THE Warrack Eagles loom as a dark horse in the Wimmera league this season due to strong recruitment but the side’s credentials will be tested against Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday.
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Warrack Eagles coach Ryan McKenzie said his side is focused ahead of the game.
“It was great to get the win first up against Dimboola but one of our goals before the season was to get a win against one of the four sides that finished above us in 2016,” he said.
“Playing Minyip-Murtoa is the first chance we get at putting a tick next to that goal.”
Burras coach Damian Cameron is expecting a tough game.
“Warrack were really competitive towards the end of last season,” he said. “The side has brought in some very handy inclusions.”
McKenzie identified the midfield battle as crucial to the game.
“Their midfield is pretty strong but if we can win the ball in there and get it to our forwards quickly we will be a good chance,” he said.
“We have some very handy one-on-one players up forward who I will back in to beat most defenders.”
New recruits Jesse Murphy and Shannon Argall worked well together in round one, with Josh Bibby also popping up to kick four goals.
It means the Burras defence will need to be on its toes.
“Our back line stood up very well last weekend against Nhill,” Cameron said.
“Four of our best six players were playing in the back line. I’m hoping they can continue that form into Saturday in order to nullify Warrack’s forward line.”
Minyip-Murtoa got through the first round unscathed but will make two or three changes to the side based on players becoming available.
The side was slow out of the blocks against Nhill and are more likely to be made to pay if they start off the same way against Warrack.
Cameron said his side just needs to work hard in order to give itself the best chance of starting better.
“It starts on the track where we need to train in the manor we want to play,” he said.
“That should ensure we get off to a better start.”
The Eagles were also slow out of the blocks against Dimboola before clicking into gear.
McKenzie said it was something the side had a problem with last season as well. “That is an area we focused on at training during the week,” he said.
The Warrack Eagles side will have even more incentive to win as players from the 1987 Brim premiership side and the 1977 Warracknabeal premiership side come together for a reunion.
President Adrian Bibby said the club was expecting more than 40 of the players to be at the reunion.
