HE'S happy to pinch-hit down back when required, but Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' George Kendall hopes his stints in defence won't be required often as the Goannas begin to welcome back some key personnel.
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Just a week after giving up the driver's seat to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong with a first loss of the season against the Lions, the Goannas are back on top after the Tigers got the job done against GGGM last week.
With a few players missing and a desire to road test some alternate plans before finals, the Goannas trialled players in different positions during last week's win over Narrandera.
It began shakily when down by 15 points at quarter time against the struggling Eagles, but MCUE steadied to ensure they need only win their last three games of the season to seal the minor premiership.
Young forward Kendall, equal fifth in the league's goalscorer's list with 25 in 13 matches, play centre-half back and was voted the team's second best performer.
He has played plenty of football there in the past, but with the like of Padric Griffin and Nick Collins set to be available as early as this week, plus Dom Bunyan aiming to return by the end of finals, it should only have been a fleeting role for Kendall.
"My whole life I grew up playing there (centre-half back and when Rowey (coach Jeremy Rowe) came to the club I switched to centre-half forward," Kendall said.
"I was definitely rusty in the first quarter, but after that I adjusted. We all adjusted fairly well after that.
"I felt I went well. That first quarter wasn't my best but after that I felt like I was back how I played a couple of years ago in the back-line.
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"I'm pretty sure it's just in case we need to switch it up within a game when things aren't working. They might chuck me back or a couple of other guys who can play both ends."
MCUE will start favourites in their last three games against Turvey Park (this Saturday, away), Collingullie-Glenfield Park (home) and Leeton-Whitton (away), but all three may be tough on paper.
The Demons in particular are one of the form teams of the competition while Leeton-Whitton have enjoyed a strong second half of the year.
"I feel like they (Turvey Park) will definitely have a big crack at trying to take us down, we can't put the brakes on against them that's for sure," Kendall said.
"We were a bit shocked when we heard (Tigers beat the Lions) but obviously we can't be too happy, we have to keep winning and make sure we don't slip up."
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