McRae having an impact through the middle, and Jacob Cooke-Harrison and Les Butler making an impact on the scoreboard.