KYABRAM V EUROA
Euroa will be hoping history repeats itself when it comes to preliminary final victories.
The Magpies played and won this game last year against Mansfield to advance to take on Echuca.
Echuca awaits the winner after it defeated Kyabram by three goals in the second semi-final.
The Pies made their way through to the preliminary final after turning the tables on Seymour after two home and away losses to them in 2023 to advance thanks to a four-goal win.
Euroa has found form at the right time of the year while Kyabram has played some good quarters of finals football but coach Paul Newman knows that unless his boys dish up a four-quarter effort then it will be curtains for 2023.
The Pies and Bombers will be desperate for victory for very different reasons.
Euroa will believe that if it can get to the grand-final then it can get the Murray Bombers while the Bombers will be desperate to try and turn the tables on the reigning premier after showing glimpses of what they are capable of when they are on in their three meetings in 2023.
Kyabram’s midfield will need to be on because if Euroa can get on top and have the footy live in its front half it will feel confident it has the weapons to kick a winning score.
That said, the Bombers have some weapons of their own that can do some damage on the scoreboard.
Tom Holman has been a standout for the Bombers in their two finals as has Jett Trotter for the Pies.
Defensively, both teams will be challenged.
And it is for that reason that you must take your opportunities.
One area of concern has been the Pies kicking for goal in the past fortnight.
0.7 and 2.8 in each of the premiership quarters.
But what would have been pleasing has been the two last quarters where they have piled on the goals to outscore their opponents.
Coach Scott Rowan will be confident if his team is either level or slightly behind at three-quarter-time that they will have the ability to run over the Bombers.
While the Bombers know the importance of finishing strongly just like they did against Mansfield in week one of the finals when they were challenged.
Both teams have some player availability concerns, with Jason Morgan desperate to play after missing both finals while the Pies will be sweating on the fitness of Morrison Medal favourite Will Hayes who had his ankle on ice at the end of the win last weekend.
Despite the fact the Pies have not beaten Kyabram this year, I think that changes in the preliminary final and they will win to advance to a showdown with the reigning premier in a re-match of the 2022 decider.
Tip: Euroa.
