Donald v Charlton
DONALD will start as a heavy favourite in its match against Charlton in round 10.
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The Royal Blues have been slowly moving up the ladder in recent rounds and consolidating their spot in the top four.
Coach Tom Bell said he doesn’t take any notice of the ladder.
“If we can kick straight up forward then we will be alright,” he said. “If we don’t then those wasted opportunities will end up hurting us at some point.”
Inaccuracy almost cost the side against Wedderburn in round nine when it kicked seven goals and 20 behinds.
“To be fair there were quite a few rushed behinds,” Bell said. “But we do need to improve dramatically. I think it will improve as the weeks go on.”
The Royal Blues will need to work hard to kerb the influence of Aaron and Ben Walklake as well as Thomas Finlay.
St Arnaud v Wych-Narraport
THE Saints will face an uphill battle against the benchmark side in the league on Saturday when they host the Demons at Lord Nelson Park.
Coach Jason DeGraaf said his side would approach the game the same as it did every week.
“Where we are on the ladder means we come up against better sides each week,” he said. “We just need to continue trying to put in place what we think will give us a chance of getting wins.
“I’ve been rapt with the continued effort of the boys who keep showing up to training and putting in each Saturday.”
During the second half of the season the side have a continued focus on bettering its defensive effort.
After nine games the St Arnaud have conceded 1028 points – 200 more than any other side. Wycheproof-Narraport scored 166 points against them in round three.
“We have an internal goal to concede less points in back half of the season than the first,” DeGraaf said.
“That will keep us in games longer and give us chances to steal wins. Come the end of the season we will finish in the same position as seven other sides who don’t win the grand final.
“We just need to keep finding ways to move forward and continue improving.”