Sport
18 June, 2023
Roos return for vital clash
DIMBOOLA will make its return to Wimmera Football League action after a two-week absence when they play ladder leader Ararat on Saturday. The Roos have sat out the last two weeks with a team bye in round eight before the King’s Birthday long...
DIMBOOLA will make its return to Wimmera Football League action after a two-week absence when they play ladder leader Ararat on Saturday.
The Roos have sat out the last two weeks with a team bye in round eight before the King’s Birthday long weekend and will make the trek to Alexandra Oval to play the undefeated Rats.
Having been able to take stock after a heavy five-week block of matches, the Roos will return to the field with a full squad to choose from and make a return to the winners list after a narrow loss to Horsham Saints in its last outing before the break.
The Roos have kept supporters on their toes during the season with some exciting matches being played with all but one match being decided by three goals or less.
Its last outing against the Saints was a thriller in a four-point loss which followed up another thriller against Minyip-Murtoa where the Roos came away with a six-point victory in round six.
Dimboola president Justin Ward said the bye was timely and was looking forward to getting back on the field and taking on the ladder leaders.
“This match up will be a nice guide to where we are at. The Rats have been ticking over nicely while our boys have produced some good footy of late and put themselves in a position for a top three berth,” he said.
“The byes have been good but can be saints or sinners depending on how we return. A good start is always important for us and that’s what we need to put ourselves in the match early.
“We’ll have fresh legs for the clash but everyone is coming off a week off and the Rats will be keen to keep their record intact while our boys will be ready to hit the ground running and remain in the top three at the halfway point of the season, “ Ward said.
Dimboola currently holds down third place with a 5-2 record and sits on equal points with Southern Mallee Giants and Horsham Saints.
Ararat is a clear leader at the top of the table, sitting two games clear of the second-placed Giants and tomorrow’s game will determine who takes a top three position to the halfway mark of the season.
With the Giants playing Horsham in a game that they will be favoured to win, the Roos would love nothing more than to inflict the Rats first loss of the season.
On current form, the Roos will be right in this contest on the wide expances of Alexandra Oval as coach Jack Landt explores his options to bring down the running ability of the Rats.
Landt will have a full squad to pick from with Billy Hayes set to return from a hamstring injury, while Michael Graham will also return from injury.
Dylan Landt and Tom Cree will join the team after missing the Saints outing, while ruckman Jayden Lehmann is set to play his first game of the season after overcoming a wrist injury.
Matt Rosier, Ben Miller, Sam Godden and Landt have teamed well to set up scoring chances and will again look to find a way forward where the Roos have been in good form to reward of team-mates further up the ground.
Graham has slotted in well to the forward structure and with Jono Ross and Hayden Walters, who made his first appearance last start, will again form a potent structure up forward.
Aisea Raikiwasa, Darcy Dubois and Dustin Inglis have teamed well across half back to provide a springboard into attack and team well with Will Barber, Wade Packer and young guns Patrick Lindsey, Lachie Mackley and Tom O’Dwyer.
Mark Polycarpou made his first appearance in the green and gold last start and will add some extra firepower, while Landt will look to lead from the front to grab the upper hand from the centre of the ground.
On the netball court, all Roos teams will return with five of the six teams looking to maintain a placing in the top five.
A Grade will look to maintain a one game break on the Rats, while B Grade will contest a vital match up with the Rats where fifth place will be on the line with the teams locked together with a 3-4 record and only .30 percent separating the teams.
Like the A Grade, C Grade will look to maintain a one game break on the Rats and protect its fifth placing, while 17 & Under will be in the same boat where fifth place will be up for grabs.
Both sides sit with a 4-3 record and 5.83 percent separating the teams as the Roos look to move up a rung on the ladder.
15 & Under will have the chance to claim its second win of the season and in the 13 & Under game, another key battle will take place as the Roos look to move into fourth place if they can open the day with a win.