NOT for the first time this week, Jarrad Farwell is preparing to stand side-by-side with Jayden Kotzur.
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Just five days after sharing the Tallangatta and District league’s top individual honour, the Barton Medal, Farwell and Kotzur will be front and centre when Rutherglen and Thurgoona lock horns in the qualifying final at Sandy Creek.
“I dare say we will probably be right next to each other for the first centre bounce on Saturday,” he said.
“It will be a good challenge – he’s a good player and a good bloke.”
While it was all smiles and handshakes on Monday night, Farwell knows it will be a different story come 2pm Saturday.
The Bulldogs have belted the Cats twice this season – by 66 and 88 points – and will start warm favourites after dismantling Kiewa-Sandy Creek in the final round to secure a top three berth.
I dare say we will probably be right next to each other for the first centre bounce on Saturday
- Jarrad Farwell
Despite suffering two heavy defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs this season, Farwell is confident the Cats can turn things around on the open expanses of Sandy Creek.
“The first two times we’ve played them it’s been pretty simple, they’ve just outworked us around the ground,” he said.
“We’ve identified that, so hopefully we can get our run going on that big ground (at Sandy Creek).
“Quick ball movement will be important.”
The bullocking Farwell will be a key to that quick ball movement. The former Henty star has slotted seamlessly into life at Rutherglen and described the Tallangatta league as a “bit tougher” than the Hume competition.
“I’ve loved it out at Rutherglen, they’ve been really welcoming, it’s an awesome club with a great culture,” he said.
“It’s definitely a bit more contested, obviously with the smaller grounds compared to the Hume league.
“It’s probably a bit tougher footy compared to the Hume league, where it’s a bit more open and there’s a bit more run out there.”
Along with Martin Brennan, Farwell will have his hands full keeping the likes of Thurgoona prime movers Kotzur and Kade Brown in check.
The Bulldogs will be without Lucas Mellier due to a knee injury but their three-pronged forward line of Todd Miller, Jake Bruce and Matt Fowler is likely to cause Rutherglen coach Karl Jacka and his team more than a few concerns.
But in a huge boost to the Cats, Jacka is set to take his place in charge despite recently starting chemotherapy in his fight against cancer.