Port Lincoln football
Preliminary final, Wayback v Marble Range, Saturday, Centenary Oval, 2.40pm
MARBLE Range are expected to strongly challenge reigning premiers Wayback this Saturday at Centenary Oval and are expected to name the same team that accounted for the more fancied Lincoln South in the first semi final.
The Rangers, who were plagued with injuries in the minor rounds, are now producing their A game at the business end of the season.
Having lost all three minor rounds to the Demons there is a quite an air of confidence they can turn that all around and win the right to play Mallee Park in the grand final.
Wayback, after losing to Mallee Park, have reported that due to injuries three players in key forward Kane Williams, utility player Wade Stevens and the tough as teak Simon Tyler will not play. The Demons in all probability will select three of their young players, and with their reserves also playing there will be plenty of discussion at the selection table tonight.
On the brighter side Wayback have played great football for a top two finish without these three players for many of their minor round wins.
This game will see the 100 year plus tradition of Wayback take on the character of Marble Range and as both teams always play with honesty and total commitment, this contest will prove to be worthy of a knockout preliminary final.
This is very much a game that could be won or lost by the coaching panel, both coaches in Scott Clark for Wayback and Peter West for the Rangers are premiership coaches, and know their players' capability.
There will be some key match up's in this contest, that could well determine the final result.
Wayback
T he Demons' leadership group hold the key to success this Saturday.
The return of captain Matthew Goodwin, who found early touches last Saturday, looked very much in need of the run and looks ready to explode back to his best.
Goodwin, Kelsh and 2009 Mail Medallist Matt Keatley, known as "the men at work trio", with their ability to find plenty of the ball in the midfield and push forward and to add to the goal kicking list can get their supporters into the game early, very much an important factor in an expected tight contest.
The Demon back half, led by one of the most destructive players in the league Joe Cragg-Sapsford, with brilliant running clearances, is also a player that can take on the ruck duties if needed and his drive can give the Demons the early momentum.
Up forward the Demons' tall mobile forwards in Michael Sara out of the goal square, the consistent Michael Vogelsanger, Ben Sampson and Clayton Millard, plus the mercurial Tom "The Bomb" George all failed to make the most of many chances to apply vital scoreboard pressure against Mallee Park, but they are a good mix and too talented to fail twice in two weeks.
The Demons' ruck in Mark Blight, Luke Westbury and Wayne Langford will rotate and are important in giving their on ball brigade first use, and again an improvement on last week's effort is required and expected.
Marble Range
The return of one of the best in captain Carl Semmler, who finds plenty of the ball, will inspire his team; his is a play that will become important in a hotly contested midfield battle.
Add Damon Scott, who runs from the back half to the forward half, and the hard work of Steven Tokarski, the Owen brothers, Tod and Chad, and Sean Oatway, who are all capable of kicking goals on the run and Chris Brooks, who can play up forward and kick long range goals or share the ruck duties and the Rangers have plenty of talent forward of centre.
Down the back Jarrod Doudle will be tough and resolute on the quick ball to the hot spot and Landon Gregory across half back will stop more than he lets through. His running clearances can turn defence into attack, always making good use of the ball.
The Rangers rucks could have the edge at the centre bounces and stoppages with Scott Charman and his game behind the ball is important to the team, add the robust Clint Ackland and the mobile Ricky Myers and Marble Range look good.
Without a shadow of doubt the contest for first use will be on in earnest and the likelihood that it will be on equal terms could see this game won or lost in time on of the last quarter.
The game will be a tough and physical contest with either team possible to advance to the grand final.
Tip: tough call, the Demons' wins have been ugly at times, but they do win and it matters not how you win and they are tipped to go into the grand final.
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