FINLEY coach Simon Kenny is set to lock horns with his North Albury premiership teammate Jason Kerr when the Cats host Cobram under lights on Saturday night.
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The duo played in the Hoppers’ 1999 premiership win over Albury but will be on opposite teams for the round 3 contest.
Finley’s recent struggles have been well-documented — last year the club didn’t win a game while the Cats started this season with a 118-point loss at Deniliquin.
But Kenny is confident his charges can lift for their first home game of the year.
“I think we can definitely improve,” he said.
“Last week was disappointing for sure, our effort was there for the first two quarters but we dropped off a bit after half-time.
“The club hasn’t had much success the last 10 years — I still believe we need four or five quality players to get close to playing finals but it’s hard to attract players to Finley.
“My goal this year is to win between four and six games and I think that’s achievable.”
The Cats have a good chance to chalk up a win or two in the next month, with Finley playing three home games — against Cobram, Echuca United and Tocumwal — in a row, all under lights.
Finley secretary-manager Kerry McDonald said the move to play under lights would give the club a boost.
“We’ve got great lights here and Echuca United were good enough to allow us to play the Anzac Day game that evening at our ground,” she said.
“It will be a real boost to our club — playing at night will probably result in a 50 per cent increase in attendance.
“I think surrounding clubs and towns will drop in on their way home from their games and we’re really happy to host three in a row.”
Kenny said key players Lucas Peacock and Paul Massingham were chances to return from injury for the Cobram game.
In other games, Mulwala will be attempting to keep its unbeaten record in tact when it plays Numurkah at Lonsdale.
The Lions have started the season full of running, surprising many with wins against reigning premiers Nathalia and Rumbalara.
Numurkah rebounded from its opening round loss to defeat Tongala last weekend and will present the Lions with perhaps their biggest test so far this season.
Meanwhile, Tocumwal, also undefeated, travels to Moama in what should be an entertaining battle.
Nathalia hosts Rumbalara, Barooga and Echuca lock horns at Barooga, while Tongala travels to Congupna.
Deniliquin has the bye.
