A road-home double faces the Navexa Geelong United Youth League Women and Men as the Big V Youth League One season recommences following the pause for Easter.
After posting consecutive wins over Bulleen and Altona following the disappointing Round 1 loss to Collingwood, the Youth League Men will look to consolidate their spot inside the top six.
Luke Beard’s squad will travel to Bendigo on Saturday night to face the eighth-placed Braves before returning home to Geelong Arena to take on the winless Coburg on Sunday afternoon.
The meeting with the Braves won’t be the first time the two teams have crossed paths in 2023, and United will have to do it without leading scorer Marach Marach.
“Bendigo beat us in a practice match with their energy and intensity,” Beard said.
“With Marach suiting up for NBL1, it is a great opportunity to show our depth and how much we have improved as a collective.
“Coburg at home Sunday will be a challenge, but one we are looking forward to.
“It will allow us to display the conditioning and ability of our athletes to back up.”
For the Youth League Women’s roster, match ups with McKinnon and Coburg will provide an opportunity to snap a mini losing streak.
After seeing off Collingwood with an impressive defensive performance in Round 1, Jason Bannerman’s team have conceded an average of 74.5 points per game.
The Cougars and Giants sit just above Geelong United in sixth and fifth spots, respectively.
“We will work hard to get an early jump and work hard defensively to restrict their offensive sets,” Bannerman said of the clash with McKinnon.
“We need to control the ball better and make better choices by way of patience. We need to be physically smart both ends of the floor and be first to the loose ball.”
“We will need to restrict Coburg’s starting five’s impact.
“They have a bench that contribute to the scoreboard and Emily Attard will be one of our defensive focuses.
“If we control our game and get through our sets, reduce our turnovers and work hard defensively, we could set our Sunday up for success.”
