Anzac Day rivalry continues

TAINE Morris will be important for the Kangaroos against Portland in Monday’s Anzac Day clash at Melville Oval. Photo: NICOLE CLEARY.

By Adam Hill

April 23, 2022 | 12:00 PM

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will host Portland in the traditional Anzac Day clash at Melville Oval on Monday with the blue and white set to face a tough test.

It will be the first time in three years the game has been played in Hamilton and both senior football coach, Hamish Waldron, and Open netball coach, Nat O’Dea, will be taking the reins of their teams for the first time as coach for the stand-alone fixture.

Waldron has played in many Anzac clashes against the Tigers and said it was always a special day to be part of.

“We are very lucky to play on a day like Anzac Day,” he said.

“Usually a few of us get down to the Dawn service in the morning, then as a coach I will address it a bit differently as to when I was a player.”

The Kangaroos are coming off a win against Warrnambool in round two at home and with a second straight game in front of the Melville Oval faithful, Waldron’s squad has been working hard to ensure they have the best chance.

Easter provided an extended break and the home side take an unchanged team into the clash, with Waldron expecting a fast-paced game against Portland.

“Portland has shown it is going to be a good side again, they like to play a quick brand of football,” he said.

“When we don’t have the footy, we will have to lock down and defend.”

Jack Hickey and Ryan Sigley will both come through the reserves and won’t be rushed back into the senior side, as the Roos search for a 2-1 start to the season.

Portland will go into the clash undefeated and the home side will need to be at their best if it is to knock off the Tigers and push up into the top five conversation.

Netball

THE Hamilton Kangaroos will go into Monday’s clash without captain, Emma Sommerville, but will welcome back Eve Duckmanton for her first game in the blue and white this season.

The Kangaroos grinded out a tough round two loss to the Blues, compounded by injury, but Rhianne Lewis has recovered and will be back to tighten the Roos’ defences against Portland.

Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea said the team had trained solidly over the past two weeks and was excited to get back on the court against Portland on Anzac Day.

“In Open, a few of the girls haven’t played Anzac Day before, so the Lewis girls were revving them up and telling them how special the day was.”

As O’Dea settles into her role as coach, it will be her first time involved in the day and she said she was just excited to get the chance to bounce back and get on the winners list.

“Obviously I missed the Koroit game, there were a few nerves for the Warrnambool game and I am glad it (Anzac Day) is the second game for me.

“I don’t feel pressure, but it is at home and you want to get the win and send a statement to the league and get our first win.”

Duckmanton will slot into wing attack, while Hayley Sherlock will be needed in goal defence with Sommerville set to miss with a calf injury.

O’Dea said the skipper would still be on the sidelines and has taken the defence under her wings despite the injury.

Leesa Iredell is the only other player missing, as the Kangaroos look to build consistency on the court.

“Our main focus is to get her up and going in that third defender role,” O’Dea said.

“We have got Kellie (Sommerville) and Kyra (McInnes) in centre and wing defence (respectively), they have both got speed and talent.

“With that line of Hayley, Kyra and Kellie flooding from defence into our attack, it has to be one of the best and we really need to expose that.

“That transition from defence to attack will be a highlight on Monday for sure.”

O’Dea said confidence was high and the team was ready for the spotlight.

“There is definitely something in the air,” she said.

“No doubt there will be a bigger crowd and we are excited for that.”