NORTH Warrnambool Eagles has named an unchanged team ahead of its top-of-the-table clash with reigning premier Koroit on Saturday.
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The Eagles have understandably opted not to tamper with the formula that has been working so well for them this season as they look to extend their unbeaten streak into a fifth week.
Co-coach Brendan Murfett said he was happy with how the playing group pulled up after their comfortable win over Portland last Saturday and was eager to take on powerhouse Koroit.
“Koroit has been the benchmark over the last couple of years, we’re expecting a tough contest,” he said.
“We’re happy to go in with the side unchanged.”
Murfett said a strong start would be vital for his side, which has lagged early in games, before more than making up ground as the matches wore on.
“We’re doing well when we’re up and about, we just need to start well,” he said.
Koroit has brought ruckman Jeremy Hausler back in from suspension, while Nick Hausler has been named on an extended bench. Tim Carter is set to miss with a hamstring injury, while Matt Haulser is also out.
Coach Adam Dowie said the Saints were unlikely to bring Carter back for next week’s clash against Camperdown, opting instead to give him until after the interleague bye to get his body right.
South Warrnambool has also named an unchanged team as it prepares to take on the in-form Warrnambool.
“It’ll be nice to have some consistency and everyone played well last week,” Roosters coach Mathew Buck said.
“We spoke (Thursday) morning about how it’s exciting to play the best team in the competition – 90 per cent of them are premiership players – we get to see where we’re at as a team.”
Warrnambool has made two forced changes for the match, with Jed Turland (shoulder) out, while the club is taking a cautious approach with Tim Hunt (hamstring).
Blues coach John Cook said it was “touch-and-go” whether Hunt was named in the team this week, but the club felt it would be best for him to sit out.
Andrew Schnerring has been called up following his best-on-ground honours for the Blues’ under 18.5 side last week, while Ned Auslebrook was rewarded for his performance in the reserves.
“(Schnerring) has got a fair bit of talent. He’ll go through the wing, same as Tim Hunt did – it’s just a one-for-one,” Cook said.