Premiers welcome test against high-scoring Magpies
BANNOCKBURN will look to use its Round 3 clash against North Geelong to gauge exactly where it is at compared to the GDFL’s early-season frontrunners.
The reigning (2019) premiers have begun the year with two wins from two games, including one against 2019 runner-up Thomson, but it is the Magpies who have raised eyebrows across the competition following consecutive 20-goal victories — earning them a whopping percentage of 487.30.
Tigers skipper Connor Jervies said North Geelong was a vastly different team to the one that it faced two years ago, but acknowledged Sunday’s clash was a good opportunity to see where his team stood.
“They (the Magpies) have got a fair few different players than we probably saw in 2019 and I think they have definitely improved since then,” Jervies said.
“It is a great opportunity to take them on when they have had two 20-goal wins. It is probably a great time to take them on.
“(It was) a tough contest against Thomson last week but North are 2-0 as well, so it should be a great day Sunday to see where we are at.”
Bannockburn’s task will be made slightly less confronting by the absence of North Geelong co-captains Daniel Kee and Zac Schwennesen, who face a period of time on the sidelines with respective hamstring and knee injuries.
Sunday’s contest represents another chance for the Tigers to pay their respects to veterans on Anzac Day, and Jervies said the club took the occasion very seriously.
“It is a great honour, really,” he said. “Obviously football comes second. We have all got relatives and family members that have either been to war or know someone that has been.
“It is a great day to reflect, honour the heroes that have gone before us and just to pull on the jumper for that day it is a great honour.”