MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes are set to swing Matt Collins into defence in a bid to negate Leeton-Whitton’s tall timber in Saturday’s qualifying final.
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Collins has spent the majority of this season in attack but has been named at centre-half-back for the Goannas’ first final at Robertson Oval.
MCUE co-coach Travis Cohalan believes Collins can have a big impact at either end of the ground.
“The valuable thing about Matt is that he’s very good at either end of the ground,” Cohalan said.
“Last week we moved him down back at half-time against Coolamon and he did a good job on Joel Dalton.
“He can play centre-half-back, but we can also use him at centre-half-forward, full-forward and even in the ruck.
“This week too, with Leeton having some big forwards, we might need him in defence.”
Collins has kicked 23 goals this year, predominantly from centre-half-forward.
The Goannas have only kicked 10 and 11 goals in their two prior meetings against Leeton-Whitton this year and Collins booted two in both games.
With Collins set to switch, Cohalan is confident MCUE still have enough goals in them for victory.
“I think so, but a lot of the time this year, out forward line has struggled to capitalise on the opportunities we have created,” he said.
“So we have done a lot of work on our forward entries and forward movement.
“With Ryan Price, Chris Willis and Theo Metcalfe up there, along with small guys like Will Keogh and Lachie Kendall, I think we have definitely got 15 goals plus in us, it’s just a matter of getting things right.”
MCUE suffered a final round hiccup when they drew with Coolamon last Saturday, but they welcome back Andrew Dickins, Stace Creasy and Chris Willis on Saturday.
The Goannas plan to use their run to advantage against the Crows.
“To be completely honest, one of our strengths being a young and fit side has been our ability to run and spread on the outside,” Cohalan said.
“That’s been the way we have played all year so we will try to do that again against Leeton.”
Meantime, Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong have named John Anderson as reserve grade coach for their finals campaign.
John Lawton had coached the Lions’ reserves but lost his accreditation as part of the punishments from the quarter-time brawl against Leeton-Whitton.
Anderson will replace Lawton, while senior coach Luke Sicker will assist him.
