THEY’VE lost their past two matches and have a host of injury concerns to key players but Barnawartha coach Mitch Exton is refusing to write off Kiewa-Sandy Creek ahead of Sunday’s elimination final.
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Leigh Cameron (finger), Wylie Jackson (foot) and Scott Bartel (quad) haven’t played since the Hawks went down to the Tigers in round 17.
While Jackson and Bartel are considered stronger changes to line up against the Tigers than Cameron, Exton said he would prepare for all three to take their place in the cut-throat final at Sandy Creek.
“We’ll prepare for their strongest team – it won’t change what we do either way,” he said.
“They’re an experienced finals team.
“You can’t ever underestimate anybody, especially a team that has played off in the last two grand finals and especially at Sandy Creek, they’re obviously pretty familiar with that ground.”
Barnawartha will take confidence into the finals after beating the Hawks by 29 points and pushing Rutherglen (two points), Thurgoona (eight) and Mitta United (12) in their most recent encounters. Had they won one of those three narrow losses, the Tigers would have finished second.
They will be hoping Friday’s forecast wet weather doesn’t eventuate with their three-pronged forward line of Jordan Wolff, Josh Spence and Peter Cook hitting top form recently.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
