IT sounds strange, but Yarrawonga will go into this match as underdogs despite finishing two places higher on the ladder than the Raiders.
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The Raiders hit some good form against a determined Myrtleford last week while the Pigeons have plenty of injury concerns to some of their stars.
It’s a hard time of year to play guys unless they are somewhere near 100 per cent and, unfortunately, that means the likes of Craig Ednie and Nick Lawless remain on the sidelines.
That said, Tyler Bonat’s return from a shoulder injury is a massive bonus for the Pigeons.
If you throw Damon Symes into the forward-line mix, with Marcus McMillan under a massive injury cloud, it will allow Chris Kennedy and Drew Barnes to play his brother Brandon in the ruck for longer periods where he is a crucial link for them.
On the flip side, the Raiders have the healthiest list in the finals and they should get Todd Bryant and Matt McDonald back to add extra numbers to an already impressive midfield group, who have the best starting point in Ovens and Murray footy with Hayden Heta providing Jydon Neagle and Steve Jolliffe and co a clear advantage.
Kennedy and his crew will be putting plenty of work into Neagle and Jolliffe, with various match ups assigned to Jydon in different areas of the ground.
I would expect Bronson Schofield to run with Jolliffe for the day to try to curb his influence.
Daryn Cresswell owes us a favour at the Bulldogs and a win by the Raiders would see a preliminary at the John Flower Oval, which would be great, but I think the Pigeons can bounce back and get the job done.
- Tip: Pigeons by six points
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