By Marcus Uhe
Wins over the weekend set the stage for an epic battle in Outer East Football Netball Premier Division between two of the competition’s powerhouse clubs on Saturday afternoon.
Narre Warren was pushed for three quarters against Mt Evelyn, holding just a five-point lead at the final change of ends but slammed on eight goals in the final quarter to run away with a 35-point win, 16.13 109 to 10.14 74.
Emerging star Sam Toner kicked six goals, taking him to 35 for the season from nine games, and maintaining his run of goals in every match.
Ill-discipline and overusing the ball brought the Magpies unstuck, according to Magpies coach Steven Kidd, who said the contest was the ideal tune up for the upcoming Woori Yallock clash, following a slow start after the long weekend off.
“I think it’s exactly what our group needed,” Kidd said.
“We need to be challenged and find a way to respond.
“It gives us a little bit more to feed back to the players to show them where we went wrong, especially in those first three quarters.
“We were probably over-using the ball a little bit through the middle and we were probably second to the ball from the start of the game, and for the first three quarters.”
One side will not sing the song for the first time in 2024 when Narre Warren hosts Woori Yallock at Kalora Park as the division’s two undefeated sides look to maintain their winning starts.
Both are being piloted by experienced coaches in their first year at the helm of their respective sides, inheriting quality lists with senior heads and established talent with credentials fostered over a period of sustained high performance.
Since the beginning of 2022, Woori Yallock is one of just two sides that the Magpies have lost to, while the Magpies are one of just five to get the better of the Tigers.
The rivalry came to a head in the 2022 grand final, where Narre Warren reeled in a three-quarter-time deficit to salute on the biggest stage.
The head-to-head record in that period reads 5-1 in Narre Warren’s favour, having won the last four contests between the two.
Only four points per game separate the two on a scoring front – the Magpies with a slight edge – but it appears behind the ball where the convergences emerge.
The Magpies hold a 10 points per game better defensive record, and while it does not seem much, it could be all that it takes.
Key forward Taylor Gibson creates a matchup issue, with Hayden Johnson, Joel Zietsman and Trent Papworth all likely opponents for the competition’s equal-leading goalkicker, tied with Magpie Will Howe.
Kudy Busoli, Angus Smith, Mitch Arnold and Kane Thompson, meanwhile, will all need attention in the middle of the ground from the Magpies’ on-ball brigade.
A fascinating contest awaits, and could shape the 2024 premiership race.
“From what I’ve seen they look a lot fitter than what they were last year, but I haven’t had a real good look at it just yet,” Kidd said.
“We definitely know they’ve got some quality forwards there, their backline is strong and their ruck and midfield has also strengthened up.
“Our ground is certainly wider so hopefully that will give us a little bit more room to spread them out a little and create a bit more space for us to run.
“I’m hoping that we can spread them out and run them as quick as we can, and get good crowd support.”
