Marrar coach Shane Lenon has no concerns about cohesion in his team after making six changes for Saturday’s top of the table clash against North Wagga.
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The Bombers are chasing a second straight minor premiership under Lenon when they host the Saints at Langtry Oval.
Playing for a week off and a psychological advantage, they welcome back Cal Gardner (who hasn’t played for five weeks), Jackson Moye (six weeks), and Tyler Cunningham (three weeks) along with Brad Langtry for just his fifth game of the year, and Fred Sleeth and Curtis Allen for only their second.
“They’re positive changes, those ones,” Lenon said, dismissing the possibility it could be a disruption.
“That’s not a concern. They’re all quality players, they’re fair dinkum footballers so it’s not a consideration.”
It’s Marrar’s biggest test since travelling to Temora seven weeks ago (when they scored a comfortable win).
The Bombers have barely missed a beat since losing to the Saints two months ago – their only loss of the season – but Lenon knows an eighth straight win, and top spot on the ladder, is going to require a better effort than Marrar delivered on that wet day in the middle of June.
“They were too good for us, there’s no doubt about that. They were dominant after halftime and obviously up to this stage of the year, they’ve been the best side,” he said.
“The challenge for us and the other sides that are going to be in the finals is to try and change that.
“In saying that, I think we’re better equipped this week to give a better account of ourselves. Whether that means we’ll beat them or not, we’ll know by about 4.30 tomorrow.”
Star Saints forward Daniel Jordan kicked five goals in the McPherson Oval encounter, including three in six minutes in the first quarter. He needs just two goals to overtake Temora’s Matt Wallis as the league’s leading goalkicker.
“Adam Whyte will have the job again,” Lenon said. “I thought he done a good job on Jordan after quarter-time last time and he’s an up-and-coming defender.”
Lenon said he’s just as focussed on what’s going on up the ground, including his own forward line, where Sleeth (forward pocket) and Allen (half-forward-flank, changing in the midfield) come in while Brad Turner was also missing back in the 13.12 (90) to 7.1 (43) loss.
“Last time we played them, we probably struggled to kick a winning score,” Lenon said. “Seven goals is not going to be enough to beat a North Wagga. They’re a pretty free-scoring side.
“Having said that, the midfield battle is going to be huge. That’s one of their strengths. (Jake) May and (Tom) Bennetts have been in really good form so they've got some quality players in there but we’ve strengthened up our midfield with a few additions which will only help.”
Lenon said the battle for the minor premiership is a perfect way to usher in the business end of the season.
“It’s a massive game,” he said. “In all my time in footy, I can’t ever remember two sides playing the last game to decide top spot. That in itself makes it exciting and I suppose they’re the only side in the comp we haven’t beaten either so that’s the challenge.”