The Courier |
BUNGAREE coach Greg Middleton is not one to be selfish, but there is certainly one little personal goal that he’d like to be ticked off this weekend.
Middleton said the Bombers were the one side in the competition that he had never been able to beat in his five years at the helm.
And his side looks well placed to achieve that feat, heading into Saturday’s encounter as the favourite after an unbeaten start to the season that has netted 12 wins and top spot on the Central Highlands Football League ladder.
“They are the one side I haven’t beaten, so I’m really looking forward to this time round,” Middleton said.
“It should be a fierce contest and what I’d expect from two sides in those positions on the ladder.
“I expect to go out there and win like I do every week.”
The Demons have barely put a foot wrong so far this season, but now arrive at a stage that will either cement them as the firm premiership favourite or give the rest of the contenders an element of confidence.
In a tough finish to the home and away season, Middleton and his men take on the Bombers and then third-placed Waubra before a clash with reigning premier Hepburn in round 16.
Selectors have made a couple of changes to the side that beat Creswick last weekend, with key onballer Matthew Sheridan the big out through injury and unavailability, while ruckman Chris Cowan comes back into the side.
Buninyong will be upbeat after its come-from-behind draw with Waubra last weekend, a result that kept it in second place on the league ladder.
Bombers coach Jarrod Morgan said the Demons were clearly the team to beat at this stage of the campaign.
“I can only go off results – I’ve watched a bit of vision – but from the way they’ve been playing it’s definitely theirs to lose at this stage,” he said.
“We are more than happy hunting them, being underdogs.”
Onballer Jimmy Carroll is the significant out with a groin injury, while backman Chris Wills is in doubt with a leg problem. Coming in is Kenny Terry and Adam Bridges from the reserves.
PREDICTION: Bungaree in a tight one.
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