Round three previews:
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KALKEE will be looking to turn around recent form against Harrow-Balmoral, when the two sides come up against each other on Saturday.
Both teams are undefeated after two rounds, with both sides carrying respect for each other heading into the contest.
Harrow-Balmoral’s success the past couple of seasons has been well documented, and Kalkee co-coach Stuart Farr said his side was hoping to knock off the Southern Roos.
“We identified as soon as the draw came out that we had three big weeks to hopefully set us up for the season,” he said.
“We have one to go and without question it will definitely be the biggest test yet.
“They are the yard stick. People might say other teams might be, but they are the team to catch until proven otherwise.
“They have been dominant for the last few years, so it will be a good indication of where we are at.
“We will go there with every ambition and aim to get the four points. We will have to be a bit better than we have the last few weeks.”
Harrow-Balmoral playing coach Nick Pekin also considers Kalkee to be the pace setters so far during the season.
“We have been looking forward to this game for quite some time, because of Kalkee’s form and the games they have won,” he said.
“They are the team to beat in my eyes. Obviously we have both had time to settle in with our new sides and it should be an interesting match.
“Both sides have good midfield groups. I think it will come down to those second tier players. We will need to beat them in that department.”
Kalkee will be without Matt Nield, Harry Wentworth and Daniel Schace, with Farr confident in his side’s depth.
“There have been some good footballers running around in the reserves, which puts pressure on the seniors,” he said.
Farr said his Kalkee side was starting to play the brand of football they have been working towards.
“There have been signs of how we want to play, but we knew we weren’t going to be playing perfectly after a couple rounds,” he said.
“We want to make sure we improve on what we put out on the park last week.
“We don’t think we will hit our straps until mid-season, but we are improving.”
Pekin expressed a similar sentiment, and said selection this week would be tough.
“We are shaping up well,” he said.
“Selection wise it is going to be difficult – we are choosing from about 28 guys. It is a good problem to have this early in the season.”